Design charts for the selection of acoustical enclosures for diesel engine generator sets

It has been realized that attenuation of the noise radiated from diesel engine generating sets is a challenge for the designer. The enclosure, which may be designed for noise reduction, has to allow for the flow of the necessary amount of air. The present work is an attempt to tackle such a contradictory problem. A mathematical model is developed to predict the enclosure design configuration. The parameters affecting the insertion loss, such as enclosure and silencer dimensions, number of baffles, and sound absorption material specifications are taken into account. To verify the developed model, experimental measurements based on ISO 8528 part 10 are conducted. Four different generating sets covering a wide range of power rating are employed. The effect of changing each parameter on the insertion loss is studied separately for the chosen range. Design charts, based on the results of the present investigation, are constructed to facilitate the selection of a proper acoustical enclosure configuration at the preliminary design stage.