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Title: Managing Noise
Author: James L. Robertson, Robert C. Becken
Source: 2005 Western Gas Measurement Short Course
Year Published: 2005
Abstract: Webster defines noise as a sound, especially one that lacks agreeable musical quality or is noticeably unpleasant. In the gas industry, objectionable sounds can come from relief valve discharges, gas blowdowns, compression equipment running, control valves throttling, and normal (and abnormal) pipeline flows. Noise emanating from pipelines can be caused by reasons other than gas flowing. Debris left in a pipeline after construction can cause metallic noises. Noise can also be generated by liquids moving in the gas flow stream. Noise can travel long distances, as was evidenced by a problem a gas transmission company experienced many years ago in Georgia. A woman started hearing a popcorn popping sound in her front yard where a gas transmission line was buried. The transmission company spent months trying to determine the source of the noise without success, until a routine maintenance check of their mainline valves uncovered a vandalized valve which had been partially closed. When this valve (which was located almost ten miles upstream) was opened, the noise disappeared in the ladys front yard. This paper will primarily focus on noise coming from the throttling of gas in regulating stations. Control valve generated noise, resulting from gas pressure reduction (regulation), can exceed OSHA or local noise limits or can cause destructive damage to regulating equipment and pipe components. Too often, potential regulation generated noise is an afterthought of station design. Its importance is realized only after noise complaints or noise generated damage to regulating equipment is brought forcefully to the designers attention. Including a look at regulation noise as an integral part of station design can avoid excessive noise problems and expensive noise abating post installation modifications. Following are brief descriptions of the causes of regulation noise and the tools available to keep them within acceptable levels.

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