muse generator sound proofing 4

[mel127]

All,
Any suggestions on how to sound proof or minimize the noise coming from 3 muse generators(1500kw each).We are thinking of installing a 20 feet wall around the perimeter but I know if this approach is the best.Maybe one of you already encountered this kind of problem. These DG's are in close proximity to traffic and housing area.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Hoxton]

Sorry, what is a muse generator?

Putting a wall (block or brick) around can actually make the situation worse by reflecting the noise.

It could also affect airflow and cause overheating of the sets.

Can we have some more details - like how much niose you want to reduce (in dB(A) at what distance?

 

[itsmoked]

muse ,verb: meditate on, comment thoughtfully or ruminate upon.

—Synonyms 1. cogitate, ruminate, think; dream. 1, 3. ponder, contemplate, deliberate.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[itsmoked]

Oh back to the question.. How much are you able to spend. Inside a rigid structure,(cinder block building), lined with sound attenuation material, and directional sound pathing, and criticality 1 mufflers, would probably make everyone very happy or even forget they exist.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[davidbeach]

Where are you? Your gen set manufacturer ought to be able to provide leads on a drop over housing that can do impressive sound attenuation, along with the use of a critical silencer. I've seen packages where you pretty much have to look at the rain flap to know if the unit is running if you are any distance away.

 

[waross]

Further to Davids suggestion, I have worked on sound attenuation for gen sets in the past, but after seeing a few of the new sets with sound attenuation from the factory, the next time I will just go with a factory package. I have made several customers happy reducing the noise from residential sets, (up to about 50 KVA, lots of AC), but I have never approached the levels of quiet that factory packages now provide.

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

 

[catserveng]

Are you talking about MUSE (Military Utility Service Equipment) generators in trailer mount enclosures?

If so, any sound attenuation will have to be done external to the package, as trying to add sound damping to those units takes an already marginal air flow unit and causes ambient capability problems. I have seen many people try and "fix" surplus units with poor operational results.

How long in this particular site? If longer term, more than a year, a sound wall is likely your best option. We put four of these units in service a few years ago in Hawaii using hay bales as a sound barrier, only marginally effective, but enough to keep the neighbors complaints down until the new units could be installed.

If you need the generators long term and can't get new units then the best solution if you need sound attenuated units is to repackage the MUSE units, and you'll likely need to include the radiator in the list of things not reusable.

 

[edison123]

Thanks catserveng. Learned something new today.

 

[mel127]

Thanks catserving. Yes that is what we're trying to sound proof.The proposal is long term so I guess our best option is to repackage the 3 units.

 

[waross]

If you can spare 2 inches inside the trailers you may add 1" of insulation on each wall. I have used the type of fiberglass insulation that is used to construct Air Conditioning ducts in the field. This is available in sheets 1" x 48" x 96" or 120". It is backed on one side and has exposed fiberglass on the other side. I installed it with the exposed side out. I covered it with stucco wire. This is similar to welded wire fencing. It is a matrix of horizontal and vertical wires welded together to form 1 1/2" squares. This was applied to the walls of concrete block generator rooms. It was quite effective and the interior did not have to be covered 100%. In one installation we got good results with one 4" x 8" sheet on each side of the room opposite the engine and a third smaller sheet on the wall in front of the radiator.
I note that block walled buildings have been suggested. This approach was used when a customer wanted less noise pollution than was afforded by the concrete block enclosure.
We also had good results adding a labyrinth to the air discharge path. We would add a small room (about 2 ft. or 3 ft. by the width of the building) in front of the air discharge so that the air flow was diverted up and then back over the roof of the generator shed. The exhaust would also be piped up this space. Fiberglass on this wall where the air discharge strikes it is effective.

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

 

[MotorVib]

I might have missed it but sound daumping form will help a lot. Also keep in mind that DOD Generators are way over sized for the Kw that they put out. So Cooling of the generator is not a big deal.

Chris

"In this house, we obey the laws of thermodynamics." Homer Simpson

 

[itsmoked]

In the 'cruising world' diesel engines, that may need to run for 100's of hours straight, mounted in places like; under your dining room table. You can well imagine the desire for GOOD sound proofing.

It's like an industry focus.

So check some of this stuff out:

http://cruisingresources.com/Soundproofing__p2

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[catserveng]

Depending on the vintage of these surplus units, they likely have virtually no oversize or surplus capacity at their rated output. There where two major types, ones that looked like standard enclosures that conformed to a military transport footprint, and a trailer unit with a clamshell side design that required both sides to be open to allow the unit to run without overheating or performance problems.

These were not considered "tactical" units, but for utility type service in rear areas or for civil response, and assumed they would typically operate at something well below rated output. The basic units were usually pretty good iron, but the controls and packaging usually leaves a lot to be desired, if you're doing something longer term with them I would definately take a hard look at repackageing them with cooling systems sized for installed ambient conditions. Also the typical MUSE units had pretty lousy on board control systems, so you may want to take a close look at those as well and put something together you can service and maintain.

Hope that helps.