20-24/2: Radiative heat transfer
2023/02/23 ENV210 Lecture Notes: LT Dube 1
Structure of the sun
2023/02/23 ENV210 Lecture Notes: LT Dube 2
• Electromagnetic radiation can be described as a
collection of energy waves of different lengths.
Wavelength is the distance from one crest to the
next.
• Shortwave radiation refers to wavelengths emitted
by the Sun, which are in the range of about 0.3 to 3
μm. Longwave radiation refers to wavelengths
emitted by cooler objects, such as Earth surfaces,
which range from about 3 to 30 μm.
• Greek symbol, lambda (λ) for wavelength. In
microns (μ) (=10-4 cm). [μ = Greek symbol, mu).
• f = number of waves passing a fixed point per unit
time. Hertz (Hz) = unit of f. 1 MHz = 1 x 106
cycles/sec. Fig.: Electromagnetic spectrum.
Spectral distribution of radiant energy
• Radiation – a
form of energy
emitted in the
form of
electromagnetic
waves
• Any object above
0K (-273oC) emits
radiation.
2023/02/23 ENV210 Lecture Notes: LT Dube 4
Spectral distribution of radiant energy
2023/02/23 ENV210 Lecture Notes: LT Dube 5
Insolation
• INSOLATION: Radiant flux density on a horizontal surface
• The amount of insolation is a function of:
• Solar output.
• Astronomical factors.
• Transparency of the atmosphere.
2023/02/23 ENV210 Lecture Notes: LT Dube 6
1. Solar output
• Sunspots
2. Astronomical factors
• Factors affecting the angle at which the sun’s ray’s strike the sfc.
• Angle of incidence an important factor in determining insolation.
• To calculate the amount of insolation received on sfc (depending on
angle of incidence), use Lambert’s Cosine Law.
2023/02/23 ENV210 Lecture Notes: LT Dube 7
3. Transparency of the atmosphere
• Beer’s Law: to calculate how much 2. Albedo
radiation is transmitted through a • Clouds decrease the amount of
medium. radiation reaching the surface.
• Factors affecting extinction of rad. • Albedo – reflectivity.
1. Absorption and scattering
• Absorption: Incident radiation 3. Turbidity
passed to molecular structure and
ΔE of that molecule ΔT. • Any condition of atmosphere
• Scattering: Incident radiation reducing its transparency to
strikes molecule, not passed to its radiation e.g. pollution, volcanic
molecular structure no ΔT. dust.
• More pollution more turbidity
less insolation.
2023/02/23 ENV210 Lecture Notes: LT Dube 8
Radiation balance of the atmosphere
2023/02/23 ENV210 Lecture Notes: LT Dube 9
The radiation budget of the atmosphere
• Thus: Kex = K↑AC + K↑Aa + K*AC + K*Aa + (K↑e) + K*e.
• 100 = 19 + 6 + 5 + 20 + 3 + 47
• 19 + 6 = atmospheric reflection.
• 5 + 20 = Atmospheric absorption.
• 3 = earth reflection.
• 47 = earth absorption.
• Thus, on the short-wave part:
• 28% of total EA input is reflected (total planetary albedo).
• 25% of total EA input is absorbed by the atmosphere.
• 50% of total EA input is absorbed by earth’s surface.
2023/02/23 ENV210 Lecture Notes: LT Dube 10
…Radiation balance
• EA system is in radiative equilibrium because the sum of SW scattering and
reflection [19 + 6 + 3 = 28%] and LW emission from earth and atmosphere [5 + 67
= 72%] match solar output [100%].
• Solar radiation incident on the surface:
• Q* = K↓ – K↑ + L↓ - L↑
• Q* = net all wave radiation
• K↓ = incident SW rad.
• K↑ = reflected SW rad
• L↓ = LW rad. or IR emitted by atmosphere or counter-radiation
• L↑ = LW rad. emitted by surface.
• K↓ – K↑ = net SW rad.
• L↓ - L↑ = net LW rad.
2023/02/23 ENV210 Lecture Notes: LT Dube 11
Radiation balance Energy balance
• Radiation budget also written as: • Q* = QH + QE + QG
• Rn = (Q + q)(1 – α) + I↓ – I↓ Q* = net energy.
(Q + q) = incident radiation, QH = sensible energy flux.
(1 – α) = reflected rad. QE = latent heat flux,.
• α = reflected SW/Incident SW QG = soil heat flux).
• K↑ = α(K↓) = α(Q + q) • More QE means moist
conditions.
2023/02/23 ENV210 Lecture Notes: LT Dube 12
Heat transfer
• 1. Convection
• QH and QE are convective processes involving vertical interchange of air
parcels/masses.
• Can only occur in liquids and gases not solids.
• Convection can be of 2 types:
(a) Free convection:
• - take place because of density differences between air parcels and surrounding
air.
• Warmer (unstable air), cooler (stable) thermal turbulence.
(b) Forced convection/mechanical turbulence
• Results from roughness.
• Air moving over rough surface mechanical turbulence.
• Has nothing to do with heating.
2023/02/23 ENV210 Lecture Notes: LT Dube 13
…Heat transfer
2. Conduction
• Applies to the soil heat flux (QG).
• Process when heat is transmitted by collision of rapid moving
molecules.
• Takes place in solids, not effective in liquids and gases.
2023/02/23 ENV210 Lecture Notes: LT Dube 14
get components
Radiation totals for a
day (MJ m-2 day-1
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Sunshine and radiation over SA
2023/02/23 ENV210 Lecture Notes: LT Dube 16