Numerical Modeling of Radiative and Convective Heat Transfer From an Irradiated Complex Window Assembly

The present numerical study examines the influence of heated, horizontal, and rotateable louvers on the convective and radiative heat transfer from a hot or cold vertical isothermal surface. The system models absorption of solar energy in a Venetian blind adjacent to the indoor surface of a window. Building on previous analyses, a steady, laminar, two-dimensional, conjugate conduction / convection / radiation model of this problem has been developed, and solutions have been obtained using the finite element method. Validation of the model against existing solutions has been undertaken. Results were obtained for two window temperatures (warm and cool compared to ambient), two louver to plate spacings, and three louver angles. The results clearly demonstrate the effect of the model variables on heat transfer from the plate surface. With few exceptions, steady periodicity along the plate was clearly demonstrated. More importantly, increased independence of the results from the louver angle as louver to plate distance increased was demonstrated.