Noise Control and Noise Management for Energy Production Facilities
Energy production facilities are of great importance, and remain one of MEMTECH’s ‘focus’ areas for noise control. We are familiar with the processes and equipment used in most types of energy production, including geothermal, hydro, as well as ‘conventional’ oil, coal and natural gas facilities
We specialize in providing turn-key solutions for virtually any noise control problem in energy production facilities:
- Compliance issues with state and local noise ordinances
- Neighborhood Noise “Annoyance” Complaints
- OSHA / NIOSH Compliance Issues
- Employee Noise Exposure Concerns
- Low-Noise Design and Modification of Process Machinery
Our staff consists of licensed professional engineers, acousticians, noise technicians, planners and licensed installers, who can solve virtually any industrial noise problem. We have completed a number of large projects for a variety of energy-producing companies.
An Integrated ‘Systems’ Approach to Noise Control
Many noise-control services assume that a large plant is considered as a “lumped” noise source at a specific location, or tackle noise management on a ‘one machine at a time’ methodology. This often results in expensive brute-force solutions, such as surrounding the property (including the plant) with tall noise barrier walls, and installing numerous costly enclosures.
MEMTECH ACOUSTICAL takes a ‘systems engineering approach’ by modeling machines as a hierarchical group of individual noise contributors, considers the interactions between these sources, determines local and distant boundary conditions, and then derives accurate simulations of a variety of solutions to meet the desired goals at the lowest possible cost. This also allows a ‘dollars-per-decibel’ (cost/performance) analysis of different potential solutions.
Environmental Noise Control
One of the major issues confronting energy-producing operations is assuring compliance with state and/or local noise ordinances. Noise criteria in some communities are quite stringent, and can be difficult to achieve.
MEMTECH ACOUSTICAL determines optimum environmental noise solutions by considering the contributions of individual elements (machines) inside and outside the plant, as well as the effects of physical location, nearby buildings and the surrounding terrain. When this information is integrated into a predictive systems-based computer model, we can determine areas of potential risk.
We utilize advanced software packages for this purpose, such as ‘Vensim’, ‘Simantics’, ‘Noise Modelling’, and our own proprietary software to provide local and distant sound level predictions. These models provide an accurate estimation of noise levels at virtually any location around the plant prior to construction of the facility. Predictions can be made based on sound pressure levels at different locations, or probabilities of annoyance for local residents in any nearby area.
Noise Topography Map Surrounding Plant
This approach also allows us to simulate and validate the effectiveness of noise barriers, walls, diffusers and other solutions prior to the purchase and construction of these structures. A ‘ Monte-Carlo’ analysis can then be performed by modeling various noise control elements to derive the best solution at lowest cost.
This approach can also be used in reducing noise from existing plants prior to spending money for corrective actions via a ‘trial and error’ approach. These models will determine the effectiveness of adding noise barriers at various locations around the facility, or via the addition of noise enclosures or curtains.
Machinery & Process Equipment Noise Control
Individual pieces of machinery can generate very high noise levels in ‘stand-alone’ operation; in some cases, one or two machines can dominate the overall noise within a plant. MEMTECH ACOUSTICAL frequently works with equipment OEMs to reduce noise from machinery via the implementation of design enhancements and the targeted application of noise control materials.
Fix the Root Causes: Don’t ‘Cover Them Up’
Attacking noise mechanisms at the source has many benefits, including improved life-cycle costs and higher operating efficiency. A significant reduction in noise can often be realized by implementing design enhancements to the equipment itself.
This includes:
- Structural stiffening of machine frames or tanks
- Mechanical isolation of high-vibration components
- Balancing or aligning rotating equipment
- Improving laminar flow through ducts or pipes
- Damping resonant modes in large structures
Resonators is another approach that can reduce noise from compressors, exhaust fans, etc.
MEMTECH’s OEM customers include ABB, Kuka, Barton Malow, Reinhart and many others.
Employee Noise Exposure Reduction & Certification
High-noise environments can result in hearing damage along with safety concerns due to the inability to be heard amongst high levels of background noise. Regulatory organizations such as OSHA can penalize plants who have sustained noise levels above 90 dBA, and may require the implementation of hearing protection plans and hearing loss audits when plant ambient noise levels exceed 85 dBA.
“MEMTECH has always been very responsive and produced excellent solutions for our site” Nathan Nash, Team Leader, Magnolia Gas Storage, Louisville KY
Establishing a preemptive strategy to assure that noise exposure levels are within acceptable limits is far more effective than being penalized by government agencies or risking employee hearing loss. We have successfully resolved many noise exposure issues via a rigorous measurement, analysis, and remediation process. We can also provide employee noise exposure studies and certifications, along with plant noise ‘mapping’ documentation.
Noise Measurements, Analysis and Certifications
MEMTECH ACOUSTICAL can provide comprehensive noise measurements, analysis and reporting for any industrial requirement, including:
- Environmental Noise Measurements
- Legal Certifications
- Noise Ordinance Compliance Issues
- Noise Source Identification
- Detailed Noise Analysis for Problematic Equipment
- Noise “Annoyance” Studies
- Risk Analysis and Trade-Off Studies
Available Instrumentation
- Certified Sound Meters
- Environmental Noise Loggers
- Noise Dosimeters
- Sound Recorders
- Sound Playback Simulation Equipment
- Precision Microphones and Accelerometers
- Acoustic Intensity Measurement Systems
We also work with equipment OEMs in order to quantify noise levels of their machinery, and to determine potential noise issues that be of concern.
Our approach is to find solutions, not just identify problems.
Noise Enclosures, Blankets, and Baffles
Memtech Acoustical designs and builds effective noise enclosures for many types of production equipment. A wide variety of products are available, depending on your specific needs and budget. Enclosures are custom engineered based on source sound levels, frequency content, heat management requirements and portability needs.
Modular curtain enclosures offer flexibility in accessing machines for maintenance, as well as portability. They can be configured in a variety of ways, and provide excellent acoustic blocking capabilities. They are also economical and easy to maintain, and are well suited for interior or exterior use.
Permanent ‘hard’ enclosures come in a variety of configurations and materials. They can be designed for ease of equipment maintenance access, and provide the best acoustic ‘blocking’ performance. They are often a good choice for extremely noisy equipment. Ventilation capabilities can also be provided to reduce internal overheating.
Portable noise baffles/barriers can be used to block noise from reaching targeted areas such as office spaces, neighborhoods, etc. They are very economical, and can be easily moved as required for equipment maintenance or other purposes.
Noise Barrier Walls
Noise barrier walls are commonly used to block plant noise from residential or other commercial areas, and in some instances, are the only viable way to meet community noise standards.
MEMTECH ACOUSTICAL specializes in the engineering and construction of noise barrier walls for virtually any application. These walls are aesthetically pleasing and are available in numerous size and height configurations. They also serve to reduce reflected noise within the plant area. Using acoustic modeling (described above), MEMTECH ACOUSTICAL can accurately determine the optimum locations and dimensions of these walls to assure that your noise goals are met within budgetary requirements.
For plants with extremely high noise levels, or who are dealing with stringent noise standards, angled ‘splays’ can be added to these walls to further enhance performance. The height, angle and positioning of the splays is dependent on the desired noise attenuation goal and frequency content of the source noise. MEMTECH ACOUSTICAL can execute the engineering, planning, and construction of these walls as a turn-key product.