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Articles

CJET: Vol.2 No.1, June, 2018

Noise Level Investigation and Control of Household Electric Power Generator

  • Onawumi, A. Samuel, Okoli S. T. O.
  • Mfon U., Raheem, W.A. & Ajayeoba A. O
Submitted
June 4, 2018
Published
2018-06-04

Abstract

Electric power generator is an essential household facility particularly in developing countries. It is made by various manufacturers in sizes and capacities and found in business centres, offices, workshops and factories. The attendant environmental risks of this source of power supply are major challenges to users both at household and industrial level. Efforts through research and development are still ongoing to mitigate the prevailing health hazards. This study investigates noise level of typical portable generator (2 kW/220 V, 18 kg, and 370—330—320 mm) and the sound absorbance capacity of an acoustic enclosure (440—440—440 mm) developed from a multilayer panel made of locally sourced galvanized metal sheet (0.90 mm), Polyurethane acoustic foam (7.50 mm), Particle board (35.0 mm) and plywood (10.0 mm). The noise produced by the generator when on load and no load were considered for cases of it being placed inside and outside the enclosure and compared with acceptable OSHA safe thresholds noise level for the school environment where the study was carried out using Sound Level Meter HD600 (IEC 61672-1) by Extech Inc. USA. The result shows a significant reduction of noise produced indicating a shift from very laud threshold with average of 86.23 dB (A) for no load and no enclosure to moderately low noise level (average of 69.34 dB(A)) for the case of no load using enclosure. Likewise considering loaded scenario similar trend was recorded with average acoustic capacity of the enclosure of 23.20 dB(A). The effect of the enclosure was noticed and the potential benefits of improved noise absorption panels to enhance better performance of the developed enclosure for office and household generators was established.