Flow-induced acoustic resonance prediction using the transfer matrix method

Abstract

Acoustic resonance in a flow piping system may trigger an occupational or safety issue and can lead to equipment damage. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are often used to predict such resonance phenomenon. However, this approach is generally time consuming and requires specialized training and expensive software. In addition, CFD is not viable for routine design purposes due to its computational expense. In this study, an alternative plane-wave based model for a hydraulic piping system is therefore developed using the transfer matrix method (TMM). Such a model can offer a fast yet reasonably accurate prediction for self-sustained pressure oscillation in a piping system. The advantage of the TMM is the simplicity with which the transfer matrix of a system can be generated from a combination of the TMs of its subsystems via matrix operations. The hydraulic piping system under study consists of a duct with constant cross-sectional area, diffuser, nozzle, bends, valves and orifice plate. The TM of each component is developed and compared to either CFD predictions or available experimental data, the TM of the complete system is derived. Design recommendations are made to reduce and/or avoid resonance in the piping system.