Water Hammer: Conclusion

It may come as a surprise, but thermal imaging, which provides a visual image of temperature distribution, is a very effective way of identifying the locations where water hammer occurs. As the surface of piping must be exposed in order to be able to use the technique, images should be taken during a trial operation before any insulation is applied. If insulation is already in place, it can be temporarily removed for the purposes of taking the images.

Changes in temperature of piping before and after water hammer

As we discussed earlier in the series, when the temperature difference between steam and condensate is within a certain range, it is particularly easy for water hammer to occur (see here). Pinpointing the locations where this change in temperatures takes place speeds up the process of effecting countermeasures.

Large-scale water hammer can be very dangerous, and everyone understands the need to establish countermeasures against it. On the other hand, small-scale water hammer is often disregarded. Although it takes a longer time, small-scale water hammer often leads to damage too. From a preventative maintenance standpoint, it is critical that countermeasures be taken against this type of water hammer as well.