Benchmark numerical solutions for radiative heat transfer in two-dimensional axisymmetric enclosures with nongray sooting media

Accurate numerical solutions for radiative heat transfer in two-dimensional axisymmetric black enclosures with nongray sooting media have been obtained using three different methods. The ray tracing method together with the statistical narrow-band model is used to obtain highly accurate solutions for benchmark purposes. The Monte Carlo method using a net exchange formulation and the statistical narrow-band correlated k-distribution method also yield very accurate solutions, in excellent agreement with the ray tracing results. The discrete ordinates method combined with the correlated k-distribution method provides less accurate, but more economical, solutions, which are adequate for most practical applications. The solution accuracy of the methods is investigated and demonstrated, and results suitable for benchmarking are given in tabular form.