Flow Noise Prediction and Control in Steam Piping Systems for Nuclear Power Plants

Abstract

The flow noise of steam in pipe lines, particularly in power plants, is a major noise source and contributor to OSHA noise problems. The ability to predict flow noise levels is vital to efficient and economical noise control. Octave-band measurements of flow noise in the main steam piping system of a nuclear power plant were made. To determine the effect of velocity, measurements were conducted for a wide range of velocities during plant start-up. Results in the form of plots of measured flow noise as a function of velocity were compared with limited data that have been recently published. An empirical formula for prediction of flow noise and corresponding design techniques for control of noise by proper pipe sizing have been developed. Alternate methods of noise control are reviewed.