Second-Law Considerations in Monte Carlo Ray-Trace and Discrete Green’s Function Analysis of Coupled Radiation and Conduction Heat Transfer

A generic Monte Carlo ray-trace (MCRT) engine for computing radiation distribution factors (RDFs), working in tandem with an efficient finite volume formulation based on discrete Green’s functions (DGFs), has been used to solve a massive (2636 nodes) coupled radiation/conduction problem. Distribution factors computed using the MCRT method are known to produce unconditionally stable solutions to pure radiation problems even though the RDFs themselves do not conform exactly to the reciprocity principle. However, when these same RFDs are introduced into time-dependent finite volume conduction formulations based on DGFs, the resulting model is found to be fundamentally unstable due to inherent violations of the second law of thermodynamics. A novel approach to addressing this instability is presented and demonstrated for the case of a telescope typical of those employed to monitor the planetary energy budget from low Earth orbit.