Significance and Benefits of Insulation in Cryogenic and Cold Applications
Processes in the industrial sector are typically noisy since the techniques and equipment used for processing and producing (petro) chemicals usually contain high-temperature and high-pressure equipment.
This could cause excessive noise that could cause harm to workers as well as the environment. Owens Corning has multiple acoustic insulation solutions that could aid in the prevention of noise pollution from equipment and processing pipes.
What Is The Difference Between Noise And Sound Pollution?
The sound is a mechanical phenomenon manifested in the form of an acoustic sound wave that travels through a medium. The sound can be detected in the average person’s ears within the frequency between 16 Hz and 16,000 Hz.
The term “frequency” can be defined as the number of vibrations per second. The pitch gets higher when frequency increases.
The word “noise” refers to a sound thought to be loud or unpleasant, or unpleasant. It can cause a disturbance. At certain amounts and durations, it may negatively impact the human body and the quality of our environment.
Some sounds are not classified as noise pollution. The World Health Organisation (WHO) considers noise that is over 65 decibels (dB) as noise pollution (WHO Guidelines for Environmental Noise, 2018).
The noise is harmful once it exceeds 75 decibels (dB) and causes pain over 120 decibels. Noise pollution exposure can cause harm to health and behaviour for both animals and humans living in the surroundings.
Why Should You Be Concerned About Industrial Acoustics?
Industrial processes can be very loud as the operations and equipment used to make, and process (petro) chemicals usually include high pressure and high-temperature pumps, compressors, blowers, agitators, blowers and coolers.
In many cases, these environments have no protections to stop the noise of equipment from extending outside the boundaries of the facilities. This can be enhanced when fluids and gases are under velocity or pressure.
This can be a hazard to employees’ health, as hearing loss due to noise is among the most frequently occurring occupational injuries in (petro) chemical processing.
The increasing stringency of environmental, health and safety regulations has increased importance when looking at noise control in industrial processes.
Acoustic insulation panel’s regulations aim to make sure that employees have a safe hearing by avoiding exposure to high levels of noise that could result in long-term hearing loss.
(Work environments can often exceed the 85 dB threshold, which is why workers must wear hearing protection.) From an ear-zoning perspective, the regula犀利士
tions were designed to maintain the sound levels of industrial facilities’ levels to a minimum level.
The most effective method of improving the noise level is to add an audio control system to the pipes and other equipment in the installation process to ensure that the noise levels stay under the minimum level when the equipment is operational again.
Acoustic wall insulation could help causing costly remedial costs or even stop using specific equipment due to non-compliance with HSE rules.
Insertion Loss As Well As An ISO 15665 Test Method
Like the loss of sound transmission, in insertion loss, we measure the volume of sound and insulation blocks that traverses an insulation structure. The loss of insertion is the variation in sound power between uninsulated pipes and insulation pipes.
The method of test employed to determine the loss of insertion follows ISO 15665, 2003 Rockwool. ISO 15665 standard was created. These standards were designed to bring about help to specify appropriate insulation thickness and type to attain a certain level of noise reduction.
It is classified into three categories of acoustic isolation, referred to as A, B, C and A according to the specifications for a minimum loss of insertion. A further obligation is the system “D” requirement created by one of the world’s biggest natural gas and oil producers.
Acoustical Options For Cryogenic And Cold Applications
Noise reduction begins with the proper selection of material, equipment, and a well-planned design. Using an acoustic insulation slab to reduce the sounds from the working equipment and the connecting pipework has been proven to be among the most effective strategies to shield workers from excessive noise loss due to process lines.
Noise is usually created in LNG facilities due to equipment used during the process of liquefaction, or regasification, or just when loading or unloading—systems for insulating sound typically designed to reduce the amount of noise.
In the case of LNG and ethylene-related projects, the loss of insertion per class C and class D is usually required.
Rockwool insulation has developed a new insulation technology designed for cryogenic use based on its cryogenic characteristics of cellulose glass in conjunction with the sound qualities of mineral wool.
The system is made up of a traditional insulation system designed to provide the performance of cryogenic thermal insulation and then topped with a mineral wool-based system that is tested and designed to ensure compliance with class C or D.
By conceiving and testing to ensure insulation compliance of the composite glass and Rockwool system, classes C and D could be attained with less material that can reduce the system’s weight, the need for labour and costs for installation.
Other Benefits And Savings Potential
- Lower Material Costs
Utilising a cellular glass insulation method and mineral wool, you’ll be able to decrease the thickness of the upper layer required to meet the requirements of the class.
- Lower Labour Cost
Because the top layer may decrease in its thickness, you could also reduce the thickness of the cladding and reduce the mass layer, making the whole system easier to manage and install.
This can allow for faster installation of acoustic floor insulation and, ultimately, fewer labour costs.
- A Lighter Pipe Will Weigh Less.
In the event of using the lower density of mineral wool along with a lower thickness of cladding and a reduction on the layer used to build the mass, the weight of the pipe is reduced.
