Practical Application and Problems of Acoustic Induced Vibration Assessments

Abstract 2025 marks 43 years since Vincent Carucci and Rod Mueller, then of Exxon Research and Engineering Company, published their seminal paper, “Acoustically Induced Piping Vibrations in High Capacity Pressure Reducing Systems,” in ASME. This work introduced the relatively unknown phenomenon of Acoustic Induced Vibration (AIV) and provided a foundational dataset of failures that has guided subsequent research and industry practices. Today, AIV is recognized as a significant process safety risk in high-capacity gaseous relief systems within the petrochemical industry. Operating companies and contractors now acknowledge the potential threat AIV poses to facilities and public safety, implementing basic screening and analysis using various available methods. AIV assessments are recommended by the latest editions of several industry standards in the safety relief and piping sectors. However, there remains no universally accepted method for performing these screenings and analyses. Existing methodologies are often overly conservative and unclear, leading to increased cost and leaving practitioners with questions on how to mitigate risks. The authors will summarize the critical updates and clarifications to the Carucci and Mueller (C-M) method since its original publication in 1985 and will highlight some of the gaps in this and other previously published methods. By presenting these updates and identifying gaps, we aim to advance the understanding and application of AIV assessments, contributing to enhanced safety and reliability in petrochemical operations.