How to implement a successful soundproofing strategy: Fundamental steps and techniques in line with the principles of action

Introduction

As a matter of fact, noise is regarded as a concrete issue in every industrial facility, and, as a crucial concern, it can easily become hazardous for people around the workspace. For instance, it has been observed that noise may lead the facility’s employees to encounter humming in their ears or have temporary hearing loss. Moreover, an excessively loud environment can easily expose qualified personnel to injury’s risk since noises usually cover alarms or shouted warnings from their co-workers that end-up to be ignored.  

The purpose of the present article is to show many of the options that are adaptable to the most common cases and explore the principles through which noise eradication is obtained when looking into acoustically treating a facility.

 

Evaluating sources of noise inside our industrial facility

Before ordering an installation, it is advisable to acquire a full understanding of our case. While considering which strategy is the more suitable in order to attenuate harmful sounds, we should first evaluate (1) the source of noise, i.e., the specific piece of equipment that originates the loudest sounds inside the facility, (2) the position and the size of such equipment inside the facility, (3) the operational function of the equipment, as well as its state of preservation. 

 

Tackling the noise through sound isolation and absorption

Mainly, the noise can be eradicated by isolation or inclusion, or by creating a barrier around the source. Or noise deadening can be obtained by absorption; absorption implies reducing or eliminating echo, reverberation, and amplification within a room, so improving the quality in a limited space, rather than preventing the transfer by separating the source of noise from the rest.

 

The following solutions are based on the abovementioned principles of action:

  • Acoustic Enclosures are highly effective custom-made solutions that both absorb and block the noise from entering or leaving. Acoustic enclosures are designed to literally enclose any kind of machinery yet are applicable only whether the source of noise can be easily isolated from the rest of the facility. This solution is thus particularly recommended for 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.
  • Comparable to Acoustic Enclosures are Screens and Barriers. While Acoustic Enclosures simply provide protection by isolating the source, screen and barriers are an ideal solution when there is a need to create space between the noise generator and the employees, as they delineate special acoustic shadow-zones. Also, they are composed of sound-absorbing surfaces designed to prevent the increase in noise level towards the source of noise. 
  • Anechoic chambers (AECs) are increasingly used for aircraft engine tests besides being a traditional solution for accurate sound measurement. AECs are indeed perfect when there is a need to completely reduce sound pressure level – to such an extent that reflected signals will be inexistent – in order to acquire the right parameters of precision for measurement.

The importance of receiving a high-quality maintenance process

A further crucial aspect that many tend to underestimate is the state of preservation of equipment that generates noise. Needless to remind that the oldest equipment in the facility needs to be replaced, when necessary, we should take into consideration certain measures, such as oiling and adjusting some critical component on a regular basis. This operation must be carried out by qualified personnel. However, apart from this, it is largely important to rely on professionals in the sector that provide consultancy services and routine checks of the soundproofing applications and make a constantly updated evaluation of their conditions. 

Stopson italiana is the provider you should consider if you are looking for one of the aforementioned solutions. It consolidated itself in the market as one of the main manufacturers of enclosures and control cabins. Moreover, Stopson italiana offers a set of prefabricated anechoic or semi-anechoic chambers, internally treated with standard wedges sized according to the lowest operating frequency, and equipped with a control room.

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.

 

stopson news soundproofingoil and gas

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.

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General implications of noise control in industrial environments

Industrial noise considerations and solutions

Industrial businesses can be a primary cause of noise pollution to the environment, which is why it is important to install acoustic systems into the building. Having appropriate soundproofing solutions within the complex can reduce the loud noises that heavy equipment can emit.

Introduction

Industrial processes are often very noisy as the operations and equipment to process and produce industrial outcomes often include heavy machinery with limited barriers to restrict equipment noise from carrying beyond the confines of the installations.

The introduction of stringent health, safety, and environmental regulations has led to an increase in importance when considering noise control around industrial processes.

The aim of these regulations is to ensure that a worker’s hearing is protected by preventing them from being subject to high levels of noise which could cause long-term hearing damage.

From an environmental point of view, these regulations have been put in place to keep industrial facilities’ property sound levels below the required noise levels that vary by zoning.

Why do you need industrial soundproofing

There are various reasons as to why you might need to have noise control in your industrial premises. External and internal noise levels need to be kept to an acceptable level, and industrial soundproofing products offer solutions to excessive noise problems for both the environment and workers.

Some plants operate within residential areas, so it’s important to keep external noise to a minimum in order to prevent noise complaints and upset from the local community. Other industrial complexes use loud machinery that goes above the acceptable noise level, this can cause problems internally. Such issues need to be addressed as best as possible, which is why industrial noise control is a necessary asset to have.

Failure to comply with noise mitigation control could see the owner’s fighting legal battles and compensation claims.

Industrial Soundproofing Considerations

There are three basic elements in any noise control system:

  • The source of the sound
  • The path through which the sound travels
  • The receiver of the sound

In many situations, of course, there are several sources of sound, various paths for the sound, and more than one receiver, but the basic principles of noise control would be the same as for the more simple case. The objective of most noise control programs is to reduce the noise at the receiver. This may be accomplished by making modifications to the source, the path, or the receiver, or to any combination of these elements.

The purpose of the noise control procedure may be to prevent hearing loss for personnel, to allow effective face-to-face communication or telephone conversation, or to reduce noise so that neighbors of the facility will not become intensely annoyed with the sound emitted by the plant. The engineering approach is often different in each of these cases.

 

Noise control solutions

At the source

Modifications at the source of sound are usually considered to be the best solution for a noise control problem either being the most difficult approach. The noise at the source strictly depends on the design process the machinery has been through and in some cases, on its maintenance as well. For example, excessive noise from a roller bearing in a machine may indicate wear failure in one of the rollers in the bearing or, there may be areas, such as panel coverings, that vibrate excessively on a machine.

To determine whether this approach is feasible, the engineers would need in-depth information about the process in which the equipment is taking place and on the machine itself.

On the transmission path

Modifying the path through which the noise is propagated is often used when modification of the noise source is not possible, not practical, or not economically feasible. For noise sources located outdoors or indoors, the transmission path may be modified by placing a wall or barrier between the source and receiver. The use of a barrier will not be effective in noise reduction indoors when the sound transmitted directly from the source to the receiver is much less significant than the sound transmitted indirectly to the receiver through reflections on the room surfaces. In this case, A very effective noise control procedure is to place an acoustic enclosure around the sound source or to arrange the receiver in a soundproofed cabin. The exhaust noise from engines, fans, and turbines is instead controlled by using mufflers or silencers in the exhaust line for the device.

At the receiver

The human ear is the usual ‘‘receiver’’ for noise, and there is a limited amount of modification that can be done for the person’s ear. One possible approach to limit the noise exposure of a worker to industrial noise is to limit the time during which the person is exposed to high noise levels. In other cases, to reduce the sound level to which the workers are exposed, hearing protectors (earplugs or acoustic muffs) can be effective, preventing noise-induced hearing loss in industrial environments.

Conclusions

What are the benefits to apply soundproofing solutions to your industrial facility?

  • Provide a safe work environment by helping to reduce accidents caused by poor communication
  • Prevent hearing loss
  • Increase productivity by decreasing distractions
  • Reduce complaints from neighboring businesses and residents

Soundproofing comes in many forms and does a great deal of work to create an environment conducive to productivity, effective communication, and privacy. No matter the industry, taking the time to factor the sonic landscape of a property into your plans will pay dividends in the future.

Industrial plants are often complex facilities, requiring individualized noise control solutions. For every reason why you would need to solve for each of the many different types of industrial noise, there exists a solution. As such, it’s important to consult experts in the field of industrial acoustics to solve for each individually.

Stopson Italiana has worked nationally and internationally for 50+ years with plant processing engineers and their consulting teams to provide accurate and cost-efficient, site-wide noise assessments and mitigation solutions for industrial sectors across many industries.

 

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Engineering Noise reduction for Hydroelectric power plant

Steps that can be taken to help mitigate excessive noise in the hydroelectricity industries

Since the amount of machinery, such as turbines, air compressors, and rotors associated with each generating unit, noise production in Hydroelectric power plants is high.

Introduction

The human body has few resources to defend itself from noise. This alteration can create many effects on the human organism including contemporary stress that changes working behavior, produces low productivity, high rates of absences from work and obviously hearing loss.

Hydroelectric Power Plants generate lots of power and sometimes excessive noise. Among hydropower plants, there are some built more than half a century ago, and the noise was not factored into plant design. To confirm that, most power plants have hard concrete walls that magnify sound. What happens is that energy doesn’t go anywhere, it just bounces off the walls. And that tends to increase the noise levels even way above the source.

To capture the noise profile and target even the subtlest reverberations, Soundproofing experts must perform acoustic surveys using cutting-edge analytical equipment to isolate hazardous noise sources.


HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS NOISE AND THE CONNECTION WITH THE MARINE SECTOR

“In marine vessels and submarines stationed across the globe, noise suppression technologies have been successfully used in engine rooms since the 1970s. They’ve put a lot of effort into making sure that a marine vessel is very quiet, so their engine rooms are really similar to a hydropower plant, with thick walls, and water all around. There may be a connection, relationship there and sure enough, it was. So, choosing a partner with strong expertise in the marine sector will help to solve noise concerns in these peculiar power plants.” LEARN MORE


Soundproofing Hydroelectric Plant

To mitigate noise, soundproofing experts must analyze and design solutions for treating the noise at the source (if possible), but, due to plant complexity, frequently the plan involves treating the transmission path to the receiver.

While designing soundproofing solutions, maintenance considerations must be taken into account in suggesting noise control techniques for hydroelectric power plants. Materials and methods need to be as maintenance-free as possible and still able to achieve the desired noise reduction level. Used materials also need to meet safety regulations for fire, smoke, and toxicity.

Here are some examples of soundproofing solutions for Hydroelectric stations:

  • Damping

Damping is a term used to describe applying a viscoelastic material to a structure to reduce the vibration of that structure. Since noise (acoustical energy) can be generated by a structure that vibrates and is an efficient radiator, reducing the surface velocity due to damping will also reduce noise.

  • Sound Absorption

Silencers are the most well-known example for absorbing energy to reduce noise. By adjusting the specifications of the silencers, acoustical energy at certain frequencies will be “trapped” within the silencer body and will dissipate.

  • Acoustic Barriers

The concept behind an acoustic barrier is simple. By placing a solid wall (barrier) between the sound source and the receiver, the acoustical energy gets reflected back to the source and will not reach the receiver, thus reducing overall noise. Acoustic enclosures and barriers are ideal for spaces where frequent access is required, yet a significant reduction in the transmission of acoustical energy is desired, such as a turbine pit.


CASE STUDY: ENEL GREEN POWER

Included in the supply are the previous surveys, the design, the construction, the installation, and the photometric measurements of an acoustic booth…(READ MORE)


Conclusion

Because of the variety of contributing noise sources in Hydroelectric plants, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Due to the complexity of the acoustical challenges this sector faces, a tailored solution is required to ensure the deployment of effective noise control systems.

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.

Stopson Italiana has worked internationally with plant processing engineers and their consulting teams to provide accurate and cost-efficient, site-wide noise assessments and mitigation solutions of industrial sectors such as petrochemical complexes both large and small.

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Stopson Italiana Acoustic Enclosures delivered to Trigeneration plant in Dovera, Northern Italy

No. 3 Acoustic Enclosures to soundproof trigeneration plant

Trigeneration plant – Dovera: The new combined electricity and thermal power generation plant, consisting mainly of a 1,200 kW internal combustion engine, a recovery boiler, and a lithium bromide absorber for the generation of chilled water. This package will ensure a more efficient and competitive operation, allowing a reduction of energy costs and a lower environmental impact.

The electricity generated and the thermal energy. will be fully used by the production site, with significant savings both economically and in terms of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. This plant will allow a reduction in CO2 emissions into the atmosphere by about 14.5%, compared to separate production. The importance of meeting environmental requirements is well known to management, who decided to partner with Stopson Italiana for soundproofing the plant.

The new plant is among the most modern available today, and it needed to be paired with custom soundproofing products to keep up performance and ensure noise reduction.

The project – which has been recently completed – includes the supply of N°3 Acoustic Enclosures featuring the following characteristics:

  • N° 1 Load-bearing Monobloc Enclosure for Cogenerator:
    Dimensions: Width mm 3.000 – Length mm 14.200 – Height mm 3.000
  • N° 1 Load-bearing Monobloc Enclosure for Transformer
    Dimensions: Width mm 3.000 – Length mm 3.150 – Height mm 3.000
  • N° 1 Removable Enclosure for Absorber
    Dimensions: Width mm 4.500 – Length mm 11.400 – Height mm 3.500

 

In addition to having soundproofing characteristics, the sound-absorbing material provides the structure with properties of incombustibility and inalterability. The structure was designed by a team of structural engineers to withstand different weight levels and any seismic risks too.

The soundproof cabin guarantees a residual average sound pressure level in the free field of 65 dB(A), measured at 10 meters from the cabin.


Stopson Italiana Solutions – Acoustic Enclosures

 

Stopson Italiana has been present for decades in the world market of soundproofing as one of the leading producers of acoustic enclosure and control cabins.

The soundproofing solutions reduce noise pollution due to various sources, including the main turbines, auxiliary engines, internal combustion engines and generating sets, mobile power generators (mounted on trailers) for the production of electricity, cogeneration plants, natural gas compression units, starting and vacuum pumps, blowers, fans, mills, presses, vibrating devices, power transformers, and boilers.


Stopson Italiana’s Acoustic Enclosures feature:

  • Noise reduction from 15dB(A) to 65dB(A) +
  • Vibration dampers, anti-shock systems with sound emission control settings
  • Combustion air intake unit with optional air filtration
  • Removal of exhaust gases from combustion engines
  • Internal / external applications
  • Natural, induced or forced ventilation system
  • Integrated lighting, fire protection systems, air conditioning
  • Modular solutions
  • Easy access for operation and maintenance with removable panels or sliding hoods
  • Installation service

⟶ For More Information about Enclosures click HERE 

Industrial Soundproofing for Marine Engines

Marine noise considerations and solutions

Safety first, safety always. The primary purpose of installing industrial sound proofers in marine engines is to ensure minimal exposure of people (personnel to noise hazards).

By effectively applying sound proofers to marine engines, chronic hazards like partial deafness, tinnitus, threshold shift in hearing, and noise-induced hearing loss can be effectively avoided.

The maritime industry bears certain similarities to the aviation industry regarding compliance with full safety regulations by local and international regulatory bodies. This may be attributed to the high risks involved and the nature of their operations.
Special noise safety laws and regulations have been provided and reviewed as deemed fit within the industry over the past couple of years. Expectedly, strict implementation of these laws is expected from the employers and employees in the maritime business. This implies that compliance with these regulatory standards is a moral responsibility for all shareholders.

Industrial soundproofing of marine engines is one of the many recommendations by noise hazard safety experts adopted into the maritime standards and policies. Marine engines generate excessive noise above the acceptable limit of sound (< 85 decibels). It has necessitated the design of marine engines with soundproofs and the need for alterations to allow for the installation of soundproofs in marine engines originally lacking soundproofing.

Sounds and an excess of it (noise) results primarily from the amphibious engines and secondarily from engines in onboard mechanical or electro-mechanical systems. Both noises are undesired and require the development of methodologies to mitigate them.

How to Mitigate Yacht Sound Pollution with Soundproofing

Experts of noise management and several organizations have developed and mastered containing noise from yacht engines. Some of the most effective noise management techniques are:

  1. Usage of soundproofing barriers:

An adhesive-like material that can easily be fitted like a chewed gum is placed on a body of a plastic pipe. These soundproofing barriers are installed inside the yacht cabins and engine rooms to mitigate the resulting noises.

  1. Use of noise isolation systems:

Noise isolation systems are technological products designed to mitigate potentially harmful noises produced within an area drastically. These devices are strategically positioned and are more effective with an area to a number of device ratio.

  1. Sound Dampening Materials:

Since vibrations from moving parts of marine engines are a major notorious mechanical phenomenon that produces noise, experts use sound dampening materials to lag engine parts, sittings of these engines, nuts, and screw meet points.

  1. Anti-drumming mats:

Excessive noise and vibrations from yacht occupants and engines are managed by using anti-drumming mats made by heavy acoustic foil. These specially made mats are placed at doorways to help curb excessive noise pollution.

  1. Fabrication:

An age-long system of noise control for marine engines is an engineering control that involves the design, fabrication, and installation of a sound-proof cage-like structure around the engine (primarily) and sound-proofing walls of the yacht engine room.

  1. Complete Soundproofed Exhaust system:

Dry and Wet custom exhaust systems are probably the most effective way to soundproof marine engines. Made from Stainless Steel or GRP (Glass Reinforced Polymer).

The difference between Dry and Wet exhaust system

  • Dry Exhaust:

Compare a dry exhaust to the exhaust pipe of the car: a pipe with a flexible connecting piece on the exhaust manifold, discharging the exhaust gases directly to the outside air. A dry muffler is often required to muffle the noise. Cooling water from the engine is added to the exhaust system either externally or at a much later stage. The tubes and pipes are often made of steel to prevent them from melting due to the high temperature. It is a simple system, but with two major drawbacks: it emits intense heat of up to 600°C at the source, and it produces more noise.

  • Wet Exhaust:

It is recognizable by the manifold that is mounted on the engine. This is often custom-made from GRP (Glass Reinforced Polymer). The heated cooling water in the engine is around 60-90°C when it leaves the engine, so it can be perfectly used to cool the 600°C exhaust gases. Water and gases are often not yet mixed in the first section of the exhaust pipe. That is to prevent the water from entering and blocking the gases from exiting the engine. Gases must be able to exit the engine smoothly so as not to compromise the engine performance. At a short distance from the engine, the gases and liquids come together and exit the engine.

To find your best-fitting complete exhaust system to soundproof your engine you might want to take advantage of the experienced industry-leading company SilencERmarine.

SilencERmarine develops, manufactures, and market throughout the world stainless steel and GRP (Glass Reinforced Polymer) silencers, complete exhaust systems (R.I.Na. – Italian Naval Registry, D.N.V., and Lloyd’s Register approved as well as any other approvals required), and all components and accessories needed to install these.

Benefits of Soundproofing

It is important to note that failure to effectively soundproof onboard engines can rack up serious consequences. Some of these consequences may include the deteriorating health of the crew, who are often the first victims of sound pollution to occupational hazards due to longer exposure to noise emanating from onboard engines.

The resultant effect may see yacht owners paying litigation and compensation fees. In addition, non-compliance to regulatory noise limit aboard could incur strict penalties and fines from respective authorities.

The benefits of soundproofing a typical yacht outweighs putting up with the noise encountered during sails. Some of these advantages are:

  1. Improved reputation for yacht owners which is good for business.
  2. Increased ROI by implementing reliable soundproof materials such as Steel dry silencers.
  3. Compliance with regulatory standards thanks to top-tier industry GRP silencers and separators.
  4. Easy detection of mechanical or operational anomalies due to the absence of noise.

Methodologies and Materials to Mitigate Noise in Onboard Engines

The application of these soundproof materials is largely dependent on the design and location of the yacht engine. Since onboard engines could be integrated inside or in the outer parts of the yacht, the preferred application of soundproof materials varies. IMO (International Maritime Organization), the custodian of the Safety At Sea (SAS) internationally, does not compromise its stance regarding maritime safety. For more specificity, noise control is not given less attention.

Sanctions are often meted on violators in a bid to ensure reduced safety challenges on the seas. To avoid such sanctions and penalties from regulatory bodies such as IMO, simply ensure to install sound proofers around marine engine parts and even the yacht’s cabins. If you need expert advice on your soundproofing needs, you can contact www.silencermarine.com

Ultimately, maritime investors, yacht owners, captains, staff crew, visitor crew, and other stakeholders are expected to report cases of noise pollution to relevant authorities as this may be injurious to the health and well-being of the occupants. The health and safety of those on board should be considered as primary and most important. Industrial soundproofing for marine engines is fundamental and should be encouraged internationally and otherwise.

National policymakers should consider creating regulations that border around efficient soundproofing practices.

Turbines and Noise Control

Gas and Steam Turbines noise considerations and solutions

Electrical power consumption has increased rapidly in the past years and consequently, the need for many large power plants has increased. A form of power generation that has emerged is the gas turbine, which has a wide range of applications such as pipeline transmissions of fuels (gas compressors and liquid pumpers), process power plants, peak load electrical power generation, and more recently baseload electrical power generation utilizing a combined cycle of steam and gas. Parallel to this rapid industrial growth and in reaction against it, concern for the protection of the environment has grown, manifesting itself through the issuance of ordinances and recommendations on local, national, and international levels.

Turbines generated noise types

In a standard modular unit, there are various noise sources, here classified into 5 groups according to the location where they are generated: Aerodynamic, Magnetic, Mechanical, Combustion, and Hydraulic:

  1. AERODYNAMIC

The origin of this noise is the direct excitation of the air or gas by a flowing medium or the interaction of the flow with fixed or movable obstacles within the turbines themselves. This type of noise usually comes from:

  • Flange-to-Flange
  • Vent
  • Gas Valves
  1. MAGNETIC

Although these noises do not always constitute a major source in the overall noise generated by a power station, their presence is not tolerated because of the pure tone at 100 Hz of their sound power. These noises result from alternating magnetic forces due to electrical current and involve in general the generator and the transformer.

  1. MECHANICAL

The mechanical noise that does occur results from a slight unbalance bearing friction, rotational impulses, and torque transmission, in the case of load gear. However, due to the quality of the rotating components and the precision manufacturing required for gas turbines, low sound emissions are generated.
The average low vibration levels measured at the installations underscore the general manufacturing quality of this equipment.

  1. COMBUSTION

Combustion noises, rich in low frequencies, depending on different turbine’s assets: the quantity of the heat released, the geometry of the flame, the nature of the fuel, and the type of fuel nozzle used.

  1. HYDRAULIC

The generation mechanism of this type of noise is the same as for aerodynamic noises with the additional problem of possible cavitation. The high-pressure fuel pump and the flow divider constitute point power sources close to 110 dBA. At some representative complexes, it was observed that their noise was conducted along with the fuel piping, which acted as a line source.

 

The large number and variety of noise sources force plant operators to face hard challenges when trying to find a comprehensive solution for noise coming from gas (or steam) turbines.

Soundproofing your Turbine

The easiest solution would be to wrap the equipment with an acoustic enclosure and solve the problem right at the source. It might not be as easy as it sounds, acoustic enclosures are not standard products and are often customized on clients/equipment needs. Not just that, noise control plans are inclined to be comprehensive for the operation complex as a whole and not just for the turbine itself.

Due to the vast amount of noise sources within the turbine and the variety of noise types that they spring, the most cost-effective approach is a comprehensive noise program, to take place with a specialized partner able to provide custom and complete soundproofing solutions.

Selecting a trustable partner that is specialized in specific products in the field of power plant noise reduction is the ideal answer to the challenges you are facing. Approaching the consultation path with a leading industrial and environmental noise control manufacturer is the quickest and most effective way to solve complex noise mitigation challenges.

Stopson Italiana has worked nationally and internationally for 50+ years with plant processing engineers and their consulting teams to provide accurate and cost-efficient, site-wide noise assessments and mitigation solutions for industrial sectors such as Power Generation plants.

 

 CONTACT US!






 

 

Stopson Italiana solutions

 

Stopson Italiana represents an A-Z solution to control noise in Power plants. Innovative engineering and design solutions deal with practical challenges when implementing our soundproofing systems.

Working on-site with HSE, Operation, and Plant Managers, we believe that effective noise control is a cooperative process between Stopson Italiana and our clients. From initial assessment and noise sources identification to the final result, we provide tailor-made noise control solutions that fulfill the needs of our customers and their industries.

 

⟶ For More Information about Stopson Italiana soundproofing offer click HERE 

Soundproofing for Manufacturing Facilities

What are the challenges for sound insulation in industrial buildings and facilities?

Sound insulation in industrial buildings and factories has two main goals: to reduce noise for employees in the facility and soundproofing for the outside.
This should prevent noise from becoming a problem for neighbors and residents.

Noise in Manufacturing Processes

Soundproofing for large manufacturing factories and facilities is a challenging task mostly because there are several noisy types of equipment that usually run at the same time within the complex:

  • Vibrating panels
  • Fans
  • Air-flow
  • Impact processes
  • Engines
  • Processors
  • Other manufacturing equipment

The large number and variety of equipment within the plant force plant operators to face unique challenges when trying to find a comprehensive solution for noise mitigation.

This combination of different noise sources can contribute to the overall noise levels. But it is not only the numerous sound sources in the facility that influence the selection of the right sound insulation elements but also the structural features of the environment in which the source takes place. For example, Sound-reflecting surfaces, e.g. concrete, stone, or metal, along with high ceilings and wide rooms, can cause strong reverberation and long reverberation times.

Sound Insulation for Manufacturing

How the noise is controlled is dependent on the source. For instance, external noise caused by HVAC units or process pumps is assessed and treated differently to internal noise sources such as plant machinery.

There are several possibilities for soundproofing in manufacturing facilities. Noise can be dampened, for example, by using soundproofing solutions on individual machines and devices such as acoustic enclosures or different types of silencers.

Because of the variety of contributing noise sources in this kind of facility, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Due to the complexity of the acoustical challenges this sector face, a tailored solution is required to ensure the deployment of effective noise control systems.

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.

Stopson Italiana has worked internationally with plant processing engineers and their consulting teams to provide accurate and cost-efficient, site-wide noise assessments and mitigation solutions of industrial sectors such as petrochemical complexes both large and small.

 

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Stopson Italiana solutions for Manufacturing plants

 

Stopson Italiana provides a complete solution to help our customers control manufacturing complex’s noise concerns. Innovative engineering and design solutions deal with practical challenges when implementing our soundproofing systems.

Working on-site with HSE, Operation, and Plant Managers, we believe that effective noise control is a cooperative process between Stopson Italiana and our clients. From initial assessment and noise sources identification to the final result, we provide tailor-made noise control solutions that fulfill the needs of our customers and their industries.

Our offer includes:

  • SILENCERS
    Absorptive for cold and hot gases, reactive for engines or small boilers exhaust, combined absorptive and reactive for venting systems. Circular or rectangular shape, atmospheric or pressurized for any gas, temperature range, and applications, providing sound attenuation up to 70 dB and reduce residual noise to a sustainable level. → KNOW MORE

 

  • BARRIERS & ENCLOSURES
    Shaped around noisy equipment, indoor or outdoor, on-base or off-base, designed to provide optimum noise attenuation in any critical environment. Made of modular acoustic panels and linings for sound isolation while ensuring equipment maintenance, ventilation, weather protection, and fire safety.KNOW MORE

 

⟶ For More Information about Stopson Italiana soundproofing solutions click HERE 

Noise reduction in Petrochemical plants

Tackling Noise Containment in Petrochemical facilities: Concept, Principle and Challenges

Oil and gas infrastructure, from extraction, to refining and processing, to pipeline transmission and distribution make use of some of the largest, most powerful, and noisy equipment within the whole industrial sector.

Processes such as hydro-cracking, distillation, liquefaction, and regasification involve large scale compressors, furnaces, gas-turbines, fan-cooled heat exchangers, and large-scale evaporative cooling systems are well known to be noisy.

Acoustical challenges in petrochemical processes

Petrochemical plants face complex acoustical engineering challenges. Petrochemical processes operate largely outdoors, these operations, which include pumps, compressors, blowers, agitators, and coolers, run out in the open, with limited barriers in place to restrict equipment noise from going beyond the confines of the plant.

These plants, as we said, include large numbers of industrial tools and often moving high volumes of air or gas while operating at really high pressures and temperatures. All these combined means that such areas can be exceptionally noisy. Moreover, the large number and variety of equipment within the plant force plant operators to face unique challenges when trying to find a comprehensive solution for noise mitigation.

With noise control and environmental legislation becoming more stringent and the employee health and safety that stay at the forefront of all processing practices, ensuring that noise is effectively mitigated has become a key concern for process plant operators across the petrochemical and chemical processing sector.

Solutions

Plant operators across the industry should be considering that soundproofing installations are not the same twice, careful consideration must be given to each system’s function, permitted noise levels, and much more to determine the most effective noise control solution for the application. As a result, when it comes to specifying what is the perfect noise mitigation product for on-site equipment in such environments, there is no one-size-fits-all solution and several factors must be analyzed.

Noise control measures for such industrial plant items can be particularly complex to design from an acoustic perspective, given a large number of noise sources. Besides, any housings or anything else that is fitted around the equipment can present significant challenges for the ventilation of the analyzed equipment.

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.

Stopson Italiana has worked internationally with plant processing engineers and their consulting teams to provide accurate and cost-efficient, site-wide noise assessments and mitigation solutions of industrial sectors such as petrochemical complexes both large and small.

 

 CONTACT US!






 

 

Stopson Italiana solutions for Petrochemical plants

 

Stopson Italiana approach focuses on providing an optimal acoustic response, which satisfies functional requirements with the best price/performance ratio.

Our offer includes:

  • SILENCERS
    Absorptive for cold and hot gases, reactive for engines or small boilers exhaust, combined absorptive and reactive for venting systems. Circular or rectangular shape, atmospheric or pressurized for any gas, temperature range, and applications, providing sound attenuation up to 70 dB and reduce residual noise to a sustainable level. → KNOW MORE

 

  • BARRIERS & ENCLOSURES
    Shaped around noisy equipment, indoor or outdoor, on-base or off-base, designed to provide optimum noise attenuation in any critical environment. Made of modular acoustic panels and linings for sound isolation while ensuring equipment maintenance, ventilation, weather protection, and fire safety.KNOW MORE

 

⟶ For More Information about Stopson Italiana soundproofing solutions click HERE