Modeling of electrostatic fields around a person wearing shoes and clothes with different dielectric constants

The focus of the study is the process of modeling the electrostatic field surrounding a person wearing shoes and clothes with different dielectric constants. The objective is to assess the degree of heterogeneity of the electrostatic field strength values generated around a person, considering the triboelectric properties of clothing and shoes. The purpose of the work is to develop models that illustrate the correlation between the electrostatic field and the potential of the human body in the “person - special shoes - floor covering” system. Finite element modeling was performed using COMSOL Multiphysics, which enables the analysis of both individual and interconnected physical processes. It also allows for the consideration of the influence of the shape of charged solids on the inhomogeneity of the electrostatic field on their surface. Three types of models were considered: a person in shoes and without clothes; a person in shoes and light clothing made of a material with a relative dielectric constant ε = 2.4 and an average layer thickness of 0.5 cm; a person in shoes, in light and warm clothes made of materials with a relative dielectric constant ε = 4.3 and an average layer thickness of 2.0-2.5 cm. To strength of the electrostatic field of the system was calculated applying the finite element method. The study revealed that the electrostatic field of the “person - shoes - floor covering” system is maximally concentrated in the lower part of the body geometry, i. e. in the shoe area. For a model in light clothing, the electrostatic field strength at the same potential on the human body increases by more than 2.6 times compared to the model without clothing. The presented modeling method allows us to take into account the properties of materials, thickness and dielectric properties of clothing and footwear packages. This will enable the assessment of potential risks of exposure to electrostatic fields on the health of personnel and industrial equipment. The results of the research can be used in planning experimental studies, selecting materials and designing packages of special antistatic shoes and clothing.