Radiation Exchange Between Surfaces

• We have discussed the radiative processes that occur at a single

surface.
• We now consider the problem of radiative exchange between two or
more surfaces.

1
 13.1 The View Factor
• To compute radiation exchange between any two surfaces, we must
first introduce the concept of a view factor(also called a configuration
or shape factor).

2
 13.1.1 The View Factor Integral

FIGURE 13.1 View factor associated with radiation exchange

between elemental surfaces of area dAi and dAj.

• View factor Fij is defined as the fraction of the radiation leaving

surface i that is intercepted by surface j.
3
 The View Factor Integral

• The rate at which radiation leaves dAi and is intercepted by dAj may
be expressed as

• where Ie+r,i is the intensity of radiation leaving surface i by emission

and reflection and dωj→i is the solid angle subtended by dAj when
4
viewed from dA .
 The View Factor Integral

• dωj→i = (cos θjdAj)/R2

⇒
5
 The View Factor Integral

• Assuming that surface i emits and reflects diffusely

• We have Ji = π Ie+r,i ⇒ Ie+r,i = Ji/π

⇒
6
 The View Factor Integral

• The total rate at which radiation leaves surface i and is intercepted by

j may then be obtained as

where it is assumed that the radiosity Ji is uniform over the surface7 Ai.
 The View Factor Integral

• From the definition of the view factor

⇒ 8
 The View Factor Integral

• Similarly,

9
 13.1.2 View Factor Relations

⇒
• This expression is termed as reciprocity relation.

10
 View Factor Relations

• From the definition of the view factor

(summation rule)
may be applied to each of the N surfaces in the enclosure.
• Fii = 0, if the surface i is plane or convex.
• Fii ≠ 0, if the surface i is concave.
11
 View Factor Relations

• For an N-zone enclosure the view factor Fij may be expressed in the
matrix form:

12
 View Factor Relations

• There are N2 view factors to be determined for an N-zone enclosure.

• However, summation rule provide N relations.
• Reciprocity relation provides N(N - 1)/2 relations.
• Only [N2 – N - N(N - 1)/2] = N(N - 1)/2 view factors need be
determined directly.
• For example, in a three-surface enclosure this requirement
corresponds to only 3(3 - 1)/2 = 3 view factors.

13
 View Factor Relations

• To illustrate the foregoing procedure, consider a simple, two-surface

enclosure involving the spherical surfaces.
• Although the enclosure is characterized by N2 = 4 view factors (F11,
F12, F21, F22), only N(N - 1)/2 = 1 view factor need be determined
directly.

14
 View Factor Relations

F11 + F12 = 1 (summation rule)

F11 = 0 (convex surface)]
⇒ F12 = 1
A2 F21 = A1 F12 (reciprocity rule)

15
 13.1.2 View Factor Relations

• From the summation rule, we also obtain

F11 + F12 = 1
• in which case F11 = 0, and
F21 + F22 = 1
• in which case

16
 View Factor Relations

F21 + F22 = 1 ⇒ F22 = 1 - F21 = 1 - A1/A2

• Analytical techniques for the determination of view factors for simple
configurations are presented in Tables.
• Some of the view factors are also presented in the graphical form.
17
18
19
20
21
 Additive nature of view factor

• Aj = A1 + A2 + ····· + Ak + ····· + An
• Fi(j) = Fi1 + Fi2 + ····· + Fik + ····· + Fin
(j) indicates complete surface
⇒ AiFi(j) = AiFi1 + AiFi2 + ····· + AiFik + ····· + AiFin
⇒ AjF(j)i = A1F1i + A2F2i + ····· + AkFki + ····· + AnFni

⇒
22
• EXAMPLE 13.1
• Consider a diffuse circular disk of diameter D and area Aj and a plane
diffuse surface of area Ai « Aj. The surfaces are parallel, and Ai is
located at a distance L from the center of Aj. Obtain an expression for
the view factor Fij.
• SOLUTION
• Known: Orientation of small surface relative to large circular disk.
• Find: View factor of small surface with respect to disk, Fij.
• Schematic:

23
• Assumptions:
1. Diffuse surfaces.
2. Ai « Aj.
3. Uniform radiosity on surface Ai.
• Analysis: The desired view factor may be obtained from equation

24
• Recognizing that θi, θj, and R are approximately independent of
position on Ai, this expression reduces to

or, with θi = θj ≡ θ,

25
• With R2 = r2 + L2, cos θ = (L/R), and dAj = 2πr dr, it follows that

26
• EXAMPLE 13.2
• Determine the view factors F12 and F21 for the following geometries:

1. Sphere of diameter D inside a cubical box of length L = D.

2. One side of a diagonal partition within a long square duct.
3. End and side of a circular tube of equal length and diameter.
• SOLUTION
• Known: Surface geometries.
• Find: View factors.
27
• Assumptions: Diffuse surfaces with uniform radiosities.
• Analysis: The desired view factors may be obtained from inspection,
the reciprocity rule, the summation rule, and/or use of the charts.
• 1. Sphere within a cube:

By inspection, F12 = 1
By reciprocity,

28
• 2. Partition within a square duct:

From summation rule, F11 + F12 + F13 = 1

where F11 = 0
By symmetry, F12 = F13
Hence F12 = 0.50
By reciprocity,

29
• 3. Circular tube:

From Table 13.2 or Figure 13.5, with (r3/L) = 0.5 and (L/r1) = 2,
F13 = 0.172
From summation rule, F11 + F12 + F13 = 1
or, with F11 =0, F12 = 1 - F13 = 0.828

From reciprocity,

30
• Problem 13.9: Consider the perpendicular rectangles shown
schematically.

• Determine the shape factor F12.

• Solution:
• KNOWN: Two perpendicular rectangles not having a common edge.
• FIND: (a) Shape factor, F12.
31
• SCHEMATIC:

• ASSUMPTIONS: (1) All surfaces are diffuse, (2) Plane formed by A1 +

A3 is perpendicular to plane of A2.
• ANALYSIS:(a) Introducing the hypothetical surface A3, we can write

Using Fig. 13.6, applicable to perpendicular rectangles with a common

edge, we find
With Y = 0.3, X = 0.5, Z = Za – Zb = 0.2
Y/X = 0.3/0.5 = 0.6, Z/X = 0.2/0.5 = 0.4
F23 = 0.19
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• SCHEMATIC:

With Y = 0.3, X = 0.5, Z = Za = 0.4

Y/X = 0.3/0.5 = 0.6, Z/X = 0.4/0.5 = 0.8
F2(3,1) = 0.25
F21 = F2(3,1) – F23 = 0.25 – 0.19 = 0.06
By reciprocity,

33
 13.2 Blackbody Radiation Exchange
• Matters are simplified for surfaces that may be approximated as
blackbodies, since there is no reflection.
• Hence energy leaves only as a result of emission, and all incident
radiation is absorbed.

• Consider radiation exchange between two black surfaces of arbitrary

shape.
• Defining qi→j as the rate at which radiation leaves surface i and is
intercepted by surface j, it follows that
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qi→j = (AiJi)Fij
 13.2 Blackbody Radiation Exchange

qi→j = (AiJi)Fij
• Since radiosity equals emissive power for a black surface (Ji = Ebi),
qi→j = AiFijEbi
• Similarly,
qj→i = AjFjiEbj
• The net radiative exchange between the two surfaces may then be
defined as
qij = qi→j - qj→i 35
 13.2 Blackbody Radiation Exchange

qij = qi→j - qj→i

⇒ qij = AiFijEbi – AjFjiEbj
⇒
• With N surfaces maintained at different temperatures, the net
transfer of radiation from surface i is due to exchange with the
remaining surfaces and may be expressed as
36
 13.3 Radiation Exchange Between Opaque,
Diffuse, Gray Surfaces in an Enclosure
13.3.1 Net Radiation
Exchange at a Surface.
qi = net rate at which
radiation leaves surface i.
⇒ qi = Ai(Ji – Gi) (13.15)
Ji ≡ Ei + ρiGi
⇒ qi = Ai(Ei + ρiGi – Gi)
= Ai[Ei – (1- ρi)Gi]
⇒ qi = Ai(Ei – αiGi) (13.17)
Ji ≡ Ei + ρiGi
⇒ Ji = εiEbi + (1 – αi)Gi
= εiEbi + (1 – εi)Gi
⇒ Gi = (Ji – εiEbi )/(1 – εi) 37
 13.3 Radiation Exchange Between Opaque,
Diffuse, Gray Surfaces in an Enclosure
13.3.1 Net Radiation
Exchange at a Surface.
Gi = (Ji – εiEbi )/(1 – εi)
qi = Ai(Ji – Gi)
⇒
= Ai(Ji - εiJi - Ji + εiEbi )/(1 – εi)
= Ai(εiEbi - εiJi)/(1 – εi)
⇒ (13.19)

(1 – εi)/ εiAi = surface

radiative resistance.

38
 13.3.2 Radiation Exchange Between Surfaces
• Total rate at which radiation reaches
surface i from all surfaces, including i, is
AiGi = J1A1F1i + ····· + JiAiFii + ····· + JjAjFji
+ ····· + JNANFNi

• From the reciprocity relation

⇒
• We have qi = Ai(Ji – Gi)

• Ji = JiFi1 + JiFi2 + ····· + JiFij + ····· + JiFiN

=

⇒
39
 13.3.2 Radiation Exchange Between Surfaces

(AiFij)-1 = space or geometrical resistance

• When the net radiation transfer rate qi,
rather than the temperature Ti, is known

40
41
13.3.3 The Two-Surface Enclosure

42
43
 13.3.4 Radiation Shields

• Large parallel planes

• A1 = A3 = A 2 = A
• F13 = F32 = 1 44
• Without radiation shield

• With radiation shield

45
• Without radiation shield

• With N radiation shields, for which all the emissivities are equal

46
 13.3.5 The Reradiating Surface
• We have qi = Ai(Ji – Gi) and

• If surface Ai is reradiating
qi = 0 ⇒ Ji = Gi and
Ebi = Ji
• Hence, if the radiosity of a reradiating surface is known, its
temperature is readily determined and it is independent of the
emissivity of the reradiating surface.

47
 13.3.5 The Reradiating Surface

• Surface R is presumed to be well insulated, and convection effects are

assumed to be negligible.
• Hence, with qR = 0 ⇒ q1 = - q2

48
 13.3.5 The Reradiating Surface

• Knowing q1 = - q2, equation

may be applied to surfaces 1 and 2 to determine their radiosities J1

and J2. 49
 13.3.5 The Reradiating Surface

• Knowing J1, J2, and the geometrical resistances, the radiosity of the
reradiating surface JR may be determined.
⇒

⇒ 50
• EXAMPLE 13.3

• A furnace cavity, which is in the form of a cylinder of 50-mm diameter

and 150-mm length, is open at one end to large surroundings that are
at 27oC.
• The bottom of the cavity is heated independently, as are three
annular sections that comprise the sides of the cavity.
• All interior surfaces of the cavity may be approximated as blackbodies
and are maintained at 1650oC.
51
• EXAMPLE 13.3

• What is the required electrical power input to the bottom surface of

the cavity?
• What is the electrical power to the top, middle, and bottom sections
of the cavity sides?
• The backs of the electrically heated surfaces are well insulated.

52
• SOLUTION
• Known: Temperature of furnace surfaces and surroundings.
• Find: Electrical power required to maintain four sections of the
furnace at the prescribed temperature.
• Schematic:

53
• Assumptions:
1. Interior surfaces behave as blackbodies with uniform radiosity and
irradiation.
2. Heat transfer by convection is negligible.
3. Backs of electrically heated surfaces are adiabatic.

54
• Analysis:
• Subject to the foregoing assumptions, the only heat loss from the
furnace is by radiation through the opening.
• Because the surroundings are large, the irradiation from the
surroundings is equal to emission from a blackbody at Tsur.
• Since radiation heat transfer between the furnace and the
surroundings must pass through the opening, the radiation exchange
may be analyzed as if it were between the furnace and a hypothetical
black surface 5 at the opening, with T5 = Tsur. 55
• The electrical power delivered to each surface balances the
corresponding radiation loss.

56
• After employing equation

we may write the following equations for surfaces 1 through 4.

Surface 1: (1)
Surface 2: (2)
Surface 3: (3)
Surface 4: (4)57
• We will determine the view factors by first defining two hypothetical
surfaces Aʹ and Aʹʹ as shown in the schematic.

• From Table 13.2 with (ri/L) = (rj/L) = (0.025m/0.150m) = 0.167, F51 =

0.0263.
• With (ri/L) = (rj/L) = (0.025m/0.100m) = 0.25, F5Aʹʹ = 0.0557 so that F52
= F5Aʹʹ - F51 = 0.0557 - 0.0263 = 0.0294.
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• Likewise, with (ri/L) = (rj/L) = (0.025m/ 0.050m) = 0.5, F5Aʹ = 0.172 so
that F53 = F5Aʹ - F5Aʹʹ = 0.172 - 0.0557 = 0.1163.
• Finally, F54 = 1 - F5Aʹ = 1 - 0.172 = 0.828.
• The electrical power delivered to each of the four furnace surfaces
can now be determined by solving Equations 1 through 4 for the
radiation loss from each surface with A5 = πD2/4 = π X (0.05m)2/4 =
0.00196 m2.
59
q1 = 0.00196 m2 X 0.0263 X 5.67 X 10-8 W/m2·K4 X (1923 K4 - 300 K4) =
39.9 W
q2 = 0.00196 m2 X 0.0294 X 5.67 X 10-8 W/m2·K4 X (1923 K4 - 300 K4) =
44.7 W
q3 = 0.00196 m2 X 0.1163 X 5.67 X 10-8 W/m2·K4 X (1923 K4 - 300 K4) =
177 W
q4 = 0.00196 m2 X 0.828 X 5.67 X 10-8 W/m2·K4 X (1923 K4 - 300 K4) =
60
1260 W