The Case of a Noisy Piping

Noise survey conducted indicated that the noise lvel specififed by OSHA is being exceeded in a certain area of our ethylene unit (above 85 dB). Source is the control valve and a shell and tube exchanger. Trim of the CV was replaced but the level of the noise is still above the threshold specified by OSHA.

The other fix we've consider we require a big outlay of money (capital expenditures). we were requested if we can use a passive method to control the noise on the piping, control valves and around the heat exchanger (which was later repalce with a bigger capacity).

i perform my own noise survey. but needed more than the dB reading (A or B weighted). So ive hooked up the sound meter to our spectrum analyzer (same equipment use in vibration diagnostic) and got also the frequency. Arm with both the dB and frequency, it was aesy to determine the type and thickness of the accoustrival insualtion. We've installed a leaded clad with heavy density of insualtion and voila, the noise drop significantly . its slightly above 85 bD because of the cross noise im getting from adhjacent machines.

anybody has any expereinced regarding piping/equipment exhibiting a high noise level? Received on Thu May 31 05:11:00 2001