Absorptive silencers are very effective on high

frequency noise (5008,000 Hz). At frequencies

above and below this range, attenuation
performance progressively diminishes.

U5 Series (page 3.2)

Highly efficient straight-through silencer
available in pipe sizes "6". Attenuation
characteristics equivalent to SU5 Series.

1 Determine maximum velocity.

employ straight-through or similar

internal designs which impose very little
air flow restriction.

Since noise is absorbed by the packing

media, absorptive silencers do not rely on
internal baffles, tubes or other restrictive
devices to achieve noise reduction.
Consequently, absorptive silencers generally

General
Information

SU4 Series (page 3.43.5)

Annular type silencer with performance one
grade below the SU5 Series. Available in
pipe sizes 8"60". Larger sizes available
based on application.
SU3 Series (page 3.43.5)
Annular type silencer with performance one
grade below the SU4 Series. Available in
pipe sizes 8"60" and larger.

Sizing Information,
Pressure Drop Data
The flow area through the silencer must be
sufficient to accommodate the maximum flow
without imposing excessive pressure drop.
The following instructions enable the
selection of the proper silencer size and
determination of actual pressure drop. These
instructions assume air as the flowing gas.
For other gases, density and other corrections
may be necessarycontact Universal
Silencer for assistance.
Data required:
air flow rate (actual CFM)
temperature (F)
pressure (psig)
maximum pressure drop (inches of water)

2 Determine flow area required.

Q
A
V
A = flow area required, ft2
Q = air flow rate (actual CFM)



3 From Table 2, select size with flow area

equal to or greater than that calculated.
4 Determine actual gas velocity in ft/min.

Q
V actual
A
A = flow area from Table 2
5 Determine actual pressure drop.

P
c

V actual
4005

T

530
 460



P  14.7
14.7

c =silencer pressure drop coefficient

(see Table 1)

U5, U2
SU5
SU3, SU4

.25
.75
.85

Pressure Drop
Coefficient (C)

6
5
4

Flow Area Size

Flow Area
(ft2)

Diameter
Size (in)

Flow Area
(ft2)

Diameter
Size (in)

0.0014
0.0031
0.0055
0.012
0.022
0.034
0.049
0.067
0.087
0.136
0.196
0.349
0.55
0.79
1.07
1.4
1.8
2.2

2.6
3.1
3.7
4.3
4.9
5.6
6.3
7.1
7.9
8.7
9.6
10.6
11.5
12.6
15.9
19.6
23.8
28.3

22
24
26
28
30
32
34
36
38
40
42
44
46
48
54
60
66
72

V = air or gas velocity, ft/min

(see note 1)
P = maximum pressure drop,
inches of water
c = silencer pressure drop coefficient
(see Table 1)
T = air temperature, F (see note 2)
P = operating pressure, psig
(If at atmospheric pressure,
pressure ratio is unity and may be
omitted from equation. If P
exceeds 15 psig, contact
Universal Silencer for
recommendations.)

14.7
T  460
Actual CFM
(Standard CFM) P  14.7
530

Silencer Series

1
1
2
2
3
3
4
5
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20

Notes
1 Since self noise and aerodynamic noise
generation increase with velocity,
absorptive silencers are usually sized for
4,0008,000 ft/min. In no case should
the velocity exceed 15,000 ft/min,
regardless of pressure drop allowed.
2 Typical attenuation curves indicate the
characteristics of the silencer series and
are neither a minimum nor a guarantee for
an individual silencer. Individual silencer
performance can be affected by sound
source characteristics including pure
tones, flow velocity, adjacent piping, and
temperature.

SU5 Series (page 3.43.5)

Highest efficiency full flow annular type
silencer. Available in pipe sizes 4"60".
Larger sizes available based on application.

P
14.7
c P 14.7T 460
V
4005


Pressure Drop Coefficients

See pages 1.11.3 for ordering information | www.universalsilencer.com

U2 Series (page 3.3)

Moderately efficient straight-through
silencer available in pipe sizes 5"30". For
better performance, use SU3, SU4, SU5, or
U5 Series.

10

Absorptive Silencers

3.1
Absorptive
Rotary
Positive
Silencers
Blower Silencers

The absorptive type silencer is the classic

dissipative design, deriving its noise control
properties from the basic fact that noise
energy is effectively absorbed by various
types of fibrous packing materials. More
technically, as sound waves pass through
the spaces between the tightly-packed smalldiameter fibers of the absorptive material,
the resulting viscous friction dissipates the
sound energy as small amounts of heat.

Typical Attenuation Curve

Attenuation, dB

U5 Series
Straight-Through
Absorptive Silencer

The U5 Series is a premium, straightthrough, absorptive silencer. It provides

excellent noise attenuation due to its very
high length to diameter ratio. It is especially
well suited for inlet service on small rotary
positive or centrifugal blowers or the
discharge of vacuum pumps. Mild steel
construction with enamel paint.

45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
63

125

250
500
1K
2K
4K
Octave Band Center Frequency, Hz

8K

Note
U5 series standard paint and acoustical
packing are suitable for 325F.

10

Absorptive
Rotary Positive
Silencers
Blower Silencers

3.2

Common Applications

See pages 1.11.3 for ordering information | www.universalsilencer.com

rotary positive/centrifugal blowers

vacuum pump discharge
air valves and cylinders
small low-pressure vents
high frequency noise sources

L
H

1. Sizes " through 1" are constructed with one-piece tapped heads.
The tapped opening is approximately flush with the end on the shell.
2. Sizes " through 4": female NPT pipe connections.
3. Sizes 5" and 6": 125#/150# ANSI drilled flanges.

Absorptive Material

Straight-Through Absorptive Silencer

Model

Part

U5-
U5-
U5-1
U5-1
U5-1
U5-2
U5-2
U5-3
U5-4
U5-5
U5-6

11-150-AA
11-170-AA
11-101-AA
11-121-AA
11-115-AA
11-102-AA
11-125-AA
11-103-AA
11-104-AA
11-105-AA
11-106-AA

1
1
1
2
2
3
4
5
6

3
3
3
3
4
5
6
6
8
10
12

8
11
14
16
19
26
33
36
48
57
63

8
11
14
16
18
25
32
35
48
51
57

3
3

Weight

2
3
3
4
6
10
15
20
40
60
100

Attenuation, dB

The U2 Series is an economical straightthough silencer for applications requiring

lower-degree noise attenuation. It is
fundamentally similar to the U5 Series, but
has lesser attenuation due to its relatively
low length to diameter ratio. Mild steel
construction, primer-coated exterior.

U2 Series
125

250
500
1K
2K
4K
Octave Band Center Frequency, Hz

Straight-Through
Absorptive Silencer

8K

8
7

Note:
U2 series standard paint and acoustical
packing are suitable for 325F.

10

63

Absorptive
Rotary
Positive
Silencers
Blower Silencers

3.3

Typical Attenuation Curve

45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0

Common Applications

L
H

D
P

Absorptive Material

All sizes are furnished with flanged connections

to match 125#/150# ANSI drilling.

Straight-Through Absorptive Silencer

Model

Part

U2-5
U2-6
U2-8
U2-10
U2-12
U2-14
U2-16
U2-18
U2-20
U2-22
U2-24
U2-30

10-105-AA
10-106-AA
10-108-AA
10-110-AA
10-112-AA
10-114-AA
10-116-AA
10-118-AA
10-120-AA
10-122-AA
10-124-AA
10-126-AA

5
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
30

10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
36

36
40
53
65
77
89
101
113
128
140
152
189

3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4

Weight

30
34
46
58
70
82
94
106
119
131
143
180

45
70
105
160
220
340
440
530
700
820
1,070
1,940

See pages 1.11.3 for ordering information | www.universalsilencer.com

intermediate size rotary positive

blower inlet
centrifugal blower inlet or discharge
intermediate size dry vacuum
pump discharge
gas turbine inlet
high-speed centrifugal compressor inlet
high frequency noise sources

SU Series
Annular Flow
Absorptive Silencer

Note:
SU Series standard paint and acoustical
packing are suitable for 325F.

Common Applications
inlet and discharge of high-speed,
low-pressure centrifugal compressors
and blowers (discharge P < 15 psig)
industrial fan inlet and discharge
high-pressure centrifugal
compressors inlet
gas turbine inlet
dry vacuum pump discharge
some low-pressure vents (< 15 psig)
high-frequency noise sources
inlet of turbocharged
reciprocating engines

See pages 1.11.3 for ordering information | www.universalsilencer.com

10

Absorptive
Rotary Positive
Silencers
Blower Silencers

3.4

L
H

D
P

All sizes furnished with flanged connections

to match 125#/150# ANSI drilling.

Absorptive Material

SU5 Series

SU4 Series

SU3 Series

The SU5 Series is our highest grade

standard absorptive silencer. Its design
consists of two concentric perforated
cylinders lined with acoustical pack, forming
an annular flow path. This design features
full blocked-line-of-sight, while providing
full flow area for low resistance. Mild steel
construction, primer-coated exterior.

The SU4 Series provides lower

attenuation, ranking just below the SU5
Series. The design of this unit features a
bullet centered in the flow tube to provide
annular flow path and partial blocked-lineof-sight. Pressure drop is only slightly
greater than the SU5. Mild steel
construction, primer-coated exterior.

The SU3 Series is the most economical of

Universal Silencers three grades of annular
design silencers. Its design is nearly
identical to the SU4, including annular flow
path and partial blocked-line-of-sight.
Pressure drop coefficient is the same as for
the SU4 Series. Mild steel construction,
primer-coated exterior.

Typical Attenuation Curve

Typical Attenuation Curve

63

125

250
500
1K
2K
4K
Octave Band Center Frequency, Hz

8K

12" size and smaller

24" size and larger

45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0

Attenuation, dB

Attenuation, dB

Attenuation, dB

45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0

Typical Attenuation Curve

63

125

250
500
1K
2K
4K
Octave Band Center Frequency, Hz

8K

45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
63

125

250
500
1K
2K
4K
Octave Band Center Frequency, Hz

8K

SU3

44
53
61
68
74
78
89
91
102
104
115
128
136
145
170
186
198
210
33
35
47
51
59
63
73
73
85
108
122
137
161
178
192
31
35
39
39
47
47
49
55
55
61
63

62
68
75
80
83
89
96
108

Absorptive
Rotary
Positive
Silencers
Blower Silencers

Annular Flow
Absorptive Silencer

10

SU Series

30
55
60
120
195
290
390
500
650
950
1,080
1,400
1,580
2,200
2,600
3,150
3,600
4,500
6,200
8,200
10,300
12,500
90
120
180
240
320
370
490
530
720
1,340
2,020
3,200
4,100
5,400
7,300
85
120
155
200
270
290
350
420
500
680
830
890
1,120
1,360
1,490
1,920
2,600
3,300
4,430

Weight

15
20
20
29
37
46
54
61
67
69
80
82
93
95
106
116
124
133
158
175
186
198
26
28
40
44
52
56
64
64
76
99
113
125
149
166
180
24
28
32
32
40
40
40
46
46
52
54
53
59
66
71
71
77
84
96

3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
6
6
6
6
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
6
6
6
6

21
26
26
36

10
12
12
18
20
24
26
28
30
36
36
42
42
48
48
54
60
60
66
78
84
90
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
36
42
48
54
60
66
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
30
36
36
36
42
42
48
54
60
66

4
5
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
32
34
36
42
48
54
60
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
30
36
42
48
54
60
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
32
34
36
42
48
54
60

Part

14-104-AA
14-105-AA
14-106-AA
14-108-AA
14-110-AA
14-112-AA
14-114-AA
14-116-AA
14-118-AA
14-120-AA
14-122-AA
14-124-AA
14-126-AA
14-128-AA
14-130-AA
14-132-AA
14-134-AA
14-136-AA
14-142-AA
14-148-AA
14-154-AA
14-160-AA
13-108-AA
13-110-AA
13-112-AA
13-114-AA
13-116-AA
13-118-AA
13-120-AA
13-122-AA
13-124-AA
13-130-AA
13-136-AA
13-142-AA
13-148-AA
13-154-AA
13-160-AA
12-108-AA
12-110-AA
12-112-AA
12-114-AA
12-116-AA
12-118-AA
12-120-AA
12-122-AA
12-124-AA
12-126-AA
12-128-AA
12-130-AA
12-132-AA
12-134-AA
12-136-AA
12-142-AA
12-148-AA
12-154-AA
12-160-AA

Model

SU5-4
SU5-5
SU5-6
SU5-8
SU5-10
SU5-12
SU5-14
SU5-16
SU5-18
SU5-20
SU5-22
SU5-24
SU5-26
SU5-28
SU5-30
SU5-32
SU5-34
SU5-36
SU5-42
SU5-48
SU5-54
SU5-60
SU4-8
SU4-10
SU4-12
SU4-14
SU4-16
SU4-18
SU4-20
SU4-22
SU4-24
SU4-30
SU4-36
SU4-42
SU4-48
SU4-54
SU4-60
SU3-8
SU3-10
SU3-12
SU3-14
SU3-16
SU3-18
SU3-20
SU3-22
SU3-24
SU3-26
SU3-28
SU3-30
SU3-32
SU3-34
SU3-36
SU3-42
SU3-48
SU3-54
SU3-60

See pages 1.11.3 for ordering information | www.universalsilencer.com

SU4

SU5

3.5