Sound Measurements of Discharging Dry Steam Wells at Kamojang (West Java)

Abstract

A sequence of sound level measurements was obtained at Kamojang between 1978 and 1980, to compare the performance of various pit silencers (or mufflers) connected to discharging wells. During the process of individual well output testing, the design of the rock-pit silencers has been varied, and the effects measured, to test theories relating to the emission and propogation of sound from these silencers. Dry steam discharging to atmosphere at sonic velocity produces extremely high noise levels. For environmental reasons, is desirable to reduce this noise, as far as possible, to an acceptable level. This paper describes the successful accomplishment of this goal, and the basis of the design criteria used for the final steamfield venting structure.