Nondimensional parameters in radiation gasdynamics

Biberman (1974) and Biberman et al. (1980) have introduced a new dimensionless radiation-convection parameter which seems to be particularly appropriate. The new parameter is the rate at which the radiative flux changes for a given small change in the incoming energy flux. Attention is given to a test of the involved approach against the many numerical and experimental results which have been accumulated in a wide range of atmospheres and reentry conditions. A similar treatment of the Peclet number for the possible reduction of the proliferation of ad hoc formulas in convection heat transfer is also considered. Aspects of reentry radiative heat transfer are examined. It is found that a simplified model appears to be able to accommodate many numerical correlations into a simple function B of a physically meaningful thermodynamic coefficient. It is proposed to name the dimensionless ratio B the 'Biberman number'.