Narrow-band and full-spectrum k-distributions for radiative heat transfer—correlated- k vs. scaling approximation

Abstract

The correlated- k and scaled- k distribution methods for radiative heat transfer in molecular gases are developed based on precise mathematical principles, for both narrow band and full spectrum models. Their differences and commonalities are high-lighted and discussed. Applications to narrow spectral bands of nonhomogeneous gases show both methods to be about equally accurate. For full-spectrum calculations, on the other hand, the scaled- k distribution consistently outperforms the correlated- k model.