Jeremias Exhaust System Enables District Heating Supply in Residential Complex
Strict noise protection regulations and limited space—these are often the two biggest challenges when constructing new heating plants in already existing residential complexes. The GETEC Group successfully implemented such a complex project in the Haslach district of Freiburg, in collaboration with Asetec GmbH, a company specializing in exhaust noise protection and energy technology. The project required not only profound expertise in acoustics and execution planning but also the right exhaust and noise protection system from Jeremias.
Asetec GmbH, based in Falkensee, Brandenburg, specializes in the design, manufacturing, and installation of exhaust systems, chimneys, noise protection enclosures, steel constructions, and ventilation systems. Since its founding in 1997, the company has completed around 5,000 projects in more than seven countries. With this extensive experience, Asetec’s experts were the perfect partners for a particularly challenging project in Freiburg: Urbana Energiedienste GmbH, the operating subsidiary of the GETEC Group, is an internationally active provider of state-of-the-art power and heat supply solutions, and they were upgrading the heating supply of an existing residential complex. Instead of district heating, the 1,000 residential units would now be supplied with heat from a semi-underground heating plant located directly next to the residential building.
High Noise Protection Requirements
Since the heating plant is located directly next to a residential building that also houses a kindergarten, the noise protection requirements were particularly stringent. Therefore, Urbana commissioned two noise assessments to ensure the creation of an optimally sized silencer system that would prevent any increased noise disturbance to the residents. Jeremias GmbH, an exhaust expert from Wassertrüdingen, then provided the complete solution, from the exhaust connection pipe to the steel chimney and the silencers. "Jeremias, as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of exhaust systems, could supply us with the custom components and offer a one-stop solution. In addition, their high technical expertise in acoustics and execution planning made them the right choice," explains Sven Kusch, Managing Director of Asetec, justifying the decision to work with Jeremias.
New Heating Supply Despite Limited Space
The system consists of a boiler and a combined heat and power plant (CHP), each with a capacity of two megawatts (MW). The resulting exhaust gases are vented using a combined system from Jeremias. First, an exhaust connection pipe leads to a steel chimney, which, due to space limitations, is positioned directly on top of the heating plant. Because of the large capacity of the system and the specific location, the chimney is 20 meters high, with a second pipe inside for the CHP exhaust gases. Logistically challenging was also the need to install the resonance silencer in the heating plant before the boiler could be introduced due to space constraints. Along with these spatial challenges, the main focus was on preventing noise emissions.
A Well-Matched Combination
To guarantee maximum noise protection, the builders opted for a combination of resonance and absorption silencers. While the resonance silencer is located within the heating plant, the absorption silencer is installed at the top of the chimney. The resonance silencer primarily prevents sound emissions in the low-frequency range by absorbing energy from the sound field. The absorption silencer, which consists of a cylindrical casing in robust industrial design and is filled with special mineral wool, reduces the incoming sound wave through friction effects on the mineral fibers. Ultimately, the insulating material converts sound into thermal energy, reducing noise in the mid and high-frequency ranges. Thus, the installation of both types of silencers provides highly effective noise protection across all generated frequencies.
Jeremias’ combined exhaust silencers are primarily used to reduce sound levels from oil and gas boilers (like in this case), engines, and fans. The silencers are designed for both dry and wet operation and can withstand temperatures up to 400°C and pressure ranges up to 5,000 Pascals (Pa). The attenuation range is 45 dB(A). "We’ve made sure that the immediate residents can continue to live in a quiet environment despite the new heating plant. Through two assessments, which were closely coordinated with Asetec and Jeremias Exhaust Systems, and a tailored silencer system, we achieved this goal. And now, the tenants are enjoying noise-free heat," concludes David Lienert, Project Realization Manager at Urbana Energiedienste GmbH.
Conclusion
A new heating plant installed directly next to a residential building in Freiburg, combined with an exhaust and silencing system from Jeremias specifically tailored to the project, not only ensures efficient heat supply but also minimizes noise emissions. Thanks to a combination of resonance and absorption silencers and a particularly tall steel chimney, noise emissions are reduced to such an extent that even the immediate residents and a kindergarten located in the same building are not disturbed. The extensive experience of all parties involved in execution planning made it possible to realize the project despite significant space limitations.