If you are a miner you know well that noise is a constant in mining activity.
The presence of fans to dissipate the heat produced by your miner produces noise pollution which in some cases reaches significant values ​​(up to 85-90 dB).

The fan of the power supplies, the fans of the video cards, the air extraction fans generate vortices and flows of air which contribute to raising the sound pressure. In some cases the air itself passing through the pipes can generate noise.
To overcome these problems, acoustic insulation is often used and among these the material I prefer is rock wool and I will explain why.

When it comes to thermal and acoustic insulation, rock wool represents one of the most reliable and high-performance solutions.
Rock wool is obtained from volcanic rocks and its natural characteristics make it one of the best materials for several reasons.

What is rock wool?

Rock wool is part of the mineral wool (MW) category of insulating materials. It is an insulating material of mineral origin, made up of an amorphous silicate derived from rock.
What makes mineral wool a unique material is its ability to combine four fundamental characteristics:

• fire resistance
• incombustibility
• thermal insulation
• sound-absorbing capacity

Of these characteristics, the importance of the incombustibility of the materials is often forgotten. Given the quantities of heat produced by miners and the need to dispose of this heat, it is important to use materials that reduce the possibility of fire triggers or their spread. In fact It can withstand constant temperatures up to 750°C, with a melting point above 1,000°C !

In terms of durability, rock wool is highly resistant to external agents: it is not subject to degradation, rot, or attack by pests or fungi. Furthermore, it maintains its stability even in the presence of UV radiation (sunlight), making it a reliable choice for a variety of construction applications.

Rock wool has high dimensional stability; this means that once installed it will retain its shape and won’t sag over time. It also doesn’t retain moisture: this is an important factor, as many materials trap moisture, which replaces the air in the material, degrading its technical performance.

Use of rock wool

Rock wool is usually found on sale in sheets of various sizes and has an absolutely economical price.
It can be used in various ways: covering any container in which to install the miner (providing appropriate openings for air), using it as a “heat shield” for materials or structures near the miner, covering the pipes that transport air towards the miner or evacuate hot air to reduce noise.

It therefore acts as a spring, reducing the transmission of vibrations and the propagation of sound energy thanks to its dissipative capacity and eliminating the effect of acoustic bridges.

To cut it to the desired size, a pair of ordinary scissors or a utility knife is sufficient. Sharp blades are recommended, as rock wool tends to fray.

Environmental Sustainability

Mineral wool products make a significant contribution to sustainable resource management. Their production involves the use of an ever-increasing percentage of recycled material, which can exceed 60%, depending on the product type and performance requirements. Furthermore, it is a naturally occurring mineral and can be easily disposed of at appropriate waste disposal centers.

Is rock wool carcinogenic?

The potential link between rock wool and carcinogenicity has been the subject of numerous investigations by authoritative international bodies, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Studies conducted to date have confirmed that mineral fibers, including rock wool, do not pose any carcinogenic risks to human health.
Rock wool is one of the fibres easily disposed of by the body and its average weight diameter exceeds 6 microns, reducing the risk of deep inhalation.
In any case, as with any process, I recommend using a mask and gloves during installation.