Steam and Condensate Water Hammer Overview

Inveno Engineering, LLC is a recognized global leader in steam system engineering, providing unmatched expertise and innovative solutions worldwide. Today we would like to discuss water hammer in the steam and condensate system, which is a major safety issue and will cause reliability issues for plant operations. Unfortunately, 82% of the steam systems in North America experience are experiencing some type of water hammer. Water hammer is unavoidable and a natural part of a steam and condensate system. This is an entirely false statement. Water hammer is a major safety issue. Water hammer is a global challenge, and we have worked with plants worldwide to assist in resolving water hammer issues. Steam and condensate system water hammer. Water hammer is not only a system issue, but primarily a safety issue. It can injure or even cause fatalities, thus a major safety issue for plant operation. Eliminating water hammer needs to be a top priority for everybody in the plant. Understanding the water hammer will help plants implement necessary changes in the system design, startup, maintenance, operation, and installation to eliminate water hammer, ensuring plant personnel's safety, reduce maintenance costs, avoid system downtime, and of course increase production. Where does water hammer occur? Water hammer can occur in the steam or condensate system. There are many causes for water hammer. No plant operation should be occurring water hammer. Water hammers is abnormal and should never be thought of as normal. Steam and condensate water hammer is totally abnormal. Water hammer in steam system. Installing steam lines improperly will cause water hammer. Example. Here you will see a steam line pipe expansion loop installed a downward location which causes a low point in the steam line. There was no steam line drip leg installed on the steam line to remove condensate. Therefore, excessive condensate will build up in the steam line expansion loop and generate water hammer. Allowing high steam line velocities, failing to remove condensate properly from steam lines during operation, are typically causes for water hammer in steam systems.