Existing Generator Building-Rain/Snow Enter the Intake Wall&Acoustics
Existing Generator Building-Rain/Snow Enter the Intake Wall&Acoustics
(OP)
I have an existing rectangular generator building with multiple large engines. One long wall is the intake and the other long wall is the exhaust. The plant is rarely used but is critically important. I have several issues I need to solve.
1.Water and snow enter the intake wall which contain fixed open louvers. Water, snow and ice form on the floor. As well, the generators are on this side.
How can I cheaply keep the water, snow and ice from penetrating the intake wall? I've looked at providing a closed/power-actuated louver and also building an awning. The velocity at the louver is 375 fps.
2. I would like to dampen the noise if I could do so with minimum money. An acoustical louver is very expensive. If I could find a power-actuated louver, that may solve my sound issue and my water/snow penetration issue. I don't know if one is available. If so, I'm sure its very expensive.
Is there a solution that could address both issues and be done with minimum money?
1.Water and snow enter the intake wall which contain fixed open louvers. Water, snow and ice form on the floor. As well, the generators are on this side.
How can I cheaply keep the water, snow and ice from penetrating the intake wall? I've looked at providing a closed/power-actuated louver and also building an awning. The velocity at the louver is 375 fps.
2. I would like to dampen the noise if I could do so with minimum money. An acoustical louver is very expensive. If I could find a power-actuated louver, that may solve my sound issue and my water/snow penetration issue. I don't know if one is available. If so, I'm sure its very expensive.
Is there a solution that could address both issues and be done with minimum money?





RE: Existing Generator Building-Rain/Snow Enter the Intake Wall&Acoustics
RE: Existing Generator Building-Rain/Snow Enter the Intake Wall&Acoustics
Intake louvers are available that will prevent rain/snow intake at the proper velocities and you can replace the louvers. If you install a drained intake plenum on these louvers, moisture can be minimized.
Sound-absorbent louvers or an intake silencer wilol ,handle the noise problem.
Power dampers can be added to either louver set-up.
RE: Existing Generator Building-Rain/Snow Enter the Intake Wall&Acoustics
I should have been more clear. I'm attempting to address 2 problems - minimum noise dampening from the generators with an Acoustical louver on the intake side and intrusion of water/snow into the intake side.
I have found a fixed acoustical louver that provides the proper generator air flow needed (you brought up a great point however). The acoustical louver also inhibits the rain and the snow as well. This approach allows the intake wall to be totally open during the winter months. The engines have block heaters for rapid start. I was hoping to close off the building when not in use to allow some heating of the building from the engines. Do these engine block heaters require alot of power?
I was also considering a power actuated non-acoustical louver to address snow/water and internal heating of the building with the engine block heaters. I could address the noise with some internal noise reduction materials.
Any suggestions to stop snow/ice intrusion without a power-actuated louver or a fixed louver with capabilities to screen water/snow?
RE: Existing Generator Building-Rain/Snow Enter the Intake Wall&Acoustics
This solution puts a lot of equipment and controls in the generator circuit, not such a good idea. I would try to keep this as simple as possible.
You could also hire an Engineer who is familiar with emergency generators and their installation, probably better than bootstrapping a solution.
RE: Existing Generator Building-Rain/Snow Enter the Intake Wall&Acoustics
rmw
RE: Existing Generator Building-Rain/Snow Enter the Intake Wall&Acoustics
RE: Existing Generator Building-Rain/Snow Enter the Intake Wall&Acoustics