Simultaneous conductive and radiative heat transfer through multiple-layer insulation in a space environment

Abstract

Multiple-layer insulation consisting of alternate layers of radiation shield and spacer material, covering a surface with a fixed temperature in a space environment, is analyzed. The insulation is assumed to be composed of infinite, parallel layers of opaque material and transparent spacing material. Convective heat transfer between layers is assumed to be insignificant, and the effects of simultaneous conductive and radiative transfer are studied. The conductivity of the radiation shields is assumed to be infinite compared to the spacing material. The case of a constant external radiation as well as zero external radiation is included. The calculation of the resulting heat transfer requires the solution of a quartit equation. This equation is solved by a computer program for the various cases, and numerical results are given for some values of the various parameters effecting heat transfer.