Direct Monte Carlo Calculation of Radiative Heat Transfer in Vacuum

Abstract

A flexible digital-computer program, intended for engineering calculation of thermal radiation in real enclosures, is described. The method is a simple Monte Carlo application, which can be interpreted as direct mathematical simulation of photon histories. The formulation is based on possible specification of general biangular reflectance. Examples are presented for four simple configurations of surfaces with mixed specular-diffuse reflectivity. An advantage of this type of program is that complex formulations can be rapidly input for solution in a single pass. A disadvantage is the high direct computer cost of precise results.