Existing Generator Building-Rain/Snow Enter the Intake Wall&Acoustics 3

[JEB777]

I have an existing rectangular generator building with multiple large engines. One long wall is the intake and the other long wall is the exhaust. The plant is rarely used but is critically important. I have several issues I need to solve.

1.Water and snow enter the intake wall which contain fixed open louvers. Water, snow and ice form on the floor. As well, the generators are on this side.

How can I cheaply keep the water, snow and ice from penetrating the intake wall? I've looked at providing a closed/power-actuated louver and also building an awning. The velocity at the louver is 375 fps.

2. I would like to dampen the noise if I could do so with minimum money. An acoustical louver is very expensive. If I could find a power-actuated louver, that may solve my sound issue and my water/snow penetration issue. I don't know if one is available. If so, I'm sure its very expensive.

Is there a solution that could address both issues and be done with minimum money?

 

[TheBlacksmith]

How will a power actuated louver solve your sound issue? Be very careful and consult with the engine manufacturer (I'm assuming these are diesel generators). I have seen many diesel generator installations cooling or power output compromised by an overly restricted airflow in the name of noise reduction.

 

[willard3]

Deciding what you will spend before you know the parameters of the problem will limit your ability to solve the problem.

Intake louvers are available that will prevent rain/snow intake at the proper velocities and you can replace the louvers. If you install a drained intake plenum on these louvers, moisture can be minimized.

Sound-absorbent louvers or an intake silencer wilol ,handle the noise problem.

Power dampers can be added to either louver set-up.

 

[JEB777]

Dear Blacksmith,
I should have been more clear. I'm attempting to address 2 problems - minimum noise dampening from the generators with an Acoustical louver on the intake side and intrusion of water/snow into the intake side.

I have found a fixed acoustical louver that provides the proper generator air flow needed (you brought up a great point however). The acoustical louver also inhibits the rain and the snow as well. This approach allows the intake wall to be totally open during the winter months. The engines have block heaters for rapid start. I was hoping to close off the building when not in use to allow some heating of the building from the engines. Do these engine block heaters require alot of power?

I was also considering a power actuated non-acoustical louver to address snow/water and internal heating of the building with the engine block heaters. I could address the noise with some internal noise reduction materials.

Any suggestions to stop snow/ice intrusion without a power-actuated louver or a fixed louver with capabilities to screen water/snow?

 

[willard3]

You could install a fan and ductwork interlocked with the generator starting circuit. The intake would be smaller and could be remote from the generator and could point down to get the aid of gravity.

This solution puts a lot of equipment and controls in the generator circuit, not such a good idea. I would try to keep this as simple as possible.

You could also hire an Engineer who is familiar with emergency generators and their installation, probably better than bootstrapping a solution.

 

[rmw]

The block heaters have a wattage rating; find out what it is. You can do the math from there. All the heat is lost to the building so you can do that math too. If there is actually enough heat to affect the building temperature should you close it, the engines would benefit overall from being in a warmer environment. Block heaters only do so much.

rmw

 

[btrueblood]

Really, 375 feet per second? That's an incredibly high velocity, akin to a typical turboprop airplane flight speed.

 

[dik]

Anytime I've done this, I've provided a curb, insulation, waterproof membrane and drain for the area...