Noise of steam‐injection water heaters

Abstract

Steam is used as a heating agent in many industries, especially those associated with food processing. Several of the applications, such as steam injection into water in food blanchers, can create noise problems. Noise and vibration levels were measured for several blanchers where steam was injected through holes in pipes running through the blanchers or through steam ejectors. Subsequently, several ejector systems were investigated in a test tank. Parameters such as water temperature, steam pressure, ejector mixing length, and air injection were studied. Variations of up to 50 dB were observed in noise and vibration levels within an operating range of 50–200 °F for water temperature and 20–100 psig for steam pressure. The use of ejector mixing tubes and air injection were found to be more effective in reducing noise at low water temperatures than at high. The results are interpreted in terms of noise from the collapse of steam bubbles at low water temperatures and jet noise at high temperatures. [Sponsored in part by Northwest Food Processors Association.]