This paper is concerned with the analysis of the radiative heat transfer in glass foams. The closed-form analytical model for the reflectance, transmittance, and absorptance of radiation by a foam layer has been utilised to assess the resistance of radiation heat transfer from the hot combustion gases and refractories to the molten glass in the glass melting furnace du to glass foaming. The size (radius) and shape (void fraction) of foam bubbles, their size distribution function, the scattering anisotropy, and the reflectance of the foam/glass interface have been identified as major physical parameters governing the problem. Detailed parametric calculations have been performed, and the results are reported and critically discussed with the aim of quantifying the radiation characteristics of glass foams.
