Thermal radiation shields for radiant coolers.
Thermal radiation shields in the form of low-emissivity surfaces spaced on low-conductance supports can be used to advantage as a replacement for multilayer insulation in radiant coolers. A view factor between adjacent shields of less than unity increases the insulation factor when the surfaces terminate with an external view. An analytical model that accounts for unequal areas as well as the reduced view factor is shown to be in good agreement with experimental measurements when the end area absorption and emission are small. The modifications to both the analytical model and the experimental evaluation are discussed for the case of significant end absorption or emission.
Annable
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RV