SwRI: Acoustical (Pulsation) Analyses, acoustical models of piping systems

	IPPS input interface window, which is used to input the compressor information and the acoustic layout of the attached piping. Click image to enlarge.

Simulation analyses of the effects of pressure pulsations from a compressor or pump can assess the likelihood of system component or piping vibration. Predicted system responses can be used to identify and eliminate operationally undesirable or structurally damaging pulsations.

To avoid poor system performance or excessive dynamic loads on the compressor and piping system, acoustical design recommendations typically detail:

• Piping sizes and lengths

• Compressor cylinder pulsation filter bottle size and length

• Compressor cylinder pulsation filter bottle internal dimensions

• Pulsation filter structural details

• Acoustical analyses provide data for:

  • Pulsation (pressure, flow) variations

  • Acoustical shaking forces

  • Compressor cylinder performance

  • System pressure drop

The acoustic design tool used and developed at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is known as the Interactive Pulsation-Performance Simulation (IPPS) tool.

Three-dimensional finite element modeling can be used for the prediction of complex high-frequency acoustic cross modes associated with large pulsation filter bottle diameters on high-speed compressors. This 3-D method of acoustic modeling is typically unnecessary; however, SwRI is capable of performing this analysis when needed.

For more information about compressor system and pump system analyses capabilities or acoustical (pulsation) analyses at SwRI, or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Buddy Broerman at ebroerman@swri.org or (210) 522-2555.  We can offer you the best approach for solving your compressor system or pump system analysis problem.