Monte Carlo calculation of view factors between some complex surfaces: Rectangular plane and parallel cylinder, rectangular plane and torus, especially cold-rolled strip and W-shaped radiant tube in continuous annealing furnace

View factor plays an important role in evaluation of radiative heat transfer. This paper gives a detailed account of setting up the Monte Carlo calculation models of view factors between some complex surfaces. Main purpose is to calculate view factor between cold-rolled strip and W-shaped radiant tube in continuous annealing furnace. Given advantages of Monte Carlo method, it has been used to calculate view factor between the strip and radiant tube. Firstly, the Monte Carlo calculation models for view factor between rectangular plane and parallel cylinder and for view factor between rectangular plane and torus are established and verified, respectively. Then, according to reciprocity and superposition rules of view factors, the Monte Carlo calculation model for view factor between the strip and radiant tube is established by the above models. By comparing with analytical expression, or checking reciprocity after performing the Monte Carlo analysis in each direction between surface pairs, the calculation errors of above Monte Carlo models are analyzed and the results show that the Monte Carlo method is effective and reliable in calculating view factors between some complex surfaces.