Perforated acoustic panels for industrial soundproofing allow the creation of machine enclosures with different functionalities (depending on the needs of each project):
- noise emissions control: on the one hand by limiting the amplification of sound levels inside the space thus delimited (which, all other things being equal, limits the noise outside as much) - the perforated face of the panels, which is generally a metal sheet located inside i.e. on the side where the noise comes from allows the sound absorbing filling to play its role -, and on the other hand by opposing the transmission of noise outwards (the porous lining e.g. mineral wool - if it is sufficiently dense and thick - and the exterior facing provide for this); sound absorption coefficient (between 0 and 1 i.e. between 0 and 100%) and sound reduction index (the higher the better the performance, expressed in dB) are thus the 2 fundamental efficiency indicators for perforated acoustic panels for soundproofing (variable depending on the sound source frequencies)
- protection against mechanical risks (e.g. in the event of organ failure, to avoid undesirable throwings)
- protection against fire risks by allowing containment, what is conducive not only to avoid the spread of a damage, but also to fight against it e.g. with fire extinguishing means
- thermal insulation e.g. when the sound source involves a combustion phenomenon that causes (sometimes: very) high temperatures in its immediate environment
- participation in the structural stability of the enclosure, in addition to the structural elements
- access management for site personnel e.g. operators, maintenance technicians and against intruders
- weather protection (for outdoor installation)
It is not a general rule that all these functionalities are simultaneously expected from the same enclosure; their association is however to be considered indeed if it comes to a gas turbine enclosure ; and other constraints are also to be taken into account then, for the design and for the construction of equipment involving perforated acoustic panels for soundproofing e.g. the risks linked to earthquakes, the electrical risks (a fortiori in the case of an explosive atmosphere).
Perforated acoustic panels for soundproofing must then be carefully selected, depending on performance objectives (always: those of the original equipment manufacturer OEM, but also sometimes, in addition: those of the end customer) explicit (e.g. from technical specifications) or implicit (e.g. in relation to standards, building codes: international or only applicable in a given place in the world, which does not facilitate the task).
ITS marketed perforated acoustic panels for soundproofing.
It was about the design and the construction, in Southeast Asia, of 2 enclosures for gas turbines operating in combined cycle (unit power: more than 700 MW - which was not far from a world record ? -).
In addition to the perforated acoustic panels for soundproofing, the scope of supply included, as often in such cases: the metal frame for the supporting, ventilation system elements, and many auxiliary equipment.
Despite the complexity of the project, the equipment was delivered without a hitch.