HDPE cooling towers solve persistent noise problem for concert hall
Following the replacement of cooling towers on the roof directly above the concert hall of the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia, a persistent noise problem in the concert hall has been eliminated. The center is home to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Alliance Theatre and High Museum of Art. Steve Trott, director of engineering at the centre, describes the sound as similar to that of a jet aircraft passing over the Memorial Arts Building, where the Atlanta Symphony performs on the top floor.
With the old metal cooling towers at the end of their life, Steve Trott looked at a variety of solutions. One was HDPE-based [high-density polyethylene] cooling towers, which were recommended by the Atlanta office of DLB Associates Consulting Engineers.
He says, ‘We found these cooling towers were very quiet and would provide the sound insulation needed without having to go to a special quiet tower package, which would really increase the cost.’
The new cooling towers (pictured) were supplied by Delta Cooling Towers. They were originally developed to solve corrosion problems, but are also quiet in operation — less than 50 dB(A).
Other features include directly driven fans with speed control.
