Noise Control for Mirant Power Station
Working with the Mirant Potomac River Power Generation Station, Acoustical Solutions, Inc. developed a custom engineered solution for the power station's excessive noise issues using a combination of AuidoSeal™ acoustical blankets and the LSE sound barrier wall system.
Application Introduction
The Mirant Potomac River Power Generation Station, located along the Potomac River, in Alexandria, Virginia, was searching for a solution for a growing conflict with their surround community members.
An excessive level of noise from the power station was causing concerns and complaints from neighbors in the highly populated area near Washington, DC.
Noise mitigation was required to address excessive noise from industrial equipment and processes long the North and Northeast of the plant.
Specifically, high volume vacuum pumps at the plants north end would need to be mitigated to decrease perceived noise levels at the adjacent condominium community.
The North-East section of the plant had fly ash collectors and air solenoid valves, which also needed to be treated to protect thee neighboring pedestrians as they used a nature trail that ran between the power station and the Potomac River.
In addition, the project faced four other challenges:
- Noise controlling devices were required to provide a high level of attention while maintaining a clean professional appearance
- All work needed to be conducted safely during normal operating hours without hampering other plant related activities
- All sound control products would need to be mounted to the existing structures and allow for regular access to equipment area as needed
- All work needed to be completed within a 2½ time-line
Treatment Provided
Acoustical Solutions, Inc. met these challenges by developing a custom solution using the LSE sound barrier wall system in conjunction with AudioSeal™ acoustical blankets.
The LSE wall system is a lightweight, durable and reliable sound barrier system proven by over 30 years of use in the industrial, commercial and transportation market.
AudioSeal™ acoustical blankets are versatile, UV and weather resistant barrier-backed sound absorption blankets. Both are ascetically pleasing, easy to install and offer great acoustical performance.
An LSE barrier wall was built along the Northeast side of the plant. In areas where there was insufficient structure or ground to continue the LSE barrier wall system, AudioSeal™ acoustical blankets were installed onto the exiting building.
The combination of the LSE barrier wall system and the AudioSeal™ acoustical blankets was mirrored at the Northern end of the plant by installing acoustical gates using the LSE system at the North corridor entrance, and the AudioSeal™ acoustical blankets around the fixed high volume vacuum pups, and again at the plants North end.
Project Results
The Mirant Potomac River Power Generating Station project was completed in December of 2008, making the plant a quieter neighbor to the surrounding community.
Acoustical Solutions, Inc.'s unique ability to offer custom multi-product solutions allowed this project to be quickly engineered and later constructed within the tight 2½ time frame.
Mark Nitz, Engineering Manager at the Mirant Power Station commented "The products you installed were very effective, both acoustical blankets and the noise barrier walls...I especially appreciated your ability to construct both so quickly."
Acoustical Solutions, Inc. would like to thank the Mirant Potomac River Power Station for the opportunity to work with them and as we move forward, we look forward to providing exceptional service to other organization with similar needs.
For more information on this application, contact our sales department.
