Simulation study of a novel phase change cooling garment for electricians in a high-temperature environment.

• Proposed a cooling unit with an anisotropic encapsulation structure for a phase change cooling garment. • The optimal cooling performance is achieved with a phase change material thickness of 8 mm, a slow-release heat absorption layer of 3 mm, and a spacing of 5 cm between the cooling units. • The novel phase change cooling garment is capable of supporting electricians in high-temperature environments (38 °C) for up to 2 h. • It can improve thermal comfort and safety for electricians in extreme heat conditions through advanced garment design. • Potential applications extend to various industries requiring heat-stress mitigation for workers. To mitigate the effects of heat stress on electricians during outdoor activities such as inspection, circuit repair, and daily maintenance in high-temperature environments, a novel design for a portable, efficient, and ergonomic phase change cooling garment is presented. First, the optimal phase change material is selected considering economic and environmental factors. Then, based on the heat balance equation of the human body and Fourier's law, the required phase change material mass and the optimal thickness of the retarded heat-absorbing layer are obtained and verified by numerical simulations and experiments. The results indicate that in a high-temperature environment of 38 °C for 2 h, electricians require 2.39 kg of phase change material. To meet the protective duration requirements of electricians' daily tasks, the optimal thickness of the phase change material is 8 mm, and the optimal thickness of the slow-release heat absorption layer is 3 mm. The results of this study have significant implications for the safety and protection of electricians in high-temperature environments. It aims to provide theoretical guidance for the design and innovation of personal cooling garments for electricians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]