---
title: "Infrasonic cleaner"
description: "An infrasonic cleaner (also written infrasound cleaner) is an acoustic cleaner that operates below the threshold of human hearing — typically 12 to 30 Hz, against the 60–400 Hz range of a conventional sonic horn. The very long wavelength of an infrasonic wave (above 10 metres at 30 Hz) fills a large vessel almost uniformly and penetrates further into deep, baffled or obstructed cavities than higher-frequency horns can reach."
canonical_url: "https://sylio.co/glossary/infrasonic-cleaner"
last_updated: "2026-06-28T02:29:29.306Z"
---

An **infrasonic cleaner** (also written *infrasound cleaner*) is an [acoustic cleaner](/glossary/acoustic-cleaner) that operates below the threshold of human hearing — typically 12 to 30 Hz, against the 60–400 Hz range of a conventional [sonic horn](/glossary/sonic-horn). The very long wavelength of an infrasonic wave (above 10 metres at 30 Hz) fills a large vessel almost uniformly and penetrates further into deep, baffled or obstructed cavities than higher-frequency horns can reach.

## How it differs from a sonic horn

<table>
<thead>
  <tr>
    <th>
      Attribute
    </th>
    
    <th>
      Infrasonic cleaner
    </th>
    
    <th>
      Sonic horn
    </th>
  </tr>
</thead>

<tbody>
  <tr>
    <td>
      Frequency
    </td>
    
    <td>
      12–30 Hz (sub-audible)
    </td>
    
    <td>
      60–400 Hz (audible)
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      Wavelength
    </td>
    
    <td>
      10–28 m
    </td>
    
    <td>
      0.85–5.7 m
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      Penetration
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Excellent, fills the whole vessel
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Directional, projected from the bell
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      Audible noise at the work area
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Very low (mostly inaudible)
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Significant, often requires hearing protection
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      Bell size
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Large (low cut-off frequency demands physical bulk)
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Compact
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      Typical applications
    </td>
    
    <td>
      <a href="/glossary/recovery-boiler">
        Recovery boilers
      </a>
      
      , <a href="/glossary/waste-to-energy">
        WtE
      </a>
      
       flue paths, <a href="/glossary/heat-recovery-steam-generator">
        HRSGs
      </a>
      
      , marine boilers
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Cross-application; default specification
    </td>
  </tr>
</tbody>
</table>

## Where infrasonic cleaners are preferred

Infrasonic technology was popularised by Swedish suppliers (Infrafone / Heat Management) on pulp-and-paper [kraft recovery boilers](/glossary/recovery-boiler), where the combination of deep superheater cavities and the strict need to extend the interval between [chill-and-blow](/glossary/chill-and-blow) wash cycles rewards the deeper penetration of long waves. The same logic carries over to large [WtE boilers](/glossary/waste-to-energy) with sticky chloride-laden ash, to [HRSG harp tube banks](/glossary/heat-recovery-steam-generator) and to large marine boilers where work-area noise must be kept low.

## When to choose a sonic horn instead

For most baghouse, ESP, hopper and silo applications, a 60–250 Hz [low-frequency sonic horn](/glossary/low-frequency-acoustic-cleaner) projects enough penetration with a smaller bell, lower capital cost, lower air consumption and simpler integration. Infrasonic cleaners earn their cost where vessel geometry, deposit depth or noise-exposure limits make the long wavelength specifically valuable.

## Related terms

- [Acoustic cleaner](/glossary/acoustic-cleaner)
- [Sonic horn](/glossary/sonic-horn)
- [Low-frequency acoustic cleaner](/glossary/low-frequency-acoustic-cleaner)
- [Recovery boiler](/glossary/recovery-boiler)
- [Waste-to-energy](/glossary/waste-to-energy)