Investigation of Noise Pollution Levels in Some Beet Sugar Factories in Egypt

Document Type : Original Research Articles.

Authors

1 Dakahlia Sugar and Refining Company

2 Mining and Metallurgy Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering. Assiut University, Egypt

Abstract

There are twelfth sources noise pollutants that have been resulting from sugar beet factories such as an including beet lab reception, beet washing and slicers, vacuum pump area, centrifugal mixer station ,power station ,boiler house ,boiler water treatment ,boiler house (soot blower ),cooling tower pump station ,pulp dryer station ,lime kiln area ,air compressor area . The evaluation depends on measuring of sound pressure level released from these sources. Data of sound pressure level are collected through seasons 2017 and 2018.This study research aims to evaluate the noise pollution problems resulting from sugar beet industry. Also, to establish noise pollution control methods. Sound Pressure Levels (SPL) of the sources are measured according to ISO recommendation, while noise exposure levels are carried out using equivalent noise level. The results proved that sound pressure level exceeded the national limits assigned by Egyptian Environmental Law No 4/94. The maximum SPL and the minimum values of SPL at  boiler soot blower and cooling tower pump station 110 dBA and 78 dBA respectively . In the old Belqase sugar factory, it has been found that the maximum SPL reached to 112 dBA at boiler soot blower and the minimum value was 83 dBA in the air composer. In the Nile sugar factory, the maximum and minimum values of SPL at power station, processing levels and products storage 86 dBA and 60.1dBA respectively. In the Alexandria sugar factory, the maximum and minimum values of SPL at air compressors and lime kiln area 88.7and 74.2dBA respectively. Noise exposure also is assessed to protect the employees in the old and new Sugar plants. As the working shift is 12 hours in our investigated plant, a model is used to estimate the equivalent noise dose according to 8 hours exposure. The results presented that the workers in the old Sugar plant are suffering from the high emitted noise levels. Control measures are essential to reduce the noise especially from the old sugar plant.

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