A NEW DIFFERENCING SCHEME FOR THE DISCRETE-ORDINATES METHOD IN COMPLEX GEOMETRIES

This paper is an assessment of a new discrete-ordinates algorithm rece ntly developed by the authors for the numerical treatment of radiative participating media in both two- and three-dimensional enclosures. Th e algorithm is based on the utilization of general characteristic rela tions instead of the traditional differencing schemes For the spatial marching procedure. It is ideally suited for the treatment of complex geometries, the grid being formed from triangles (2D) or tetrahedra (3 D). The method is exempt of any numerical oscillation and may be readi ly interfaced with the finite-element method for the solution of probl ems involving other modes of heat transfer. The mathematical derivatio n is detailed in the text and several examples are given for complex e nclosures. The method proves to be very accurate and of good flexibili ty. (C) Elsevier, Paris.