Industrial Noise Control Techniques Review
Noise pollution is increasingly becoming a serious problem in industrial and urban areas, especially in densely populated cities. In Europe and the United States, noise is the major form of environmental pollution with the increasing use of industrial and automotive equipments. According to World Health Organization (WHO), more than one third of Europe and one tenth of the United States were affected by noise in the early nineties. The impact of noise on human health and environment can include mental distress, physical stress, sleep loss and cognitive impairment. As a result, industry, automotive and environmental regulations require the reduction of noise levels both inside and outside the workplace. In order to meet these requirements, various noise control techniques and products are available in the market.
The first technique is sound insulation. Sound insulation is an effective method to reduce sound in industrial spaces. The use of sound absorbing materials like glass wool, rockwool, insulation boards, and other materials helps to absorb sound waves and reduce noise levels inside the plant. As an example, for a machine room, it is possible to install sound insulation walls to reduce noise propagation. Additionally, acoustic panels or ceiling systems can be used to reduce sound transmission in industrial facilities and offices.
The second technique is acoustic barriers. Acoustic barriers use sound-absorbing material such as rubber, foam, and other materials to create a physical barrier between the noisy equipment and the area that needs to be protected from the sound. Acoustic barriers can also be used to reduce noise from outdoor activities, such as loud construction sites. Acoustic barriers provide an additional layer of sound protection and can help limit the amount of noise that is produced in a given area.
The third technique is noise isolation. Noise isolation is a form of control that attempts to reduce the impact of loud equipment by placing it in a silenced container or enclosure. The isolated unit can be made of sound-absorbing material, such as rubber, foam, and other materials. Noise isolation is particularly effective in reducing levels of loud machinery, such as fans and motors.
The fourth technique is active noise control. Active noise control is a technique that utilizes loudspeakers to generate anti-noise to reduce the level of background noise in a given area. The anti-noise is generated by the loudspeaker, which is then transmitted through a sound field. The anti-noise is designed to cancel out or reduce the noise coming from the machinery or equipment in the area.
The fifth technique is vibro-acoustic dampening. Vibro-acoustic dampening is a technique that uses vibration-absorbing material, such as rubber pads, to reduce the amount of noise coming from machines and other sources. Vibro-acoustic dampening reduces the amount of energy that is transferred to the surrounding area, thus reducing the sound levels.
The sixth technique is noise suppression. Noise suppression refers to any process that is used to reduce or eliminate unwanted sound. This can include the use of barriers, sound-absorbing materials, and other methods. Furthermore, noise suppression can also refer to noise cancellation systems, which use noise cancelling electronics to reduce the level of background noise.
The seventh technique is sound masking. Sound masking is a technique that uses sound-emitting devices to produce a low-level background noise. This low-level sound reduces or masks other sounds within the listening environment, such as conversations or other noise sources.
In conclusion, there are a wide variety of noise control techniques and products that are available in the market to reduce the noise levels both inside and outside of the workplace. Different noise control techniques serve different purposes and the optimal technique is dependent on the individual situation. Therefore, it is important to consider the source of the noise and the desired effects in order to choose the best noise control technique.
