The need for adopting the latest technological tendencies in combustion appliances, which have potential applications in the national industry, gives rise to an interest in studying the parameters of design, optimization and characterization of new thermal systems. A method for the analysis of heat transfer processes involving radiant tubes is presented in this article. Some hypotheses used in the development of the model considered helpful for the characterization of the most influencing parameters involved in the model are presented. The model attempts to serve as a guide during the design phase in in¬dustrial applications, and to be an adequate tool for the selection of a combustion system with radiant tube.