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Fundamentals of noise control in Power Generation plant

The science behind the sound mitigation solution applied to power plants.

Soundproofing refers to the processes involved in checking the sound from entering or leaving a specified area by absorbing and/ or mitigating the sound. Soundproofing mechanisms can be employed in several situations, especially industries notorious for sound pollution mostly attributed to the use of heavy-duty machinery, Power Generation plants are part of these.

 

Noise pollution source in power generation plants

There are numerous main sources of noise within a power plant and only a few of the major causes are taken in the exam here.

The sound power level from equipment can spread from about 120 dB to over 155 dB depending on the size and type of machine. There is no easy method to generally categorize one unit as being noisier than another, in fact, the amount of MWs turbine produce does not directly affect the noise they produce. However, diesel engines are more predictable, and generally, the higher the horsepower or kilowatt rating, the higher the noise level because more cylinders and fuel are needed.

Here is a list of some of the common noise source in power plants:

  • Combustion turbine (CT)
  • Heat recovery steam generator
  • Diesel engine
  • Superchargers on diesel engines
  • Steam generators, regulators, by-pass and control valves and piping
  • Air-cooled condensers (ACC)
  • Cooling towers, produce fan and gearbox noises
  • Fuel gas pressure regulating, metering and valve stations
  • Main step-up transformers
  • Condensate pumps, condenser units, and associated piping
  • Piping and pipe hangers not acoustically isolated from structures
  • Blow-off and venting processes
  • Remote water-pumping stations.

The sound emissions from power generation equipment can be reduced by applying noise control devices.

 

Sound Field Definition

To analyze noise from equipment, we need to define the sound field – that is, how the sound will propagate from the equipment or the sources of noise. Near field, far field, free field, and reverberant field are frequently mentioned. These are regions that describe certain characteristics of sound propagation as illustrated in the Figure.

Descriptions according to ISO 12001:2009

  • Near field
    • The near field of a source is the region close to a source where the sound pressure and acoustic particle velocity are not in phase.
  • Far field
    • The far field of a source begins where the near field ends and extends to infinity. Note that the transition from near to far field is gradual in the transition region. In the far field, the direct field radiated by most machinery sources will decay at the rate of about 6 dB each time the distance from the source is doubled.
  • Free field
    • The free field is a region in space where sound may propagate free from any form of obstruction.
  • Reverberant field
    • The reverberant field of a source is defined as that part of the sound field radiated by a source that has experienced at least one reflection from a boundary of the room or enclosure containing the source.

Fundamentals of Noise Control

Noise control or mitigation involves several steps, and the amount of noise reduction is driven by having to meet an environmental noise limit or some regulatory limit, not to mention workers’ safety. A simple model using the classical approach to noise control (shown below) allows the examination of the options for effective and economical noise control:

source of noise → path of noise →received noise

Solutions

Applying noise control involves affecting one of these three elements. Most often it is the ‘path of noise’ that is controlled by the use of acoustic enclosures, barrier walls, silencers, and other similar noise control treatments. This method is the most widely used as the degree of noise control can be tailored depending upon the noise requirements and generally it is the more economical approach. The control on the ‘source of noise’ can be expensive because it may require a complete redesign and retooling process which takes time and money.

For new plants, examine the structure arrangement and locate the noisiest equipment or operations away from noise-sensitive areas. Grouping smaller sources together can be beneficial in that a common noise barrier or enclosure can solve a lot of small problems.

 

Stopson Italiana Soundproofing Solutions

Enclosures and Barriers

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.

  • Noise abatement by 15dB(A) to 50dB(A)+
  • Vibration absorbers, anti-shock systems with noise control settings
  • Combustion air intake Unit with optional air filtration
  • Exhaust gas removal for combustion engines
  • Indoor/Outdoor Applications

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Silencer and other solutions are available at Stopson Italiana, Check-out all the soundproofing products.

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Everything You Need to Know about Noise Pollution

How to limit the noise propagation (not only in Oil and Gas). Risks and countermeasures of a phenomenon as important as universally underrated.

The noise pollution’s matter has become a well-documented public domain anthology by now.

The World Health Organisation has reported that 40% of Europe’s population is exposed to noise levels in excess of 55dB. Moreover, noise pollution is ranked as second to air pollution, in terms of affecting our health and wellbeing, including diabetes, tinnitus and risk of heart disease.

Noise pollution in Oil and Gas

According to recent study achieved by PSE Healthy Energy and West Virginia University, some modern Oil and Gas techniques – such as hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”) – produce noise that may increase adverse effects on human health. 

Fracking can create noise at levels high enough to harm the health of people living nearby (source phys.org). “Oil and gas operations produce a complex symphony of noise types, including intermittent and continuous sounds and varying intensities,” argued PSE Healthy Energy Executive Director Seth Shonkoff.

An adequate set of policies should be specified, in order to safeguard residents and communities, such as particularly vulnerable populations (e.g. schools and hospitals). Noise mitigation techniques like perimeter sound walls, noise barriers and acoustic enclosures could represent the most appropriate solutions to hold back this phenomenon.

Noise impact on marine species

This is not all. A recent study led by International Fund for Animal Welfare, reveals the damaging impact of Oil

Noise pollution can damage marine species

and Gas noise pollution on whales and dolphins. In the report, they put in evidence how new technologies should reduce their impact on marine environment during the exploration phase (source: International Fund for Animal Welfare).

 

Noise and Diseases

Numerous epidemiological studies have linked noise to adverse health outcomes too. They include diabetes, depression, birth complications and cognitive impairment in children.

In facts, apart from damage to hearing, exposure to excessive and constant noise can cause other health problems including:

  • Headache
  • Sleep and heart disease
  • Stress
  • Elevated blood pressure
  • Fatigue
  • Irritability
  • Digestive disorders
  • Increased susceptibility to colds and other minor infections

Noise in Europe: limits and human tolerance

As we know, the loudness of noise is measured in decibels. Sensitivity to noise differs from one individual to the next, but experts believe that damage to hearing occurs when noise levels are higher than 85 decibels, which is about the loudness of heavy traffic.

Every year, 7 million people in Europe die from heart disease, which would put the toll from exposure to noise at around 210,000 deaths. In England heart disease kills 110,000 people annually, so the deaths linked to noise could be around 3,300.

2% of Europeans suffer severely disturbed sleep because of noise pollution. The researchers calculate that chronic exposure to loud traffic noise causes three percent of all cases of tinnitus, in which sufferers hear constant noise. Length of exposure is important too. In facts, it is not recommendable to listen to noises of 109 decibels for any longer than two minutes in row.

Noise and public health in U.S.

In US the noise phenomena has been studied deeply, causing a direct response by public health. The Health Impacts Project (HIP) provides since 2013 guidance for policy makers to identify the health consequences of potential projects by making public a national sample of health impact assessment.

Exposure Limits in U.S.

The U.S. EPA recommends an average 24-hr exposure limit of 55 A-weighted decibels (dBA) to protect the public from all adverse effects on health and welfare in residential areas. This limit is a day–night 24-hr average noise level (LDN), with a 10-dBA penalty applied to nighttime levels between 2200 and 0700 hours to account for sleep disruption and no penalty applied to daytime levels.

More info about the Noise sources and Soundproofing solutions in industrial sector can be found here.

 

 

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Stopson Italiana exhibits at Power-Gen Europe in Cologne

After its last attendance to Power-Gen Asia in Seoul, Stopson Italiana will fly to Cologne for the 25th Anniversary of the trade show.

For all those attending, Stopson Italiana will make available its technical expertise to support any demanding requirements to develop new sound-proofing and noise abatement solutions in the Power Industry.

Celebrating 25 years of history, POWER-GEN represents the leading force in delivering a platform for the power industry to meet, share information and discuss about new progress in applied technologies for the growth of energy’s future.

 Visit us at Power-Gen Europe, Hall 8 – Booth J33!

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TO DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE PASS!

Stopson Italiana Power Gen europe

 Attracting over 8,300 delegates and attendees from more than 85 countries, Power-Gen Europe represents the industry’s premier conference and exhibition dedicated to the power generation, renewable and alternative energy and transmission and distribution industries.
This year marks a new format for POWER-GEN Europe and Renewable Energy World Europe, with the decision to run our popular Keynote and Plenary sessions on the first day as opposed to splitting them over 2 days. The conferences provided will cover Hydropower, Finance and Energy Storage.
As a well-established knowledge base for the power industry, the aim of the exhibition will be connecting professionals engaged in Europe’s energy change, identifying opportunities for innovation, and business development across the sectors.
Since 1965 Stopson Italiana has been considered one of the largest provider of noise control solutions such as silencers, enclosures, vent equipment and test facilities for any industrial applications.

Power-Gen Europe 2017 will take place in Cologne (Germany), June 27-29, and Stopson Italiana will be exhibiting at Hall #8 – Booth J33.

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Stopson Italiana exhibits at OMC 2017

Stopson Italiana will launch 2017 exhibition program with Offshore Mediterranean Conference 2017 in Ravenna next week, presenting the technological excellence of its products and services for the Oil & Gas Industry.

 

Next OMC 2017 will address the theme of transition: the Paris Cop 21 Agreement and the recent decline in oil prices promise to reshape the Oil & Gas Industry.

Over three days a wealth of industry professionals and decision makers will share ideas, new research and innovation, highlighting how the oil & gas industry can and must contribute to a sustainable future.

The recent huge gas discoveries in the Mediterranean confirm once more its role as a natural energy hub, capable of channelling  the energy flows from Africa  to the European continent.

For all those attending, Stopson Italiana will make available its technical expertise to support any demanding requirements to develop new sound-proofing solutions in the Oil & Gas Industry.

Visit us at OMC2017, Hall 3 booth N24!

OMC 2017 Floor Plan Updated

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In more than 22 years since being launched, each OMC edition was a record-breaking one, and the last event in March 2015 has been the biggest and best ever held.

With trend-bucking increases in both visitors and exhibitors number – 688 companies from 33 countries – OMC also welcomed more than 18,900 visitors from 69 countries worldwide.

Since 1965 Stopson Italiana has been considered one of the largest provider of noise control solutions such as silencers, enclosures, vent equipment and test facilities for any industrial applications.
Offshore Mediterranean Conference 2017, will take place in Ravenna, Italy, March 29-31. Stopson Italiana will be exhibiting at Booth 3N24.

 

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Oil and Gas 360: the Trump ‘side effect’

From the stocks’ uncertainty to the pipeline’s manufacturing reestablishment: the new elected 45th US President keeps pushing to boost gas and oil outputs

“Making America ‘Crude’ Again”. This the buyword resounding like a commercial – and spotted by the newspaper – after the last new elected 45th US President Donald Trump’s speeches. How the Trump’s policy could affect the oil and gas market is still undoubtedly hard to sentence. However, barely hours after Trump had taken office, a revised White House website has declared its new found pro energy industry credentials.
That’s the way on which – after three days into his presidency – Trump gave his explicit backing to two controversial pipeline projects: Dakota Access and Keystone XL, providing American steel for their construction.

Nevertheless the presidency of Donald Trump, who made promises on the campaign trail to boost US oil and gas output and roll back regulations unfriendly to industry, is expected to be a stark policy departure from President Barack Obama, who spent much of his political capital over the past four years pushing efforts to combat climate change.

Furthermore, Trump reiterated his creed that pipeline makers use U.S. materials when they build projects in the United States, another sign that he will keep pressure on companies in the middle of the energy sector.

Crossing the boundaries, Mexican gasoline market reforms could influence U.S. gasoline export trends. In facts, the government is in the process of opening its gasoline and diesel markets to outside competition and replacing government-set prices with market-based prices. Last year, Mexico began allowing entities other than the state-owned company Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) to import gasoline and diesel and open retail stations. These changes followed previous energy sector reforms that ended Pemex’s upstream monopoly and opened the oil and natural gas sectors to foreign direct investment. Although Mexico is a large crude oil producer, it relies heavily on imports of gasoline from the United States to meet domestic demand. Therefore, the outcome of gasoline market reforms in Mexico may have significant implications for the sale of U.S.-produced gasoline.

The volume of gasoline trade between Mexico and the United States is significant to U.S. refineries. Over the past five years, U.S. exports to Mexico accounted for between 44% (2014) and 54% (first 10 months of 2016) of total U.S. gasoline exports. On a year-over-year basis, U.S. gasoline exports to Mexico increased by 71,000 b/d in 2015, with additional average growth of 75,000 b/d over the first 10 months of 2016, when U.S. exports to Mexico averaged nearly 390,000 b/d.

Based on projections in EIA’s January 2017 Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), natural gas prices are expected to increase in both 2017 and 2018. Rising natural gas prices could lead developers to postpone or cancel some of the upcoming power plant additions. Construction timelines for these plants are relatively short: more than half of the natural gas-fired generating capacity scheduled to come online in 2017 and 2018 was not yet under construction as of October 2016.
Stock and trading
On the New York Mercantile Exchange, light, sweet crude futures CLH7, +1.43% traded at $52.43 a barrel, down 20 cents, or 0.4%, in the Globex electronic session. Brent crude LCOH7, +1.05% on London’s ICE Futures exchange fell 9 cents to $55.14 a barrel. U.S. oil production now stands at 8.96 million barrels a day, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

According to a BMI Research report, North America, the Middle East and parts of Asia will lead the recovery in oil and gas spending over 2017. The reports told that spending on oil and gas in North America is expected to raise by more than 17% this year.

crude oil price production
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Crude Oil Price: a “mindful” growing confidence for 2017

Expectations and confidence: Goldman Sachs (GS) on the new Donald Trump policy to support crude oil prices.

Initially Donald Trump’s victory, the strengthening dollar, rising US crude oil rigs, and high crude oil, gasoline, and distillate inventories could limit the upside for prices.

Goldman Sachs (GS) expects that successful implementation of OPEC (Organization of the Oil Exporting Countries). Non-OPEC producers’ plan to cut production will reduce the oversupply in the market and support crude oil prices.
Goldman Sachs expects Brent to average $58 per barrel in 2017—compared to its previous forecast of $51.50 per barrel. Likewise, it expects WTI crude oil prices to average $57.50 per barrel for the same period.
However, a recent Reuters report may be showing there was more to the decision to cut production. While the supply imbalance was first the main reason for the cut, now reports are surfacing that prior production levels may have been testing capacity limits.

The Reduction forecast

OPEC agreed to slash the output by 1.2 million barrels/day from Jan. 1, with top exporter Saudi Arabia cutting as much as 486,000 barrels/day.
Non-OPEC oil producers (such as Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Equatorial Guinea, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Russia, Sudan, and South Sudan) agreed to reduce output by 558,000 barrels/day. And this latter starting from Jan. 1, 2017 for six months, to take into account prevailing market conditions and prospects.
Nevertheless, the successful implementation of Donald Trump’s energy policies would lead to a rise in US crude oil production. The rise in non-OPEC production in 2017 would also pressure crude oil prices. A Wall Street Journal survey of major banks predicts that US and Brent prices will average $54 per barrel and $56 per barrel in 2017, respectively. It’s $1 per barrel more than the previous estimates.
Let’s see in June which effects of this policy in the oil market.
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Stopson Italiana wishes you a Merry Christmas and an outstanding 2017!

It has been a great year of growth and confirmation for Stopson Italiana.
Thanks to our customers’ trust and support from our suppliers we could track a growth trends in volume, profit and moreover work force.
Our Sales team is today counting on three full-time resources to support a growing demand for responsiveness and competitiveness, as well as three resources within the Project Management team, now supported by six units Engineering Team and two external consultants.
Our 50 years long experience in the steam vent silencers market has enabled us to record one of the highest volumes ever in this product segment through the acquisition of several contracts with major Engineering Companies for plants located in Russia, Egypt , Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Iraq. This is also to confirm Stopson Italiana’s high exposure to the international market, made also possible thanks to the presence of our Company in the most important trade fairs.
We were in fact present at this year’s Power Gen Europe in Milan and at the Power Gen Asia in Seoul, in line with our marketing policy that will be confirmed in 2017 with participation to OMC 2017 in Ravenna in late March, Gastech 2017 Tokyo in April and Power Gen Europe in Cologne in June.

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

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Stopson Italiana exhibits at PowerGen Asia 2016

After its recent participation to Power-Gen Europe, Stopson will fly to Seoul to present its new brand and showcase the technological excellence of its products and services.

For all those attending, Stopson Italiana will make available its technical expertise to support any demanding requirements to develop new sound-proofing solutions in the Power Industry.

POWER-GEN Asia has, over its 24 year history, become the leading force in delivering a platform for the power industry to meet, share information on the challenges facing the power industry and discuss solutions for advancing Asia’s energy future.

Visit us at Power-Gen Asia, booth E53!

CLICK HERE
TO DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE PASS!

Power_Gen_Map

Attracting over 8,300 delegates and attendees from more than 85 countries across South East Asia and around the world, it is the industry’s premier conference and exhibition dedicated to the power generation, renewable and alternative energy and transmission and distribution industries. Benefit from four days packed with technical tours, more than 50 conference sessions, panel discussions, a comprehensive exhibition and multiple networking events as we move the event outside of the ASEAN region for the first time in over a decade. With its rising prominence in the global economy, developing Asia’s energy capacity has become a major focus within the marketplace. Asia’s energy needs will expand in tandem with its growing economic influence. Expanding renewable energy sources will not be enough to meet future demand alone. Consequently, Asia needs to invest in making conventional power cleaner and more efficient.
Since 1965 Stopson Italiana has been considered one of the largest provider of noise control solutions such as silencers, enclosures, vent equipment and test facilities for any industrial applications.
Power-Gen Asia 2016, will take place this year in Seoul, September 20-22, and Stopson Italiana will be exhibiting at Booth E53.
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Stopson Italiana delivers 30 Vent Silencers to Karbala Refinery in Iraq

Flawless completion of the supply to HDGSK JV for the SCOP refinery plant in Karbala province.

Stopson Italiana has recently completed delivery of 30 silencers to be installed at Karbala Oil Refinery in Iraq for HDGSK JV, the joint venture led by Hyundai Engineering & Construction (HEC) with GS Engineering & Construction Corporation, SK Engineering & Construction Company Limited and Hyundai Engineering Company Limited.

The whole supply has been divided into three batches applicable to different plant sections:

  • 10 vent silencers for the chemical equipment section including vacuum distillation, i.e. steam and mix of steam and methanol or H2, with flow rates from 10 to 40 t/h, temperatures from 388 °C to 456 °C, noise levels 85-90 dB(A) @ 1 m.
  • 15 vent silencers for the petroleum processing section, i.e. steam, mix steam air and N2 with flow rates from 0.5 to 33 t/h, temperatures from 194 °C to 375 °C, noise level 85 dB(A) @ 1 m.
  • 5 vent silencers for the utilities section, i.e.HP-LP-MP-Start-Up steam, with flow rates from 6.6 to 73 t/h, temperatures from 220 °C to 400 °C, noise level 90 dB(A) @ 1 m.

All silencers have been engineered according to the highly demanding EPC and end user’s technical specifications and manufactured in Italy in special materials, including stainless steel for internal components.

2015-11-30 10.42.55Stopson’s Vent Silencers 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).
SPM Vent Silencers, used for higher flows and back pressure, are based on a combined reactive and absorptive principle for noise reduction: the gases expand to atmospheric pressure through a perforated diffuser, providing a first important step in attenuation; the flow evolves into a sound-absorbing lining section to further contribute to reach required noise residual level.PSP

PSP Vent Silencers, used for lower flows and back-pressures, feature an expansion chamber upstream the final absorptive section with no diffuser at the inlet.

A special sound-proofed weather hood is finally heading flow and noise upward, while delivering an effective rain protection and drainage.

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
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Oil market rocked by new Russia-Saudi Arabia deal

Saudi Arabia and Russia agree on oil co-operation that could limit supply.

The news has been spread around in a matter of seconds. Saudi Arabia and Russia together for an ‘historic’ oil market co-operation.
The core of the deal has been focused on the output’s limitation, with the aim to boost the oil prices sharply higher to tackle a global glut. In a joint-statement taken place during the the G-20 summit in China (last Monday), Russia and Saudi Arabia recognized the need to contain excess volatility in the market (source Telegraph). The two oil giants will thereby establish a working group to monitor the market and draft recommendations to keep oil prices steady and ensure solid investments in the industry. Crude oil futures rallied heavily in the build-up to the announcement and pared back slightly afterward. WTI futures for October remained over 3 percent higher on the day, however, at a little under $46 per barrel.
Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said that the countries are now discussing the details of a supply freeze deal ahead of an informal meeting of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec), together with Russia, later this month in Algeria. “We are considering a production freeze as the most efficient tool, concrete parameters are being discussed at the moment,” he argued.
One of the other hot topic concerned the agreement between the two countries to exchange information and experience about new technologies in the oil and gas, and power generation sectors. Considering the several attempts to boost crude prices by freezing OPEC’s output have fallen in the past, the present deal seems to be presented as “historic moment” by the same Novak, particularly because Saudi Arabia has been wedded to keeping output high to hold market share.
In facts, Saudi Arabia is de facto leader of the oil cartel, but Russia is not a member.