Environmental noise impact of natural-draft hyperbolic cooling towers

Abstract

Site planning and environmental regulations may require evaluation of the environmental impact of alternate cooling methods for electric power generating stations. One alternate cooling method utilizes natural draft hyperbolic cooling towers. A study of the noise emissions from both crossflow and counterflow natural-draft hyperbolic cooling towers was undertaken as the initial phase in evaluating the potential environmental noise impact. Measured data are in substantial agreement with published noise prediction schemes [R. M. Ellis, J. Sound Vib. 14, No. 2, 171–182 (1971)]. Results of this study suggest a simplified noise prediction scheme. Accuracy of this new scheme is verified by field data. This paper compares measured and estimated noise emissions from natural-draft hyperbolic cooling towers with typical residential community noise levels. The potential impact in surrounding communities from broad-band noise emitted by natural-draft hyperbolic cooling towers is evaluated by common indices such as environmental regulations and published psychoacoustic rating methods.