Abstract
Technological enhancements in the domain of agriculture have led to easing the burden of physical work and increased productivity. Irrigation has always been one of the most crucial elements needed for a high yielding crop, given the current uncertainty of climate change, where climate is increasing in unpredictability. Even though a wide array of methods has been developed in recent years, for the Romanian local agricultural irrigation, a popular method remains using motor-pumps. But the issue with this type of equipment is that during active functioning, it produces high sustained levels of noise pollution, and the risk of operator hearing damage is relatively unknown for long term exposures (years). In this paper, the levels of acoustic power of an irrigation motor-pump model WHT-60 were determined, taking into consideration the required standards, and directives, necessary for this activity, imposed by the European Union for all member countries.
Highlights
Technological advances in the domain of agriculture have increased productivity rates and have lowered physical workload for operators
During tests we measured the noise levels of an irrigation equipment type used in Romania, a centrifugal pump type WTH 60 equipped with an internal combustion engine
Following the results obtained from determining acoustic power levels of a running WHT 60 centrifugal pump the following conclusions were drawn:
Summary
Technological advances in the domain of agriculture have increased productivity rates and have lowered physical workload for operators. These technological advances, have lowered the number of personnel needed for a successful business, through acquisitions of new and advanced equipment types for specific activities. Constant exposure to the noise levels of these new implemented agricultural machines can cause hearing problems for operators. Analysing the obtained results for the three working conditions we conclude that the acoustic power level was maximum for the maximum pumping height. This is explained by the fact that the thermal engine auto-controller was increasing the throttle as the load was increased, increasing the noise level. The mean value of the sound power for the maximum pumping height LW (dB) was computed and the result of 101.9 dB was rounded at 102 dB weighted on the A scale
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