Radiation View Factor Calculator

Formula

The formula to calculate the Radiation View Factor is:

\[ F_{12} = \frac{1}{\pi} \cdot \frac{A_2}{d^2} \]

Where:

\(F_{12}\) is the View Factor from Surface 1 to Surface 2
\(A_2\) is the Area of Surface 2 (m²)
\(d\) is the Distance between the Centers of the Areas (m)

What is a Radiation View Factor?

The radiation view factor, also known as the configuration factor or shape factor, is a dimensionless quantity used in radiative heat transfer calculations. It represents the fraction of the radiation leaving one surface that directly reaches another surface. The view factor depends on the geometry of the surfaces and their relative orientation. It is a critical component in calculating radiative heat exchange between surfaces.

Example Calculation

Let's consider an example:

Area of Surface 2 (A₂): 5 m²
Distance between Centers (d): 2 m

Using the formula to calculate the Radiation View Factor:

\[ F_{12} = \frac{1}{\pi} \cdot \frac{5}{2^2} \approx 0.3979 \]

This means that the Radiation View Factor (F₁₂) is approximately 0.3979.