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Steam Condensation Induced Waterhammer
Abstract
This is the type of waterhammer that kills people. It's
initiating mechanism is much different than the image most engineers have of what causes waterhammer--
i.e. fast moving steam picking up a slug of
condensate and hurling it downstream against an
elbow or a valve. Condensation Induced Waterhammer
can be 100 times more powerful than this type of
waterhammer. Because it does not require flowing steam, it often occurs during relatively quiescent periods when operators least expect it. It's most
often initiated by opening a valve, even a drain valve
to remove condensate. The overpressure from an event can easily exceed 1000 psi. This is enough pressure to fracture a cast iron valve, blow out a
steam gasket, or burst an accordion type expansion joint. And, in fact, failure of each of these components
in separate condensation induced waterhammer
accidents has resulted in operator fatalities.
Operators and engineers need to understand this type
of waterhammer so they can avoid procedures which
can initiate it and designs which are susceptible to it.
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Citation
Kirsner, W. (2000). Steam Condensation Induced Waterhammer. Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu). Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /90896.