Backward Method of Characteristics in Radiative Heat Transfer

This paper presents the backward method of characteristics for simulating multidimensional transient and steady state radiative heat transfer. This method is based on the method of characteristics that follows photons along their pathlines. It makes use of a fixed grid and unlike the conventional method of characteristics, it follows the photons backward in time. The method (1) is accurate, (2) unconditionally stable, (3) can be used for solving coupled equations using other numerical schemes. Numerical results obtained for various cases solved were in good agreement with analytical and numerical solutions reported in literature. The method is particularly appropriate for simulating multidimensional, transient radiative transport, and/or coupled heat transfer problems.