Project:
Noise survey for a gas compressor station in Colorado receiving complaints from neighboring residents. |
Scope of Work:
The Client contacted ATCO to conduct a noise level audit at the station, and to make recommendations for mitigation of the noise that had been an on-going source of annoyance to nearby residents. While the compressor station complied with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC's) guidelines, the Client was committed to identifying and solving the noise problem.
Noise level measurements were undertaken wihin and outside the walls of the station to confirm compliance. Day and night readings were made at five sites near the private residences adversely affected by the noise, and at various distances between the residences and the station. |
 
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Technical Information:
Based on meteorological data and the acoustic survey findings, ATCO identified five areas for noise abatement:
- Gas turbine stack
- Exhausts for two gensets
- Genset radiator coolers
- As optional components, the building itself and gas piping
ATCO established a correlation between temperature, residents' noise perception and measured noise levels. ATCO concluded that due to atmospheric changes, noise levels - chiefly from the turbine exhaust stack - were noticeable at the residences at various times.
Effective planning and coordination reduced a planned station shutdown from seven (7) days down to five (5) days.
In a follow-up meeting, residents reported no issues with noise from the Olathe Compressor Station
Project Challenges:
ATCO faced three distinct challenges on the project:
- noise source identification
- timing requirements
- design requirements
Despite the station's compliance, residents reported unusually high noise levels of a sudden and random nature. ATCO's initial challenge was simply identifying the level and source of the offending noise. The intermittent nature of the noise required an extended survey time. This extended acoustic survey period was particularly worrisome, because the Colorado regulatory authorities required the problem to be solved within a certain timeframe. Performance target:
While FERC noise limits applied, ATCO, in consultation with the Client, established noise limits for the station of 65 dBA at the property line. |
Using meteorological information, ATCO established a correlation between temperature, residents' noise perception and measured noise levels. The conclusion: due to atmospheric changes, noise levels - chiefly from the turbine exhaust stack - were noticeable at the residences at various times.
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| Final design, supply and installation work included replacement of the turbine exhaust muffler system, genset exhaust systems, and lagging of yard piping. |
Given timing and cost concerns, replaing the existing foundation to support an additional 23,500 lbs for the new stack was not an option (the difference between teh 6,500 lbs. weight of the old stack and the 30,000 lbs. weight for the replacement stack).
While the plant operated as usual, ATCO exposed the existing foundation and installed new, reinforced footing. A seven-day shutdown had been anticipated to install the noise control. Effective planning and coordination reduced the period to five days.
Status:
Acoustic surveys were undertaken in the spring and summer. Client approval for design, supply and installation work was received, and the project was successfully completed three weeks before the regulatory deadline. In a follow-up meeting, residents reported no issues with noise from the compressor station. |
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