Noise Control of a Domestic Refrigerator Using a Natural Material Based Composite

Abstract

This paper studies the acoustics of a frost free three door domestic refrigerator. Then, as a case study, the radiated noise reduction in the refrigerator using a natural material base composite is presented. Composites manufactured out of Jute, which is a plant fiber abundantly and cheaply available in India and Bangladesh are used in the noise reduction in the refrigerator. Mostly in this work, composites made out of felts of jute were used as barriers for noise control of the refrigerator. Measured acoustical, thermal and physical properties of various jute composites are reported. Noise sources in the refrigerator were characterized using sound intensity method and sound pressure level measurements. It is found that the compressor and the evaporator fan are the predominant noise sources. The jute composite treatment done to the refrigerator shell around the evaporator fan reduced the refrigerator noise level by 5 dB and improved its measured sound quality metrics without affecting the cooling performance of the refrigerator.