An improved experimental method for determining transfer matrices of pipeline elements with flow

Abstract

This paper describes a new method for determining experimentally the matrix parameters that define the transmission properties, with or without gas flow. The new approach is conceptually similar to the existing two-load method, but involves the placement of an acoustic source at two separate locations. The previous method made use of different acoustic loads and the same source. The form of the equations relating the four parameters in terms of six measured transfer functions or pressure ratios is the same for both methods. However, the results of theoretical uncertainty analyses and many comparative tests have shown that substantial improvements can be expected with this new "two source-location" method, particularly under flow conditions.