Sound power determination for centrifugal pumps used for local agricultural irrigation in Romania

Abstract

Technological enhancements in the domain of agriculture have led to easing the burden of physical work and increased productivity. Irrigation has always been one of the most crucial elements needed for a high yielding crop, given the current uncertainty of climate change, where climate is increasing in unpredictability. Even though a wide array of methods has been developed in recent years, for the Romanian local agricultural irrigation, a popular method remains using motor-pumps. But the issue with this type of equipment is that during active functioning, it produces high sustained levels of noise pollution, and the risk of operator hearing damage is relatively unknown for long term exposures (years). In this paper, the levels of acoustic power of an irrigation motor-pump model WHT-60 were determined, taking into consideration the required standards, and directives, necessary for this activity, imposed by the European Union for all member countries.