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151-0185-00L 4 Credits MSC D-ITET , D-MAVT , D-ARCH , D-GESS
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Radiation Heat Transfer

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. em. Dr. Aldo Steinfeld, Dr. Peter Pozivil
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:35:27

Abstract

Advanced course in radiation heat transfer

Objective

Fundamentals of radiative heat transfer and its applications. Examples are combustion and solar thermal/thermochemical processes, and other applications in the field of energy conversion and material processing.

Content

1. Introduction to thermal radiation. Definitions. Spectral and directional properties. Electromagnetic spectrum. Blackbody and gray surfaces. Absorptivity, emissivity, reflectivity. Planck's Law, Wien's Displacement Law, Kirchhoff's Law. 2. Surface radiation exchange. Diffuse and specular surfaces. Gray and selective surfaces. Configuration factors. Radiation exchange. Enclosure theory, radiosity method. Monte Carlo. 3.Absorbing, emitting and scattering media. Extinction, absorption, and scattering coefficients. Scattering phase function. Optical thickness. Equation of radiative transfer. Solution methods: discrete ordinate, zone, Monte-Carlo. 4. Applications. Cavities. Selective surfaces and media. Semi-transparent windows. Combined radiation-conduction-convection heat transfer.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Copy of the slides presented.

Literature

R. Siegel, J.R. Howell, Thermal Radiation Heat Transfer, 3rd. ed., Taylor & Francis, New York, 2002. M. Modest, Radiative Heat Transfer, Academic Press, San Diego, 2003.

Learning Materials (Links)

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
end-of-semester examination
Open-book, 2-hour, written exam during the last week of the semester.Learning task: Monte-Carlo programming project is optional. If completed and handed in, it can improve the total course unit grade by 0.25 grade points.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Radiation Heat Transfer
The lecturers will communicate the exact lesson times of ONLINE courses.
  • Thu 10:00-12:00 (ON LI NE)
2 h weekly
exercise Radiation Heat Transfer
The lecturers will communicate the exact lesson times of ONLINE courses.
  • Thu 12:00-13:00 (ON LI NE)
1 h weekly

Offered In