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Reducing the Likelihood of Fluid Hammers In Steam Applications


Mar 22, 2018

innovamass water hammer Sierra

Many of us have heard the sound of pipes banging as we turn a faucet on or off. This sound is the water in the pipe being forced to stop or suddenly change direction and is called “water hammer.”

Did you know that water hammer is not just limited to water pipes? In fact, water hammer, more generally called  “fluid hammer” or “hydraulic shock,” is possible with any gas, liquid, or steam.

The Main Cause of Fluid Hammer in Steam Pipes


How does fluid hammer in steam piping occur? In many steam plants, steam under high pressure is held behind an isolation valve (also called a “steam stop”). If you open that valve too fast, the steam enters the cold downstream piping and condenses into water.

In some cases, this slug of condensed water can act like a bullet. This hydraulic shock happens because steam flow velocity can be ten times faster than water flow.

Pushed by the steam behind it, the water bullet can break and shear off anything in its way, like gate valves, orifices, and insertion meters. Think of shooting a drop of water through a straw.

Reducing the Likelihood of Fluid Hammers In Steam Applications


Scott with InnovaMass 241i

One of our flow energy management experts, Scott, with a vortex flow meter that takes the guess work out of knowing your steam pressure.


Steam fluid hammers can be damaging, but fortunately, they are preventable. Here are some ways you can avoid fluid hammers in your steam pipes:


  • Warm up the downstream piping to minimize condensation. This is why most steam plants have a bypass valve around all their big stop valves so they can bleed steam into the pipe.

  • Install steam traps to collect any condensation that does form.

  • Monitor temperature, pressure, and steam velocity. These metrics should be watched closely, especially during startup. Having the ability to monitor and adjust your flow meters in the plant with apps is crucial to not only preventing water hammer, but ensuring optimal energy flow management.


Do you really know how much steam pressure you have flowing in your facility’s application? If not, talk to a flow energy management expert today.

If you want to learn more about a product that takes the guessing out of knowing your steam pressure, check out our InnovaMass Vortex Flow Meters for your steam application >.

 

Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
Written By:
Scott Rouse, Product Line Director
Sierra Instruments

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