Brochure

C
ontrol valve noise is a concern for plant operators and
maintenance personnel because it can affect plant
availability and profitability. High noise levels can cause
health concerns for plant personnel and cause equipment
damage, vibration, and control issues.
Populated areas are moving closer to processing plants and
noise attenuation is crucial to avoid complaints and potential
regulatory action.
There is not one single technology or treatment that can
solve all noise issues cost effectively or efficiently. For that
reason, a wide range of Fisher noise-attenuation technologies
are available for a variety of applications. Emerson maintains
application guidelines specifically for Fisher technologies.
We would never recommend using our proprietary application
guidelines for non-Fisher technologies, nor using other
suppliers’ application guidelines for Fisher technologies.
Included in this brochure are full descriptions of Fisher
technologies complete with images, specifications, and proven
results. Emerson’s dedicated local business partners, sales
offices, and factory application engineers have experience
with noise attenuation in all industries. The following sections
summarize how several industries are affected by noise.
Control Valve Noise
The Silent Treatment | 3
Power Industry
Today’s coal and combined cycle power plants, as well as
co-generation and renewable energy plants, are subject to
the damaging effects of control valve noise. With high steam
pressures and large pressure drops comes the potential for
excessive noise and acoustic-induced vibration within the system.
Many power plants have a specification for noise levels
within the plant environment, and in some cases they are
subject to fenceline noise requirements to protect the plant’s
surrounding environment. The primary applications in power
plants where control valve noise is a concern are: main steam,
auxiliary steam, turbine bypass, and sky vent. Proper selection
of noise-attenuation technologies is critical.
Hydrocarbon Industries
Hydrocarbon industries are built on reliable, accurate process
control. Typical fluids include steam, flare gas, natural gas,
hydrogen, light hydrocarbons, and stripper gas. These fluids
are transported and processed in a variety of ways.
Applications that typically have noise issues in hydrocarbon
industries include compressor antisurge, gas to flare, and other
large pressure drop applications that are driven by chemical
reaction, thermal processes, vertical head, or compressors.
In all cases, the process equipment must be correctly sized
and selected to attain the best loop control, minimize process
variability, and deliver the best process results.
Process Industries
Process industries such as chemical, metals and mining, pulp
and paper, and food and beverage also experience noise
challenges. The use of steam is common in these industries
for a variety of applications. Large pressure drop steam
applications can be associated with noise generation.
Emerson offers Fisher control valves for all of these challenging
processes and industries. By utilizing local application
engineers and experienced design engineers, Emerson can
deliver a standard or custom solution for your process needs.
To view a video on noise, scan the QR code or go to
Fisher.com/NoiseVideo.
A Fisher noise-attenuation control valve can be built to meet the
requirements of your application. The valve shown above is NPS 36 x 42
and contains a Fisher Whisper Trim III cage.