Acoustic response analysis of pipeline networks using two-ports

Abstract

Sound generation and propagation inside pipeline networks has been of major concern in different applications. There is a need to solve performance problems caused by reciprocating equipment or flow generated noise sources in piping and pipeline systems. If the source pulsations coincide with one of the acoustic resonances in the system, high dynamic pressure amplitudes can be generated causing shaking forces at the pipe ends which excite mechanical vibrations and mechanical stress which might lead to fatigue and failure. In this paper, the two-port technique is used to describe the pipeline network where the network can be divided into elements; each is described by a transfer matrix. The compressors are modeled as one-ports described by source strength and source impedance. A pilot plant equipped with a reciprocating compressor was built, and the pressure pulsations were measured in different positions inside the network. The source characteristics of the compressor were measured using the multi-load technique which is commonly used to characterize the acoustics of internal combustion engines. The dynamic pressure was calculated inside the two-port network and compared to the measurements.