Project:
OH&S equipment noise emission study for Oil Sands Upgrader project in Calgary & Fort McMurray, Alberta. |
Technical Information:
Based on the mandatory requirements of the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code, 2003 – Part 16, the noise level target was set at 85 dBA.
Out of a total of approximately 2,500, seven hundred noise sources were found to be significant contributors to the plant noise environment.
Typical plant noise sources on this project included:-
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Multi-stage centrifugal pumps
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Reciprocating and centrifugal compressors
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Combustion noise
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Large electric motors – TEFC, WPII, TEWAC, TEAAC
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Steam turbines
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Ejectors
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Pressure relief valves
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Force-draft heat exchangers
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Cooling towers
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of which in “standard” configuration, emits noise levels beyond the exposure limits of the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code.
ATCO was requested to complete the plant noise study in parallel with the detailed engineering phase of the project, such that any necessary equipment noise control measures could be integrated into the equipment procurement phase, and therefore avoid costly noise control retrofit work on site, in the post-commissioning phase.
Through a combination of on-site acoustic measurement, in-depth background research and face-to-face consultation with client representatives, the ATCO study determined source noise levels for each individual piece of plant. That source noise data was entered into a comprehensive computer-based noise model which predicted the noise level throughout the personnel access areas of the operating plant.
The model was then used to identify noise sources contributing to unacceptable noise exposure and allowed for testing of various possible noise control measures before making final recommendations to the client in a formal report.
The final stage of this project involves site verification of the plant noise emissions after the project commissioning phase is complete – scheduled for 2012. |
Project Challenges:
The project is divided into multiple process areas, each being managed by a separate EPC company. The noise study required not only direct interface with the principal client, Suncor Energy, but also with each of the EPC’s. Ensuring that information was exchanged in an accurate and consistent manner across all interfaces was the biggest challenge. To overcome this challenge ATCO led the documentation of the noise control requirements and kept in regular contact with key engineering personnel, including direct liaison with equipment vendors whenever necessary.
The plant and equipment for this project has been procured from all over the globe. Communicating the intent of the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code to all parties involved in equipment procurement, wherever they may reside, was an essential component in ensuring a sustained focus on implementing engineering noise control measures as the first step in the overall noise management program.
The site was extremely complex to model, as a result of a high equipment density and multiple personnel access elevations in most plant areas. With more than sufficient computer resources available at the ATCO office and careful selection of the modeling parameters, the Cadna/A software utilized for this project handled the data without fail and produced results in a timely manner.
Status:
As of the first quarter of 2008, the project is entering the final stages of detailed engineering. |
