A new semianalytical algorithm for calculating diffuse plane view factors which is based on an extension of Nusselt’s sphere method is presented. For simple cases of view factor calculations where exact solutions exist, the accuracy of the algorithm is tested and compared with the accuracy of others.

Issue Section:
Technical Briefs
Keywords:
Building Heat Transfer, Computer Codes, Radiation
Topics:
Algorithms, Computers, Heat transfer, Radiation (Physics)
1.
Chung
T. J.
, and
Kim
J. Y.
,
1982
, “
Radiation View Factors by Finite Elements
,”
ASME JOURNAL OF HEAT TRANSFER
, Vol.
104
, pp.
792
–
795
.
2.
Emery, A. F., 1983, VIEW—A Radiation View Factor Computer Program With Interactive Graphics for Geometry Definition (version 5.5.3), Nasa Computer Software Management and Information Center, Atlanta GA.
3.
Emery
A. F.
,
Johansson
O.
,
Lobo
M.
,
Abrous
A.
,
1991
, “
A Comparative Study of Methods for Computing the Diffuse Radiation View Factors for Complex Structures
,”
ASME JOURNAL OF HEAT TRANSFER
, Vol.
113
, pp.
413, 422
413, 422
.
4.
Mitalas, G. P., and Stephenson, D. G., 1966, Fortran Programs to Calculate Radiant Interchange Factors, Report DBR-25, National Research Council of Canada, Division of Building Research, Ottawa, Canada.
5.
Nusselt, W., 1928, “Graphische bestimmung des winkelverhaltnisses bei der warmestrahlung VDI Z,” Vol. 72, p. 673.
6.
Siegel, R., and Howell, J. R., 1992, “Thermal Radiation Heat Transfer,” Hemisphere Publishing Corporation, Washington, D.C.
7.
Shapiro
A. B.
,
1985
, “
Computer Implementation, Accuracy and Timing of Radiation View Factor Algorithms
,”
ASME JOURNAL OF HEAT TRANSFER
, Vol.
107
, pp.
730
–
732
.
8.
Shapiro, A. B., 1983, FACET—A Radiation View Factor Computer Code for Axisymmetric, 2D Planar, and 3D Geometries With Shadowing, University of California, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, UCID-19887.
9.
Sparrow
E. M.
,
1963
, “
A New and Simpler Formulation for Radiative Angle Factors
,”
ASME JOURNAL OF HEAT TRANSFER
, Vol.
85
, pp.
81
–
88
.
10.
Walton, G. N., 1986, Algorithms for Calculating Radiation View Factors Between Plane Convex Polygons With Obstructions, Report 86-3463, National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD.
11.
Walton, G. N., 1993, VLITE—Computer Programs for Simulation of Lighting/ HVAC Interactions, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland.
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