Design and Fabrication of Acoustic Enclosure for Noise Control Using Experimental Study of Reciprocating Compressor

This experimental study focuses on the design and fabrication of an acoustic enclosure to reduce the noise emissions of a high-pressure reciprocating compressor used in a research laboratory. The compressor produced an excessive sound level of approximately 90 dB, significantly exceeding the 65 dB limit recommended by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for laboratory environments. To mitigate this issue, both the noise level and the thermal output of the system were experimentally recorded, forming the basis for the enclosure design. The constructed enclosure integrates hardwood panels as sound absorbers, nitrile rubber as a porous damping material, and a Helmholtz resonator-inspired lid to enhance noise attenuation. The results demonstrated a reduction in sound pressure levels by approximately 22–25% across the tested frequency range, validating the effectiveness of the proposed enclosure in suppressing compressor noise in laboratory conditions.