July 2000 Bulletin 80.

3:6014

WhisperFlot Vent Diffuser

Venting gas or steam to atmosphere is a common pro-
cess; for example, backpressure control on a steam
header or controlled, overpressure protection systems.
A vent system has two potential noise sources that
can generate unacceptable, high noise levels. A Fisher
Controls WhisperFlo Vent Diffuser provides a solution
for both noise sources.

The control valve, usually inside the building or other-

wise in the vicinity of plant employees, will have high
noise potential due to the low downstream pressure
and associated high pressure drop. This noise source
must meet the plant’s requirements for protection of
the workers. The exit point at the top of the vent stack
may be a second noise source as the gas or steam
creates its own jet and turbulence. Controlling the
noise from this source is vital to meeting plant bound-
ary or fence-line noise limits.

Throttling generated noise, as in a control valve, is a

function of pressure drop. Reducing the pressure drop
will reduce the noise. For example, in a system con-
sisting of a control valve and a vent stack, adding an
orifice plate at the top of the stack will reduce the valve
pressure drop and thus the noise at the valve. Of
course the restriction itself has noise potential. A Fish-
er Controls WhisperFlo Vent Diffuser is in essence a
quiet, fixed restriction; it provides back pressure to the
control valve thus lowering the valve pressure drop
and noise. At the same time the WhisperFlo Vent Dif-
fuser is designed to release the gas or steam to atmo- W8037 / IL
spheric pressure utilizing five noise reduction tech-
niques. These same techniques and noise benefits are
available in a WhisperFlo valve.
Figure 1. Type 6014 WhisperFlo Vent Diffuser

D102747X012
Bulletin 80.3:6014
Specifications
Available Configurations Materials
Type 6014—WhisperFlo vent diffuser
Type 6015—WhisperFlo vent diffuser with shell WhisperFlo diffuser baffle: S31600 (316 SST)
Bolting: S31600
Sizes and End Connections Inlet flange, baffle flanges, shell: Per application
Buttwelding end or flanged end

Note
Weights & Dimensions(1)
Vent diffusers are not hydrostatically
tested. See figures 3 and 4
1. Your Fisher Controls representative can determine actual weights and lengths after the diffuser has been sized for pressure and noise conditions.

Noise Reduction Techniques

The five noise reduction techniques that contribute to
the outstanding performance of WhisperFlo trim in
noise abatement are:

1. Unique Passage Shape— This reduces the acous-

tical conversion efficiency for the pressure drop ratio
regime of each stage. Shock-associated noise is mini-
mized by reducing the turbulence coming into the
stage restrictions. Turbulent shear layers are placed
away from solid boundaries to reduce dipole noise.

2. Multistage Pressure Reduction— The first stage

pressure drop ratio is greater than that of the second
stage. Acoustical conversion efficiency is reduced for
lower pressure ratios. Stream power is divided be-
tween stages, with noise being attenuated in the first
stage. W7066

3. Frequency Spectrum Shift— Acoustic energy is
reduced in the audible range. This design exploits the
natural damping of high frequency acoustic waves.
4. Exit Jet Independence— WhisperFlo trim controls
the second stage pressure ratio to avoid jet coales-
cence. Adequate spacing is placed between jets,
which are oriented essentially parallel to one another
to avoid interaction. See figure 2.
5. Velocity Management— The WhisperFlo design
utilizes an expanding area principle to compensate for
volumetric expansion of depressurizing gas.
Figure 2. Flow Through WhisperFlo Trim
D Noise Attenuation—A properly selected diffuser-
valve combination can result in up to a 40 dBA noise
reduction.
D Total Control—A diffuser-valve combination re-
tains the pressure/flow control associated with a stan-
dard control valve. Just as important, it controls the
generation of potentially damaging noise and vibration.

Features
D Versatility—The diffuser concept is used in sev-
eral unique versions, providing optimum solutions for
various applications. The diffuser need not be installed
adjacent to the control valve.
Ordering Information
Contact your Fisher Controls sales office or refer to
OEDII to order a diffuser. The Diffuser Data Sheet is
also available on FishWEB. All diffusers are designed
by Fisher Controls International, Inc., in Marshalltown,
Iowa, 50158, USA.

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 Bulletin 80.3:6014
Type 6014 Diffuser

Typical Type 6014 Diffuser Dimensions (1)

MAXIMUM L
INLET MAXIMUM L(2) MAXIMUM WEIGHT(3)
SIZE
SIZE,
INCHES mm Inches kg Lb
4 735 29.00 77 170
6 935 37.00 170 375
8 1195 47.00 272 600
12 1600 63.00 600 1320
16 2000 79.00 1238 2730
20 2100 83.00 1565 3450
1. Dimensions may vary to meet specific sound attenuation or piping requirements.
2. L is maximum length. Actual length is based on flow conditions.
3. Weights are based on Class 600 flanges and maximum flow capacity.

Figure 3. Type 6014 WhisperFlo Diffuser Dimensions

Type 6015 Diffuser with Shell

Typical Type 6015 Diffuser Dimensions (1)

MAXIMUM L INLET MAXIMUM L(2) MAXIMUM WEIGHT(3)
SIZE
SIZE,
INCHES mm Inches kg Lb
4 1600 63.00 404 890
6 1800 71.00 618 1362
8 2030 80.00 785 1730
MINI- 12 2464 97.00 1300 2863
MUM 16 2820 111.00 1950 4300
SHELL
20 2946 116.00 2300 5075
SIZE
1. Dimensions will vary to meet specific sound attenuation or piping requirements.
2. L is maximum length. Actual length is based on flow conditions.
3. Weights include Class 600 flanges.

NOTE: DO NOT CONNECT ANYTHING

TO THIS 3/4-INCH DRAIN HOLE

Figure 4. Type 6015 WhisperFlo Diffuser Dimensions

Table 1. Minimum Shell Size for Type 6015 Diffuser with Shell (1)
Diffuser mm 102 152 203 305 406 508
Inlet Size Inches 4 6 8 12 16 20
Nominal mm 406 457 610 762 914 1016
Shell Size Inches 16 18 24 30 36 40
1. See the shell sizing procedure in Catalog 12, Section 3 for establishing 0.3 sonic velocity in the annular area between the baffle and the inside diameter of the shell.

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Bulletin 80.3:6014

INTERMEDIATE

W8036 / IL
TYPICAL TYPE 6014 WhisperFlo DIFFUSER INSTALLATION

Figure 5. Control Valve and Diffuser Divide the Overall Pressure Drop

WhisperFlo, Fisher and Fisher-Rosemount are marks owned by Fisher Controls International, Inc. or Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.
All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
EFisher Controls International, Inc. 2000; All Rights Reserved

The contents of this publication are presented for informational purposes only, and while every effort has been made to ensure their accuracy, they are not to be construed as warranties or guarantees, express
or implied, regarding the products or services described herein or their use or applicability. We reserve the right to modify or improve the designs or specifications of such products at any time without notice.

For information, contact Fisher Controls:

Marshalltown, Iowa 50158 USA
Cernay 68700 France
Sao Paulo 05424 Brazil
Singapore 128461

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Printed in U.S.A.