Thermal Radiation

Gray and Diffuse

Approximations
The gray and diffuse approximations are often utilized in radiation
calculations.
A surface is said to be diffuse if its properties are independent of
direction, and gray if its properties are independent of
wavelength.
Therefore, the emissivity of a gray, diffuse surface is simply the
total hemispherical emissivity of that surface because of
independence of direction and wavelength.
Monochromatic emissivity and monochromatic absorptivity are
independent of wavelength.

The View Factor (Shape Factor)

The view factor Fij is defined as the fraction of the radiation
leaving surface i that is intercepted by surface j.

View Factor

(1)

Here it is assumed that the radiosity Ji is uniform over the

surface
A i.
Two
surfaces
are assumed to be diffuse emitters and reflectors and
have uniform radiosity.

View Factor Relations

Reciprocity
relation
Summation rule for an enclosure

To calculate radiation exchange

in an enclosure of N surfaces, a
total of N2 view factors is
needed.

View factor

A total of N view factors may be obtained from the N

equations associated with application of the summation rule.

In addition, N(N-1)/2 view factors may be obtained from the

N(N -1)/2 applications of the reciprocity relation.

Only N(N -1)/2 view factors need be determined directly.

This can be done by inspection.

For more complicated geometries, the view factor may be

determined by solving the double integral of the Equation
(1). Such solutions have been obtained for many different
surface arrangements and are available in equation,
graphical, and tabular form.

Blackbody Radiation Exchange

Radiosity equals emissive power for any black surface i (Ji = Eb,i).

Net radiative exchange between two surfaces:

For an enclosure of N surfaces, the net radiative transfer :

Radiation Exchange Between Opaque, Diffuse, Gray

Surfaces in an Enclosure
Assumptions:

Each surface of the enclosure is assumed to be isothermal and to be

characterized by a uniform radiosity and a uniform irradiation.

The surfaces are also assumed to be opaque (=0 ) and to have

emissivities, absorptivities, and reflectivities that are independent of
direction (the surfaces are diffuse) and independent of wavelength (the
surfaces are gray).

The emissivity is equal to the absorptivity (from Kirchhoffs law)

The medium within the enclosure is taken to be nonparticipating.

Net Radiation Exchange at a Surface

(for an opaque
surface)

Gi = (Ji - iEbi)/(1- i)
Therefor
e,
Driving potential: Ebi - Ji
Surface radiative resistance: (1i)/(i Ai)
(Ebi Ji) is positive: Net radiation heat transfer from the
surface.
(Ebi Ji) is positive: Net radiation heat transfer to the
surface.

A note on large surface

[Heat Transfer, Incropera and

Dewitt]

Radiation Exchange Between Surfaces:

To determine JI, the radiation exchange between the surfaces of the
enclosure is required.
(from reciprocity
relation)
Substituting for Gi,
(From summation
rule)

(Ji -Jj) is the driving potential

Radiation network approach

(a)

(b)

Direct approach

An alternative direct approach to solving radiation enclosure

problems involves writing equation (a) for each surface at
which Ti is known, and writing equation (b) for each surface at
which qi is known.

The resulting set of N linear, algebraic equations is solved for J 1,

J 2 , . . . , J N.

With knowledge of the Ji, the net radiation heat transfer rate q i
at each surface of known Ti or the value of Ti at each surface of
known qi, can be determined.

For any number N of surfaces in the enclosure, the problem

may be solved by the iteration or matrix inversion methods.

Reradiating surface
This idealized surface is characterized by zero net radiation transfer (q i = 0).