Water Hammer

Definition

The violent banging caused by slugs of liquid water moving at steam velocity slamming into elbows and restrictions. It results from carryover or backed-up condensate.

Liquid slugs driven at 60 to 100 miles per hour through elbows and restrictions strike with destructive force, damaging piping and fittings. It arises from priming carryover that pulls water into the header or from steam traps failing closed so condensate backs up. Beyond noise, repeated water hammer threatens the mechanical integrity of the steam system.

Related concepts

Carryover · Priming · Steam Traps

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Part of The Blueprint of Water · 🛠️ operations