A Mathematical Solution for Gas-to-Surface Radiative Exchange Area for a Rectangular Parallelepiped Enclosure Containing a Gray Medium

Abstract

The transfer of heat in a gas filled enclosure can be calculated by the zone method put forward by Hottel and Cohen [1, 2]. For a shape which can be divided into cylindrical or cubic zones, tabulated and graphical data on exchange areas are available, however, insufficient data exist for subdivision into rectangular zones. The present contribution provides a mathematical solution for the gas-to-surface exchange area between a rectangular parallelepiped gas volume and an adjacent face. The rules for manipulating and scaling of exchange areas are reviewed, and their application to the zoning of a rectangular furnace chamber into concentric rectangular volume elements is demonstrated.