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Potential Solutions for Sound Attenuation in Gas Pipeline Transmission and Compression Stations

Introduction

Gas pipelines and pipeline transmission have been consolidated throughout the last decades as the most conventional modality to transfer large quantities of natural gas over long distances. Still, as well as acquiring more centrality in geostrategic terms, pipeline networks have become even more complicated in technical ones, so needing the inclusion of additional distribution hubs and compression stations. Compressor stations constitute indeed a key component with a view to concentrate and move pressurized gas along the pipelines.

Moreover, gas compressor stations and pipeline networks occupy a vast area in national territories due to their supplying role. This combination of territorial presence and technical sophistication has led this infrastructure to prevail as one of the most harmful creators of chronic noise pollution.

 

Sources of noise and noise levels

Technically speaking, the longer the pipeline is, the bigger is the necessity of to increase the pressure used and to encompass additional compression stations. Due to such a variety of equipment placed on this infrastructure, gas pipeline complexes can easily become catalysts of excessive noise generation.

According to several international regulations, as we face a noise level between 79dB(A) and 85dB(A), the source is already violating health and safety standards. Exceeding such standard values, as compressor stations usually do with a noise level up to 100 dB(A), means making a pretty large number of people the subject of noise exposure. As a matter of fact, not only does this put at risk the safety of nearby neighbors – as well as the environment – but also the adjacent infrastructure hosting workers and specialized personnel.

 

Available solutions and methods of attenuation

The most fruitful strategy when it comes to gas transmission infrastructure is to address noise generation directly at its source. There are several solutions that can be employed to achieve attenuation and stay within safe noise parameters. Among them, multistage control valves can be applied to reduce trim discharge velocity and, consequently, reduce the scale of the noise generated.

However, In-Line Silencers represent the best solution proposed by Stopson Italiana to tackle the issue, which has already been chosen for the installation within the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP). These peculiar pieces are designed specifically to reduce the noise generated by valves and compressors in piping systems. This typology of Silencers allows to achieve noise attenuation only through reactive components, while do not include any section that would produce an absorbing action. Each Silencer provides an acoustic guarantee approximately equal to 30 dB(A).

The noise level from gas pipelines can be brought back to the increasingly stringent standards also by combining different soundproofing techniques, such as acoustic screens and acoustic insulation components.

 

Our Service

Any company or institution in charge of manufacturing a gas pipeline complex can rely on Stopson Italiana to provide the system with an efficient soundproofing solution, so avoiding detrimental consequences for surrounding individuals and adjacent infrastructure.

Through our customer management, we can assure a screening consultation to evaluate the scope of your project: how many Silencers your complex needs and at which specific points along the pipeline should be installed to achieve the objectives set previously.

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Stopson Italiana managed the delivery of 4 off-base Acoustic Enclosures for a CCPP located in Turbigo, Northern Italy

Major project based on the supply of  Stopson Italiana’s noise control solution to meet the acoustical needs of Turbigo’s CCPP, which has been recently modernized with new key components.

 

The supply

Since August 2021, Stopson Italiana has been in charge of the supply of 4 Acoustic Enclosures. The 800 MW gas-fired power plant is located in the municipality of Turbigo, in the Milan province, and comprises an 855 MV operating combined cycle unit, composed of two gas turbines and one steam turbine. Stopson Italiana’s soundproofing implantation will be specifically allocated to the gas turbines, generators, and auxiliaries.

Over the last year, the plant has been undergoing general revamping of its main infrastructure. Among the operations that have been carried out, it should be mentioned the positioning of the last component of the boiler chimney, the integration of a new generator, and the installation of an 94.3A gas turbine.

 

Technical Specifications

The 4 Acoustic Enclosures are engineered according to the components’ technical specifications and processed in Italy with special materials. They present the following configuration in terms of dimensions, manufacture, and noise target:

  • L6,7 m W8,3 m H9,2 m – intumescent coating – 80 db(A) @, 1,5 m from the ground.
  • L5,6 m W2,9 m H3,6 m – intumescent coating – 80 db(A) @,1,5 m from the ground.
  • L16,2 m W5,8 m H6,8 m – intumescent coating – 80 db(A) @,1,5 m from the ground.
  • L10,7 m W9,2 H9,4 – intumescent coating – 65 db(A) @ ,1,5 m from the ground.

 

Acoustic Enclosures by Stopson Italiana

Stopson Italiana’s acoustic enclosures are designed to satisfy all high-level technical specifications and custom-made requirements to acoustically isolate noisy machinery or create efficient quiet rooms.

Stopson Italiana offers two different products:

  • Acoustic Enclosures for machinery soundproofing, providing total protection against noise by isolating the source.
  • Soundproofed control cabins targeted to safeguard operators from external noise, especially in cases such as in-plant offices, control booths, test cabins, control rooms, and electro-acoustic laboratories.

Acoustic Enclosures stand out as one of the most appropriate solutions with a view to reducing noise pollution for a multitude of sources, including main turbines, auxiliary engines, internal combustion engines and generators sets, mobile generator sets (trailer-mounted) for electric energy production, cogeneration plants, natural gas compression groups, start-up and vacuum pumps, blowers, fans, mills, presses, vibrating devices, power transformers, and boilers.

Stopson Italiana’s acoustic enclosures and cabins can perform noise abatement by 15dB(A) to 50dB(A)+. Typical applications for our Acoustic Enclosures are:

  • Energy production, including gas turbines, steam turbines, traditional industrial and recovery boilers, diesel generators, cogeneration plants (CHP);
  • Chemical and petrochemical plants, including refineries, ethylene production, gasification, etc;
  • Pipelines and natural gas compressor stations;
  • Manufacturing and process industry, for instance, automotive industry, paper factories, printing houses, etc.

⟶ For More Information about Stopson Italiana’s soundproofing enclosures and cabins click here.

 

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Stopson Italiana delivered 172 Vent Silencers for 4 different sections in a Bahrain based Refinery

A full-package solution aimed at obtaining total sound insulation towards different target parts in an Oil Refinery in Bahrain, which has recently undergone an ambitious modernization program.

 

The project

Stopson Italiana has successfully concluded the delivery of 172 Vent Silencers to be installed among 4 different structural parts of the Oil Refinery in question. The project assists the expansion program that has been taking place since 2018, and it is expected to reach completion prior to the end of 2022.

The Refinery is situated on the island of Sitra, southwest of the capital city Manaba, and produces about 260,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil and 40,000 bpd of low sulfur diesel.

 

The Supply

The project has been carried out according to the following distribution:

  • n. 2 HP Export Steam Silencers;
  • n. 60 PSIG Steam Vent Silencers;
  • n. 110 PSIG Steam Vent Silencers via a second delivery.

And will cover the following areas: 

  • Safety Systems;
  • Boilers;
  • Blow Out and Clean up;
  • Ventilation Systems.

Most of the Silencers have been provided with a removable internal absorptive pack for easy maintenance and clean-up and a removable rain hood. They are all designed to reach a noise target of 82 dB(A) @ 1 m from the silencer.

 

What is a Vent Silencer

A Vent Silencer is a soundproofing device aimed at eradicating the adverse noises produced by gas or steam flow while piping into the atmosphere. The noise in question can be generated as a result of the high-velocity flow through the valve and/or a turbulence created around any impedance in the line that may cause restriction or simply change the flow’s direction.

Each Vent Silencer is able to provide an overall attenuation of the noise level to the required sound pressure level criteria at a certain distance from the silencer. 

At the same time, noise reduction can be attained both using a reactive section to attenuate the low frequencies and absorption mean of the high frequency, normally using a sound-absorbing material.

Stopson Italiana engineers its Vent Silencers in Italy, using special materials not only in accordance with all quality standards but also in line with the client’s specific needs thanks to a careful customer management process.

⟶ For More Information about Stopson’s Italiana Vent Silencers click here.

 

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Stopson Italiana supplied 21 vent silencers for PSV and start-up valves as well as for atmospheric blow-down tank to Agios Nikolaos power plant in Greece

A soundproofing comprehensive installation has been recently delivered to assist 826 MW Power Plant (CCGT) at Agios Nikolaos, Greece.

 

Introduction

With a 9HA.02 gas turbine, a steam turbine, and a 109FB turbo generator, the Agios Nikolaos power plant is one of the biggest and most efficient combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants in Europe. In these types of power stations, several technological methods are employed to control combustion processes. Among these, the traditional usage of boilers and HRSG, which are commonly likely to damage surrounding and inner environments via harmful noise exposition. In fact, safety valves, start-up valves, blow down and flash tank have the tendency to create a very high noise level while discharging into the atmosphere.

Stopson Italiana has designed a specified soundproofing technique in order to provide a high degree of noise abatement. The equipment is silenced through the implementation of separated and well sized silencers, which tackle the source of noise directly in three different operational parts: the pressure safety valve (PSV), the start-up valve, and the atmospheric blow-down tank.

 

The Supply in details – technical specifications and characteristics

In details, the total supply has been designed in line with the following configuration:

  • 16 vent silencers were designed for PSV, with flow rates ranging from 30 t/h to 300 t/h, temperatures up to 584°C and noise target of 115 dB(A) @ 1 m.
  • 4 vent silencers designed for start-up valve with flow rates ranging from 6 to 260 t/h, temperatures up to 504°C and noise target of 100 dB(A) @ 1 m.
  • 1 vent silencer applied to the atmospheric blow-down tank, performing flow rate 39 t/h, temp. up to 105 °C, 80 dB(A) @ 1m.

 

Stopson Italiana Vent Silencers

  • Safety Valve (PSV)
  • Relief valve (PRV)
  • Control valve
  • Ejector
  • Startup valve
  • Snort-valve
  • Flash and Blowdown Tanks

⟶ For More Information about Stopson Italiana Vent Silencers click HERE.

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Blow-off Rental Service now available at Stopson Italiana

How to solve temporary noise reduction needs linked to Blow-off Operations

Nearly any high-pressure gas or steam application has the need to purge or evacuate a system at certain times or as a safety measure. When releasing high-pressure gases into the atmosphere, a large amount of kinetic energy is freed due to the pressure difference. The pressure difference causes a dramatic increase in velocity which results in high sound emissions which need to be reduced.

Stopson Italiana Blow-off Silencers are specifically designed to reduce the noise generated by the high differential pressure at the time of a release. The engineering and calculation processes require the following data: medium, mass flow, pressure, and temperature upstream of the valve. The acoustic design covers two main steps: the determination of the non-silenced sound power level and the calculation of the silencer itself.

The sound power level can be transmitted by the valve supplier or inferred by Stopson Italiana using a proprietary framework developed on international standards, and honed by Stopson Italiana’s scientists.

What is a Blow-Off Silencer

The Blow-Off type is a typical expansion and absorption silencer, which is used before the system’s enactment. The principal use is to clean the pipes, removing any solid bodies and residual debris after erection and installation. The expander has a horizontal configuration, located laterally to the body of the silencer, is built with higher thicknesses and usually three metal layers (Case Study: Stopson Italiana’s Blow-off installation in a reconverted paper mill in Italy here).

Soundproofing temporary installations

Profiting from almost sixty years of experience, Stopson Italiana has developed the most efficient silencers with the longest design life. For temporary installations – like steam purging of pipes before plant start-up or boiler/pipe system maintenance – suitable blow-off silencers for rent are now available.

Stopson Italiana’s Blow-Off Silencers cover a wide range of flow rates, pressures, and most common acoustical guarantee targets:

  • 20 t/h up to 250 t/h flow capacity
  • 4 bar to 8 bar Inlet pressure
  • 100 dB(A) @ 1m residual SPL or
    95 dB(A) @ 10 m or
    85 dB(A) @ 30 m

In addition, they are designed to withstand typical blow-off temperatures and feature the following characteristics:

  • Corten A body and structure for a longer resistance at high temperature
  • AISI304 diffuser for clean fluid operations
  • 12”/20” inlet connections with customized adapters available upon request
  • T-joint to avoid larger debris flowing into the diffuser
  • Supporting legs 1.5 meters high from the ground

Stopson Italiana Blow-Off silencers are currently available in three models to cover the entire range of flow rates:

  • SPM 20-70/B: 20-70 t/h capacity range, from 1.2 bar inlet pressure
  • SPM 70-120/B: 70-120 t/h capacity range, from 5 bar inlet pressure
  • SPM 120-250/B: 120-250 t/h capacity range, from 8 bar inlet pressure

Blow-Off silencers can be also tailor-made for Sales against project and Customer specifications with flow rates up to 900 t/h. Stopson Italiana offers an important contribution to the early design process to optimize the system of valves, pipes, and silencers with regard to sizes and costs.

BLOW-OFF OPERATIONS SERVICES

To support plant blow-off operations Stopson Italiana provides a wide range of additional equipment and services:

Engineering Services:

  • Hydraulic Engineering
  • Instruction and Procedures
  • Temporary Piping and Support Design
  • Final Report

Equipment – Sales and Rental Services:

  • Blow off silencers
  • Manual/Pneumatic Target Plate Holder
  • Target Plates
  • Valves
  • Pumps
  • Accessories

On-site Services:

  • Supervision
  • Consulting Services
  • Engineering
  • Representation

Stopson Italiana’s extensive knowledge and experience providing A-Z soundproofing solutions to industrial facilities since 1965, ensure the supply of comprehensive acoustical solutions in support of meeting customer mandatory requirements and their soundproofing objectives, being temporary or permanent.

 

CONTACT US!






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Soundproofing Solutions for Oil and Gas Industry

Tackling noise-related problems in the Oil and Gas industry

INTRODUCTION

Oil and gas acquisition, refinement, and distribution require the work of several complicated machine networks, some of which produce significant harmful noise. Not only do high decibel levels impact nearby neighbors, but prolonged exposure hurts workers who operate close to the noise sources. This exposure leads to unnecessary long-term health effects that degrade workers’ quality of life. While restricting your hours of operation for noisy blowdowns makes life easier for neighbors, you need further measures to protect your workers.

NOISE MEASUREMENTS: A QUICK UNDERSTANDING

Noise intensity is measured in decibel units (dBA). The dBA scale is logarithmic; each 10-dBA increase represents a tenfold increase in noise intensity. Human perception of loudness also conforms to a logarithmic scale; a 10-dBA increase is perceived as roughly a doubling of loudness.

Thus, 30 dBA is 10x more intense than 20 dBA and sounds twice as loud; 40 dBA is 100x more intense than 20 and sounds 4 times as loud; 80 dBA is 1 million times more intense than 20 and sounds 64 times as loud.

Distance from the source and duration of the exposure are also to take into account.

In general, we can say that, subjected to 45 dBA of noise, people cannot sleep. At 120 dBA the ear registers pain, but hearing damage begins at a much lower level, about 85 dBA.

WHAT ARE THE AVAILABLE SOLUTION?

​​With oil and gas operations producing so much noise, any noise control products have to be customized to each worksite to have their maximum effect.

Due to the various compressors, pumps, furnaces, blowers, extractors, and other equipment placed on this kind of complex, it comes as no surprise that the possible solutions are different according to what the project is trying to accomplish.

Here are some examples of soundproofing products:

  • Acoustic Cabins and Enclosures

Acoustic Enclosures are available for generator sets, pump sets, compressors, and other machines and installations, while Cabins are usually more suited for mud pump rooms, engine rooms, or complete driller cabins. Both can be designed for customers’ particular requirements so that it is a perfect fit for their plant.

  • Ventilation sets, silencers and acoustic louvres

A ventilation set includes an air inlet and air outlet system for the ventilation of heat radiation, air inlets for combustion air, and eventually a purge system. Possibly including Silencers, acoustic louvers, heat tracing, demister panels, filtration systems, dampers, anti-condensation heaters, and redundancy.

Stopson Italiana available silencers:

  1. Vent Silencers
  2. Engine Exhaust Silencers
  3. Intake & Stack Silencers
  4. Ventilation & Duct Silencers
  5. In-line Silencers
  • Sound insulating doors

Soundproofing doors with high sound insulation values and possibly fire resistance properties. With a clean design and fully customizable, they are therefore very appropriate to place anywhere where noise insulation is essential.

CONCLUSIONS

Following an initial consultation path with a leading industrial and environmental noise control manufacturer, is the quickest and most effective way to solve complex noise mitigation challenges like the ones faced by Oil and Gas professionals.

Stopson Italiana’s extensive knowledge and experience providing turnkey industrial noise control solutions to the Oil and Gas industry since 1965, ensure the supply of comprehensive acoustical solutions in support of meeting customer mandatory requirements and their soundproofing objectives.

CONTACT US!






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Stopson Italiana wishes you a Merry Christmas and an Happy and Safe New Year

Our 2021: new international projects, expansion of the product range within the marine sector, and a return to a face-to-face trade show.

Innovation and progress have been embedded in our DNA since 1965. In the last months, our departments are still growing in number.

Here below some highlights of our last year:

Back to Trade Shows

  • Enlit is the new unified brand for Clarion Energy’s Global Utility Week and POWERGEN series of events. This year the leading trade show in the POWERGEN sector was held in Milan, our city, and finally in attendance, in compliance with safety regulations. It was a pleasure to present the technological features of our soundproofing products, like Vent Silencers, Intake & Stack Silencers, and many more.

 

Expanding our offer for the marine industry

  • SilencERmarine is now part of Stopson Italiana’s assets.
    SilencERmarine is a recognized brand in the world of marine equipment and noise control, specializing in the manufacture of soundproofing systems for the luxury sector of the boating and yachting industry.

As 2021 draws to a close, we would like to wish our customers, communities, partners, and other stakeholders a Merry Christmas! We were proud to continue providing reliable, cutting-edge soundproofing solutions to our customers.

Keep following and supporting us, your trust is our strength.

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Stopson Italiana exhibits at Enlit Europe 2021

With its know-how within the Power Generation sector and more than 50 years of activity in industrial soundproofing, Stopson Italiana will join Enlit Europe 2021 (Nov 30-Dec 2) in Milan.

 

What happened to PowerGen Europe?

POWERGEN Europe is now Enlit Europe.

After the first step of a successful co-location of European Utility Week and POWERGEN Europe, we are proud to announce the next step in our journey.
Enlit is the new unifying brand for Clarion Energy’s worldwide series of Utility Week and POWERGEN events. A guiding light for the sector that brings clarity to the global energy transformation and defines the roles of all of those involved.

Meet Stopson Italiana

Stopson Italiana will present the technological features of its soundproofing products, like Vent Silencers, Intake & Stack Silencers, Ventilation & Duct Silencers, Engine Exhaust Silencers, Acoustic Enclosures and many more, in Europe’s leading conference and trade show for the European Power Generation industry.

For all those attending, Stopson Italiana will make available its know-how to support any necessity of developing new soundproofing and noise abatement solutions in the Power Generation Industry following the latest trends guiding the market towards the well-known Energy Transition.

Enlit Europe aims to ignite the spark that will fuel the change we need to give our industry and our planet the brightest possible future.

The central topic of this year is: Accelerate the energy transition.

This year the event plans to offer:

  • An international fair to review the latest industry news;
  • A Summit dedicated to the most strategic issues in which approximately 2000 delegates from the highest corporate offices will take part;
  • Hub Sessions which will offer a more technical content program (accessible to all visitors for free);
  • Initiate! An area that hosts start-ups with their own Start-up program, to promote new and young talents as well as collaboration between universities and research institutes and professionals in the sector;
  • EU Project Zone – A pavilion dedicated to projects financed by the funds of the European Commission, in collaboration with the same.

 Visit us at Enlit Europe, Milan – Booth 16D20 (Italian Pavilion)

➡ CLICK HERE
TO DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE PASS!

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Meet us in Milan at Enlit Europe 2021

Stopson Italiana is ready to exhibit at Enlit Europe (f.k.a. Europe Utility Week / PowerGen Europe).

 

Enlit Europe 2021:

Enlit Europe, the unifying brand for European Utility Week and POWERGEN Europe, is part of the Enlit series of energy events and unlike any other – because they are more than just energy events. Enlit is a community that for 365-days a year will collaborate and innovate to solve the most pressing energy-related issues.
At the European edition, the Enlit community will come together for three days in Milan in October to meet and inspire each other and to develop their discussions and actions into a plan for the coming year. And so the Enlit circle begins: a constantly growing, inclusive, and end-to-end forum that addresses every aspect of Europe’s energy transition.

 Visit us at Enlit Europe, Milan – Booth 16D20 (Italian Pavilion)

➡ CLICK HERE
TO DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE PASS!

Meet us at the event

With over 50 years of experience in developing and manufacturing soundproofing solutions, Stopson Italiana has gained a worldwide reputation for innovation, efficiency, and long-lasting performance.
Our products are the barrier against noise for power plants all across the globe. This experience has given us an unparalleled knowledge of the needs within the power generation industry – from industrial and municipal plants to the largest utility installations.

We look forward to meeting you at Enlit Europe 2021 in Milan.

Enlit Europe will take place in Milan (Italy), 30 November – 2 December 2021, and Stopson Italiana will be exhibiting at Italian Pavilion – Booth 16D20.

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Stopson Italiana supplied Multi-Inlet Steam Vent Silencers for Pulp Mill in Brazil

Multi-Inlet Silencers capable to handle flow discharge from 5 steam lines took place within one of the largest ongoing projects in Brazil.

The goal of the project was to ensure the best soundproofing performances at the maximum optimization ratio to fill all 5 steam lines into a single silencer body, while 3 of them discharging simultaneously. Inlet nozzles were placed each one with its specific diffuser and all of them were then conveyed into the upper absorptive section. This allowed Stopson Italiana to guarantee sound absorption while optimizing silencers’ space occupancy.

The solution – recently delivered – includes the supply of No.2 Steam Vent Silencer featuring the following characteristics:

  • Ø 3250 mm x H 4100 mm, noise abatement of 85 dB (A) at 1 m
  • Ø 2000 mm x H 820 mm, noise abatement of 85 dB (A) at 15 m

As an example, the multi-inlet feature allows the biggest silencer for different discharge conditions:

  • Maximum flow rate 32.5 t/hr at 376°C for low pressure (6.5 barg of design pressure) with 8” inlet
  • Maximum flow rate 180.1 t/hr at 420°C for medium pressure (17 barg of design pressure) with 12” inlet
  • Maximum flow rate 262.0 t/hr at 460°C for high pressure (44 barg of design pressure) with 18” inlet
  • Maximum flow rate 270.0 t/hr at 195°C for medium pressure (19 barg of design pressure) with 12” inlet

 

Our offering for Paper Mill application

Stopson Italiana has a wide range of products for Paper Mill applications, including Air Filtration, Duct Silencer, Acoustic Enclosures and Barriers, Steam Vent Silencers.
Our Vent Silencers are designed to reduce the noise level of exhaust piping to the atmosphere for pressurized gaseous fluids, such as air, vapor, natural gas, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, etc. They can be installed downstream any device acting as a link between a container of pressurized gaseous fluid and the atmosphere. The vent silencer can also provide high or low back pressure relief for the system ensuring proper operation.
Vent silencers can be reactive, absorptive or combined type depending on applications and required attenuation, which can reach as much as 75 dB(A).

Typical Applications for vent silencers are:

  • Safety Valve (PSV)
  • Relief valve (PRV)
  • Control valve
  • Ejector
  • Start up valve
  • Snort-valve
  • Flash and Blow Down Tanks
  • Blow-off

Stopson Italiana’s offering for plant Blow-off cleaning does also include additional services and materials as described below:

  • Engineering
  • Steam blow flange
  • Spectacle flanges with gaskets
  • Demi water pumps
  • Gate and globe valves
  • Thermocouples
  • Temperature and Pressure transmitters
  • Pneumatic target plates inserters
  • Installation
  • Blow-off Supervision

 

See more about our Silencers here.