Thinking Outside (or Inside) the Box: Sustainability Considerations with Respect to Location of Sound Traps for Controlling Air Handling Unit Noise

摘要

Noise from air handling units (AHU) is typically attenuated by straight or elbow soundrntraps installed within upstream or downstream heating, ventilation and air conditioningrn(HVAC) system ductwork, or by installing either baffles or banks of sound traps as anrnAHU internal component or section (i.e., similar in arrangement to a filter orrnheating/cooling coil bank). An alternative to the latter, particularly for AHUs featuringrnaxial fans, has been to attach “static regain” sound attenuators directly to fan inlets andrndischarges. This study evaluates and compares these four AHU sound attenuationrnapproaches on the basis of energy consumption and other factors such as cost and, asrnappropriate, relevant credit or compliance opportunities (depending on geographic region)rnthat reward or otherwise promote sustainability in HVAC system design.