Numerical investigation on reduction of valve flow noise in high pressure gas pipe using perforated plates

In this study, a numerical methodology is proposed for evaluating valve flow noise in a pipe conveying high pressure gas, and the effects of perforated plates on reduction of such valve flow noise are quantitatively analyzed. First, high-accurate unsteady compressible Large Eddy Simulation techniques are utilized to predict flow and flow noise by a valve in a high-pressure pipe. The validity of the numerical result is confirmed by comparing the predicted wall pressure spectrum with the measured one. Next, the acoustic power of downstream-propagating acoustic waves due to the valve flow is analyzed using an acoustic power formula for acoustic waves propagating on mean flow in a pipe. Based on the analysis results, perforated plates are designed and installed downstream of the valve to suppress the valve flow noise and the acoustic power of downstream-going acoustic waves is predicted by using the same numerical procedure. The reduction by 9.5 dB is confirmed by comparing the predicted result with that of the existing system. Based on these results, the current numerical methodology is expected to be used to reduce valve flow noise in an existing system as well as in a design stage.