Basics of Vibration Isolation for HVAC Equipment & Systems

Mark E. Schaffer, P.E.

Schaffer Acoustics Inc. Pacific Palisades, CA mark@schaffer-acoustics.com

Introduction
Why isolate vibration? Vibration sources & frequencies How to select isolators Isolator types Isolation system effects

Source-Path-Receiver
Vibration Sources Fans, pumps & compressors Transmission Paths Slabs, floors, walls, etc. Receivers Bldg. occupants, sensitive instrumentation

Airborne & Structure-borne Sound Transmission

SOUND TRANSMISS

Vibration Mechanisms
Imbalances in rotating equipment Flow obstructions near blade tips Oscillating motor windings Airflow stall in fans

Vibration Frequencies in Rotating Equipment

Expressed in cps or Hertz (Hz) Equipment Shaft Rotation Frequency SRF = RPM / 60 Blade Passage Frequency (BPF) BPF = # of blades x RPM / 60 Harmonics & intermodulations

Vibration Frequencies in Motors

Motor Rotation Frequency MRF = RPM / 60 Motor Windings Frequency MWF = 2 x 60 hertz = 120 Hz Harmonics & intermodulations

Frequency Ranges of Interest

Equipment Shaft Rotation 400 to 3600 RPM, 6.7 to 60 Hz Blade Passage 1600 to 21,600 BPM, 26.7 to 360 Hz Motor Rotation: 870 to 3600 RPM, 14.6 to 60 Hz Motor windings - 120 Hz Harmonics & intermodulations

Pump Impeller & Cutwater

3500 RPM Pump with 6 impeller blades

Impeller BPF = 6 x 3500 / 60 = 350 Hz Motor RPM = 3500 RPM / 60 = 58.3 Hz Line frequency x 2 = 120 Hz Harmonics and intermodulations

Belt-driven 9-bladed fan, 1200 RPM,1770 RPM motor

Fan BPF = 9 x 1200 / 60 = 180 Hz Fan Shaft Rotation = 1200 RPM / 60 = 20 Hz Motor RPM = 1770 RPM / 60 = 29.5 Hz Line frequency x 2 = 120 Hz Harmonics and intermodulations

Attenuation vs. Isolator Efficiency

0 -5 -10 Trans mis s ibility in dB Transmissibility in dB -15 -20 -25 -30 -35 -40 -45 -50 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Is olator Efficiency

Transmissibility vs. Frequency

100 +40 dB
F = Forcing Frequency F n = Natural Frequeny of isolated Equipment

10 +20 dB Transmissibility Ratio Transmissibility Ratio

0.1 -20 dB

0.01 -40 dB

0.001 -60 dB 0.1

1 F/Fn

10

100

Isolator Selection re % Efficiency

Selection Guide for Vibration Isolation

Vibration Isolation Products

Neoprene or rubber Steel or iron Compressed fiberglass

Neoprene Pads

Fiberglass & Neoprene Mounts

Open Spring Mount, Inertia Base & Seismic Restraint

Restrained Spring Mounts

Avoid this Restrained Spring Mount

Pneumatic Isolator (Airbag)

Pneumatic Isolator & Leveling Valve

System Factors that Affect Vibration Isolation

Stiffness of supporting structures Piping, conduit & ductwork Isolation at equipment connections Isolation at building support points

Supporting Structure Stiffness

Kstructure > 10 * Kisolators

Flexible Pipe (Pump) Connectors

Pipe Hangers

Isolated Cooling Tower

Isolated Makeup Water Pipe

Refrigerant Piping

Isolated Rooftop Piping

Attachment of Suspended Piping

Flexible Conduit

Isolated Conduit Clamp

Flexible Duct Connector & Thrust Restraint

Pipe Penetration

Effects of VFDs
Reduced RPM Reduced Vibration Strength Reduced Vibration Frequency

Floor FN as low as 4 Hz

Select isolators per lowest practical equipment shaft RPM

Summary
Select equipment isolators per ASHRAE Applications Handbook (Chapter 47 in 2003 Handbook) Structure stiffness >10X isolator stiffness Isolate piping, conduit & ductwork connections to equipment Isolate piping & conduit connections at building attachment points & penetrations Consider effects of VFD control

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