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.

Stopson Italiana supplied In-Line Silencer for Gas Compression Station in Denmark

No. 2 In-Line Silencers took their place along the Compression pipeline to provide a noise reduction up to 25 dB.

Gas Compression Station – Egtved: The natural gas plant consists of four compressor units and service buildings, supplying the central intersection of the gas pipelines connection north-south from Germany and east-west to Sweden.

The goal of the project was to ensure the best soundproofing performances while maintaining the maximum flow rate within the pipeline. After intense testing, Stopson Italiana developed silencers with special materials suitable for sound absorbing in a pressurized environment. In order to allow higher velocities than standard sound-absorbing material compared to actual flow density, these materials are not directly exposed to the flow, thus maintaining higher initial acoustic performance.

The solution – recently installed – includes the supply of 12” and 16” In-Line Silencers featuring the following characteristics:

  • 82.5 barg design pressure
  • -28° minimum design temperature
  • 22 mm shell thickness
  • In-shop hydro-tested at 123.75 barg
  • PED category IV module G certification

In addition to the above, the acoustic guarantee for supplied silencers is 25 dB(A) of sound power in a fluid vein!


Our offering for Pipelines

Silencer typology: In-Line Silencer

In-Line Silencers are pressurized silencers aiming to reduce the noise generated by valves or compressors.

Being a piece of exclusive design and manufacturing, in-line silencers require deep engineering knowledge, field experience, and accurate quality processes to deliver high-performing and safe products.

The peculiarity of the chosen solution is that noise attenuation is achieved by means of a reactive component only, without the use of an absorbing section.

Stopson Italiana provides for all the silencers the contractual acoustic guarantee of sound energy in a fluid vein resulting in an approx 30 dB attenuation!

 


Features of Stopson Italiana In-line Silencers are:

  • Small, compact construction and high acoustic performance
  • High flow velocity
  • Available in most used pipe diameters and pressure ranges
  • Wide application range
  • High structure-borne attenuation along with the silencer

 

⟶ For More Information about Stopson Italiana Silencers click HERE 

Stopson Italiana In-Line Silencers installed in the new Trans Adriatic Pipeline

Stopson Italiana’s solutions chosen to soundproof the new Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP). 10 silencers take their place in crucial points along the pipeline to provide a noise reduction up to 30 dB.

TAP is a pipeline project to transport natural gas, starting from Greece via Albania and the Adriatic Sea to Italy and further to Western Europe.

The pipeline would be supplied by natural gas from the second stage of the Shah Deniz (Azerbaijan) gas field development in the Azerbaijani section of the Caspian Sea through the South Caucasus Pipeline and the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP). The project is aimed at enhancing the security of supply as well as diversification of gas supplies for the European markets. TAP will open a new so-called Southern Gas Corridor to Europe and market outlet for natural gas from the Caspian Sea and Middle East regions and is designed to expand transportation capacity from 10 to 20 BCM per year depending on the stage of the Project.

Stopson Italiana is taking part in the project with its soundproofing solutions. Due to the large scale of the project, the 10 silencers will be installed in specific and crucial points along the pipeline.

  • Nr 3 Silencers – Trans Adriatic Pipeline Receiving Terminal – Melendugno, Italy
  • Nr 3 Silencers – Trans Adriatic Pipeline Compressor Station – Kipoi, Greece
  • Nr 3 Silencers – Trans Adriatic Pipeline Compressor Station – Fier, Albania
  • Nr 1 Silencer – Trans Adriatic Pipeline Metering Station – Bilisht, Albania

Our offering for Pipelines

Silencer typology: In-Line Silencer

In-Line Silencers are pressurized silencers aiming to reduce the noise generated by valves or compressors.

Being a piece of exclusive design and manufacturing, in-line silencers require deep engineering knowledge, field experience, and accurate quality processes to deliver high performing and safe products.

The peculiarity of the chosen solution is that noise attenuation is achieved by means of a reactive component only, without the use of an absorbing section.

Stopson Italiana provides for all the silencers the contractual acoustic guarantee of sound energy in a fluid vein resulting in an approx 30 dB attenuation!

 


Features of Stopson Italiana In-line Silencers are:

  • Small, compact construction and high acoustic performance
  • High flow velocity
  • Available in most used pipe diameters and pressure ranges
  • Wide application range
  • High structure-borne attenuation along with the silencer

Stopson Italiana In-Line Silencers are used to control noise produced by valves in piping systems. The In-Line silencer reduces the aerodynamic noise resulting from gas or vapor turbulence. The In-Line silencers are not the only soundproofing solution Stopson Italiana has in its arsenal.

Silencers in a 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.

 

⟶ For More Information about Stopson Italiana Silencers click HERE