Radiation Heat Transfer

Definition: Transfer of energy across a system bounded by means of an

electromagnetic mechanism that is caused solely by a temperature
difference.
Physical Mechanism:
Whenever a charged particle undergoes
acceleration, energy possessed by the particle is converted into a form of
energy known as electromagnetic radiation.
The electromagnetic radiation include: gamma rays, x-rays, ultraviolet
radiation, visible light, infrared, microwave. Those that are produced by
vibrational and rotational movements of atoms and molecules or change in
the atomic energy levels that are indicated by temperature: THERMAL
RADIATION

THERMAL RADIATION

Heat transfer represents the exchange of

thermal radiation between bodies at different temperatures, with each body:
1. Converting internal energy into outflowing electromagnetic waves.
2. Absorbing incoming electromagnetic waves which are converted to
internal energy.

Electromagnetic Spectrum
Electromagnetic waves are characterized by a frequency and propagation
velocity (= speed of light)
Speed of light in vacuum
Co = 3*108 m/s,
Co/C (for gases n = 1, for water n = 1.5)
Wave length: = C/.

index of fraction n =

Radiation propagation velocity and are functions of (medium) While the

frequency is a function of:
1. Radiating source.
2. medium or substance through which it is
transmitted.
Electromagnetic waves can also be described as discrete packets of energy
known as quanta or photons (introduced by Max Planck in quantum theory)

ee h
e~

range for : 0.1 to 1000 m)

h: Planck constant (Thermal radiation

Thermal Radiation Properties

They depend on:
1. Surface emission properties (absorption, reflection and transmission)
2. Medium properties.
Surface emission properties:
The rate of thermal radiation is fn(Ts, nature of the surface, or frequency )

Total emissive power (Thermal radiation Flux): Thermal

radiation emitted over all wavelengths into the
entire hemispherical space above a surface.
Surface that emits maximum possible radiation at any given temperature is
called a BLACK BODY
Eb Ts4
Stefan Boltzmann law
constant = 5.67*10-8 W/m2 K4.

where : Stefan Boltzmann

Note: A perfect blackbody does not exist. It can be approached by painting a

surface with lampblack paint
For a non-blackbody:
1) fn of surface nature, T

E Eb Ts4

For metals: <<

anodized surface

polished surface

where is the emissivity (0 to

>> oxidized or

Subtotal emissive power: E0-

Thermal radiation emitted over a range of
wavelengths (0 to ) into the entire hemispherical
space above a surface.

Fig. 5-4 shows E0- for a blackbody at different temperatures. (Fig. 5-5 is a
generalization of this one)

Monochromatic Emissive Power: E

Thermal radiation flux emitted per unit wavelength
d.
Relations:
dE 0
E
d

E 0 E d

as >>>

E E0

E d (Total emissive power)

0

Blackbody thermal radiation

Can also be calculated based on the quantum theory
C1
E b 5
exp C 2 / Ts 1
where C1 = 3.743 * 108 W m4/m2
C2 = 1.439 * 104 m K
Fig 5-6: Eb starts from zero at low to a peak then falls at higher. The
peak in Ebincreases and shifts to a shorter as T increases. The value of l at
which the peak is found is given by Weins law.
Ts max 2898 m K

This change is related to color change for heat treated steel (dull red-bright
red bright yellow glowing white at 1300 oC)
Example 5-1: Fraction of solar energy in the visible light (0.38-0.76 m)
Thermal Radiation from Real Surfaces
Figure 5-7 shows Blackbody, polished copper, anodized Al monochromatic
power E.
Monochromatic emissivity:

= E/Ebdepends on the surface only

Figure 5-8 and 5-9 for E.

Relation between

Eb

E d

Eb d
0

If

fn( )

E d
b

E d
b

Graybody

Surface Irradiation Properties

Irradiation G: Incoming thermal radiation flux
G = G + G + G.
1 = .

/G
Most solids are opaque ( = 0)

absorptivity, reflectivity, transmissivity. (define)

The concept of a blackbody is important. It provides a standard upon which
performance of a real surface is compared.
are fn(, TR, characteristics of receiving surface). Figure 5-13
shows their variation versus T for different surfaces.
Study examples 5-4 (cavity blackbody) and 5-5 Kirshoffs law.

Monochromatic Irradiation Properties

1 = .

In longer wavalength cases, glass (and polyurethane) is opaque, then most of

the energy are absorbed and reflected, non-graybody characteristics are
responsible for GREENHOUSE EFFECT. [Glass is transparent for short
wavelength radiation (high T source) but opaque for long wavelength
radiation (low T source)]