Engineering Bulletin: Sound Data and Application Guide Stealth™ Chiller (Model RTAE)
Engineering Bulletin: Sound Data and Application Guide Stealth™ Chiller (Model RTAE)
Engineering Bulletin: Sound Data and Application Guide Stealth™ Chiller (Model RTAE)
SAFETY WARNING
Only qualified personnel should install and service the equipment. The installation, starting up, and servicing
of heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning equipment can be hazardous and requires specific knowledge and
training. Improperly installed, adjusted or altered equipment by an unqualified person could result in death or
serious injury. When working on the equipment, observe all precautions in the literature and on the tags,
stickers, and labels that are attached to the equipment.
Copyright
This document and the information in it are the property of
Trane, and may not be used or reproduced in whole or in
part without written permission. Trane reserves the right
to revise this publication at any time, and to make changes
to its content without obligation to notify any person of
such revision or change.
Trademarks
All trademarks referenced in this document are the
trademarks of their respective owners.
Revision History
RLC-PRB035C-EN (11 Nov 2014)
Added single circuit unit information, and Appendix B
sound pressure octave band information.
RLC-PRB035B-EN (01 Jul 2014)
Updated sound power and pressure data tables.
RLC-PRB035C-EN 3
Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Warnings, Cautions, and Notices . . . . . . . . 2
Important Environmental Concerns . . . . . 2
Important Responsible Refrigerant
Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Copyright . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Stealth™ Chiller – Model RTAE . . . . . . . . . . 5
InvisiSound Noise Reduction Options . . . . 5
Unit Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Ground Level Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Roof Mounted Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Roof Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Building Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Isolators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Chilled Water Piping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Sealing Penetrations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Sound Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Noise Control - Stealth™ Chillers . . . . . . . . 9
Unit Orientation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Distance Factor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Sound Attenuation Using Barrier Walls . 11
Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Building Upper Story Sound Problems . 12
Acoustical Fan Discharge Stacks . . . . . . 13
Appendix A —
Sound Power Octave Band Data . . . . . . . . . 14
Appendix B —
Sound Pressure Octave Band Data . . . . . . . 18
Side of Chiller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Control Panel End of Chiller . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
End Opposite Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
4 RLC-PRB035C-EN
Introduction
Stealth™ Chiller – Model RTAE InvisiSound Noise Reduction
Acoustical sound reduction was integrated during every Options
development step for the Stealth™ air-cooled chiller. The
efficient methods utilized for RTAE not only control sound InvisiSound Standard Unit
but also reduce sound sources (mainly compressor and Each rotary screw compressor will have a muffler as
fan noise) and isolate them from radiating components, standard and each condenser fan will be low noise as
such as refrigerant lines. standard.
The compressor has been designed to minimize sound at
InvisiSound Superior Unit
its point of creation. Gas pulsation of the compressor is
controlled by fully integrating a patented discharge In addition to the sound reducing features on the standard
muffler into its design. Using state-of-the-art acoustic and unit, superior unit adds insulating sound material to the
fluid simulation tools, this muffler’s interconnecting suction and discharge lines of each refrigerant circuit and
chambers block the refrigerant discharge gas pulsation reduces the maximum speed of each condenser fan.
tones inherent in screw compressors, without impeding
refrigerant flow or compromising performance.
InvisiSound Ultimate Unit
Additionally, the transmitted vibration is minimized by In addition to the sound reducing features on the standard
conducting finite element analysis on the compressor and superior unit, this option adds a flexible, metallic
housing to find areas that would amplify the frequencies connection at the suction and discharge of each
generated from compression. These areas were then compressor, a pre-formed sound box encapsulating each
redesigned to reduce sound transmission. compressor and reduces the maximum speed of each
With the discharge pulsations controlled at the condenser fan. The customer can set the fan speed at the
compressor, the vibration transmitted from compressor to jobsite from 100% to 60% with a schedule if desired.
refrigerant was also contained. On units with Important: For chillers built with InvisiSound Ultimate
InvisiSound™ Ultimate options, unique bellows-style option, compressor mounting bolts must
flexible couplers at the compressor suction and discharge be removed to assure minimum noise
line connections were developed which minimize during operation. Use a 24mm socket to
vibration transmission from the compressor to the unit remove (3) M15 x 75mm mounting bolts for
and, ultimately, to the building. each compressor. They are located under
Moreover, the refrigerant components and piping have compressor mounting feet. See Figure 1.
been optimized to reduce vibration and sound Figure 1. Compressor mounting bolt removal
propagation throughout the system.
Condenser fan sound power can be as much as half of the Isolator
overall unit sound power levels. Careful consideration was Compressor
taken when designing and selecting the next generation Compressor
condenser fans to be engineered into the Stealth chiller. Mounting
Foot
The sound levels achieved on the Stealth represent the Mounting Bolt
lowest sound levels ever on Trane® air-cooled screw
compressor water chillers.
When installing any chiller, forethought should be given to
the chiller and its relationship with the structure. Issues
such as sound and vibration should be considered and
factored into the building design and chiller location
Important:
within a given structure. These issues are not unique to
chillers but should be considered when any mechanical • DO NOT DISCARD MOUNTING BOLTS. Store bolts in
device is located in or on a structure. the control panel for future use.
This bulletin is not intended to be a replacement for a • All mounting bolts MUST be reinstalled prior to
sound consultant, but rather a tool to advise owners, compressor removal or unit move.
engineers and contractors of useful tips when designing
and installing chiller installations. This engineering
NOTICE:
bulletin provides guidelines for addressing both unit Equipment Damage!
location and airborne sound when installing air-cooled Do not remove compressor or move unit without
Stealth chillers. reattaching compressor mounting bolts. Failure to
reinstall bolts could cause shifting of parts and result in
equipment damage.
RLC-PRB035C-EN 5
Unit Location
Outdoor HVAC equipment must be located to minimize storage rooms, and other similar non-occupied areas
noise and vibration transmission to the occupied spaces of of the building. It is not recommended to locate a unit
the building structure it serves. Also, the equipment must directly over or in close proximity to sound sensitive
be located to prevent objectionable noise levels at areas such as conference rooms, executive office
adjacent property lines or building structures. When spaces, libraries, etc.
choosing a location for the equipment, consider the • It is not recommended to locate the equipment near
following application material for both ground level and occupied, sound sensitive areas of the building or near
roof mounted equipment. An additional concern for the window glass. Also, do not locate the equipment
designer is the resulting noise level at adjacent property adjacent to other building walls or large objects which
lines. When commercial size equipment is installed near a may reflect the sound back to the sound sensitive
residential lot line, there is potential for a sound problem. receiver.
In this situation, the problem is not the commercial
equipment but rather locating the equipment too close to Building Structure
a quiet zone! For equipment operating adjacent to
residential areas, zone ordinances often require maximum When mounting the chiller on the roofline, it is not
lot line dBA levels of 50-55/45 (day/night). In commercial recommended to locate the unit on a beam or structure at
areas 60-65/55-60 (day/ night). In industrial areas typical mid-span of the column grid. Rather, directly support the
levels mandated by local code authorities are 65-70/65-70 unit over columns. Nor is it recommended to locate the
(day/night). The reader is cautioned that the foregoing unit in the middle of a horizontal beam. Try to avoid large
values listed are those typically seen across major cities of column spans. This will minimize the roof deflection
the U.S. The requirements vary by locality so the vibration transmission.
designer is cautioned to always check the criteria Building Support
and local requirements before selecting equipment
locations Poor. Concentration of equipment weight between
beams causes excessive roof deflection and vibration
Ground Level Equipment transmission, even for isolated equipment. See Figure 2.
Figure 2. Building support - poor
• If the equipment must be located in close proximity to
a building, it should be placed next to an unoccupied
space such as a storage room, mechanical room,
switch gear/electrical room or other typically
unoccupied space. It is not recommended to locate the
equipment near occupied, sound sensitive areas of the
building or near windows. Also, do not locate the
equipment adjacent to other building walls or large
objects which may reflect the sound back to the sound
sensitive receiver.
• Seal all piping and electrical conduit penetrations in
the building envelope with an approved fire safe
sealant. Utilize insulated, dielectrically compatible
sleeves at wall penetrations to properly support the Good. Further addition of housekeeping pad and
piping and provide vibration damping. Provide flexible additional beams add mass and stiffness to roof. See
couplings and vibration isolators for the water Figure 3.
circulating pump and connections to prevent the Figure 3. Building support - good
transmission of sound throughout the building.
• Install the unit on a pad isolated from the building or
install the unit with proper vibration isolation
underneath the unit to prevent machine vibrations
from being transmitted to the structure of the building.
6 RLC-PRB035C-EN
Unit Location
Very Good. A column directly under the equipment Vibration Elimination Methods
gives the roof a very high local stiffness, but some
When directly mounting chillers on I-beams that are above
equipment vibration still enters the roof slab. See Figure 4.
the roofline and mounted to the building support columns,
Figure 4. Building support - very good there exists the potential for a resonant frequency at which
higher than normal vibration may be transmitted to the
rest of the building. Be cognizant of this application. A
consultant may be required for evaluation.
RLC-PRB035C-EN 7
Unit Location
8 RLC-PRB035C-EN
Unit Location
Control
Panel End
End Opposite
Control Panel
RLC-PRB035C-EN 9
Unit Location
Table 2. Sound pressure levels (Lp, in dBA)(a)- Table 3. Sound pressure levels (Lp, in dBA)(a)-
10 m from center of control panel end of chiller 10m from center of end opposite control panel
InvisiSound(c) Option InvisiSound(c) Option
10 RLC-PRB035C-EN
Unit Location
Range, ft
Broad Sides
End Opposite
Control Panel
Range, m
RLC-PRB035C-EN 11
Unit Location
Example
An example will demonstrate how to use the preceding noise sensitivity of the upper stories of the building may
information to minimize potential problems for noise be a concern. Once again, use of an acoustical barrier wall
sensitive installations. See Figure 10 for representation of can be very effective. See Figure 11, p. 13.
this installation example. The acoustical barrier wall placed as shown in Figure 11,
The objective is to design an installation that will yield 65 p. 13 attenuates both compressor and fan noise and will
dBA or less at the lot line. yield an estimated 10 dBA sound pressure reduction in the
The estimation of sound pressure at the lot line is made as “shadow” area created by the wall. In order to create the
follows: largest possible “shadow” area, the acoustical barrier wall
should be as tall as possible, with the unit placed as close
• 73 dBA – fromTable 1, p. 8, sound pressure @ 30 ft for as possible to the barrier wall and the unit placed as far
RTAE 200 Std from the building as possible. The unit should be located
• - 4 dBA – See Figure 7, p. 9. Deduct 4 dBA for chiller a minimum of 15 ft from the building to minimize the
orienation at 80 ft.. potential for reflected sound. Also seal any electrical or
water assemblies that penetrate the barrier wall to avoid
• - 5 dBA –See Figure 8, p. 11. Deduct 5dBA because of 80
“sound leaks” towards the building.
ft distance of chiller from lot line.
See Figure 9, p. 11 for minimum construction
• +3 dBA – Addition of 3 dBA due to sound reflection of
requirements of barrier walls.
building wall 12 ft from chiller
Note: A building wall in close proximity to the
unit, 15 ft or less, reflects the sound
towards the lot line. In effect this causes the
building to act like a second sound source
raising the measured sound at the lot line
by as much as 3 dBA.
• 67 dBA – Estimated Sound Pressure at the lot line (with
no barrier wall)
• 67dBA exceeds the requirement of 65 dBA at the lot
line. An acoustical barrier wall as shown in Figure 9,
p. 11 will reduce the sound pressure an additional 10
dBA, to 57 dBA, thus meeting the requirement.
• 69 dBA – Estimated sound power at the lot line with no
barrier wall
• -10 dBA – Reduction due to acoustical barrier wall
• 57 dBA – Estimated Sound Pressure at the lot line with
a barrier wall.
12 RLC-PRB035C-EN
Unit Location
RLC-PRB035C-EN 13
Appendix A — Sound Power Octave Band Data
Sound power octave band data can be used for purposes
of describing the basic acoustical properties of the air-
cooled Stealth chiller. However, there are two cautionary
notes. First, if the engineer is using the data as a criteria in
a bid evaluation, make sure that the data from all
competitors is on an equal basis. Insist that all competitors
present data terms of SOUND POWER (not sound
pressure), in a consistent format, according to AHRI
Standard 370.
Important: Sound power data CANNOT be compared
directly to sound pressure data.
Second, the sound power data does not provide sufficient
information to correctly position the chiller or attenuate its
sound to take full advantage of the characteristics of the
air-cooled Series R chiller. Unlike most reciprocating
chillers that exhibit a low frequency, pounding sound, the
air-cooled Series R chiller sound is directional in nature
and has a higher frequency characteristic that is more
easily attenuated. The specific application information
given in the preceding parts of this bulletin can be used to
create a significant competitive advantage over
competitive air-cooled reciprocating chillers.
Note: Sound Power Rating data given in Table 4 through
Table 9, p. 17 may vary ± 3dB in any specific octave
band due to normal variations in chiller
construction.
14 RLC-PRB035C-EN
Appendix A — Sound Power Octave Band Data
Table 4. Octave band sound power levels — Table 5. Octave band sound power levels —
InvisiSound Standard(a) unit— fan 920 rpm InvisiSound Superior(a) unit— fan 825 rpm
RLC-PRB035C-EN 15
Appendix A — Sound Power Octave Band Data
Table 6. Octave band sound power levels — Table 7. Octave band sound power levels —
InvisiSound Ultimate(a) unit— fan 700 rpm InvisiSound Ultimate(a) unit— fan 650 rpm
16 RLC-PRB035C-EN
Appendix A — Sound Power Octave Band Data
Table 8. Octave band sound power levels — Table 9. Octave band sound power levels —
InvisiSound Ultimate(a) unit— fan 600 rpm InvisiSound Ultimate(a) unit— fan 920 rpm
RLC-PRB035C-EN 17
Appendix B — Sound Pressure Octave Band Data
Side of Chiller
Table 10. Sound pressure levels (Lp, in dB) Table 11. Sound pressure levels (Lp, in dB)
InvisiSound Standard(a), max fan 920rpm InvisiSound Superior(a), max fan 825 rpm
10m from center of broad sides of chiller 10m from center of broad sides of chiller
Octaves Overall Unit Octaves Overall
Unit
Size (b) 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000 A Wtd Size(b) 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000 A Wtd
AHRI Rating Point - 100% Load AHRI Rating Point - 100% Load
150S 64 69 65 63 70 62 55 46 72 150S 62 65 62 60 66 60 52 46 68
165S 65 69 65 64 72 64 56 48 74 165S 63 66 63 61 67 62 54 48 69
150 64 69 65 62 70 64 55 46 72 150 62 65 62 59 66 60 52 44 68
165 65 69 65 62 73 66 56 48 74 165 64 66 63 60 68 62 52 45 70
180 65 70 66 63 72 64 56 49 73 180 64 66 63 60 68 61 53 46 69
200 65 69 65 64 70 63 57 49 72 200 64 67 64 61 68 61 54 47 70
225 65 71 66 64 70 64 56 47 72 225 64 67 64 61 67 61 53 49 69
250 65 71 66 64 72 64 56 47 73 250 64 67 64 61 68 62 54 48 70
275 66 71 67 65 72 65 57 48 74 275 65 68 64 62 68 62 54 49 70
300 67 72 68 66 74 65 58 49 75 300 65 68 65 63 69 63 55 49 71
AHRI Rating Point - 75% Load AHRI Rating Point - 75% Load
150S 61 63 60 62 64 57 49 40 66 150S 61 63 60 58 62 56 48 45 65
165S 61 61 60 64 65 57 50 42 68 165S 61 61 59 59 62 57 49 47 65
150 61 63 60 57 64 57 49 39 66 150 61 63 60 57 64 57 49 39 66
165 61 61 60 57 63 57 48 39 65 165 61 61 59 56 62 57 48 39 64
180 61 63 60 57 64 58 49 40 66 180 62 63 60 57 63 57 49 40 65
200 61 61 59 56 68 57 48 41 69 200 61 61 59 55 65 55 48 40 66
225 63 64 62 61 64 58 50 43 67 225 63 64 62 59 64 57 50 48 66
250 63 66 63 66 66 60 53 43 69 250 63 65 63 63 65 59 51 48 68
275 63 65 62 65 65 59 52 43 68 275 63 65 62 64 64 59 51 48 67
300 63 64 62 64 66 59 51 43 69 300 63 64 62 61 64 58 50 47 67
AHRI Rating Point - 50% Load AHRI Rating Point - 50% Load
150S 57 54 54 60 57 52 41 37 62 150S 57 54 54 55 55 49 41 43 58
165S 57 53 55 63 60 54 43 40 64 165S 57 53 55 58 56 51 43 46 60
150 57 56 53 57 55 48 38 31 59 150 57 57 53 53 54 48 43 32 57
165 57 53 54 56 56 49 38 32 59 165 57 53 53 52 54 48 43 32 57
180 57 54 57 57 57 50 39 33 60 180 57 54 56 52 55 49 43 32 58
200 57 53 54 55 60 50 42 33 61 200 57 53 53 49 60 49 43 33 61
225 58 57 55 54 56 51 43 40 59 225 58 58 55 52 54 50 43 47 58
250 59 58 57 64 57 53 44 40 64 250 59 58 56 57 56 51 44 48 60
275 59 57 56 64 58 55 45 40 64 275 59 57 55 60 55 52 44 46 61
300 59 55 56 63 60 54 44 40 64 300 59 55 56 58 57 52 44 46 61
AHRI Rating Point - 25% Load AHRI Rating Point - 25% Load
150S 54 50 51 60 57 51 40 37 61 150S 54 50 51 55 53 49 40 44 57
165S 54 51 53 63 60 54 43 40 64 165S 54 50 53 58 55 51 43 47 60
150 54 52 50 53 54 47 36 30 57 150 54 53 50 51 53 46 42 30 55
165 54 49 49 51 56 47 36 31 57 165 54 49 50 50 54 46 42 31 56
180 54 50 54 56 57 49 37 32 59 180 54 50 53 51 56 47 42 31 57
200 54 49 50 53 58 51 41 33 60 200 55 49 52 49 55 47 42 32 57
225 55 56 52 54 56 51 43 40 59 225 55 57 52 51 52 48 42 47 56
250 56 58 53 59 54 50 42 40 60 250 56 59 53 56 53 49 42 46 58
275 56 56 52 54 56 51 43 40 59
275 56 53 52 58 53 51 42 46 59
300 56 52 54 63 60 54 43 40 64
300 56 52 54 58 55 52 43 47 60
(a) Model Number Digit 12 = 1
(a) Model Number Digit 12 = 2
(b) Data for 150S and 165S units are estimates.
(b) Data for 150S and 165S units are estimates.
18 RLC-PRB035C-EN
Appendix B — Sound Pressure Octave Band Data
Table 12. Sound pressure levels (Lp, in dB) Table 13. Sound pressure levels (Lp, in dB)
InvisiSound Ultimate(a), max fan 700 rpm InvisiSound Ultimate(a), max fan 650 rpm
10m from center of broad sides of chiller 10m from center of broad sides of chiller
RLC-PRB035C-EN 19
Appendix B — Sound Pressure Octave Band Data
Table 14. Sound pressure levels (Lp, in dB) Table 15. Sound pressure levels (Lp, in dB)
InvisiSound Ultimate(a), max fan 600 rpm InvisiSound Ultimate(a), max fan 920 rpm
10m from center of broad sides of chiller 10m from center of broad sides of chiller
20 RLC-PRB035C-EN
Appendix B — Sound Pressure Octave Band Data
Table 16. Sound pressure levels (Lp, in dB) Table 17. Sound pressure levels (Lp, in dB)
InvisiSound Standard(a), max fan 920 rpm InvisiSound Superior(a), max fan 825 rpm
10m from center of control panel end of chiller 10m from center of control panel end of chiller
RLC-PRB035C-EN 21
Appendix B — Sound Pressure Octave Band Data
Table 18. Sound pressure levels (Lp, in dB) Table 19. Sound pressure levels (Lp, in dB)
InvisiSound Ultimate(a), max fan 700 rpm InvisiSound Ultimate(a), max fan 650 rpm
10m from center of control panel end of chiller 10m from center of control panel end of chiller
22 RLC-PRB035C-EN
Appendix B — Sound Pressure Octave Band Data
Table 20. Sound pressure levels (Lp, in dB) Table 21. Sound pressure levels (Lp, in dB)
InvisiSound Ultimate(a), max fan 600 rpm InvisiSound Ultimate(a), max fan 920 rpm
10m from center of control panel end of chiller 10m from center of control panel end of chiller
RLC-PRB035C-EN 23
Appendix B — Sound Pressure Octave Band Data
Table 22. Sound pressure levels (Lp, in dB) Table 23. Sound pressure levels (Lp, in dB)
InvisiSound Standard(a), max fan 920 rpm InvisiSound Superior(a), max fan 825 rpm
10m from center of end opposite control panel 10m from center of end opposite control panel
24 RLC-PRB035C-EN
Appendix B — Sound Pressure Octave Band Data
Table 24. Sound pressure levels (Lp, in dB) Table 25. Sound pressure levels (Lp, in dB)
InvisiSound Ultimate(a), max fan 700 rpm InvisiSound Ultimate(a), max fan 650 rpm
10m from center of end opposite control panel 10m from center of end opposite control panel
RLC-PRB035C-EN 25
Appendix B — Sound Pressure Octave Band Data
Table 26. Sound pressure levels (Lp, in dB) Table 27. Sound pressure levels (Lp, in dB)
InvisiSound Ultimate(a), max fan 600 rpm InvisiSound Ultimate(a), max fan 920 rpm
10m from center of end opposite control panel 10m from center of end opposite control panel
26 RLC-PRB035C-EN
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