5 EFFECTIVE WAYS TO GET RID OF WATER HAMMER IN STEAM SYSTEMS

 5 EFFECTIVE WAYS TO GET RID OF WATER HAMMER IN STEAM SYSTEMS

By Thermodyne Boilers

A. What is water hammer?

Water hammer is a wave / loud hammer like sound, caused when a fluid in motion is forced to stop or change direction suddenly.

See Figure 1 What is Water Hammer.

B. Causes:

1. Sudden condensation of steam

2. Build up of condensate along the length of steam pipe forming a solid slug i.e. when it encounters any bend its K.E. gets converted into pressure energy

3. Sudden closing of valve or tap i.e. due to which pressure wave propagates in pipe

See Figure 2 Causes of Water Hammer

C. Effects:

1. Damage of flow meters installed on steam network

2. Rupture and disruption of piping

3. Catastrophic hazards

See Figure 3 Effect of Water Hammer.

D. Preventive Measure

1. Install steam line always with gradual slope in direction of flow

2. Install steam traps at regular intervals and also at low point

3. Avoid sagging of pipes by providing proper support

4. Open isolation valve slowly during start up

5. Drain pockets should be sized enough to ensure that all the condensate reaches the trap