BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Gas pipeline systems that distribute natural gas through pipeline systems require a network of compressor stations to maintain the appropriate flow of gas through the pipelines. Depending on the flow requirements and the pipeline layout, compressor stations are required at various intervals and at specific locations in the pipeline system.

Compressor stations are designed both to compress the gas within the pipeline as well as to remove the heat generated from compressing the gas. Gas is compressed utilizing known compressing equipment and cooling equipment. Generally, the heat of compression is managed by driving cooling air over the compression equipment and piping using large air circulation fans.

A by-product of the compression equipment and the cooling fans is that significant noise is generated by both the compression equipment and the cooling fans. In that compressor stations may be located in both relatively isolated locations but also in densely populated areas, the management of noise in and around compressor stations is becoming increasingly important to comply with local laws concerning noise.

More specifically, the compressors are usually driven by a gas engine, sometimes by a turbine, and in some cases by an electric motor. The gas engine, turbines, and the compressor are very loud noise sources, often exceeding 105 dBA and in some cases up to 120 dBA. Traditionally, these loud noise sources are contained within a building that usually has very poor acoustical and ventilation properties. The large electric motors also have noise issues, primarily on the ventilation air supply and exhaust.

In the past, noise suppression for gas compression stations has been dealt with in a reactive manner following an identified noise problem. That is, a gas compression station is built and only after complaints or a clear noise problem is identified is the building modified and the cooling fan silenced to address the noise problem. This approach is both costly and inefficient because the collective issues of gas compression, heat management and noise suppression are not addressed from an integrated perspective at the time the compressor station is built.

That is, compressor stations are designed primarily to provide appropriate gas compression and heat management, but the noise issue is addressed only after the design of a station and only when due to the location of the station has noise been identified as a problem. The result is that in order to address an identified noise problem, massive and expensive noise suppression equipment is retroactively fitted to an existing compressor station. Moreover, in that most compressor stations are different both in terms of the physical dimensions of the buildings and their requirements for handling different volumes of cooling air, the retroactive approach to an identified noise issue is both complicated and inefficient given that different stations will require very different designs to retrofit noise suppression equipment.

Typically, the most costly and difficult noise source to manage is the fan noise of the very large coolers used to cool the compressed gas (and often, the engine casing's glycol/antifreeze). Common sizes of fans are fans having diameters of 4 feet to 13 feet.

Typically, an 8 foot fan generally requires 20-25 HP to deliver approximately 80,000 SCFM and would be mated up with a 600 HP compressor engine. A 13 foot diameter fan would require 50-57 HP and would deliver approximately 250,000 SCFM and would be mated up with a 1400 HP engine. Significant noise levels can result from operating such equipment at these horsepower levels.

A further problem or inefficiency is that the cooler fans are usually driven by a jackshaft connected to the main compressor engine. Thus, the cooler fan is not only a major noise source but it is also utilizing power from the compressor engine, typically in the order of 4% of the energy required to run the compressor.

In some cases the fans are driven by an electric motor. The inlet and the outlet of the fan as well as the cooler's plenum walls are major noise sources that usually demand noise suppression.

In recent years, stricter environmental laws require that the oil and gas companies suppress the noise of their facilities to within permissible noise level limits.

Further still, the current practices of retrofitting compressor buildings with noise suppression equipment may result in problems of equipment overheating if the noise suppression equipment does not adequately address the issue of heat management. That is, the design of noise suppression equipment may decrease the heat transfer capabilities of the building as a whole with the result that under certain climatic or seasonal conditions, equipment will overheat requiring that operators increase ventilation within the building by opening doors with the result that noise suppression is compromised and noise will emanate from the building.

Accordingly, there has been a need for an integrated system for compressor stations that effectively addresses the need for both heat management and noise management.

In addition, there has been a need for a modular design of such a system to enable the efficient construction of such systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, there is provided an integrated noise and heat management system for the management of noise and heat around a heat and noise source comprising an enclosure for surrounding the heat and noise source, the enclosure having a double wall structure defining an air space within the double wall structure, the double wall structure operatively containing a heat exchange system in heat exchange contact with the air space and the heat source and wherein the double wall structure enables the transfer of heat from the air space to the exterior of the enclosure and is effective in attenuating noise from the noise source to the exterior of the enclosure.

In accordance with a further embodiment, the invention provides a modular panel for use in constructing the enclosure of an integrated noise and heat management system comprising first and second panels and a heat exchange piping system operatively connected to and supported between the first and second panels.

In a still further embodiment, the invention provides a modular system for constructing an integrated noise and heat management system comprising a plurality of modular wall and roof panels operatively containing a heat exchange piping system between inner and outer panels for interconnection with adjacent modular wall and roof panels; and, a plurality of connectors for connecting the wall and roof panels together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is described with reference to the following drawings wherein: Figure 1 is an isometric view of an integrated heat and management system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view of an integrated heat and management system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a sectional view of an integrated heat and management system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a sectional plan view of an integrated heat and management system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 4a is a schematic sectional view of the wall structure of an integrated heat and management system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a plan view of an integrated heat and management system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is a sectional view of an integrated heat and management system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention showing cooling coils; Figure 7 is an elevation view of an integrated heat and management system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 is a sectional plan view of an integrated heat and management system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 9 is a schematic view of a modular panel in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 9a is schematic sectional view of a modular panel and corner connector in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and, Figure 10 is a schematic sectional view of a wall panel and roof panel and connector in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to the Figures, an integrated heat and noise management system 10 is described for use in facilities having a heat source and noise source that both require management. In the context of this description, the invention is described for a gas compression facility, although it is understood that the invention can be incorporated into other facilities where both heat and noise management may be required. A schematic diagram of one embodiment of a building 5 for the combined management of a heat and noise source is shown in Figure 1.

With reference to Figures 2-4, the system 10 is generally integrated within the structure of a building 5 that encloses a noise 12 and heat source 14. The noise source 12 and heat source 14 generally produces sound and heat that emanate outwardly in all directions towards the interior surfaces of the building.

In accordance with the invention, the building provides a wall and roof design having a double wall structure that enables both effective noise and heat management.

Specifically, the outer structures or surfaces of the building are provided with an air space l Oc between an inner lOa and an outer wall 10b that contains piping 10d in heat exchange contact with the heat source and that permits heat to be effectively transferred from the air space to outside the building through a second heat exchange system. The double wall structure provides effective noise management by providing an effective combination of sound deadening surfaces and media that surround the noise source above the ground surface.

As shown best in Figure 4, the piping l Od is in heat exchange contact with the heat source 14 within the building. In the example of a gas compression facility, hot compressed gas within piping 14a, generated by the gas compression process is passed through a first heat exchanger 16 to transfer heat to the piping 10d containing a fluid (preferably glycol) for circulation between the walls 10a and lOb of the building. A second heat exchange system transfers heat from the piping 10d to the outside of the building thus effectively removing the heat from within the building. In a preferred embodiment, the second heat exchange system is a liquid/air heat exchanger wherein air drafting through the air space l Oc cools the piping lOd.

Noise suppression is effectively provided as a result of the double wall structure and the preferred incorporation of exposed acoustical insulation on either each of or both of the interior and exterior surfaces of both the inner and outer walls. The acoustical

insulation may be covered by perforated metal as is known. More specifically, the double wall structure provides an interrupting air volume for sound waves propagating from within the building such that sound energy is significantly attenuated by the inner wall and almost completely eliminated by contact with the outer wall. As a result, the building as a whole provides effective noise suppression.

In one embodiment, the building also includes upper 12a and lower 12b air drafting hoods (or openings) that are in fluid communication between the air space 10c and the outside of the building. As shown in Figure 2, the upper 12a and lower 12b air drafting hoods and air space 10c allow air outside the building to flow upwardly through the air space and over the piping 10d. Preferably, the heated liquid from heat exchanger 16 is introduced to the air space 10c in the lower regions of the wall and the roof sections so as to cause a natural upward drafting of air within the air space. The specific air and liquid flow patterns within the system may be varied as may the specific layout and orientation of piping.

The upper and lower drafting hoods may be conventional noise silencers as are known. In one embodiment, each upper drafting hood 12a includes a fan 12f to induce the movement of air upwardly through the air space. The fan may be controlled by an appropriate thermostatically controlled controller. The upper drafting hood may also include an induced draft exhaust hood 12g.

In one embodiment, heat may be further managed by providing upper 50a and lower 50b drafting hoods in direct communication with the interior of the building. In this embodiment, upper 50a and lower 50b drafting hoods allow air to flow directly from the exterior 52 of the building through the lower drafting hood 50b to the interior 54 and back to the exterior 52 of the building through the upper drafting hood 50a as shown in Figure 3.

The system is preferably operated to maintain a consistent temperature within the building to enable workers to comfortably work within the building and/or to prevent equipment from overheating. In order to effectively manage the building temperature, appropriate control systems are preferably integrated within the building to control temperature that balance the heat output from the heat source and the outside air temperature. That is, during high heat production and higher outside temperatures, increased heat transfer will be required to maintain a consistent building temperature.

Increased heat transfer may be controlled by increasing the flow of air through air space

10c by fans 12f or by increasing the flow rate of hot liquid within piping 10d by pump 16a. In one embodiment the system includes a thermostatic controller 17 with temperature sensor 17a within the building connected to pump 16a and/or fans 12f to increase or decrease the flow of liquid within the piping and/or the flow of air through the air space.

In a further embodiment, the system may incorporate an auxiliary cooling system to provide further cooling capabilities to the system. One example of an auxiliary cooling system would be a ground source cooling system 100 which may be used to provide cooling to the piping 10d either singly or in combination with an air cooling system. As shown in Figure 4, a closed loop cooling system may be operatively connected to the piping 10d to provide cooling. In a closed loop system, a pump 101 is utilized to circulate cooling liquid within the air space 10c. Alternatively, an open loop ground source cooling system or other cooling source may be employed if appropriate for the location of the building.

In one embodiment as shown in Figure 4A, the auxiliary cooling system may be integrated with the piping 10d as a shell and tube heat exchanger wherein cooling liquid C is contained within a central tube 1 Oe and the warm liquid H from the heat exchanger 16 is contained within an outer tube 10d. The central tube 10e may be supported within the outer tube 10d by supports 10f and the outer tube may include cooling fins to both enhance the heat transfer surfaces as well as to enable connection between the inner and outer walls of the building.

The use of an auxiliary cooling system may provide improved cooling capabilities for particular installations where climatic conditions require greater cooling capabilities. In certain installations, space requirements may require smaller buildings such that an auxiliary cooling system may be required to provide adequate cooling for the particular heat transfer area available for a particular building size or for the particular heat management requirements for all seasonal, climatic and heat generation conditions. That is, an auxiliary cooling system may be required in conjunction with the air cooling system during the summer months or during any period when heat generation within the building is higher.

In one embodiment, the auxiliary cooling system may be connected directly to the heat source or to the first heat exchanger 16.

In a still further embodiment, waste heat from the building 5 may be utilized as a heat source for other applications such as providing a heating source for nearby buildings

6. In this embodiment, piping may lead directly from the heat exchanger 16 to a nearby building 6.

Figures 5-8 show alternate perspectives of the systems as described above.

Modular Design In a preferred embodiment, a building 5 is constructed with modular components to enable the efficient transportation and assembly of wall and roofing sections. For example, each wall and/or roof section is preferably pre-fabricated with integral heat exchange piping as shown in Figures 9 and 9a which show a schematic side view and sectional top view respectively of a double walled panel containing heat exchange piping.

As shown, each modular section 60 includes heat exchange piping 10c fixed between two acoustical panels 10a and lOb. The piping may be fixed to one or both panels. The heat exchange piping may be comprised of a number of straight sections 10c' and curved sections lOc"as shown, assembled to form a continuous pathway within one wall panel or may incorporate an appropriate manifold (not shown). The piping within each panel may be configured to provide connection ports 66,68 for ease of interconnection of adjacent panel sections using appropriate piping. Each piping section is supported by a spacing system 62 to create an air space between each panel 10a and 10b when assembled.

As shown in Figure 9, the outer panel 10b may be provided with appropriate openings for attachment of hoods 12a, 12b, 50a or 50b to the outer surface of the building as described above.

Furthermore, the outer panel may be provided with an appropriate outer surface 70 to provide weather protection to the outer surface of the building. In yet another embodiment, each panel 60 may be provided with integral structural members 72 which may also form part of the interconnection system for adjacent panels. Appropriate header 74 or footer beams 75 may also be incorporated into each panel if desired. In another embodiment, individual panels may not include structural members such that assembled panels would be inserted between structural members of a building frame.

Roof panel sections are preferably similar to the wall panel sections with allowances made for configuration of an appropriate roofing material to the exterior of the panel.

The system may also include corner connectors 80 and roof connectors 82 to enable interconnection of adjacent wall and roofing panels.

Efficiency The system may be operated more efficiently than conventional compressor stations in terms of infrastructure cost and operational costs while providing greater heat and noise suppression efficiency over conventional systems.

Infrastructure cost is significantly reduced by the elimination of the cooling fans and associated coolers and the structural and design components required to support large cooling fans within a building. In addition, infrastructure costs are also reduced by eliminating the requirement for retroactive design and construction of noise suppression equipment. Construction and transportation costs are also reduced by the modular design.

Operational costs are significantly reduced by the elimination of maintenance costs associated with large cooling fans and the energy requirements for running such fans.

While the system in accordance with the invention requires liquids to be pumped through the walls of the building, this energy cost is offset by the natural induction of a cooling air draft through the walls of the building.

In terms of heat management efficiency, by reducing the overall energy requirements of the building, the building will generate less heat that requires management. Moreover, the system enables the efficient use of auxiliary cooling systems such as ground source cooling systems.

In terms of noise suppression efficiency, by removing the requirement for cooling fans, the system eliminates a primary noise source within compressor stations which reduces the overall requirements for noise suppression. In addition, the system provides a design for noise suppression that fully surrounds the noise source.

It is understood that various modifications may be made to the systems as described above as may be understood by one skilled in the art without departing from the substance of the invention.