The 21st International Congress on Sound and Vibration

13-17 July, 2014, Beijing/China

ESTIMATED COOLING TOWER NOISE EMISSION AND

REDUCING DEVICE
Papa Augusto
INAIL Italian workers Compensation Authority, Research, Testing, and certification Provider,
Department of Naples
e-mail: a.papa@inail.it
The study concerns a noise impact prediction, in order to establish compliance according to
the contract of new water cooling towers that will be installed following the completion of a
modern central cooling subservient at the General Hospital "A. Gemelli" in Rome.
To characterize the existing cooling towers of the refrigeration unit, and to detect the residual
noise of the area, sound level measurements were carried out during the night.
These samples, together with the sound emission data of the new sources (certified by the
manufacturer), were used in order to build the prediction noise Scenarios using CADNA
software and other appropriate algorithms.

1. Introduction
A new cooling power plant subservient to the "Accident & Emergency" building with replace-
ment of the existing cooling towers to be built at the Catholic University General hospital
"Agostino Gemelli" in Rome, in largo Agostino Gemelli, n. 8. The client wants to evaluate compli-
ance with the specifications and regulations of the new air conditioning systems that will be in-
stalled, from the point of view of noise.
The contract includes installation of new machines, resulting in a noise reduction of at least 8
dBA compared to the noise of the existing plants.
Various sound level measurement has been carried out in the hospital area during the night to
characterize the existing refrigeration cooling tower units and to detect the residual noise of the
area.
The first data recorded is considered a reference for comparison with the results of the esti-
mates, while the residual noise was used in order to build the prediction emission scenario.
The noise model prediction is created using the software CADNA and appropriate algorithms.
The new source emission data has been provided by the water cooling tower manufacturer.
The estimation of environmental noise expected as a result of the installation of four new
towers and new fridge plants, resulting from the noise scenario, was compared with the sound lev-
els currently present, also in order to verify compliance with the noise limits established by appli-
cable Laws.

2. Work Activity description

The work includes two phases:
Construction of a new cooling power plan,

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21st International Congress on Sound and Vibration (ICSV21), Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014

Replacement of cooling towers;

2.1 Construction of a new cooling power plant

The new plant includes the installation of three new absorption chillers.
The installation of pump assembly for the chilled water circuit and the circuit water tower
have been planned as service of new absorption units.
Hot water pumps are also provided. Connections to existing pipelines will be carried out by
the construction of a tunnel installation inspection that will be installed in the basement of the Acci-
dents & Emergency building.

2.2 Replacement of cooling towers

The project involves the replacement of the five existing towers with four new towers, which
should allow 8 dBA noise reduction.
The new configuration includes:
Three cooling towers (TR1-TR2-TR3 Fig. 1) engines 15 kW, with modules equipped with
three fans;
A cooling tower operating on two groups dedicated to the refrigerator after cooling batter-
ies, motors 5.5 kW and module equipped with two fans.

3. Sources noise emission

The machines that will be installed are characterized, from the noise point of view, to the
acoustic emission data provided by the manufacturer (Table 1).
This data shows the noise measured at 1.5 meters and at a height of 4 metres above ground
level.
The data in Table 1 shows the number of machines installed, brand name, series, and acro-
nyms, in reference to Fig. 1.

Figure 1. Project Lay out with reference to installed machines.

4. Characterization measurements of the current sources and residual

noise
The sources analyzed are of the current cooling towers TE1, TE2, TE3, TE4, TE5 subservient
to the Accident & Emergency building of The General Hospital A. Gemelli.
During the noise surveys: no. 7 pumps, 9 large tower fans, (TE1, TE2 and TE3) and 4 small
tower fans (TE4 and TE5) were put in operation.

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21st International Congress on Sound and Vibration (ICSV21), Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014

Table 1. acoustic emission certified by manufacturers

Rif. Max LeAq
Figure 1 Description Manufacturer Model d=1,5 m
h= 4 m
AS1 AS3 Absorption Shuangliang HSA 661 75,0 dBA
Chiller
TR1 TR3 Cooling tower SCAM T.P.E. TAGQC20-HP-SLN-ZN-S 73,3 dBA
TR4 Cooling tower Tower Package TAG HB00-LP-SNL-ZN- 70,0 dBA
Equipment S
S.r.l.
E15E20 Chilled water ETN 200-150-315 62,0 dBA
pumps KSB GGA11GD503704B
S1 S3 Superheated SYT 100-250 SYT8 65,0 dBA
water pumps

E1E9 Tower water ETN 200-150-315 63,0 dBA

pumps GGA11GD504504B

The evaporation tower noise is characterized by the contribution of three types of sound
sources (Fig. 2): Fan noise, Motor Noise and Water Noise.
The first contribution, "fan noise", depend to blade pass frequency and is characterized by
turbulence from high volume air movement, with dominant between 125 Hz to 500 Hz, passing
through walls and obstacles, that it is difficult to mitigate, and propagates from the top.
The second contribution "motor noise depend to electrical power and rotating components
(cooling fan, belts) with dominant between 63 Hz to 250 Hz 1.
The last contribution water noise" is a noise at height frequencies (broadband above 500 Hz),
depending on water loading (Q/A) (water falling into pan), that naturally attenuates with distance,
that is masked easily with simple barriers, and propagates from below.
Regarding the above situation, in order to better the sound source characteristics in the 3 sur-
vey points, two measurements of LeAq are carried out contemporaneously, both at a height of 1.5
meters to better emphasize the contribution of the "water noise", at a height of 4 meters for the con-
tribution of the "fan noise".
The measurement taken at 4 meters was carried out in order to eliminate the source of wind
un-certainty, with the microphone outside the discharge zone at high air velocity, also in reference
to the specific standard ATC-128 (Cooling Technology Institute Standard ).

..
Figure 2. Sound cooling tower contributions and 4 m Microphone position.

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21st International Congress on Sound and Vibration (ICSV21), Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014

4.1 Measuring points

The choice of measuring points was established in reference positions that showed the best
accessibility condition during the inspection, also considering the future space destination project ,
necessary for post work measurements and the receptor location.
Therefore, 3 points were chosen around the evaporation towers (Fig. 3).
Point 1: Next to stairs - location northeast, about 6.5 m from the center of TE2
Point 2: Next to local QE - Southeast location about 7.5 m from the center TE2;
Point 3 : Next to path Heliport - location north - west, about 5 m from the center TE2.
3
1

2
Figure 3. Measuring Point Position.

4.2 Working conditions during the measurements

The sound level measurements took place during the night (from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am). The
measurements were made at two heights to better characterize the source.
During the measurement there were : n. 7 pumps, n. 9 fans large towers and n. 4 small towers
fans in operation.
From the data of the measurements performed, as expected, there was a higher sound level of
the measurements performed at 4 meters, compared to 1.5 meters, the latter are characterized by a
greater contribution of low frequencies (Fig. 5).

Figure 4. Microphone Position.

The sound measurements with current cooling towers were carried out in order to compare the
sound levels obtained, with those expected as a result of the replacement with four new Super silent
towers.

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21st International Congress on Sound and Vibration (ICSV21), Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014

Posizione 1 - LAeq Posizione 2 - LAeq

Posizione 1 - LAeq - Running Leq Posizione 2 - LAeq - Running Leq
79.5 82
dB dB
79 81.5
81
78.5
80.5
78 80
77.5 79.5
77 79
78.5
76.5
78
76 77.5
75.5 77
0 s 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 0 s 30 60 90 120 150 180

Posizione 3 - LAeq Posizione 1 - Leq - A

Posizione 3 - LAeq - Running Leq 90
81.5
dB
80
8
dB
70
0
81
7
60
80.5 0
80
50 6
40 0
79.5
30 5
79 20 0
78.5 10
4
0
78 0 3
0 s 30 60 90 120 150 180
0 16 Hz 31.5 63 125 250 500 1K 2K 4K 8K 16K A

2
Figure 5. Measuring comparison .

5. Acoustic Municipal classification

The legislation establishing the criterion of zoning, each municipality must divide its territory
into six classes, each subject to a different noise limit.
The hospital area acoustic class, is class I ^ acoustic zoning of the City of Rome: "special
protected areas".
This class includes the areas where tranquillity is a basic element for : hospitals areas,
schools, re-lax and leisure areas, rural residential areas, areas of particular interest in urban plan-
ning, public parks, etc..
The noise limits are very low especially at night-time (10.00 pm to 6:00 am) when the input
value must not exceed 40 dBA at the receptor.

6. Provisional scenario
For the acoustic modelling a calculation software based on the principle of ray tracing has
been used. A ray tracing algorithm discretization was employed to calculate energy emitted by a
source and it is used to calculate the sound field at a point as a superposition contribution of the
various rays that pass through the same point. The rays traced during their path undergo an energy
attenuation content due to geometric divergence, because of the reflection effects , attenuation due
to dissipation in the middle, effect of the soil and of any obstacles, weather effects and effects re-
lated to the diffraction phenomena . The path of each individual beam shows how much the incident
wave is attenuated from a given source of noise.
For the study of the noise source emission and noise propagation, the software has the main al-
gorithms validated on a national and international level. Among these, those recommended by the
European Commission are included , in particular the methods of calculating "NMPB - Routes 96 -
Guide du bruit" for vehicular traffic; the norm "ISO 9613-2" for the calculation of the noise from
industrial sources, and the method of calculation Dutch "RMR" for rail traffic noise3.
Operating conditions specified in the model:
Water tower pumps as a function 6 of 9 (2 for each tower): E1 to E6;
Chilled water pumps in operation depending on n. 3 to 6 (1 for each refrigeration unit):
E15 to E17 ;
Superheated water pumps running 1 of 3: S1;

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21st International Congress on Sound and Vibration (ICSV21), Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014

Evaporation Tower in operation n. 4 of 4: TR1 toTR4 ;

All 3 Chillers running: AS1 to AS3.

79-81 dBA
77-79 dBA
75-77 dBA
73-75 dBA
71-73 dBA
69-71 dBA
67-69 dBA
50-67 dBA
Figure 6. Provisional scenario.

6.1 Estimated noise and measured values Comparison

The results obtained by calculation software CADNA 4.0 for environmental noise (LA '),
(represented in the scenario Fig. 6), are compared with environmental noise measurements (LA)
carried out at the same reference points, on the existing towers (Table 2).
Table 2. Point of reference/measure expected values differential level.

Reference/ LA LA
measure pre-work post-work dB(A)
point Measured Estimated Noise reduction
1 77,6 dBA 72,5 dBA 5,1 < 8
2 78,6 dBA 72,2 dBA 6,4 < 8
3 79,8 dBA 74,0 dBA 5,8 < 8

7. Noise Reduction
According to the results of Table 2, to ensure the noise reduction of 8 dBA it is necessary to
take some action, such as low noise fan or silencer installations.

7.1 Low noise Fan

This goal can be achieved with the use of fans silenced, smoother cutting into line of turbu-
lence by the leading edge of the blade. Improved pressure distribution on blade surface due to
sweep will reduce vortex. Noise is exponentially proportional to the component of the local airflow
perpendicular to the trailing edge. When having equal tipspeeds, that component will be significant-
ly lower on the Ultra low noise Fan.

Figure 7. Fan noise Standard profile vs. SX profile.

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21st International Congress on Sound and Vibration (ICSV21), Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014

The following table shows the results achievable for each type of fan.
Table 3. Point of reference/measure expected values differential level 4

Shape Noise Reduction solidity RPM Tipspeed PWL dBA

Standard 0.11 117 52 101 /

Low noise 0.33 80 36 93 -7,5

Very low noise 0.52 72 32 90 -10,5

Ultra low noise 0.71 72 32 86 -15,0

7.2 Silencer Installation

In order to reduce the tower noises optional abatement systems is possible, as an alternative, to
be installed, circular absorbing silencers with nose cone, installable in expulsion to the fan.
The circular silencers, SLN used in expulsion, are mounted above the diffuser using threaded in-
serts on the heads of the same mufflers. They are characterized by optimum noise attenuation, low
pressure drop and high strength construction. These types of silencers are available in two series:
SLN without nose cone (N), and with SLN nose cone (O), with lengths equal to one or two times
the diameter.

Figure 8. Silencer Scheme.

In this case study silencer nose cone models are used, 1400 mm nominal diameter, because they
have a stronger ability of noise attenuation compared to models without a nose cone. The standard
construction is galvanized steel and the special sound-absorbing material is mineral fibre protected
by perforated sheet metal.

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21st International Congress on Sound and Vibration (ICSV21), Beijing, China, 13-17 July 2014

Table 4. Silencer acoustic performance.

Nominal Type Length Octaves (Hz)
Diameter 63 125 250 500 1K 2K 4K 8K
Dynamic insertion loss (dB)
1400 SLN/1400/2D/Z/O 2D 8 11 19 26 27 26 22 17

8. Conclusions
This paper concerns the forecast evaluation of noise impact in order to establish compliance
with terms of contract and the currently applicable laws on noise, about new air conditioning sys-
tems that will be installed following the construction of a modern refrigeration system subservient
to the Accident & Emergency building at the General Hospital A. Gemelli in Rome.
We have described the different actions of the project showing the lay-out of the machines
(Figure 6), and their emission sound levels at a distance of 1.5 m and 4 m above ground level.
To characterize the existing cooling towers of the refrigeration unit and to detect the residual
noise of the area, various sound level measurements were carried out during the night.
The measurements of the residual noise and emission data of the new sources (certified by the
manufacturer) are combined to build the emission prediction model, using the software CADNA
DataKustik vers. 4.0, and appropriate algorithms.
The acoustic modeling of the area, has produced a scenario for the weekly night-day period
(fig. 4), where sound isolevel surfaces (equal loudness) with colors representing the various noise
levels are shown as indicated in the key. The model shows numeric text boxes of the noise levels
expected of the control points placed exactly in the same positions of the measurement points used
on the current machines.
The estimated values of environmental noise, obtained from this prognosis study, concerning
the installation of four new towers and new fridge plants are compared with the actual sound levels
measured.
This comparison shows a reduction in the three control points ranging from 5.1 to 6.4 dBA
with an average of about 5.8 dBA, therefore less than 8 dBA guaranteed by contract.
Therefore, to ensure the right noise reduction some mitigation is required:
Use low noise fan or install additional abatement systems for cooling towers, such as sound-
absorbing circular silencers with nose cone.
These actions will ensure a certain reduction of more than 3 remaining dB to comply with the
agreements (estimated at least 5-6 dB). Unfortunately up to now the low fan or the silencers have
not yet been installed, and so it is not yet possible to perform measurements of the actual noise
abatement. But thanks to our provisional acoustic study it could help the manufacturer indicate the
necessary action to ensure compliance in the contract of the client.

REFERENCES
1
Papa A, Mariconte R., Metodologie di valutazione dellimmissione di rumore a bassa fre-
quenza, 39 Convegno Nazionale dell Associazione Italiana di Acustica, Roma (2012);
2
Papa A, Noise Control of water Cooling Towers in Rome s hospital area, Cooling Technology
Institute 2014 Annual conference ; Houston (2014);
3
Papa A, Mariconte R., Le valutazioni di clima e di impatto acustico: strumenti e problemati-
che connesse, 10 Congresso Nazionale CIRIAF, Perugia (2010).
4
Marco Olde Heuvel, Howden Netherland,s FPX Super Low Noise Fans and Ancillary Equip-
ment (2012);

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