Reduction of Air Cylinder Exhaust Noise By Plenum Chamber Mufflers

Air cylinder exhausts are important secondary noise sources in many softwood sawmills, planer mills, and veneer mills. Commercial mufflers are available that are reasonably effective but are also subject to fouling with airborne oil and to freezing in colder weather. A study of simple and modified plenum chambers was made, with three cylinder sizes at three air pressures. Regression equations were determined that relate noise reduction efficiency to plenum chamber volume, cylinder volume, and line pressure. Simple plenum chambers were as effective as the commercial mufflers tested and lining the chamber with fiberglass or styrofoam increased the efficiency substantially. Packing the chamber with fiberglass roughly doubled the effectiveness of the plenum over that of either the commercial mufflers or unlined plenums. Fiberglass-filled plenums achieved noise reductions of 30 to 35 dB.

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