Human Skin Burn Intensity Resulting From Various Incidents Utilizing Bioheat Transfer Model: A Comparative Analogy

Abstract

Understanding how human skin reacts to heat is vital for effective burn prevention and treatment. This study uses a bioheat transfer model to develop a comparative analogy to differentiate burn intensity from hot dishes, hot fluids, radiation, and flash fires, aiming to differentiate the burn profiles of each incident type. The finite element method is employed to solve the time-dependent Pennes' bioheat transport equation concerning the three distinct layers of human skin. The Arrhenius equation is implemented to quantify the damage fraction associated with thermal burns. The burn intensities for the degrees of burns (first, second, and third) are evaluated by applying Henriques burn integral, considering various burning conditions and the corresponding exposure times required for each burn. The numerical results are displayed in various formats, including volume temperature plots and line graphs of damage fraction. The findings reveal that first-degree burns occur the fastest, followed by second-degree burns, with third-degree burns taking the longest to develop. Notably, burns from direct contact with a hot dish are more severe than those from freely flowing heated fluids. The results highlight that exposure time, temperature, and thermal conductivity are key factors in burn depth and tissue damage, offering valuable insights for burn treatment and risk management. The outcomes will effectively predict burn consequences, making it useful in burn injury treatment and safety engineering.