Engineering the Silence since 1965
Installation of Stopson Italiana Silencers for RDM Cartonboard in Barcelona
Stopson Italiana recently completed a crucial intervention at the RDM Cartonboard paper mill in Barcelona. In collaboration with Valtec-Umisa, the company supplied and installed two silencers: an SPM multi-inlet model and an SVC model with core. These devices ensured maximum noise reduction for the plant, significantly improving its acoustic efficiency.
RDM Cartonboard Project: Technical Details
The RDM Cartonboard plant includes a CPR-50 steam generator capable of producing up to 50,700 kg/h of steam at 12 bar. Stopson Italiana contributed with the installation of two custom silencers to optimize acoustic performance and ensure compliance with noise regulations.
SPM Multi-Inlet Silencer
Functioning Principle and Advantages
The steam vent silencer model SPM was designed to combine all steam lines into a single body. This system allows for the simultaneous operation of two lines, each equipped with a specific diffuser that directs the flow toward the upper absorbing section.
Thanks to this configuration, Stopson Italiana achieved two key objectives:
- High acoustic performance: noise reduction to 85 dB(A) at one meter.
- Space optimization: the compact design of the silencer minimizes footprint while maintaining high noise absorption efficiency.
SVC Silencer with Core
Customized Design
The SVC model, designed with a three-concentric-ring structure and flanged casing, was specifically developed for bypass lines. This device uses sound-absorbing materials protected by perforated sheets, ensuring optimal performance with minimal pressure loss.
Applications and Performance
The SVC silencer ensures high operational efficiency even at operating temperatures up to 100°C, making it an ideal solution for soundproofing ventilation ducts and bypass systems.
Client’s Feedback: Valtec-Umisa’s Opinion
Miguel Medina, SalesDirector at Valtec-Umisa, stated:
“This is not the first time we’ve relied on Stopson Italiana’s support. Even for this complex project, we were highly satisfied with the quality and performance of the silencers provided.”
Conclusion
The project at the RDM Cartonboard paper mill is another success story for Stopson Italiana. Thanks to customized and innovative solutions, the company once again demonstrated its leadership in the industrial noise control sector.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
Blow-off Rental Service now available at Stopson Italiana
Soundproofing Solutions for Oil and Gas Industry
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.
Site Services
Installation, commissioning and testing services to complement Stopson's sound-proofing solutions offering. Post-delivery assistance, acoustics surveys and measurements to make our support fully ...
Test Facilities
Acoustic rooms and chambers for industrial equipment and aeronautical engine test purpose, semi-anechoic and anechoic chambers, control rooms. A solution for any sound control requirement in the ...
OUR CORE VALUES
Written by Stopson Italiana CEO
We reinvent ourselves every day while sticking to our principles and key values in designing available solutions to reduce noise pollution.
Our aim is to anticipate tomorrow’s challenges to make a tangible improvement in quality of life and provide our contribution to a more sustainable environment.
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