Compressor Noise Reduction

The best way to reduce compressor noise is to suppress the sound at source because this provides large cost savings compared with alternative solutions such as an acoustic enclosure.  Our specialist compressor noise reduction solutions suppress the sound at source and provide high sound reductions at low cost. Alternative methods such as an acoustic enclosure cost many thousands of pounds more than our solutions. Acoustic enclosures also restrict access for maintenance and can cause the compressors to overheat. Our compressor noise reduction solutions are small, compact treatments that do not restrict access or visibility and do not cause overheating.  Below are 3 case studies where our specialist solutions solved compressor noise problems at low cost:

Compressor Noise Reduction at a Factory

Nearby residents were complaining about a low frequency hum sound from an industrial factory. This was disturbing their sleep at night. The residents live on a hill overlooking the factory. There is a large amount of noisy equipment on the industrial site including fans, air conditioners, chillers, several different compressors, etc. This made it difficult for factory staff to identify the source of the annoying hum themselves. We carried out diagnostic noise measurements to identify the source. We quickly identified the source of the hum as three compressors located inside a small building within the factory grounds.

We provided a low cost sound reduction treatment for the 3 industrial compressors.  This was highly successful, achieving a 15 dB reduction in the compressor low frequency hum.  The sound reduction was so high that our specialist solution made the compressors inaudible at the complainants’ houses.

Compressor Noise Control for an Office

In another of our projects, two compressors were producing a loud low frequency hum / drone sound in the office below the plant room. The company made various attempts at noise control but none worked so they asked for our help. Our diagnostic tests identified the main noise transmission path. This led to us providing a very low cost solution that made the compressors inaudible in the office below. It achieved a 20 dB reduction in the low frequency hum sound.

Compressor Noise Reduction in Water Treatment Works

Compressors at a water treatment works were creating high noise levels. The water company found a noise control solution but the cost was high. So they asked if we could provide a lower cost solution. We said yes! Our noise solution cost £5000 less than the noise control method originally being considered by the water company. Our solution reduced the compressor noise by 15 dBA – so was very effective as well as providing a large cost saving. 

You can see another example where compressor noise was causing nuisance in a training centre on compressor noise and vibration control.

Noise nuisance from industrial compressors is very common. In the past many compressors were the reciprocating type and noise control was very difficult and expensive. Modern industrial compressors are the screw type.  For these it is much easier to reduce the compressor noise and at much lower cost. For more details of the benefits of choosing our solutions that suppress the noise at source see reducing noise at work. 

For our help with compressor noise reduction using a low cost engineering solution, please contact us as shown below: