title: Modelling and optimisation of the operation of a radiant warmer.
abstract: This paper presents numerical calculations of the temperature field obtained for the case of a neonate placed under a radiant warmer. The results of the simulations show a very non-uniform temperature distribution on the skin of the neonate, which may cause increased evaporation leading to severe dehydration. For this reason, we propose some modifications on the geometry and operation of the radiant warmer, in order to make the temperature distribution more uniform and prevent the high temperature gradients observed on the surface of the neonate. It is concluded that placing a high conductivity blanket over the neonate and introducing additional screens along the side of the mattress, thus recovering the radiation heat escaping through the side boundaries, helped providing more uniform temperature fields.
authors.affiliation: MMI Engineering Bristol, United Kingdom. Electronic address: aduda@mmiengineering.com.
authors.forename: Anna M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Fic
authors.affiliation: Centre for CFD, University of Leeds, United Kingdom. Electronic address: D.B.Ingham@leeds.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Derek B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Ingham
authors.affiliation: ANSYS UK, United Kingdom. Electronic address: maciej.ginalski@ansys.com.
authors.forename: Maciej K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Ginalski
authors.affiliation: Silesian University of Technology, Poland. Electronic address: andrzej.j.nowak@polsl.pl.
authors.forename: Andrzej J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Nowak
authors.affiliation: Brunel University, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Luiz.Wrobel@brunel.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Luiz C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Wrobel
mesh_terms: D049628:Body Size; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007186:Incubators, Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature
keywords: Computational fluid dynamics; Heat transfer; Natural convection; Neonatology; Radiant warmer