PERFORMANCE, ACCURACY, AND CONVERGENCE IN A THREE-DIMENSIONAL MONTE CARLO RADIATIVE HEAT TRANSFER SIMULATION

Abstract

A general purpose Monte Carlo computer code for the calculation of radiative exchange factors in three-dimensional enclosures with a nonparticipating medium is described. Capabilities of the code include mixed specular and diffuse reflection models, banded spectral material properties, transmission through external surfaces, and simulation of beam radiation. The ray tracing and surface interaction routines are described, as well as the shading algorithms. The effect of input file parameters on computer lime usage is investigated, and rates of convergence are calculated. Results for run time and accuracy are in good agreement with predictions.