Sound propagation in segmented exhaust ducts - Theoretical predictions and comparison with measurements

Suppressions due to acoustic treatment in the annular exhaust duct of a model fan have been theoretically predicted and compared with measurements. The predictions are based on the modal analysis of sound propagation in a straight annular flow duct with segmented treatment. Measured values of the mode distribution of the fan noise source (fan-stator interaction source only) and the acoustic impedance of the treatment in the duct were used as input to the prediction program. The predicted suppressions (under the assumption of uniform flow in the duct) compared well with the measured in-duct suppression for all test conditions. The measurements were made in an anechoic chamber and the interaction modes generated in the fan spanned a cut-off ratio range from nearly one to seven.