Acoustic Solutions to Portable and Standby Power Generators
A dangerous, yet easily overlooked problem in the power generation industry is the noise produced by standby and portable generators and turbines. This type of equipment can produce excessive amounts of noise and heat, eventually causing damage to the surrounding area, reducing the lifespan of the equipment, and creating an unsafe working environment. Acoustic enclosures offer an ideal solution to counteract these problems, along with improving customer acceptance and marketability.
Equipment That Requires Sound Absorption
The severity of noise pollution created by generators can vary depending on a number of factors. Motor size, the type of exhaust system, and the style of radiator fan installed can all impact the level of sound put out by a generator. Standby generators can produce noise up to 80 decibels or above, causing damage to equipment over time and posing potential health and safety risks for operators.
While the intensity of sound can vary depending on the generator, the causes of the sound are generally the same on most power generation equipment. These sources include:
- Engine noise
- Engine exhaust
- Turbulent airflow caused by cooling fans
- Alternator noise
Sound may be dampened considerably on power generation equipment by creating a weighted barrier to line the sheet metal enclosure of the generator. A decoupled weighted barrier may also be used for generator noise reduction, which involves the addition of decoupling foam to the barrier before installation.
To ensure that power generation equipment continues working safely and effectively, it is important to provide several openings in a generator sound enclosure for heat and exhaust to be released. These openings also enable air flow to the machine. If heat isn’t properly released, it will eventually damage equipment.
While these openings are vital for the functionality of your equipment, they reduce the efficacy of the barriers by allowing some of the sound waves to escape. To absorb sound that can’t be controlled with sound dampening liners, operators can incorporate acoustic absorbers as a lining for louvers or to create a tortuous path for airflow to absorb the noise before it escapes.
Solutions for Portable and Standby Generators
Acoustic control systems for portable or standby generators come in a variety of different types of material. They are built out of composite layers of foam, vinyl, and fiber and work by blocking, deflecting, or dampening the sound waves being created by the generator. This generator soundproofing material protects the workspace and ensures the longevity of equipment. These treatments are straightforward and easy to install. Typically, they are flexible and come with an adhesive that simply requires sticking them in the right place.
Request Your Custom Noise Pollution Solution Today
Technicon Acoustics is dedicated to helping solve your noise pollution problems. We’re involved in the process every step of the way—we design, develop, manufacture, and deliver every single part you need. Our products are specifically designed to isolate sound and thermal energy, and to absorb or block the vibrations that cause damage and noise pollution. We can customize our solutions to specifically target the sound frequencies impacting your operation.
Our team is made up of engineering, manufacturing, and administrative professionals who combine their expertise to make sure every one of your expectations is met and exceeded. We make use of the most up-to-date technologies and industry knowledge, and do all of our work in a modern, state-of-the-art facility. To find out more about how we can provide you with custom solutions, request a quote today.
The How-To Guide for Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) Tapes
At Technicon Acoustics, pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) tape—also referred to as self-adhesive or self-stick adhesive tape—is one of our key product offerings. It is a type of adhesive tape made from thin, flexible material that, depending on the intended use case, features a single or double-sided adhesive coating activated by pressure. As the tape adheres to a wide range of clean and dry material surfaces without requiring the use of solvents, water, or heat, it serves as a versatile and easy-to-use adhesive solution for customers.
The following blog post provides an overview of PSA tape, outlining its benefits, selection considerations, and application process.
Benefits of Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) Tape
Compared to other types of adhesive tape, PSA tape offers a number of advantages. For example:
- It is considerably thinner and lighter.
- It establishes and maintains excellent adhesive bonds under a wide range of conditions.
- It bonds dissimilar materials.
- It helps dampen vibration and reduce noise.
- It creates uniform thicknesses and fills in gaps between the attached surfaces.
- It eliminates the need for fasteners and surface refinishing, resulting in a more aesthetically appealing finish and shorter time requirements for assembly operations.
How to Choose the Right Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) Tape
Pressure sensitive tapes employ a variety of adhesives with different chemical compositions, each of which offers its own unique advantages. Three of the most common adhesives used in PSA tapes are:
Rubber Adhesive
Rubber adhesives are available in natural or synthetic varieties and can incorporate additional compounds to enhance their performance characteristics, such as antioxidants, oils, and tackifying resins. They are a cost-effective adhesive solution that offers quick stick capabilities. However, they are not suitable for use in applications that involve exposure to high heat.
Acrylic Adhesive
Acrylic adhesives are formulated using acrylic polymers. Unlike rubber adhesives, they can withstand high temperatures and see frequent use in high-heat applications. They also form stronger adhesive bonds and demonstrate higher resistance to solvents and other environmental conditions.
Silicone Adhesive
Silicone adhesives consist of silicone polymers. Their unique formulation makes them the only type of adhesive that bonds adequately to silicone-based substrates. Compared to rubber and acrylic, they can withstand higher temperatures. However, they often come with lower initial tack properties and a higher buy-in price.
How to Apply Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) Tape
Although the application of pressure sensitive adhesive tape is relatively easy, there are a few factors to keep in mind to ensure the formation of an adequate adhesive bond. A typical application operation includes the following steps:
1. Preparing the surface of the substrate. The bonding surface should be clean and dry, free from any contaminants that may affect the adhesive bond, such as dust, grease, oil, or lint.
This stage can involve the use of evaporative solvents such as methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) to remove compounds accumulated through prior use or exposure to the elements and/or cleaning products such as isopropyl alcohol, esters, and naphtha-based products.
2. Priming the surface of the substrate. Some projects may require primer application, flame treatment, corona treatments, or pretreatment methods to improve surface energy.
3. Applying the adhesive to the substrate. Depending on the project requirements and restrictions, industry professionals can employ manual or equipment-assisted application methods.