UNDERSTANDING AND ADDRESSING SOURCES OF NOISE AND VIBRATION IN COMPRESSORS, PUMPS AND FANS

This paper explains the main sources of noise and vibration in refrigeration systems and suggests ways in which problems can be addressed. The paper will be of interest to system designers and installers, maintenance providers and troubleshooters as well as owners and operators. Topics include compressor vibration, rolling element bearing analysis, cavitation in pumps, liquid hammer, condensate-induced shock and fan noise. The paper gives case study examples of problems and solutions and shows how issues can be prevented by careful design of system installations. The paper is an update and extension of work presented at an IIR co-sponsored conference in 1996 (Comparin, Pearson, 1996)