Noise pollution

L. K. Wang and N. C. Pereira, eds.. Handbook of Environmental Engineering Vol. 1—Air and Noise Pollution Control, The Humana Press, CHfton, N.J., 1979. 

Elevated Flares See Flares for a general definition. The elevated flare, by the use of steam injection and effective tip design, operates as a smokeless combustion device. Flaring generally is of low luminosity up to about 20 % of maximum flaring load. Steam injection tends to introduce a source of noise to the operation, and a compromise between smoke elimination and noise is usually necessary. When adequately elevated (by means of a stack) this type of flare displays the best dispersion characteristics for malodorous and toxic combustion products. Visual and noise pollution often creates nuisance problems. Capital and operating costs tend to be high, and an appreciable plant area can be rendered unavailable for plant operations and equipment because of excessive radiant heat. 

Noise can cause a serious nuisance in the neighbourhood of a process plant. Care needs to be taken when selecting and specifying equipment such as compressors, air-cooler fans, induced and forced draught fans for furnaces, and other noisy plant. Excessive noise can also be generated when venting through steam and other relief valves, and from flare stacks. Such equipment should be fitted with silencers. Vendors specifications should be checked to ensure that equipment complies with statutory noise levels both for the protection of employees (see Chapter 9), as well as for noise pollution considerations. Noisy equipment should, as far as practicable, be sited well away from the site boundary. Earth banks and screens of trees can be used to reduce the noise level perceived outside the site. 

As informed Dr. A.I. Korableva from Institute for Environmental Management and Ecology under the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in the report "Environmental impact of automobile transport by example of Dnepropetrovsk", Dnepropetrovsk with its annual discharge of air pollutants of 177,000 t (as of 1996) is among the worst affected cities in Ukraine. In these, the automobile transport was found to be responsible for at least 30 % of the total emissions which are 15 times the maximum permissible level. Aside from the dust, chemical, photochemical and noise pollution, there is the aspect of street washout of automobile-related pollutants into the River Dnieper. The measured annual receipts of lead, particulates and petroleum derivatives via rainwater and thaw water to the river are 0.45, 80,000+ and 1.8+ t respectively. The actual levels of petroleum derivatives in storm water sometimes were 206 times the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) for the fishery basins. At 34 km downstream from the city, the estimated levels of petroleum derivatives and particulates are 61 and 10.8 times the respective MPCs. The airborne lead is mainly accumulated in the soil of housing areas. 

In densely populated areas, a large cogeneration system may be required to comply with emission standards and install pollution control technology. There may also be noise pollution standards and water, air discharge and solid waste disposal permits. 

Fuel-cell vehicles contribute to reduced noise pollution, since the drive system is nearly noiseless. This is especially important in urban areas, where the share of noise coming from the drive system is dominant, compared to other noise sources from... 

Noise pollution is a growing problem in urban areas choose a hand-powered mower or a quieter power model. Mow with consideration for neighbors. 

Jensen, P. Noise control. In Handbook of Environmental Engineering, Volume 1, Air and Noise Pollution Control Wang, L.K., Pereira, N.C., Eds. Clifton, NJ 1979, 411-474. 

Chemical, Physical, and Mechanical Tests. Manufactured friction materials are characterized by various chemical, physical, and mechanical tests in addition to friction and wear testing. The chemical tests include thermogravimetric analysis (tga), differential thermal analysis (dta), pyrolysis gas chromatography (pgc), acetone extraction, liquid chromatography (lc), infrared analysis (ir), and x-ray or scanning electron microscope (sem) analysis. Physical and mechanical tests determine properties such as thermal conductivity, specific heat, tensile or flexural strength, and hardness. Much attention has been placed on noise /vibration characterization. The use of modal analysis and damping measurements has increased (see Noise POLLUTION AND ABATEMENT). 

Our environment is capable of withstanding natural levels or concentrations of many harmful substances or forms of energy such as heat or sound. Pollution is the addition of these substances or energy forms to the environment at higher levels than it can handle. Pollution causing substances can affect air, water or land. Pollution may be local and short lived (such as noise pollution) or it can be widespread and long lasting (such as chemical pollution caused by fertilizers and insecticides). 

Hydrocarbon surveys in a shelf zone Separation of some parts of water area Trawling in the course of seafood fishing Disposal of bilge waters invasion of foreign exotic species of animals and plants Noise pollution Hypoxia Migration of loose bottom material... 

Many cities suffer from serious air and noise pollution—as well as endless traffic jams—because of too many cars. Some people feel that cities with extensive public transportation systems should ban passenger cars and force people to walk, bike, or use public transportation. 

We can even hurt our hearing when we play. Motor-boats, motorcycles, and snowmobiles all make loud noises likely to hurt our ears. Playing loud music on a personal stereo can also damage hearing. If someone near you can hear the music you are playing on your personal stereo, you are probably causing noise pollution for them and hearing loss for yourself. 

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