Creation of combined noise maps for noise prediction in petrochemical plants.

Abstract

Design of petrochemical plants involves producing detailed noise models with predicted noise contours at fine grids such as 1 m. However, background noise data collected during pre-construction environmental impact assessments (EIAs) are typically gathered at a few selected points. Since it is impractical for all the measurements to match the prediction grid, the measured data must be interpolated. This paper discusses how the survey grid is selected and interpolation optimized to meet the overall project noise control design basis and the post-start-up noise survey needs. The strategy varies based on the existing operational situation (brown-field or green-field), the type of land-use (rural or urban), the nature of terrain (flat or hilly), and the planned plant use (process area, loading and storage area, or administrative buildings). Finally, the unique needs for petrochemical process plants (as opposed to general city planning) for long term and area-wide background noise measurements are outlined.