Building silent vessels

Técnicas y Servicios de Ingeniería (TSI) has invested in state-of-the-art technology which enables measurement of exterior noise generated by all types of ships, including underwater radiated noise (URN) and its impact on marine life.

TSI said that with this new technology, it will be able to take a leading role in the construction of ‘silent vessels’, becoming a specialist consultant on noise and vibration for shipbuilders in Spain.

The technology from noise specialist, Hottinger Brüel & Kjær (HBK), has three HBK sound level meters (Types 2270 and 2260), an OmniPower Sound Source Type 4292, Power Amplifier Type 2734, Sound Intensity Probe Type 3599 and three Type 8104 hydrophones, to tackle the different measurements and tests that are regularly carried out in the development of new build ships.

In addition to monitoring environmental effects, the health of staff and the vessels themselves can also be affected by a loud ship. The new technology will help TSI pick up noise which is often an indicator of onboard vibration problems that can lead to equipment and system damage.

TSI is a Spanish enterprise established in 1983 and provides noise and vibration engineering solutions for the marine, power generation ), industry, petrochemical and defence markets.

Its portfolio of specialised services covers noise and vibration measurement and analysis, predictive maintenance or condition based maintenance, start up, breakdown consultancy, structural analysis: static and dynamic, condition monitoring systems and training.