Modelization of combined radiative and conductive heat transfer in three-dimensional complex enclosures

Purpose - To provide a finite volume code, based on Cartesian coordinates, for studying combined conductive and radiative heat transfer in three-dimensional irregular geometries. Design/methodology/approach - In the present study, a three-dimensional blocked-off-region procedure was presented and implemented in a numerical code based on the finite volume method to model combined conductive and radiative heat transfer in complex geometries. This formulation was developed and tested in three-dimensional complex enclosures with diffuse reflective surfaces and containing gray absorbing-emitting and isotropically scattering medium. This approach was applied to analyze the effect of the main of thermoradiative parameters on the temperature and flux values for three-dimensional L-shaped enclosure. Findings - The proposed isotropic model leads to satisfactory solutions with comparison to reference data, which entitles us to extend it to anisotropic diffusion cases or to non-gray media. The blocked-off-region procedure traits both straight and curvilinear boundaries. For curved or inclined boundaries, a fine or a non-uniform grid is needed. Originality/value - This paper offers a simple Cartesian practical technique to study the combined conductive and radiative heat transfer in three-dimensional complex enclosures with both straight and curvilinear boundaries.