Companies in a huge array of different industries rely on air compressors. This includes everything from manufacturing to mining, energy to agriculture. They are a vital piece of kit for various jobs and processes. However, noise can be an issue, and there is a risk of serious problems, including harming people on site and nearby. You may need to take a number of steps to address it, such as using an intake silencer, relocating equipment, and acoustic solutions.
Compressor placement
The first thing you should look at is where you position the compressor. Best practice is to keep it as far from people as possible. If you can, it should be in a completely separate room that you can then line with insulating material to prevent noise breaking out. If that’s not possible, you could place it in an area where few people work and use an enclosure and sound dampening blankets.
What you’ll need to do here is think carefully about the space, the size of the air compressor, and the day to day activities. Ideally, you should plan ahead and decide where to put the compressor at the design phase. It will give you the best chance to pro-actively tackle noise, rather than reacting.
Think about the intake
Did you know that the majority of the noise from compressors actually comes from the air intake? It tends to cause noisy high-frequency pulsation.
There are a couple of different things you can try to tackle this noise. Firstly, you can put the intake outside the property. Run a pipe or duct to the compressor, even if you need to cut an opening to go through an exterior wall. Just make sure you seal around the pipe or duct effectively to keep noise, air, and moisture out.
Easily one of the most effective solutions is to use an intake silencer. They are really interesting pieces of engineering. Their job is to reduce the noise from the intake of air but without affecting the volume and flow. You need a specialist like Ventx to design and manufacture them to maximise performance.
Check the floor
Another factor that causes air compressor noise is the vibration of the equipment. It’s surprising how noisy it can get if you have compressors sitting directly on a solid floor, especially concrete. The sound can vibrate and spread to various parts of the building.
A good strategy here is to lift the compressor. Rubber mats or grommets can be surprisingly effective if you want to create separation. The material is fantastic at absorbing vibrations too.
Maintenance
Finally, you absolutely need to be proactive with air compressor maintenance. As equipment gets older, it can become much noisier. There are two main causes; loose screws or bolts causing rattling and bearings becoming noise because they lack lubrication. Regular checks and good upkeep can address both issues. Crucially, make sure there is sufficient oil for bearings.
Design the perfect intake silencer for any air compressor
Ventx is ready to help if you have trouble with different kinds of industrial noise. We’re a specialist with a huge amount of experience. This includes various sources in an array of industries, such as compressors, generators, autoclaves, and steam boilers. We’ll deliver solutions that combine noise reduction as well as exceptional performance.
So, get in touch today if want to discuss solutions with us. Our engineering expertise is a huge benefit here, allowing us to design an intake silencer for any situations. We’ll ensure it is configured properly.
