Compressor Noise

[mb44]

I'm a process engineer looking for some 'simple' guidance

We have a compresor package, electric motor driven less than 350 kW for natural gas

I understand there is an EU directive on sound power and pressure noise limits, but how do we meet these requirments, we can't test the package till we have built and installed it as it only runs on natural gas, so its catch 22 whats the normal approach/solution to this?

Any thoughts appreciated

mb44

 

[sms]

Just because it runs on natural gas doesn't mean it can't be tested...What kind of compressor is it? Reciprocating, screw, or centrifugal? The OEM should have a pretty good idea of how it will perform and what will be required to meet the noise standards, but I expect that you will have to do something. Testing the compressor on air or nitrogen, or some other gas is probably a good idea regardless..

In a plant we just built in the Netherlands all of our compressors were put in noise enclosures, and we had recips, screws, and centrifugals. They were all tested in the factory. Some on process gas, most on air or nitrogen.

 

[mb44]

its a recip compressor ARIEL type, ARIEL won't gurantee the noise and we can't test on natural gas.

We have best estimates as to what the noise will be but how can we guarantee on this level. Also as we have to built it before we test it, even on air or nitrogen (natural gas testing not practical) how can we offer a guarantee.

 

[sms]

Well, there are no guarentees in this world, but the nice thing is that if you don't meet spec, there are a lot of easy things that can be done in the field to remediate the problem.

There are also thousands of Arial installations around the world, you should be able to get field data from an operating machine with your frame size and rpm to at least have a starting point for a design basis. Then if in the field it doesn't meet the standards, you modify the installation until it does. If I had any Arial machines I would give you some data myself. Unfortunatly we don't own any Arials.

But Arial is right, until it is in the field, you probably won't know for sure what the noise level will be. On our project we just gave the OEM a noise requirement of 85 dba as part of the contract. In order to be confident that they could meet the requirement, most OEM's opted to put their machines in noise enclosures.

 

[mb44]

we are going down the road of the noise enclosure - thats no problem. except our client for some reasons doesnt really want one

You are correct that there are '000's of ariel machines but you try getting operating data - Blood and stone - also Areil dont seen to keep any (which is helpful)

thanks for the advise - I'm pretty sure we are going for the accoustic enclosure and tell the client have this or no guarantees