- Steam Theory
- 1. Basics of Steam
- 2. Steam Heating
- 3. Basics of Steam Traps
- 4. Steam Trap Selection
- Steam Trap Selection: How Application Affects Selection
- Steam Trap Selection: Understanding Specifications
- Steam Trap Selection: Safety Factor and Life Cycle Cost
- Traps and Orifices Part 1
- Traps and Orifices Part 2
- Casting vs. Forging
- Applications of Different Types of Steam Traps
- Don't Get Steamed : Selecting Steam Trap Design
- Understanding Steam Traps
- Compare Two Fixed Orifice Venturi Products to a Variable Orifice Free Float Steam Trap
- 5. Steam Trap Problems
- 6. Steam Trap Management
- 7. Water Hammer
- Water Hammer: What is it?
- Water Hammer: The Mechanism
- Water Hammer: Cause and Location
- Water Hammer: In Steam Distribution Lines
- Water Hammer: In Equipment
- Water Hammer: In Condensate Transport Piping
- Identifying Water Hammer Using a Thermal Camera
- Mitigation of Water Hammer in Vertical Flashing Condensate Transport Piping
- Stop Knocking Your Condensate Return
- Steam Trap Management: Do Something; Anything. Please!
- 8. Risk Mitigation
- 9. Steam Quality
- 10. Steam Distribution
- 11. Condensate Recovery
- Introduction to Condensate Recovery
- Returning Condensate and When to Use Condensate Pumps
- Condensate Recovery: Vented vs. Pressurized Systems
- Condensate Recovery Piping
- What is Stall?
- Methods of Preventing Stall
- Cavitation in Condensate Pumps
- Steam Heat Exchangers are Underworked and Over-Surfaced
- Allocate New Plant Focus to Steam System Design—Part 2
- 12. Energy Efficiency
- Tips to improve steam plant efficiency
- Advice on Winter Preparation for Steam Systems
- Insulating Traps
- Steam Compressors
- Why Save Energy?
- Management Strategies for Conserving Energy
- Recovering Steam Clouds and Waste Heat
- Waste Heat Recovery
- Boiler Energy Saving Tips
- Steam Line Energy Saving Tips
- Steam-Using Equipment Energy Saving Tips
- Handle Steam More Intelligently
- Optimize the Entire Steam System
- Use Available Data to Lower System Cost
- 13. Compressed Air / Gas
- 14. Other Valves
Water Hammer in Steam Distribution Lines
Water hammer in steam distribution lines usually occurs when first supplying the steam. The previously mentioned method of operating valves slowly may help if the water hammer is caused by high-speed condensate slamming into piping, etc., but will not be effective if the water hammer is caused by the sudden condensation of steam.
As condensate is directly related to either type, properly removing condensate will lead to the most effective solution. Steam traps must be correctly installed so that the condensate inside the steam distribution lines is rapidly and completely removed.
If water hammer still occurs when proper care is given to the number and location of steam traps installed, the problem is most likely being caused by incorrect sloping of the piping. If the piping is not sloped correctly, the condensate cannot flow into the trap as planned, which can lead to high levels of condensate in unexpected locations.
In long steam distribution lines, even a slight rise in piping can result in water hammer. When installing piping using a roofline or the ground as a reference, make sure to double-check the slope of the piping.
Steam piping slopes upwards: Water hammer occurs
Steam piping slopes downwards: No water hammer
Among other possible causes of water hammer may be the accumulation of condensate where branch lines dead end. This is only a portion of the reasons why water hammer occurs. In order to truly eliminate the problem, a survey of the entire piping system should be performed to pinpoint the exact causes and plan suitable countermeasures.
Branch Piping Methods that Cause and Prevent Water Hammer
Having problems with water hammer? Our steam specialist engineers can help.
|Water Hammer: Cause and Location||Water Hammer: In Equipment|