Industrial Noise Control: Characteristics, Hazards, and Solutions of Power Plant Noise

In industrial production, power plants, as the core of energy supply, face long-standing noise pollution challenges that hinder the balanced development of the ecological environment and occupational health. Sanyuan Environment has been deeply engaged in acoustic environment management for nearly 20 years. By accurately identifying noise characteristics, scientifically assessing health risks, and innovatively applying noise reduction technologies, we provide a comprehensive solution for power plant noise management.

1. Core Characteristics of Power Plant Noise: Full-Band Pollution and Low-Frequency Penetration Challenges

Power plant noise is characterized by a wide range of sound sources, a complex spectrum, and high sound pressure levels . The noise characteristics of different equipment vary significantly:

• The main powerhouse and boiler area : As core noise sources, equipment such as the turbine body and boiler ducts generate full-band noise , with particularly prominent low-frequency components (peaks below 63Hz). Measured sound pressure levels reached as high as 105.9dB (main powerhouse) and 106.5dB (boiler ancillary equipment) . This noise radiates outward through the roofs and walls of the powerhouses, causing widespread pollution.

• Cooling tower and circulating water pump : The water splashing noise (water droplet impact and air convection) of the natural ventilation cooling tower is a medium-high frequency continuous noise, with an actual measurement of 84.5dBA at 1m outside the tower ; the aerodynamic noise of the circulating water pump is accompanied by mechanical vibration and is transmitted over long distances along the pipeline.

• Coal transport railway and auxiliary equipment : Wheel-rail friction and locomotive whistle sounding cause the noise level at 5m of the coal transport railway to reach 92.6dBA ; the external noise level of auxiliary workshops such as the integrated water pump room ranges from 75-86dBA , which spreads outward through the gaps between doors and windows.

Key challenges : Low-frequency noise (≤250Hz) has strong penetrating power, and conventional sound insulation materials have insufficient attenuation efficiency, which can easily cause vibration perception and secondary radiation in surrounding residential areas.

2. The multi-dimensional harm of noise to human health: from hearing loss to system dysfunction

Long-term exposure to power plant noise can cause irreversible physiological and psychological effects on the human body, specifically:

1. Auditory system damage

An occupational health survey at a thermal power plant revealed that among 179 workers exposed to noise, 18.99% suffered from high-frequency hearing loss , while 10.06% suffered from speech-related hearing loss. The severity of the loss was positively correlated with noise intensity and length of service (with the risk of hearing loss increasing 2.3 times for workers with 10 years or more of service). A WHO study further indicates that long-term exposure to noise levels above 85dBA increases the risk of noise-induced hearing loss by 40%.

2. Cardiovascular and metabolic system disorders

A survey by the Shanxi Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that 7.26% of workers in the noise-exposed group had hypertension (compared to 2.1% in the control group), 46.37% had abnormal electrocardiograms (sinus bradycardia and myocardial ischemia) , and serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels were significantly elevated (P < 0.01). Noise activates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to vasoconstriction and blood pressure fluctuations, increasing the risk of coronary heart disease.

3. Neurological and psychological dysfunction

Continuous noise exposure can cause neurasthenia, manifesting as headaches (38%), insomnia (42%), and difficulty concentrating (29%) . Long-term exposure can lead to psychological problems such as anxiety and depression. A thermal power plant reported a 15% increase in employee productivity and a 22% decrease in error rates after noise control measures were implemented (control room noise level dropped from 76dB to 48dB).

3. Sanyuan Environmental Full-Process Solution: From Source Control to Smart Management

In response to the complexity of power plant noise, Sanyuan Environment has established a three-dimensional management system of " source reduction - path blocking - intelligent monitoring ", and achieved precise noise reduction based on case studies:

1. Sound source targeted control technology

• Incinerator/steam turbine soundproof cover : adopts composite structure, sound insulation ≥35dB, high temperature resistance up to 400℃, adapts to the special-shaped structure of equipment, and integrates ventilation and heat dissipation channels with muffler to reduce energy consumption by 15%.

• Draft fan muffler : impedance composite design, insertion loss ≥ 25dB, pressure loss < 200Pa, effectively suppressing eddy current noise and blade passing frequency peak.

• Cooling tower sound absorption and deflection : Arc-shaped sound absorption and deflection plates are installed on the top of the tower to reduce the fan eddy current noise by 10dB; modular sound barriers (sound absorption coefficient ≥ 0.9, sound insulation ≥ 30dB) are deployed on the periphery, with a height of 2m exceeding the tower body to block long-distance transmission.

2. Propagation Path Optimization Solution

• Pipeline vibration control : Use spring-rubber composite vibration damper (vibration transmission rate ≤15%), wrapped with gradient sound-absorbing material to reduce airflow friction noise radiation.

• Factory boundary sound barrier : For sensitive areas such as the coal transportation railway and the northwest factory boundary, a 6-12m high barrier is set up. The arc design is combined with the terrain to reduce noise by 20-25dB, ensuring that the factory boundary noise meets the GB 12348-2008 standard (≤60dB during the day, ≤50dB at night).

3. Smart Monitoring and Operations

• 3D noise map : Based on SoundPLAN software modeling, it predicts whether the factory boundary will meet the standards after treatment;

• Internet of Things monitoring system : deploys multiple point noise sensors, transmits data to the cloud platform in real time, automatically generates environmental compliance reports, and abnormal noise triggers early warning responses (response time <5 minutes).

Protecting the balance of sound with technological innovation

Power plant noise control is not only an environmental compliance requirement but also a core measure for companies to fulfill their social responsibilities and safeguard employee health. Sanyuan Environment has successfully helped numerous domestic power plants meet noise standards through customized design, green material application, and intelligent management and control. Going forward, Sanyuan Environment will continue to explore synergistic "noise reduction + low carbon" technologies to help power plants achieve a win-win situation in energy production and ecological protection, and jointly build a quiet and harmonious industrial acoustic environment.

Tri-environment - allowing industrial civilization and natural soundscape to coexist harmoniously.