Pneumatic mufflers are used to quietly exhaust compressed air.
Compressed air systems and air blowing are usually the sources of loud, sudden noise in factory or plant settings. Air blowing causes a sudden noise when the compressed air system releases the air. The loud noise is generated by the air turbulence created when the air expands freely. Controlling turbulence reduces noise. There are two sources of noise when compressed air is used: first, noise from the air blasts used for cleaning, cooling, transport, and sorting; second, and generally more aggressive sounding, the noise from the venting valves used in fluid power. The solutions required to control turbulence and reduce noise from these two sources are very different. Today we’re presenting a solution you can use to reduce noise from venting valves: pneumatic mufflers.
Some of the most harmful noise that occurs when using a compressed air system is created by the exhaust of compressed air from pneumatic valves. Did you know that a valve with ½ in. ports used to control a pneumatic cylinder at 3 cycles per second can produce a noise level equivalent to 92 dB of continuous sound? It’s been scientifically proven that continuous, repetitive exposure to noise greater than 90 dB causes permanent partial or complete deafness. Fortunately, noise can be controlled and, in factory or plant settings, you can reduce noise in order to safeguard the hearing health of workers.
In a work environment, sound levels do not add up, they combine: if two noise sources emit 80 dB, the measured exposure level will be 83 dB. The employer must provide hearing protection when the noise level exceeds the values in the table below (on the A scale of a standard sound level meter with the data indicated).
Table G-16 Permissible Noise Exposures
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Duration per day in hours
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8.0
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6.0
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4.0
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3.0
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2.0
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1.5
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1.0
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0.5
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0.25
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Sound Level in dB
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90
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92
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95
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97
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100
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102
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105
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110
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115
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OSHA 29CFR 1910.95 (A) Occupational Noise Exposure.
Pneumatic mufflers or exhaust mufflers are an ideal way to quietly evacuate compressed air from air valves, pneumatic motors, and pneumatic impact tools. They suppress the noise of air exhaust from pneumatic valves and help preserve hearing health. They also prevent unprotected valve ports from being contaminated by dirt and outside impurities.
All mufflers should be periodically inspected to check for any contaminants inside. If you find contaminants inside the mufflers, they must be cleaned. This can be a good indicator that you need to filter the air supplied to your equipment.
Before selecting a pneumatic muffler, make sure you’re familiar with these three points:
You can buy different models of exhaust mufflers. Below is a selection of Topring pneumatic mufflers that reduce noise, safeguard hearing health, and improve the quality of the working environment at a plant or factory.
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Air Exhaust Mufflers
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Relief Valve Mufflers
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Molded Acetal Plastic Mufflers / Filters
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Sintered Bronze or Stainless Steel Mufflers / Filters
> See our stainless steel selection |
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Compact Breather Vent Filters
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Speed Control Mufflers
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High Flow Pneumatic Mufflers
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For more information on fluid power, on how to reduce noise generated by compressed air exhaust, or on pneumatic mufflers, contact a Technical Advisor at 1-800-263-8677 or by email at solutions@topring.ca.
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