Reduction of noise characteristics of the piping of centrifugal compressors

The purpose of the research is to reduce the noise indicators of gas compressor stations while minimizing the cost of sound insulation of process pipelines.

The authors use calculated methods for studying the sound-insulating ability of materials and coatings. Moreover, the authors conduct an assessment of the reduction in the level of aerodynamic noise emitted by a centrifugal compressor operating as a part of the gas compressor unit of the 16 MW gas turbine at the compressor station of the main gas pipeline. Instead of traditional solutions with sound insulation coatings on the elements of the external piping of the centrifugal compressor and the entire compressor station, the article considers alternative options, which consist in minimizing sound insulation coatings and localizing them only on the discharge nozzle of the compressor for the effect of heat insulation. The authors demonstrate that an increase in the wall thickness of pipelines on 50 % higher than the calculated value corresponding to the strength class of the pipeline material, together with the use of blade-free diffusers in the flow section of the centrifugal compressor affects the decrease in the sound pressure level in nine calculated octave frequency bands, which is similar to the application of a sound insulation coating.

The obtained results confirm their feasibility and effectiveness in achieving acceptable noise levels and also prove simplifying maintenance and diagnostics of the compressor station pipelines.

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