Power station noise sources and spectra

Sound sources within power station boundaries contribute to overall plant noise level with different energy levels, spectra, and radiation characteristics. This paper attempts to identify characteristics and describe major plant sound producing equipment and their noise producing mechanisms with octave band and narrower band width examples. Sound level measurements in the near field of noise source can sometimes distinguish its characteristics but narrower band analysis may be required. This paper should assist in better understanding and anticipating potentially noisy sources and sound spectra characteristics which can and do exist within power plant boundaries.