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MalikSalhab  
#1 Posted : 25 May 2021 06:53:10(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
MalikSalhab

Hi everyone,

One of my clients has the problem of loud noise in bottle blowing section in a factory for water bottling, what are the solutions for reducing noise and reverberation?

I measured the noise using my mobile phone it reached up to 100dB.

this link shows the problem in bottles blowing section:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19qpN0QqjgqdP6Zu0jP9bzDDH13MqbsDk/view?usp=sharing

peter gotch  
#2 Posted : 25 May 2021 11:12:26(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
peter gotch

Hi Malik

We would need MUCH more information about the process and for the purpose of this reply I have assumed that this is about cleaning out bottles rather than the glassmaking process of blowing.

For starters are the bottles glass, plastic or made from something else.

Can you identify the noise source or confirm that it is mainly about the compressed air or other gas being used to "wash" the bottles?

....and describe the construction of the surrounding environment so that we have an idea of how noise might be reverberating.

Does you phoner indicate what type of decibels it is recording e.g. dB(A) or dB(C) + do you have any idea of the tolerance so is 100 dB eg. in a range of 90-110, 95-105, or perhaps much tighter.

Finally, is this intermittent or relatively continuous through a shift?

Edited by user 25 May 2021 12:50:24(UTC)  | Reason: Edit to clarify response

MalikSalhab  
#3 Posted : 26 May 2021 09:45:22(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
MalikSalhab

Hi Peter,

Hope you are doing well, 

This problem as shown in the video in a water bottling factory, were PET plastic bottles are blown by air

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19qpN0QqjgqdP6Zu0jP9bzDDH13MqbsDk/view?usp=sharing

The noise source is the noise that comes out when blowing the plastic bottles from 3 machines in the same department and close to each other.

The construction made of concrete walls and ceramic tiles, and the flooring is ceramic as well, one of the department sides made of glass and aluminum frame, and the department dimensions are: 20L*15*6m

The reading was in the range of 95-105 dBA.

You can say its fast intermitten or you can consider it continous bacuase there are 3 machines.

For further information feel free to let me know

KR

peter gotch  
#4 Posted : 26 May 2021 12:42:35(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
peter gotch

Sorry, about I am very careful about opening links to sources whose security is unknown.

So, starting point, can you enclose the three machines in boxes that would restrict how much noise is transmitted to the workers' ears? 

If the process is automated, then tunnels at entry and exit points, where you might need some absorptive material.

Might be possible to reduce the air pressure and thence the noise.

Nature of building materials is such that you might well be getting reverberation but there might be hygiene reasons why you want e.g. ceramic floor tiles.

The Health and Safety Executive used to have lots of examples of practical methods of noise control on its website www.hse.gov.uk and you should find various guidance from suppliers on the internet.

Key thing perhaps is to assess what each individual's noise exposure over a continuous period against whatever legislative or other standard you work to. 

So, in the UK that would usually be time weighted across an 8 hour shift - do a 6 or 10 hour shift then the time weighting tells you what the 8 hour exposure would amount to.

If your phone is relatively accurate in measuring the dB(A) then you are faced with what at first sight look like very high noise levels. Might want to bring in a specialist with more sophisticated measuring equipment to give you a clearer picture of exposure.

That said the price tag of such equipment has dropped dramatically over the last decades. In the early 1980s each of HSE's 21 operational regions had one or two "Nominated Noise Inspectors" who each got a state of the art integrating sound level pressure meter at £3500. so about 10 times the cost of what all the other front line Inspectors had.

P

paul.skyrme  
#5 Posted : 26 May 2021 17:20:41(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
paul.skyrme

You have an issue with that. How old are the machines? Sound deadening and anechoic guards. Suspended sound deadening panels. Why are they so loud? I know the process and machinery. The client should have specifically stated a sound pressure level when procuring. The machine legislation requires that the machinery is as quiet as possible. So a potential breach of the MD. Now a potential breach of PUWER 10, & the noise aspect, and the noise regulations.
MalikSalhab  
#6 Posted : 27 May 2021 11:31:22(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
MalikSalhab

Thank you gentlmen,

Let me clarify this, I am from Palestine, unfortuantelly we are not familiar with OSH as the UK and other countries.

Also we dont have safety culture nor regulations that pushes duty holders to apply OSH in their workplaces. But when there is a compalint from workers or neighbours they react.

As happening with the factory who asked my to solve the noise problem for him.

Thank you for your comments, I am looking to select the most reasonably practicble solutions, for example enclosing machines is difficult as they are very close to each other...

Also, the three machine are separated in one section which can be considered as a big enclosure, now I am thinking of mounting sound absorbing panels and sound diffusers in the bottle blowing section.

Upgrading the mufflers/vent silencer on the machines to reduce noise as low as possible

What other solutions do you advice please?

KR

HSSnail  
#7 Posted : 27 May 2021 12:50:23(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
HSSnail

As paul has said you are in a very difficult situation, which in the UK would be delt with at design stage. The use of acoustic pannels ect will only have limited effect.

I two have seen this type of operation, and its usualt the relaes of teh compressed air that generate most of the noise. In other words its a very noisey process. The only effective solutions i have seen have been to enclose the machnery. Most of this equipment is automated so its possible to just close off the room to everyone (most of the time)  and then the noise is not an issue.

I would recomend you speak with your machery suppier to see what they can suggest - but i dont hold out much hope of significantly reducing the levels in the situation you have described.

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