What is water hammer in steam line?

What is water hammer in steam line?

Water hammer is a pressure surge or wave caused when a fluid (usually a liquid but sometimes also a gas) in motion is forced to stop or change direction suddenly (momentum change). As soon as steam leaves the boiler, it starts losing heat. As a result, steam stats condensing inside the pipe work.

What is condensate hammering?

Condensate-induced water hammer is an extremely dangerous phenomenon and operators should be trained to ensure they fully understand. Water hammer occurs when water in a pipe is brought to a stop or a change in direction that sends a shockwave through the system and produces a knocking or hammering noise.

What is the water hammer explain?

Water hammer is a phenomenon that can occur in any piping system where valves are used to control the flow of liquids or steam. Water hammer is the result of a pressure surge, or high-pressure shockwave that propagates through a piping system when a fluid in motion is forced to change direction or stop abruptly.

What is the cause of water hammer in pipelines?

Water hammer is usually caused in high pressure (e.g. mains pressure) water systems either when a tap is turned off quickly, or by fast-acting solenoid valves, which suddenly stop the water moving through the pipes and sets up a shock wave through the water, causing the pipes to vibrate and ‘shudder’.

What does water hammer effect?

When a valve closes quickly, it creates a shockwave effect for the water in the pipe. Its velocity is too rapidly halted and the water crashes within the system, creating an audible banging sound. Similarly, if the water itself is running very quickly, a valve closure will again cause this shockwave effect.

How does a steam hammer work?

A single-acting steam hammer is raised by the pressure of steam injected into the lower part of a cylinder and drops under gravity when the pressure is released. With the more common double-acting steam hammer, steam is also used to push the ram down, giving a more powerful blow at the die.

What is water hammer in boiler?

Also known as hydraulic shock, water hammer is when the water in your boiler or pipe system suddenly changes direction. This can cause a loud banging noise as the pipes resonate, expand and contract, as well as strike against their wooden frames.

What prevents water hammer?

The most important way to prevent water hammer is to remove the water from the steam lines before passing the steam again through them. Water is removed from the steam lines using drain connections. All the water should be drained out to make the lines clear.

Is water hammer a problem?

Water hammer is potentially dangerous and could hurt your plumbing system. Referred to in technical circles as hydraulic shock, water hammer is the result of water stopping or changing direction very quickly. When this happens, a shock wave goes through your pipes, forcing your pipes to move, shake, and bang together.

What causes water hammer in steam boiler?

Water hammer occurs when water, accelerated by steam pressure or a low-pressure void, is suddenly stopped by impact on a valve or fitting, such as bend or tee, or on a pipe surface. Fracturing of pipes or steam system components can propel fragments that can cause injury or loss of life.

Where is hammer used for?

For example, hammers are used for general carpentry, framing, nail pulling, cabinet making, assembling furniture, upholstering, finishing, riveting, bending or shaping metal, striking masonry drill and steel chisels, and so on. Hammers are designed according to the intended purpose.

What causes water hammer in condensate pipe?

Water Hammer in Condensate Transport Piping. Water hammer in condensate transport piping is usually caused by the interaction of low temperature condensate and high temperature steam. These often form from the dual presence of condensate and flash steam in the piping.

What is water hammer and how does it occur?

Water hammer can occur in any steam or condensate line. The steam system faces the greatest risk of water hammer during startup, when the highest level of condensate is generated during the warm-up of the steam line.

What causes water hammer in steam power lines?

If the steam line is energized too quickly without proper warm-up time, and if the condensate created during the startup is not being properly removed, water hammer will result. The other risk of water hammer arises in a steam system when the condensate is not properly removed from steam lines during operation.

What is a steam-flow-driven water hammer?

A steam-flow-driven water hammer is an impact event, where a slug of rapidly moving water strikes a stationary object. The exchange of momentum creates a pressure of perhaps a few hundred psi in the impact area.