Waterhammer 4-0ms

[@JayMark2049]

Never underestimate the power of a pressurized fluid in motion through a pipe.

[@BOB24502]

This was a test done to record pressure transients with high frequency pressure transducers. The water hammer was deliberately created by closing a solenoid valve against a flow velocity of 4 m/sec, which generated tremendous stress on the piping.

[@sFeral]

How much worse does it get when water is at 4Celsius = max density ?

[@BOB24502]

@@sFeral Only 0.2% difference between water density at 21°C compared to water at 4°C. Joukowski equation shows that the magnitude of the pressure surge is directly related to the fluid density, so not much of a difference.

[@sFeral]

@@BOB24502 Would the same kind of behavior be expected from say mercury liquid metal or a liquefied gas ex. hydrogen ?

[@BOB24502]

@@sFeral Hydraulic hammer can be calculated with any type of liquid. For anything else than water, you need to take into account not only the specific gravity of the fluid but also the kinematic viscosity.

[@sFeral]

@@BOB24502 Does hydraulic hammer imply cavitation ?

[@BurkertPacific]

Bluecollarboiler is correct - this is what happens when project specifiers don't have the necessary field experience and technical expertise. Given this was shot in 2000, you would hope it had been fixed by now.

[@bmaikran]

I don't know what this process is but why in the world would this piping be this close to a freeway with this much water hammer!! It's going to explode and kill people