Underwater Noise Protection

Underwater sound insulation, also called an air bubble curtain, is a technical noise protection provided by systems that create air bubbles.

Underwater animals sensitive to sounds, such as whales and other mammals, suffer significantly from noise pollution generated during the operation of various marine structures like oil platforms, wind power plants, or research platforms. Drilling and impact sounds cause an incredibly high noise level underwater. Since the speed of sound in water, especially saltwater, is higher than in air, its propagation is better, faster, and over greater distances. Sensitive marine creatures suffer greatly as a result.

Underwater sound insulation is provided by the operation of an air bubble system, with air supplied from a compressor unit located on a nearby vessel or directly on the wind power plant or platform. Compressed air is synchronously produced by compressors, the number of which can reach up to 24. The bubble curtain muffles sound underwater and provides environmentally safe noise protection.

Since the compressed air required for the curtain is supplied directly into the sea, it must be cleaned of oil; otherwise, such noise protection will create an even greater danger to flora and fauna due to pollution of the world's oceans with oils and other petroleum products.

To control the flow of compressed air necessary to ensure optimal underwater noise protection, we offer the following products:

      VA 520 - thermal mass flow meter for measuring compressed air and gas flow. New digital electronics - increased accuracy. 

   VA 500 - compressed air and gas flow meter. RS 485 interface, Modbus RTU, analog output 4 ... 20 mA for m³/h, pulse output for m³. 

   VA 550 - flow meter for heavy industrial applications. The ultra-durable flow meter is available in an ATEX version for use in explosive zones.

 VA 570 - flow meter with built-in measuring section. Measuring sections are available in flanged design or with corresponding R or NPT threads.

To monitor the supplied air for residual oil content:

Oil Check - sensor for residual oil content in compressed air. Measurement range from 0.01 to 5,000 mg/m³. Thread G 3/8“.