Location: Lowmans Bay, St.Vincent
Application: Overall noise control of a new power plant. Configuration, (4) four expandable to (8) eight, 4.3 MW reciprocating engine powered generators. Fuel LFO and HFO.
The Issues ((8) eight engines operating at 100% load)
- The sound level criteria for the plant is the 1998 World Bank guidelines of 55dBA day time and 50dBA night time, at all receptors. Receptors were defined as permanent residences, some of which were on hills overlooking the power plant and some were at the same elevation as the plant. The closest receptor was < 100 M (330 ft. ) away.
Engineered Solutions
NVC Olsonfab’s scope of work included:
- Providing guidance on determination of the design noise reduction requirements of the various noise sources associated with the power plant
- Supply of the following noise control equipment:
- Power plant building ventilation including packaged air inlets and air discharges, incorporating weather protection, air filters, fans, silencers and directional louvers.
- Engine combustion air intake silencers and ducting
- Engine exhaust gas silencers, exhaust ducting, exhaust stack flues and thermal / acoustic insulation and cladding.
- The exhaust gas silencers were a reactive absorptive design providing extremely high insertion loss valves. Vibration ‘breaks’ were incorporated into the design to prevent flanking loses. The exhaust gas stack flues were designed, engineered and fabricated by NVC Olsonfab.
- A sound measurement analysis was completed as part of the plant commissioning. The noise of the tree frogs was the major contributor to the overall night time sound levels.
