Abstract
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis was carried out to investigate exhaust gas flow and acoustic characteristics in the exhaust system of a passenger car. Transient 3-dimensional flow field in the front and rear mufflers was simulated by CFD and far-field sound pressure was modeled by a simple monopole source method. Engine performance simulation was also performed to obtain the boundary condition of instantaneous fluid flow variation at the inlet of the exhaust system. Detailed exhaust gas flow characteristics such as velocity and pressure distribution inside the mufflers were presented and the pulsating pressure amplitude was compared at several positions in the exhaust system to deduce sound pressure level. The present method of the acoustic analysis coupled with CFD techniques would be very effective for the prediction of sound noise from vehicle exhaust systems although the effects of the inlet boundary condition and heat transfer on the accuracy of the prediction have to be validated through further studies.