24-03-2010 Ducts - Noise Generation

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Ducts - Noise Generation

Air flow and noise generated in ducts
When air flows through ducts noise are generated. The noise can be calculated with the empirical
equation below:

Lw = 10 + 50 log( v ) + 10 log( A ) (1)

where
Lw = sound power level (dB)
v = air velocity (m/s)
A = duct cross sectional area (m2)

Example - Noise generated in Ducts

The noise generated in a 200 mm circular duct with airflow 10 m/s can be calculated as

Lw = 10 + 50 log( 10 m/s ) + 10 log( π ((0.2 m) / 2)2 )

= 45 db

The noise generated in a 200 mm circular duct with airflow 20 m/s can be calculated as

Lw = 10 + 50 log( 20 m/s ) + 10 log( π ((0.2 m) / 2)2 )

= 65 db

Note! - the noise is generated inside the duct. Compared to the noise from the fans - the noise
generated by the duct can in general be neglected.
Related Topics

Acoustics Room acoustics, acoustic properties - decibel A, B and C - Noise Rating (NR) curves,
sound transmission, sound pressure, sound intensity, attenuation and more ..
Noise and Attenuation Noise is usually defined as unwanted sound - noise, noise generation,
silencers and attenuation in HVAC systems

Related Documents

Fans and Noise Power Generation Sound Power Level from a fan depends on motor power, capacity,
static pressure and discharged volume
Adding Decibels The logarithmic decibel scale is convenient calculating sound power levels and
sound pressure levels for two or more sound sources
Sizing Ducts The ductwork of ventilation systems are often sized with either the Velocity, the
Constant Pressure Loss (or Equal Friction Loss) - or the Static Pressure Recovery Methods
Decibel Decibel is a logarithmic unit used to describe the ratio of the signal level - power, sound
pressure, voltage, intensity, etc.
Rotary Heat Exchanger - Noise Attenuation Sound attenuation in rotating heat exchangers

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