Water hammer

Heating · Components and Problems · printed page 196 (PDF page 197)

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Book index entries

Steam Heat – Water Hammer Water Hammer – in Steam Heating Steam Heat – Systems

Text in the illustration

sag in pipe allows water to collect at low point
steam in the pipe condenses when it comes in contact with the water
water
the steam then shrinks dramatically - creating a vacuum
the water rushes in to fill the vacuum and slams against the pipe
more steam
waves are created that travel down the pipe
(slamming into elbows, T's and other fittings)
more steam is drawn into where the waves just left
and the cycle starts over again
cross section

Generated explanation

Four sequential cross sections illustrate water hammer in a sagging steam-heating pipe with an elbow at the right end. Water collects at the low point, where contact with steam causes the steam to condense. The resulting volume reduction creates a vacuum, drawing water inward and causing it to slam against the pipe. Waves then travel along the pipe and strike elbows and other fittings as more steam enters the spaces they leave behind. The final panel shows the cycle repeating.

Components

steam-heating pipe pipe elbow pipe fittings

Defects shown

Sagging steam pipe Water accumulation at a pipe low point Condensation-induced water hammer Water waves striking piping and fittings

Related illustrations

1123

Hartford Loop - close nipple missing

· p. 197

The cross-sectional drawing shows a steam-heating Hartford Loop joining an equalizer pipe below the boiler water line, with a indicated separation of 2 to 3 inches. Arrows show cool condensate rising through the loop and