Characterisation of a Standard Fan Test Facility to Accommodate Reflection of Sound During Noise Measurements

Abstract

Axial flow fans are fundamental to air-cooled condensers. While they provide the air flow for heat transfer, they also generate noise, which is a growing environmental concern. Sound reflections are characterised in an existing fan performance test facility, which does not conform to fan noise measurement standards. Corrections to the measured SPL spectrum is deduced along with the uncertainty in noise measurements. Corrections are compared to a reflection correction standard relating to buildings. This methodology can be repeated for other fan test facilities which do not comply with noise measurement standards.