ASK LES - How Much Noise Reduction is Really Possible with Compressed Air Amplification Technology

Noise levels from compressed air can be signifcantly reduced using compressed air amplification technology. Studies with air nozzles provided sound level reductions of about 7 dBA, on average. Amplifying air nozzles generally have lower noise contributions in the 1,000–20,000 Hz range contributing to the overall decreases at these higher frequencies in the overall sound level reduction. Air movers or annular air amplification can reduce noise levels even more. Air knives - with are linear amplifiers used to replace rows of nozzles or drilled pipe with holes, can reduce noise levels even more. Some air knives have noise levels under 70 dBA.

It is difficult to specify what level of noise is absolutely safe, as individuals are affected by noise differently. Generally, noise levels above 75–80 dB(A) are known to cause hearing damage. The louder the noise, the less time to cause damage. Noise levels at 85 dB(A) may take as long as eight hours to cause hearing damage, but a sound level at 100 dB(A) may start damaging the ear after only 30 minutes,

Early signs of hearing loss can include:

• ringing in the ears
• inability to hear soft and high-pitched sounds
• muffling of speech and other sounds
• trouble understanding conversations at a distance or in a crowd
• listening to music or watching television with the volume higher than other people need
• difficulty hearing the telephone or doorbell
• finding it difficult to tell which direction noise is coming from
• regularly feeling tired or stressed, from having to concentrate while listening
• answering or responding inappropriately in conversations
• reading lips or more intently watching people’s faces during conversations
• feeling annoyed at other people because of not understanding them
• feeling nervous about trying to hear and understand others.

Research suggests it takes 10 years from the time someone notices they have hearing loss before they do anything about it. So better to address any noise concerns now. The technology, at least in dealing with compressed air, exists now.

Nex Flow Air Products Corp, are specialists in the use of compressed air for blow off, cooling, and moving. Safety is the primary goal long with improving productivity and reducing energy costs overall