On the network method for analysis of radiative transfer in enclosures

In the year 1956, Oppenheim developed the Network Method for calculating radiation exchange in enclosures. The method has never became as popular as Net Radiation Method (Radiosity Method) due to cumbersome procedures for solving large (electrical) networks. In this note, the Network Method is reformulated using modern linear algebra and a solution procedure is presented that requires not more than several simple matrix operations. In this way, the Radiation Method becomes a good alternative to Net Radiation Method (Radiosity Method) even for very large networks. •Radiation Network Method has been reformulated using modern linear algebra.•The method became a competitive alternative to Net Radiation Method.•Only several standard matrix operations are required for networks of any size.