Thermal energy emitted by matter as a result of vibrational and

rotational movements of molecules, atoms and electrons. The energy

is transported by electromagnetic waves (or photons). Radiation
requires no medium for its propagation, therefore, can take place also
in vacuum. All matters emit radiation as long as they have a finite
(greater than absolute zero) temperature. The rate at which radiation
energy is emitted is usually quantified by the modified Stefan-
Bolzmann law:

where the emissivity, ε , is a property of the surface characterizing

how effectively the surface radiates compared to a "blackbody"
(0<ε<1 ). E=q/A (W/m2) is the surface emissive power. σ is the
Stefan-Boltzmann constant
(s=5.67x10-8 W/(m2K4)). Tb is the absolute surface temp. (in K)
Gα=αG
Absorbed irradiation
Electromagnetic radiation spectrum
Thermal radiation spectrum range: 0.1 to 100 mm
It includes some ultraviolet (UV) radiation and all visible (0.4-0.76
mm) and infrared radiation (IR).
The Planck Distribution

The Planck law describes theoretical spectral

distribution for the emissive power of a black body. It
can be written as

where C1=3.742x108 (W.μm4/m2) and C2=1.439x104

(μm.K) are two constants. The Planck distribution is
shown in the following figure as a function of
wavelength for different body temperatures.
Spectral blackbody emissive power
 Planck Distribution
• At given wavelength, the emissive power increases
with increasing temperature

• As the temperature increases,more emissive energy

appear at shorter wavelengths

• For low temperature (>800 K), all radiant energy falls

in the infrared region and is not visible to the human
eyes. That is why only very high temperature objects,
such as molten iron, can glow.

• Sun can be approximated as a blackbody at 5800 K

Solar Irradiation
 Angles and Arc Length
We are well accustomed to L = r·α
α L
thinking of an angle as a two
dimensional object. It may
be used to find an arc length:
Solid Angle
We generalize the idea of an angle and
an arc length to three dimensions and
define a solid angle, Ω, which like the
A = r2·dΩ
standard angle has no dimensions.
The solid angle, when multiplied by
r
the radius squared will have
dimensions of length squared, or area,
and will have the magnitude of the
encompassed area.
Projected Area
The area, dA1, as seen from the
prospective of a viewer, situated at an
angle θ from the normal to the θ

surface, will appear somewhat dA1 dA1·cos θ

smaller, as cos θ·dA1. This smaller
area is termed the projected area.
Aprojected = cos θ·Anormal
Intensity
The ideal intensity, Ib, may now be defined as the energy
emitted from an ideal body, per unit projected area, per unit
time, per unit solid angle.
dq
I=
cos θ ⋅ dA1 ⋅ dΩ
Spherical Geometry
R·sin θ
Since any surface will emit radiation outward
in all directions above the surface, the
spherical coordinate system provides a
convenient tool for analysis. The three basic dA2
coordinates shown are R, φ, and θ,
θ
representing the radial, azimuthal and zenith dA1 R
directions.
Δφ
In general dA1 will correspond to the emitting φ
surface or the source. The surface dA2 will
correspond to the receiving surface or the
target. Note that the area proscribed on the
hemisphere, dA2, may be written as: dA = [( R ⋅ sin θ ) ⋅ dϕ ] ⋅ [ R ⋅ dθ ]
2

dA2 = R 2 ⋅ sin θ ⋅ dϕ ⋅ dθ ]
Recalling the definition of the solid angle, dA = R2·dΩ
we find that: dΩ = R2·sin θ·dθ·dφ
Real Surfaces
Thus far we have spoken of ideal surfaces, i.e. those that emit energy according to
the Stefan-Boltzman law: Eb = σ·Tabs4
Real surfaces have emissive powers, E, which are somewhat less than that obtained
theoretically by Boltzman. To account for this reduction, we introduce the
emissivity, ε. E
ε≡
Eb
Emissive power from any real surface is given by: E = ε·σ·Tabs4
Receiving Properties
Targets receive radiation in one of three Reflected Incident
ways; they absorption, reflection or Radiation Radiation,
G
transmission.
•Absorptivity, α, the fraction of incident Absorbed
radiation absorbed. Radiation
•Reflectivity, ρ, the fraction of incident Transmitted
Radiation
radiation reflected.
• Transmissivity, τ, the fraction of incident
radiation transmitted.
 We see, from Conservation of Energy, that:
α+ρ+τ =1
In this course, we will deal with only opaque surfaces, τ = 0, so that:
α+ρ=1
Relationship Between Absorptivity,α, and Emissivity,ε
Consider two flat, infinite planes, surface A and surface B, both emitting radiation
toward one another. Surface B is assumed to be an ideal emitter, i.e. εB = 1.0.
Surface A will emit radiation according to the Stefan-Boltzman law as:

EA = εA·σ·TA4 Surface Surface

and will receive radiation as: A, TA B, TB
GA = αA·σ·TB4
The net heat flow from surface A will be:
q΄΄ = εA·σ·TA4 - αA·σ·TB4

Now suppose that the two surfaces are at exactly the same temperature. The heat
flow must be zero according to the 2nd law. If follows then that: αA = εA
Thermodynamic properties of the material, α and ε may depend on temperature. In
general, this will be the case as radiative properties will depend on wavelength, λ. The
wave length of radiation will, in turn, depend on the temperature of the source of
radiation.

The emissivity, ε, of surface A will depend on the material of which surface A is

composed, i.e. aluminum, brass, steel, etc. and on the temperature of surface A.
The absorptivity, α, of surface A will depend on the material of which surface A is
composed, i.e. aluminum, brass, steel, etc. and on the temperature of surface B.

Black Surfaces
Within the visual band of radiation, any material, which absorbs all visible light,
appears as black. Extending this concept to the much broader thermal band, we speak
of surfaces with α = 1 as also being “black” or “thermally black”. It follows that for
such a surface, ε = 1 and the surface will behave as an ideal emitter. The terms ideal
surface and black surface are used interchangeably.
Diffuse Surface: Refers to directional
independence of the intensity associated
with emitted,reflected ,or incident
radiation.

Grey Surface: A surface for which the spectral

absorptivity and the emissivity are independent
of wavelength over the spectral regions of
surface irradiation and emission.
 Relationship Between Emissive Power and Intensity
By definition of the two terms, emissive power for an ideal surface, Eb, and
intensity for an ideal surface, Ib.
Eb = ∫I b
hemisphere
⋅ cos θ ⋅ dΩ

Replacing the solid angle by its equivalent in spherical angles:

2⋅π π

∫ ∫
2
Eb = I b ⋅ cos θ ⋅ sin θ ⋅ dθ ⋅ dϕ
0 0
π

∫
2
Integrate once, holding Ib constant: Eb = 2 ⋅ π ⋅ I b ⋅ cos θ ⋅ sin θ ⋅ dθ
0

π
Integrate a second time. (Note that sin θ 2 2
the derivative of sin θ is cos θ·dθ.) Eb = 2 ⋅ π ⋅ I b ⋅ = π ⋅ Ib
2
0
Eb = π·Ib
 dq
I=
cos θ ⋅ dA1 ⋅ dΩ dq = I ⋅ cos θ ⋅ dA1 ⋅ dΩ dA2

Next we will project the receiving dA2·cos θ2

surface onto the hemisphere
surrounding the source. First find
the projected area of surface dA2,
dA2·cos θ2. (θ2 is the angle between
the normal to surface 2 and the R
position vector, R.) Then find the
solid angle, Ω, which encompasses
this area.

To obtain the entire heat transferred from a finite area, dA1, to a finite area, dA2, we
integrate over both surfaces:
I ⋅ cos θ1 ⋅ dA1 ⋅ cos θ 2 dA2
q1→ 2 = ∫ ∫
A2 A1 R2
Total energy emitted from surface 1: qemitted = E1·A1 = π·I1·A1
View Factors-Integral Method
Define the view factor, F1-2, as the fraction of energy emitted from surface 1,
which directly strikes surface 2.
I ⋅ cos θ1 ⋅ dA1 ⋅ cos θ 2 dA2
F1→ 2 =
q1→ 2
=
A2 A1 ∫ ∫ R 2

qemitted π ⋅ I ⋅ A1

1 cos θ1 ⋅ cosθ 2 ⋅ dA1 ⋅ dA2 dr

F1→ 2 =
A1
⋅ ∫ ∫
A2 A1 π ⋅ R2 dAj
D

Aj
θj
Example Consider a diffuse circular
disk of diameter D and area Aj and a L
R R
plane diffuse surface of area Ai << Aj.
θi
The surfaces are parallel, and Ai is
located at a distance L from the center dAi
of Aj. Obtain an expression for the dAi

view factor Fij.

 1 cos θ1 ⋅ cosθ 2 ⋅ dA1 ⋅ dA2
F1→2 =
A1
⋅ ∫ ∫
A2 A1 π ⋅ R2
cos θ1 ⋅ cos θ 2 ⋅ dA2
Since dA1 is a differential area F1→ 2 = ∫ π ⋅ R2
( R ) ⋅ 2π ⋅ r ⋅ dr
A2
2
L
L2 ⋅ 2 ⋅ r ⋅ dr
F1→ 2 = ∫
A2 π ⋅R 2 F1→ 2 = ∫
A2 R4
L2 ⋅ 2 ⋅ ρ ⋅ dρ
Let ρ2 ≡ L2 + r2 = R2. Then 2·ρ·dρ = 2·r·dr. F1→ 2 = ∫
A2 ρ4
D
−2 ⎡ ⎤
ρ 1 2
F1→ 2 = − 2 ⋅ L2 ⋅ = − L2 ⋅ ⎢ 2 2⎥
2
A2 ⎢⎣ L + ρ ⎥⎦ 0
D
2
⎡ 4 1 ⎤ 2
D
F1→2 = − L2 ⋅ ⎢ − 2⎥ =
⎣4 ⋅ L + D 4 ⋅ L2 + D 2
2 2
L ⎦0
Enclosures
In order that we might apply conservation of N
energy to the radiation process, we must
account for all energy leaving a surface. We
∑F
j =1
i, j =1
imagine that the surrounding surfaces act as an
enclosure about the heat source which receive This relationship is known as
all emitted energy. For an N surfaced enclosure, the Conservation Rule”.
we can then see that:
Reciprocity Ai ⋅ Fi → j = A j ⋅ F j →i This relationship is
known as “Reciprocity”.
Example: Consider two concentric spheres shown to
the right. All radiation leaving the outside of surface 1
will strike surface 2. Part of the radiant energy leaving
the inside surface of object 2 will strike surface 1, part
will return to surface 2. Find F2,1 . Apply reciprocity. 1 2
2
A1 A1 ⎡ D1 ⎤
A2 ⋅ F2,1 = A1 ⋅ F1, 2 ⇒ F2,1 = ⋅ F1, 2 = =⎢ ⎥
A2 A2 ⎣ D2 ⎦
Associative Rule
Consider the set of surfaces shown to the right:
Clearly, from conservation of energy, the fraction i
of energy leaving surface i and striking the j
combined surface j+k will equal the fraction of k
energy emitted from i and striking j plus the
fraction leaving surface i and striking k.
This relationship is known
Fi ⇒ ( j + k ) = Fi ⇒ j + Fi ⇒ k as the “Associative Rule”.

ε·Eb ρ·G G
Radiosity
Radiosity, J, is defined as the total energy leaving
a surface per unit area and per unit time.
J ≡ ε·Eb + ρ·G
Net Exchange Between Surfaces
Consider the two surfaces shown.
Radiation will travel from surface i to Jj
surface j and will also travel from j to i.
qi→j = Ji·Ai· Fi→j
Ji

likewise,
qj→i = Jj·Aj· Fj→j

The net heat transfer is then:

qj→i (net) = Ji·Ai· Fi→j - Jj·Aj· Fj→j

From reciprocity we note that F1→2·A1 =

F2→1·A2 so that

qj→i (net) = Ji·Ai· Fi→j - Jj· Ai· Fi→j = Ai·

Fi→j·(Ji – Jj)
Net Energy Leaving a Surface
The net energy leaving a surface will be the difference between the energy
leaving a surface and the energy received by a surface:
q1→ = [ε·Eb – α·G]·A1

Combine this relationship with the definition of Radiosity to eliminate G.

J ≡ ε·Eb + ρ·G Î G = [J - ε·Eb]/ρ
q1→ = {ε·Eb – α·[J - ε·Eb]/ρ}·A1
Assume opaque surfaces so that α + ρ = 1 Î ρ = 1 – α, and substitute for ρ.
q1→ = {ε·Eb – α·[J - ε·Eb]/(1 – α)}·A1
Put the equation over a common denominator:

⎡ (1 − α ) ⋅ ε ⋅ Eb − α ⋅ J + α ⋅ ε ⋅ Eb ⎤ ⎡ ε ⋅ Eb − α ⋅ J ⎤
q1→ =⎢ ⎥ ⋅ A1 = ⎢ ⎥ ⋅ A1
⎣ 1−α ⎦ ⎣ 1−α ⎦
⎡ ε ⋅ Eb − ε ⋅ J ⎤ ⎡ ε ⋅ A1 ⎤
assume that α = ε q1→ =⎢ ⎥ ⋅ A1 = ⎢ ⎥ ⋅ (Eb − J )
⎣ 1− ε ⎦ ⎣ 1− ε ⎦
Electrical Analogy for Radiation
We may develop an electrical analogy for radiation, similar to that
produced for conduction. The two analogies should not be mixed: they
have different dimensions on the potential differences, resistance and
current flows.
Equivalent Equivalent Potential Difference
Current Resistance

Ohms Law I R ΔV

Net Energy Leaving q1? ⎡1 − ε ⎤ Eb - J

Surface ⎢⎣ ε ⋅ A ⎥⎦

Net Exchange qi? j 1 J1 – J2

Between Surfaces A1 ⋅ F1→2
Example: Consider a grate fed boiler.
Coal is fed at the bottom, moves across the
grate as it burns and radiates to the walls and Surface 3
top of the furnace. The walls are cooled by Superheat
SH
flowing water through tubes placed inside of section Tubes
the walls. Saturated water is introduced at the Coal Surface 2
Chute
bottom of the walls and leaves at the top at a Water Walls
quality of about 70%. After the vapour is
separated from the water, it is circulated
through the superheat tubes at the top of the
boiler. Since the steam is undergoing a Surface 1
sensible heat addition, its temperature will Burning Coal
rise. It is common practice to subdivide the
super-heater tubes into sections, each having
nearly uniform temperature. In our case we
will use only one superheat section using an
average temperature for the entire region.
 Energy will leave the coal bed, Surface 1, as
described by the equation for the net energy J1
leaving a surface. We draw the equivalent ⎡ 1− ε ⎤
R1 ⎢ ⎥
electrical network as seen to the right: ⎣ ε ⋅ A1 ⎦
Eb1 σ·T14
The heat leaving from the surface of the coal may
proceed to either the water walls or to the super-heater
section. That part of the circuit is represented by a J2 1 J3
A1 ⋅ F1→ 2
potential difference between Radiosity: R12 R13 1
1 A1 ⋅ F1→3
J1
A2 ⋅ F2→3
R1
J2 J3
Eb1
R12 R13
1
1
J1 A1 ⋅ F1→3
A1 ⋅ F1→ 2
R1 It should be noted that
Eb1 surfaces 2 and 3 will also
radiate to one another.
 1
It remains to evaluate the net heat flow A2 ⋅ F2→3
J2 J3
leaving (entering) nodes 2 and 3. 1
⎡ ε ⋅ A1 ⎤
⎡ 1− ε 2 ⎤ ⎢ 1− ε ⎥
⎢ ⎥ A1 ⋅ F1→ 2 ⎣ ⎦
R2
⎣ ε 2 ⋅ A2 ⎦ R12 1 R13
Eb2 Eb3
J1 A1 ⋅ F1→3
⎡ ε ⋅ A1 ⎤
⎢ 1− ε ⎥ R1
⎣ ⎦
Eb1

• Insulated surfaces. In steady state heat transfer, a surface cannot

receive net energy if it is insulated. Because the energy cannot be stored by a
surface in steady state, all energy must be re-radiated back into the enclosure.
Insulated surfaces are often termed as re-radiating surfaces.
• Black surfaces: A black, or ideal surface, will have no surface
resistance:
⎡1 − ε ⎤ ⎡1 − 1 ⎤ In this case the nodal Radiosity
⎢ ε ⋅ A ⎥ = ⎢1⋅ A ⎥ = 0 and emissive power will be equal.
⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦
• Large surfaces: Surfaces having a large surface area
will behave as black surfaces, irrespective of the actual surface
properties:
⎡1 − ε ⎤ ⎡1 − ε ⎤
⎢⎣ ε ⋅ A ⎥⎦ = ⎢⎣ ε ⋅ ∞ ⎥⎦ = 0
Consider the case of an object, 1, placed
inside a large enclosure, 2. The system will
consist of two objects, so we proceed to 1/(A1⋅F1→2)
J1 J2
construct a circuit with two radiosity nodes.
Now we ground both Radiosity nodes
through a surface resistance.
1/(A1⋅F1→2)
(1-ε1)/(ε1⋅A1) J1 J2 (1-ε2)/(ε2⋅A2)

Eb1 σ⋅T14 Eb2 σ⋅T24

R1 R12 R2
Since A2 is large, R2 = 0. The view factor, F1→2 = 1
(1-ε1)/(ε1⋅A1) 1/(A1⋅F1→2)
J1 J2

Eb1 σ⋅T14 R1 R12 Eb2 σ⋅T24

Sum the series resistances:

RSeries = (1-ε1)/(ε1⋅A1) + 1/A1 = 1/(ε1⋅A1)
Ohm’s law:
i = ΔV/R
or by analogy:
q = ΔEb/RSeries = ε1⋅A1⋅σ⋅(T14 – T24)

Returning for a moment to the coal grate furnace, let us assume that we know
(a) the total heat being produced by the coal bed, (b) the temperatures of the
water walls and (c) the temperature of the super heater sections.
 Apply Kirchoff’s law about node 1, for the coal bed:

J 2 − J1 J 3 − J1
q1 + q 2→1 + q3→1 = q1 + + =0
R12 R13

Similarly, for node 2:

Eb 2 − J 2 J 1 − J 2 J 3 − J 2
q 2 + q1→ 2 + q3→ 2 = + + =0
R2 R12 R23

And for node 3: Eb 3 − J 3 J 1 − J 3 J 2 − J 3

q3 + q1→3 + q2→3 = + + =0
R3 R13 R23
The three equations ⎡ 1 1 1 1 ⎤ ⎡ ⎤
⎢− − ⎥ ⎢ ⎥
must be solved ⎢ R12 R13 R12 R13 ⎥ ⎡ J1 ⎤ ⎢ − q1 ⎥
⎢ 1 1 1 1 1 E
⎥ ⋅ ⎢ J ⎥ = ⎢− b 2 ⎥
simultaneously. Since ⎢ − − − ⎥ ⎢ 2⎥ ⎢ R ⎥
R12 R2 R12 R13 R23
they are each linear in ⎢
1 1 1 1
⎥ ⎢ ⎥ ⎢
1 ⎥ ⎣ J 3 ⎦ ⎢ Eb 3 ⎥
2
⎥
⎢ − − − −
J, matrix methods may ⎢⎣ R13 R23 R3 R13 R23 ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣ R3 ⎥⎦
be used:
 Surface 1: Find the coal bed temperature, given the heat flow:
0.25
Eb1 − J 1 σ ⋅ T14 − J 1 ⎡ q ⋅ R + J1 ⎤
q1 = = ⇒ T1 = ⎢ 1 1 ⎥⎦
R1 R1 ⎣ σ
Surface 2: Find the water wall heat input, given the water wall temperature:

Eb 2 − J 2 σ ⋅ T24 − J 2
q2 = =
R2 R2

Surface 3: (Similar to surface 2) Find the water wall heat input,

given the water wall temperature:

Eb3 − J 3 σ ⋅ T34 − J 3
q3 = =
R3 R3