CDB 3082

Chemical Engineering Laboratory IV

MAY 2016

EXPERIMENT : NOISE LEVEL AND CONTROL

GROUP : A8
GROUP MEMBERS : KOI ZI KANG 18868
MASRIHAN BIN ABU HASAN 19454
NOOR HAFIZAINIE BINTI MOHD ZOHAN 19323
SITI NUR AISYAH BINTI AHMAD 19353
LAB INSTRUCTOR : Ms. N. Wasimah A. W.
DATE OF EXPERIMENT : 31st MAY 2016
Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction .............................................................................................................. 1

Chapter 2: Literature Review

Theory ............................................................................................................................ 2
Problem Statement ......................................................................................................... 4
Objective ........................................................................................................................ 4
Procedure ....................................................................................................................... 5

Chapter 3: Results and Discussion ...............................................................................................

Results........7
Discussions...13
Error and Recommendation ......................................................................................... 15

Chapter 4: Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 16

References

Appendix
Chapter 1: Summary (Introduction)
Noise pollution is among the problem that encounter by the employee at workplace. Lisa and
Loius (2007) in their paper defined the noise as the undesirable sound. In this experiment we
will study the principles of the noise pollution, and then measure the noise level using the
sound meter. Basically, in this experiment, we have six parts. In the part one, we want to
study the rigid body modes of vibration of resiliently mounted sources. For this part we only
change the speed and observe the noise produced. For the second part, we need to study on
the effect of mass on the modes of vibration. We use stainless steel to study the effect on
vibration. For the third part, we study on the effectiveness of sound-proofing materials which
is absorbent lining. The fourth part is same as part three, but we replace absorbent lining with
GRP box. For the next part, we combine the absorbent lining with RP box and observe the
effectiveness of the materials by adding soft plugs and hard plugs. In the last part, we are
using the plastic tube with soft or hard plugs to study the effectiveness. For all the experiment
we need to observe the measuring value of internal and external microphone and also
portable microphone.

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Chapter 2: Literature Review

2.1 Theory
Hearing is the ability to receive and process sound. It is important for the communication.
Hearing loss is one of the problems that people encounter. Hearing loss is defined as reduce
in the ability to receive or process sound. There are basically five groups that cause the
hearing loss; conductive, sensor neural, mixed, central or functional. The most hearing loss is
occur among those over 75 years olds with 40% or can be more (Noise., 2016).

The human ear is detecting the sound in the form of energy. Human ear can be divided into
three main parts; the external, the middle and the inner. The external part function to collects
and transports sound to the eardrum. The middle ear and the external part is separated by the
eardrum. Basically it converts the sound wave to mechanical vibration that will be sent to
middle ear. Then, the vibration is being transport to the inner ear. In inner ear, the receptor
will convert the vibration to the electrical impulses. The brain then will interpret the
information.

Figure 1: Figure shows the part on ear.

The frequency of the sound is measured in Hertz (1 Hertz= 1 cycle per second). The
frequency is defined as the pitch of a sound. The frequency is directly proportional to the
pitch. When the frequency is higher, the pitch also will be higher. The normal human ear is
able to detect the frequency from 20 to about 20000 Hertz. Loudness is referring to the
intensity of the sound (Lisa and Loise, 2007). Loudness is measured in unit of decibel. The
standard sound pressure level is 0.0002 dynes/cm3.

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 Table 1: show the sound pressure of common sounds.

Most workplace exposes the employee to the noise. The more damage can occur when people
are exposed to the louder noise. It is important to measure the noise levels and the workers
noise exposure because it helps to identify the noise problem, who may be affected and where
additional measurement of noise need to be made (Lisa and Loise, 2007). The employees
effective daily dose can be calculated using the formula below (Noise - Measurement of
Workplace Noise, 2016):

Where:

D- Effective daily dose

Ci- time period during the exposed

Ti- maximum time period during the employee may be safely exposed to the sound level.
8
Ti= 90
25

Where:

Li- the sound pressure in dBA.

Running machinery is a major source of the noise pollution. The noise level need to be
controlled whenever the noise pollution becomes excessive. Based on the Control of Noise at
Work Regulation 2005, it is recommended to the employee to conduct a Noise Assessment,
eliminate exposure to noise at it sources, provide the employee with Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE), giving information and training, and also monitor and review the
effectiveness of the measures regularly (Noise - Measurement of Workplace Noise, 2016).
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2.2 Problem Statement

2.3 Objective
1. To observe the principles of noise pollution control.
2. To measure the noise level using sound meter.

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2.4 Procedure
Experiment 1

1. The noise and vibration generator was clamped onto the generator-mounting platform
and the plug was inserted into the 12 VDC socket.
2. The voltage was switched ON on the console to 12 VDC.
3. The main switch was on and the voltage control was adjusted to low speed.
4. The reading of internal, external microphones and portable sound meter was observed
and recorded.
5. Experiment was repeated by changing the voltage control to medium and high.
Experiment 2

Part 1-With inertia block

1. The generator plug was inserted into the 12 VDC socket with the main power
switched off and the voltage control set to minimum.
2. The stainless steel inertia block was clamped onto generator-mounting platform.
3. The main switch was on and the voltage control was adjusted to low speed.
4. The reading of internal, external microphones and portable sound meter was
observed and recorded.
5. Experiment was repeated by changing the voltage control to medium and high.

Part 2-Without inertia block

1. The generator plug was inserted into the 12 VDC socket with the main power
switched off and the voltage control set to minimum.
2. The stainless steel inertia block was removed from generator-mounting platform.
3. The main switch was on and the voltage control was adjusted to low speed.
4. The reading of internal, external microphones and portable sound meter was
observed and recorded.
5. Experiment was repeated by changing the voltage control to medium and high.
Experiment 3

1. The absorbent lining was removed from the GRP noise control box and it was placed
over the generator.
2. The main switch was on and the voltage control was adjusted to medium speed (3/4 of
maximum speed).
3. The reading of internal, external microphones and portable sound meter was observed
and recorded.
Experiment 4

1. The main power was switched OFF

2. The GRP noise control box was placed over the generator.
3. The main switch was on and the voltage control was adjusted to medium speed (3/4 of
maximum speed).
4. The reading of internal, external microphones and portable sound meter was observed
and recorded.

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Experiment 5

1. The main power was switched OFF and the absorbent lining was reinserted into the
GRP box and it was reinstalled on the generator-mounting platform.
2. The control box was securely clamped with its lining over the generator. Soft plug
was used.
3. The main switch was on and the voltage control was adjusted to medium speed (3/4 of
maximum speed).
4. The reading of internal, external microphones and portable sound meter was observed
and recorded.
5. Experiment was repeated by changing the plug to hard plug.
Experiment 6

1. The main switch was switched OFF and the control box was removed.
2. The plug was removed from the aperture at the control box sides and it was replaced
by plastic tubes, without soft or hard plug, with absorbent lining and adjustable inner
tubes provided.
3. The inner tubes was slide slowly up and down the plastic tubes to adjust the effective
length of absorbent lining.
4. The main switch was on and the voltage control was adjusted to medium speed (3/4 of
maximum speed).
5. The reading of internal, external microphones and portable sound meter was observed
and recorded.
6. Experiment was repeated by changing the plug to hard and soft plug.

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Chapter 3: Results and Discussion

3.1 Results

Experiment 1: To study rigid body modes of vibration of a resiliently mounted source

Observation Sound meter Average sound

Speed
Internal External reading meter reading (dB)
58
59.4
58.9
59.6
58.6
Low 1 0 58.88
59.1
63.3
57.2
57.2
57.5
68.9
69.7
68.7
68.8
68.6
Medium 4 5 68.79
68.5
68.6
68.7
68.6
68.8
78.2
79.1
79.2
79.1
79.0
High 9 9 78.99
78.9
79.1
79.2
79.1
79.0

Table 3.1.1 Results of Experiment 1

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Experiment 2: To study the effect of mass on the modes of vibration
Part I (With inertia block)

Observation Sound meter Average sound

Speed
Internal External reading meter reading (dB)
60.6
60.5
60.7
61.0
Low 3 2 61.0 60.69
60.6
60.9
61.2
60.4
60.0
67.7
68.4
68.5
68.7
Medium 5 6 68.6 68.52
68.6
68.7
68.5
68.9
68.6
75.9
78.0
78.1
78.0
High 9 9 78.3 77.84
78.2
77.8
78.0
78.0
78.1

Table 3.1.2.1 Results of Experiment 2 (Part I)

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Part II (Without inertia block)

Observation Average sound

Speed Internal External Sound meter meter reading (dB)
reading
59.8
60.2
60.4
60.5
Low 1 2 60.3 60.29
60.1
59.5
60.3
61.2
60.6
68.8
68.9
69.2
68.8
Medium 5 6 69.0 68.97
69.2
69.1
68.9
68.8
69.0
75.2
77.9
77.6
77.9
High 9 8 78.0 77.54
77.9
77.8
77.7
77.8
77.6

Table 3.1.2.2 Results of Experiment 2 (Part II)

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Experiment 3: To study the effectiveness of sound-proofing materials (absorbent lining)

Observation Sound meter Average sound

Internal External reading meter reading (dB)
69.5
68.8
69.0
68.9
6 6 68.8 68.98
69.0
68.9
69.1
69.0
68.8

Table 3.1.3 Results of Experiment 3

Experiment 4: To study the effectiveness of sound-proofing materials (GRP box)

Observation Average sound

Sound meter
meter reading
reading
Internal External (dB)
65.8
65.8
65.7
65.4
10 3 65.6 65.71
65.9
65.7
66.0
65.6
65.6

Table 3.1.4 Results of Experiment 4

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Experiment 5: To study the effectiveness of sound-proofing materials (absorbent lining
+ GRP box +soft/hard plugs)

Observation Average sound

Sound meter
Type of plug meter reading
reading
Internal External (dB)
58.9
58.6
59.4
Soft 58.9
7 0 57.9 58.2
59.9
57.4
56.8
56.9
57.3
56.9
55.9
56.0
56.8
Hard 6 0 57.1 58.26
62.0
59.3
60.1
59.3
59.2

Table 3.1.5 Results of Experiment 5

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Experiment 6: To study the effectiveness of sound-proofing materials (Plastic tube +
soft/hard plugs)

Observation Sound meter Average sound

Type of plug reading meter reading (dB)
Internal External
68.9
68.4
68.4
Without soft/hard 68.6
plugs 6 0 68.5
68.3
68.4
68.3
68.6
68.8
68.3
55.9
59.1
56.2
57.6
Soft plugs 6 0 56.52
56.0
55.6
57.4
54.7
55.4
57.3
57.1
56.1
57.9
56.0
Hard plugs 6 0 56.53
56.7
56.0
57.9
57.0
55.1
55.5

Table 3.1.6 Results of Experiment 6

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3.2 Discussions
As we know, the objective of this experiment is to observe principle of noise pollution
control and measure the noise level using sound meter. There were 6 different methods of
experiments being carried out. From experiment 1 which aims to study rigid body modes of
vibration of a resiliently mounted source, when the speed of vibration generator increases
from low to medium, the received sound level of internal and external microphones as well as
the average sound meter reading increases. At low speed, the sound level of internal
microphone is higher than that of external microphone because the internal microphone is
located closer towards the source of sound. However, when the speed is in medium mode, the
sound level of external microphone is higher than that of internal microphone because at that
medium speed, the sound is more focused towards the external microphone. The other
possibility is due to the ambient noise error. When the speed is high, both the sound levels of
internal and external microphones are the same because the sound is spread uniformly around
the source.

For experiment 2, the objective is to study the effect of mass on the modes of vibration and
the mass used is an inertia block (stainless steel). As a comparison between experiment with
inertia block and without it, the average sound meter reading at low and high speed are higher
in the experiment with inertia block. This is because the sound of vibration of inertia block is
added to the original vibration source. However, there is an experimental error at the medium
speed. At low speed with inertia block, we can see that the sound level of internal
microphone is higher than that of external microphone because the sound generated is more
intensive around internal microphone.

From experiment 3 till 6, the speed is maintained at medium mode. For experiment 3,
the objective is to study the effectiveness of sound-proofing materials (absorbent lining).
From the table 3.1.3, we can deduce that the absorbent lining is not that effective in absorbing
the sound as compared with table 3.1.1 probably because the effective absorption area of the
lining is very little so the sound can still be transmitted out from the absorbent lining without
much being absorbed. For experiment 4, it is to study the effectiveness of sound-proofing
materials (GRP box). From table 3.1.4, we can deduce that this GRP box is very effective
because the sound level of internal microphone has a huge increase as compared with table
3.1.1 and in contrast, the sound level of external microphone has a huge decrease with the
help of GRP box. The average sound meter reading is also lower than the setup without GRP

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box. This is because GRP box acts as a sound reflector which keeps the sound produced
reflected interiorly and thus amplifies the sound level of the microphone and the sound
transmitted out from the GRP box is greatly reduced.

For experiment 5, it is to study the effectiveness of sound-proofing materials

(absorbent lining + GRP box + soft/hard plugs). From table 3.1.5, we can clearly see that the
sound levels of external microphone for both soft plug and hard plug are zero meaning that
the both combinations are effective enough in preventing the sound from transmitting out
from the sound-proofing materials. The average sound meter reading is also much lower. In
terms of type of plug, use of hard plug results in a higher sound level reading of internal
microphone as compared to soft plug because hard plug reflects the sound back to its interior
side while the soft plug absorbs the sound. For experiment 6, it is to study the effectiveness of
sound-proofing materials which consist of plastic tube and soft or hard plug. From table
3.1.6, we can see that the use of plastic tube without plug is effective in terms of preventing
the sound from reaching the external side but it is much more effective with the addition of
plug. However, there is no difference between soft plug and hard plug probably because the
sound being reflected is far from the internal microphone so the sound level does not vary.

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3.3 Error and Recommendations
3.3.1 Instrumental Error

1. Error : The noise voltage control is hard to control

Recommendations : Use digital controller or use knob that has level of magnitude

2. Error : Disturbance of sound from external source

Recommendation : Do the experiment in a silent room. There device is so

sensitive that it can detect even low sound.

3. Error : The reading of the device is highly fluctuating

Recommendation : Take more than 3 readings and take the average

4. Error : The box is not correctly installed

Recommendation : Make sure the box is correctly inserted and it was tightly
connected.

5. Error : The sound device screen is has some pixel that not working so
its hard to determine the reading

Recommendation : Check the device before experiment and use device that in
good condition.
3.3.2 Human error

1. Error : The observation for internal and external microphone is hard

to determine as it has no value

Recommendation : Use digital leveling

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Chapter 4: Conclusion

In conclusion, the sound level and average sound meter reading increases when the
speed of vibration source increases. Presence of inertia block will increase the sound level in
a minimal effect as its vibration is added into the vibration of original source. Absorbent
lining in this experiment is not that effective probably because the effective absorption level
is very little. GRP box is very effective in preventing the sound from transmitting to the
external side because it reflects the sound effectively towards its interior side. The
combination of sound-proofing materials such as absorbent lining and GRP box and soft or
hard plug is effective in preventing sound from transmitting outwards and can reduce the
average sound meter reading by 10dB. Hard plug is more effective than soft plug in terms
preventing sound from transmitting outwards. The combination if sound-proofing materials
consisting of plastic tube and soft or hard plug is effective in preventing sound from
transmitting outwards. With the presence of either soft or hard plug, the average sound meter
reading can be reduced by 10dB however both the plugs result in no significant difference in
terms of the sound level of the internal microphone. In short, the objective of observing
principle of noise pollution control and measuring the noise level using sound meter is
achieved.

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References

Lisa Goines, R.N. and Louis Hagler, M.D., (2007). Noise Pollution: A Modern Plague. Southern
Medical Journal 2007;100(3):287-294.

Noise. (n.d.). Retrieved 2016, from Healthy Working Lives:

http://www.healthyworkinglives.com/advice/workplace-hazards/noise#exposure

Noise-Measurement of Workplace Noise. (n.d.). Retrieved 2016, from Canadian Centre for
Occupational Health and Safety:
https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/noise_measurement.html
Appendix

Fig 1: Noise Source Fig 2: Main switch with Noise level reading

Fig 4: Main Switches and External

Fig 3: Noise source and Main Switch
Microphone

Fig 5: Internal Microphone Fig 6: Absorbent lining covering noise source

 Fig 7: GRP covering noise source Fig 8: Hard Plug on aperture of the GRP box

Fig 10: Hard Plug on plastic tube

Fig 9: Soft Plug on aperture of the GRP box

Fig 11: Soft Plug on plastic tube Fig 12: RGP box with plastic tubes