Have you ever heard a sudden metallic “bang” in your steam system? This is a classic sign of water hammer, which can generate momentary pressure surges of over 10 MPa and produce powerful shocks inside the system.

Left unchecked, water hammer can damage piping and equipment, allowing large quantities of steam or hot condensate to blow out and creating serious safety hazards. In some cases, these incidents have even resulted in fatalities. Despite the risks, surprisingly little research has been devoted to understanding its causes and prevention, leaving many steam users unsure how to address the issue.

Understanding how water hammer forms is the first step toward preventing it. Read on to learn about the two main types of water hammer, the mechanisms behind its formation, and why condensate temperature can have a surprising effect on the intensity of these impacts.