Noise Abatement Techniques for Gas Transmission Facilities
Authors: Kemp C.A. , Meyer J.J. 
Published: December 2007

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With the mounting concern for employee health and safety, it has become increasingly important to reduce noise levels at many industrial sites. This paper describes some of the techniques developed by the Humble Industrial Gas System (HIGS) that have proven successful in combating extreme noise levels.

One particular noise source is high pressure gas regulators where extreme turbulence is created in the regulator body and exit piping. To cope with this particular problem, acoustical lagging is the method most commonly used for remedial work. An initial investigation into different acoustical materials showed cellulose fiber to be the most promising insulation material. Although this insulation is normally applied with a special spray applicator to building interiors, the procedure was adapted by spraying the material directly to noisy piping sections. A 1.5-inch thick application proved to be successful in achieving noise proved to be successful in achieving noise level reductions up to 20 dB(A). The basic concept was improved by developing a technique by which the cellulose could be sprayed to polyethylene to form sheets of insulation which could be field installed.

Several tests using these sheets showed corresponding noise level reductions in addition to lowering total installation costs by 50 percent.

For more acute noise levels, a layered combination of cellulose and high density septum was tried. Results using 1.5 pounds per square foot lead as the septum showed per square foot lead as the septum showed noise level reductions in excess of 30 dB(A).

In conclusion, the technique of using various combinations of cellulose and high density septum can be utilized in meeting federal noise regulations.

Introduction

The Noise Problem

In order to regulate high pressure gas, large quantities of potential energy must be dissipated in the resulting pressure drop. one of the resulting energy forms is noise or acoustical energy. Large pressure drops and the resulting turbulence can combine to cause noise levels in excess of 120 dB(A). This noise is essentially high frequency, with more than 95 percent of the energy usually distributed in the 1200–4800 Hz range.