A western chemical plant was experiencing excessive noise from a reactor and causing numerous problems with plant neighbors. Working with plant personnel, SAS modeled the system and first corrected flow distribution problems.
Follow-on analysis indicated that the reactor itself was producing the noise via a Riejke-tube phenomenon. Instead of an expensive reactor redesign, SAS recommended installation of a Helmholtz resonator in the exhaust stack, tuned to the frequency of the reactor noise. SAS accomplished the design and fabrication of the stack replacement and was on-site for the installation.
At start-up, noise levels were reduced by over 20 dB, and concerns from plant neighbors were eliminated.