Thin gap with radiation
Application ID: 80681
When radiation occurs across a very narrow gap this is often well-approximated as radiation between infinite parallel plates.
This model considers three aluminum plates separated by narrow air gaps. The model compares the classical approach, based on the Surface-to-Surface Radiation interface, with two approximate approaches, using the Thermal Contact feature, and using the Lumped Thermal System interface.
The first approach requires view factor evaluation which is quite expensive to compute, while the other approaches assume a view factor of one between the gap walls surfaces.
This model example illustrates applications of this type that would nominally be built using the following products:
however, additional products may be required to completely define and model it. Furthermore, this example may also be defined and modeled using components from the following product combinations:
The combination of COMSOL® products required to model your application depends on several factors and may include boundary conditions, material properties, physics interfaces, and part libraries. Particular functionality may be common to several products. To determine the right combination of products for your modeling needs, review the Specification Chart and make use of a free evaluation license. The COMSOL Sales and Support teams are available for answering any questions you may have regarding this.