Water Hammer and pulsations

Because liquid is essentially incompressible any energy applied to it is transmitted instantly. If a moving column of liquid is slowed down suddenly by, for example, a quick-closing valve, the sudden change in liquid velocity in the delivery line creates a pressure wave. The pressure wave, travelling somewhere between 1000 an 1300 m/s, travels backwards up the line to the end of the pipe where it will reverse direction and travel back towards the valve. Depending upon valve size and system conditions, a valve closing in 1.5 s or less can produce a pressure spike five times the system working pressure leading to blown diaphragms, seals and gaskets and also catastrophic system component failure in transmitters, meters and gauges.

Water Hammer Stopped Flow

Because liquid is essentially incompressible any energy applied to it is transmitted instantly.
Large diameter riser Branch Open valve

Normal flow

Flow

If a moving column of liquid is slowed down suddenly by, for example, a quick-closing valve, the sudden change in liquid velocity in the delivery line creates a pressure wave. The pressure wave, travelling somewhere between 1000 an 1300 m/s, travels backwards up the line enlarging the pipe.

Large diameter riser Branch

Valve closed Shock

Quick closure

Pressure wave enlarges pipe

Water Hammer Stopped Flow

At the end of the pipe it reverses direction and travels back towards the valve.

Reflected pressure wave

A valve closing in 1.5 s or less can produce a pressure spike five times the system working pressure leading to blown diaphragms, seals and gaskets and also catastrophic system component failure in transmitters, meters and gauges.

Pressure wave reaches valve

Water Hammer from condensate

Accumulation of condensate is trapped in a portion of horizontal steam piping. The velocity of the steam flowing over the condensate causes ripples in the water. Turbulence builds up until the Bernoulli effect draws up a wave.

Condensing steam

Heat loss Steam

Sub-cooled condensate

Bernoulli effect draws up wave

Water Hammer and pulsations

A general rule-of-thumb is:

0.052 v L P PI t
where:
P = increase in pressure (bar) v = flow velocity (m/s) t = valve closing time (s) L = upstream pipe length (m) PI = inlet pressure (bar)

Water Hammer and pulsations

Example: assume a solenoid valve having a closure time of approximately 40 ms, connected to a 15 m long upstream pipe. The water flow is 3 m/s and the inlet delivery pressure is 4 bar. What is the amplitude of the pressure spike?

0.052 v L P PI t 0.052 3 15 P 4 3 40 10
= 62.5 bar

Water Hammer from condensate

The wave seals the pipe producing an isolated pocket of steam.

Isolated steam pocket

Heat loss Steam

Sub-cooled condensate

Wave seals pipe

Water Hammer from condensate

The collapsing steam void produces a slug of condensate that is carried along by the steam flow.

Collapsing steam void 5 bar Steam

Water Hammer from condensate

The resulting implosion produces a slug of condensate that can travel at the speed of the steam (up to 160 km/hr) This will strike the first elbow in its path with a force comparable to a hammer blow.

Implosion Rebounding wave

Water Hammer from condensate

NPS 24 line displaced, supports damaged

NPS 8 branch ripped from header

Water Hammer solutions

In the previous example where the solenoid valve closure time was 40 ms, increasing the time would have a dramatic effect. What is the amplitude of the pressure spike if the closure time is increased to 1 s?

0.052 v L P PI t 0.052 3 15 P 4 1.5

= 5.6 bar

Water Hammer solutions

Where water hammer and pulsations cannot be reduced, use could be made of a snubber (either a sintered filter or small-bore restriction) inside the pressure connection. Although very effective in absorbing high frequency shock pressures, there is a trade off with the dynamic measurement response. Furthermore, over time the snubber could become blocked from a build up of contaminant particles.

Water Hammer solutions

Use can also be made of a pulsation dampener or surge suppressor. Typically a pulsation dampener is a hydro-pneumatic dampener comprising a pressure vessel containing a compressed gas, generally air or nitrogen, separated from the process liquid by a bladder or diaphragm. The dampener is installed as close as possible to the pump or quick closing valve and is charged to 85% of the liquid line pressure.

Water Hammer solutions

Air/gas

Liquid