Experimental measurement of combustion noise and comparison to a predictive model

Abstract

The acoustic emission from the combustion of turbulent mixtures of several gaseous fuels and oxygen was measured to determine the effect of burner diameters, flow velocities and reactant chemistries. The data are presented in the form of acoustic pressure spectra and over-all sound pressure levels.

The experiment consisted of a geometrically simple pre-mixed burner with five interchangeable nozzles whose diameters varied from 0.117 cm to 0.541 cm. The fuels examined in the experiment were acetylene, methane and propane. Three flow velocities were tested for each fuel. Methane was tested within a velocity range of 10 m/s to 25 m/s while propane was examined within a range of 20 m/s to 40 m/s. Acetylene was tested at somewhat higher velocities ranging from 50 m/s to 100 m/s.

The resulting data base consisted of 23 unique test conditions. The data were evaluated based on peak frequency and overall sound pressure level. The experimental data are also compared to a predictive model.