The spherical harmonics (PN) method, especially its lowest order, i.e., the P1 or differential approximation, enjoys great popularity because of its relative simplicity and compatibility with standard models for the solution of the (overall) energy equation. Low-order PN approximations perform poorly in the presence of strongly nonisotropic intensity distributions, especially in optically thin situations within nonisothermal enclosures (due to variation in surface radiosities across the enclosure surface, causing rapid change of irradiation over incoming directions). A previous modification of the PN approximation, i.e., the modified differential approximation (MDA), separates wall emission from medium emission to reduce the nonisotropy of intensity. Although successful, the major drawback of this method is that the intensity at the walls is set to zero into outward directions, while incoming intensity is nonzero, resulting in a discontinuity at grazing angles. To alleviate this problem, a new approach, termed here the “advanced differential approximation (ADA),” is developed, in which the directional gradient of the intensity at the wall is minimized. This makes the intensity distribution continuous for the P1 method and mostly continuous for higher-order PN methods. The new method is tested for a 1D slab and concentric spheres and for a 2D medium. Results are compared with the exact analytical solutions for the 1D slab as well as the Monte Carlo-based simulations for 2D media.
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Advanced Differential Approximation Formulation of the PN Method for Radiative Transfer
Michael F. Modest
Michael F. Modest
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Gopalendu Pal
Michael F. Modest
Contributed by the Heat Transfer Division of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF HEAT TRANSFER. Manuscript received August 13, 2013; final manuscript received February 2, 2015; published online March 24, 2015. Assoc. Editor: Zhuomin Zhang.
J. Heat Transfer. Jul 2015, 137(7): 072701 (7 pages)
Published Online: July 1, 2015
Article history
Received:
August 13, 2013
Revision Received:
February 2, 2015
Online:
March 24, 2015
Citation
Pal, G., and Modest, M. F. (July 1, 2015). "Advanced Differential Approximation Formulation of the PN Method for Radiative Transfer." ASME. J. Heat Transfer. July 2015; 137(7): 072701. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4029814
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