Development of sound absorber from coconut coir fiber combined with copra milk to reduce noise from water pump of household
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Abstract
Introduction: Water pumps are electrical machine which it normally was used in almost every household. However, if the water pressure from the pump is unstable, it can cause the motor to operate irregularly, resulting in noise pollution. This can affect both physical and mental health. This study aimed to develop sound-absorbing materials made from coconut coir fiber combined with copra milk.
Methods: The study was conducted in two phases including 1) the optimal mixing ratio and thickness of the sound-absorbing materials were investigated 10 experiments. This absorption material was made with width 20 centimeters and length 20 centimeter with a thickness of 1 and 2 inches. The experiments made from the different ratio of coconut coir fiber: copra milk (% w); 0:100, 30:70, 50:50, 70:30, and 100:0. Sound absorber was tested according to ASTM C384-04 to determine the Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC). In Phase 2, the sound absorber was applied to the design of a noise enclosure for a household water pump to evaluate its noise reduction performance. Data were evaluated using descriptive and inferential statistics, including the Mann–Whitney U Test and Wilcoxon Sign Rank Test.
Results: The results showed that the sound absorbers had NRC values from 0.62 to 0.77. All experiments with a thickness of 1 inch have shown significantly higher NRC values than those with a thickness of 1.5 inches (p<0.001). The material with a coconut coir fiber to copra milk ratio of 30:70 provided the highest NRC value (0.77). The noise levels before and after sound absorber installation were significantly different (p<0.001). An average noise reduction was 4.40 dBA.
Conclusion: Sound absorber made from coconut coir fiber mixed with copra milk has an alternative option for noise control from household water pumps. However, additional factors such as moisture resistance, duration of using, and durability under environmental conditions should be considered to enhance practical application.
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