Numerical implementation of models for radiative properties of molecular gases and particulate media in combustion applications

Some of the most important engineering applications of thermal radiation are in the areas of combustion of gaseous, liquid, or solid fuel for power production or for propulsion. During combustion, thermal radiation will carry energy directly from the combustion products to the burner walls, often at rates higher than for convection. In the combustion process there are many intermediate reactions, intermittent generation of a variety of intermediate species, generation of soot, agglomeration of soot particles, and their subsequent partial burning. Any understanding and modeling of the combustion process requires knowledge of the radiation properties of the combustion gases and any particulates that are present. Models of these radiative properties will be reviewed in combustion applications. These models are implemented numerically. The convergence and accuracy of the algorithms and the challenges and solutions in increasing the efficiency of the developed software are discussed.