Challenges in delivering effective noise management at gas compressor stations

Abstract

The basic principles applied in gas compressor stations to manage noise and demonstrate compliance with statutory acoustic requirements are not different from those used with most other industrial activities. Well-known and proven standard procedures involve sound emission assessment, acoustic modeling, model verification, development of a noise control concept and its optimisation until compliance can be demonstrated. However, noise control for some of the typical equipment in gas compression is extremely demanding in terms of both acoustic and operational/safety aspects so that it requires special attention. Examples are the exhausts of the gas turbines driving the compressors and the extensive network of gas piping. Because of their high and strongly varying sound emissions the exhausts pose a significant challenge in designing effective silencers. In addition, flow-generated self-noise in the silencers is a risk that needs to be avoided. For the piping sound attenuation by acoustic lagging is in conflict with corrosion and maintenance/accessibility problems and makes an optimised lagging concept an ambitious task. The present contribution illustrates typical problems encountered and possibilities to deal with them. It is based on data and experiences with gas compressor stations with very stringent acoustic requirements.