(34c) Influence of Reduced Employee Noise Exposure Levels On Ethylene Plant Design

Noise exposure levels for Petrochemical & Industrial facilities have been receiving considerable focus responding to recent industry initiatives to reduce the average 8-hour exposure level from 85 to 80 dB(A). It is important to understand the effects of meeting these reduced noise levels in terms of overall equipment cost and on safety, operational & maintenance issues.

This paper will summarize current employee exposure noise limits and will discuss noise control options by both design and attenuation.

The feasibility of achieving an 80 dB(A) exposure level will be addressed considering multiple scenarios for an Ethylene plant taking in to account design options, noise abatement measures and extent of noise-sensitive areas.