Noise generation and propagation effects on piping system components

In power plants and petrochemical plants, the piping systems form a network that extends throughout the facility. Various components in a piping system can be major sources of in-plant and community noise, both the pipe and the contained fluid can be noise propagation paths, and noise radiation can occur from the external surface of the piping. Though the basics of these phenomena are often understood, the translation into workable predictive tools has been slow. Several possible piping system noise sources are described and the experimental test program being undertaken to generate the required non-dimensionalized spectral data is outlined. The accuracy of pressure fluctuation scaling for pressure and flow rate is also reviewed based on the equal tee test program.