ABSTRACT
The geometric configuration factors are an important component for analyzing radiation exchange. For radiation computations within enclosures, the geometric aspects of the exchange introduce another challenge in addition to the surface property variations. The computation of configuration factors involves analytical or numerical integration over the solid angles by which surfaces can view each other. To obtain accurate results when configuration factors are used for calculating radiative heat transfer in an enclosure, the configuration factors must satisfy their physical constraints. The enclosure surfaces must be specified such that it can be assumed that both emitted and reflected energies are uniform over each surface. The general radiative transfer equation describes the propagation of intensity along a path. The radiative transfer from a diffuse differential area element to another area element is used to derive relations for transfer between finite areas.
