Water Hammer: It’s causes & effects

By
Ajit Kumar Panda
Introduction

It is the phenomenon in which a hammering effect occurs in an enclosed region

of space containing steam/water due to generation of a shock wave which then
travels through water & causes nuisance.

 Noise
 Vibration
 Damage to equipment, fittings & Human life.
Introduction
 How does it feel to our senses?

 Why is it inherent in our Industry?

 Is it Normal to have water hammer occurring in any system?

 Never at all
 It is a sign of Poor
 Design
 Construction
 Control
 Operation
 Maintenance
Likely places of Occurrence

Water hammering may Occur in:

 Hot water line : Feed water circuit
 Cold water lines : Condensate circuit
 Bi-Phase Systems : Deaerator, Drip lines , Heaters, tracer lines, Flash Tanks

Its effects may be

 Localized
 Remote.
Why is it so damaging?
Difference between liquid & Gas phases of water.

Molecular structure
Causes of water hammer

 Hydraulic Shock

 Thermal Shock

 Differential Shock
Hydraulic Shock
 Cause : Abrupt closure of the path of flowing water column:

 a) Sudden closure of a valve.

 b) Closure of a swing check valve.

Hydraulic Shock Contd.
Possible remedial actions:
 a) Gradually close valves

 b) Install Non-slam / Silent Check valves

spring loaded, center guided

 c) Install water hammer arrestors if applicable.

 Pump discharge NRVs.
Thermal Shock
 Cause : Condensation of steam in Water.

 a) Discharging of drip into condensate lines.

 b) Steam flow reversal within the tubes of a heat exchanger.

Typical submerged coil heater.

 c) Discharge of live steam into condensate returns/ Malfunctioning steam
traps.
Thermal Shock contd.
Possible remedial actions:
 a) Use of a Sparge pipe.

 b) Use differential condensate controllers.

 APRDS drain to Condenser

 Deaerator
 BCP discharge into feed-water line.
 Hammering in Flash tanks.
 CEP to Deaerator pipe line.
Differential Shock

 Cause: Differential pressure across

a condensate seal formed in a bi-
phase system.
Flow Shock
 Cause: Flow of condensate column (Slug) in a steam pipe.

 Condensate deposited before a closed valve.

 Charging a steam pipe line without warming up & no drainage arrangement.

Contd.
 Remedial actions for both differential shock & Flow shock:

- Avoid accumulation of condensate in pipe line by the following

a) Choosing proper steam trap/drain locations in the pipe line.

b) Providing adequate supports & inclination to the pipe line.

c) Properly configuring drip leg.

d) Removing condensate & air at end of lines.

- Charge downstream steam lines after adequate warm-up.

References
 www.armstronginternational.com
 www.kirsner.org
 www.tlv.com
 www.spiraxsarco.com
 YouTube
THANK YOU