This module is divided into two parts. Part A deals with the development, principles and application of
Environmental Measurement technology, while part B will focus on Environmental and Industrial noise and
vibration.
Part A:
To provide an understanding of target analytes and sources of environmental radiation and energy, understand
end user requirements and devise measurement and analysis methods for environmental monitoring.
Part B:
To give the student an in depth understanding of the concerns and measurement of noise and
vibrations using a case study based approach.
Part A:Environmental Measurement Technology
History and development:
Types of target analyte/radiation requiring measurement/monitoring , history and development of these requirements and the related measurement systems and current limits of detection versus complexity for different measurement systems.
Target analytes/radiation include:
· Chemical (i.e. soil, water and atmospheric pollution from artificial sources, indoor pollution, nano-pollutants)
· Biological (i.e. crop classification and quantification, lake, river and oceanic microflora/fauna, atmospheric pollution from natural sources)
· Electromagnetic natural/artificial (i.e. UV- visible- IR, Microwaves and RF )
· Temperature (i.e. meteorological large scale MIR, local outdoor and indoor temperature Monitoring)
· Meteorological (i.e. atmospheric temperature, pressure, humidity)
Measurement techniques using sample instruments for each of the targets listed above:
· In-situ direct sampling and sensing versus remotely sensed
· Ground based, airborne and satellite platforms
· Active versus passive sources of radiation for identifying and quantifying analytes
· Imaging versus non-imaging systems
Calibration:
Calibration of instruments and the importance of contemporaneous, accurate ground-truth and/or laboratory based cross-calibration with “gold-standard” instruments.
Ideal Measurement System:
Overview of the ideal measurement system and it’s ideal specifications such as high S/N, broad spectral range with large band pass, fast acquisition with multi-temporal sampling, accuracy and stability of calibration and provision of calibrated data in required end-user format, multi-faceted data from different sensor types (Graphical Information System). Drawback of vast amount of data produced and the capacity to analyse and use it.
Part B Environmental and Industrial noise and vibration Introduction to Sound and noise measurement
Intensity of sound, specific acoustic impedance, intensity of spherical wave, concept of far field.
Sound Intensity Level, Sound Pressure Level, Sound Power Level. Addition and subtraction of sound levels, numerical problems.
Frequency analysis, Weighting networks, phon scale, sones.
Microphones, sound level meters, vibration transducers.
Equivalent Continuous Noise Level, time varying noise,
Noise Dose and it's measurement,
The Hearing Mechanism and Causes of Hearing Damage Common
Industrial noise and vibration sources Fans, motors, engines as sources and Energy transfers
Categories of vibration and vibration levels
Measurement and Accelerometers Transmissibility and vibration isolation
Vibration and the human body Whole body vibration levels hand and arm vibration levels Standards relating to vibration exposure
Case study Room Acoustics (incl. night clubs and auditoriums) To cover Sound absorption, Reverberation Time of Room, Equations of Sabine, Intensity in reverberant field Sound Intensity Level due to combination of direct field and reverberant field Effect of additional absorber, Sound Transmission loss of a partition, the mass law, sound insulation,
Case Study Traffic and Motorway Noise To cover Prediction of traffic noise, Road classification, calculation and estimation of usage, vehicle type, speed and size, road gradient and condition, inverse square law and ground cover, unobstructed and obstructed propagation, Reflection and viewing angles, multiple roads including road junctions. Abatement for traffic noise- barriers, embankments, elevated roads.
Cases Study Aircraft Noise To cover Noise disturbance around an airport due to planes and infrastructure activates Aircraft Classification, Engine Technology and Aircraft Noise, Noise Certification, Rating and Criteria for Noise Near Airports, Thrust takeoff the flight-path, Preferred Noise Routes, Aircraft Noise Contour Model (ANCM) and airport Noise Management Regulation,
Cases Study Railway Noise To cover Sources of Railway Noise, Traction Noise Rail/Wheel Auxiliary Equipment Noise – compressors, ventilation and brake systems, Aerodynamic Noise, train types and Spectrogram interpretation, Abatement Rating and Criteria for Railway Noise, Prediction of Railway Noise: the CRN
Cases Study Building Site Noise To cover Hierarchy of noise control Elimination Substitution Isolation Engineering Control at the source and in the transmission path, Vibration Control, Existing and new Workplaces noise, PPE and machine noise and vibrations and regulation
Overview of National and International Regulations governing noise in the industrial and general environment
Laboratory
A series of advanced laboratories with experiments pertaining to the content in part A and B will be undertaken focusing on developing experimental methodologies and approaches to reporting quality results.
he methods employed will consist of varying degrees of lectures, discussion, problem-solving exercises, self-directed learning,online reseources, practical work and demonstrations.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Formal Examination | 80 |
| Other Assessment(s) | 20 |