43 The Floating Exhaust Stack

Supervisors:

Dr Ben Cazzolato

Moderator:

Mr Byron Martin

Number of Students:

 

Description:

The sound radiated from industrial stacks can have a significant impact on neighbouring communities. A previous 4th year project showed that by adjusting the length of a stack, it is possible to reduce the sound radiated from the stack at the fundamental blade pass frequency (the dominant tone in the community). The stack length was adjusted by placing an additional length at the end of the stack which could be driven via servos.

This approach, although successful, has its difficulties. It is proposed that it may be possible to use the sump (which collects rain water) at the bottom of the stack to adjust the length. By pumping water in and out of the sump, the effective length of the stack is modified. If this is shown to be successful, then full scale trials may be undertaken at a suitable plant in Adelaide.

Comments:

There may be the possibility of commercialising this technology.