Steam Theory 1. Basics of Steam What is Steam? Principal Applications for Steam Types of Steam Flash Steam How to Read a Steam Table 2. Steam Heating Heating with Steam Steam Heating Mechanism Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient What is Vacuum Steam? Tracing the Causes of Heat Maintenance Issues 3. Basics of Steam Traps What is a Steam Trap? The History of Steam Traps #1 The History of Steam Traps #2 How Mechanical Traps Work: A Look at their Mechanism and Merits How Disc Traps Work: A Look at their Mechanism and Merits How Bimetal-Type Thermostatic Steam Traps Work: A Look at their Mechanisms and Merits 4. Steam Trap Selection Steam Trap Selection: How Application Affects Selection Steam Trap Selection: Understanding Specifications Steam Trap Selection: Safety Factor and Life Cycle Cost Traps and Orifices Part 1 Traps and Orifices Part 2 Casting vs. Forging Applications of Different Types of Steam Traps Don't Get Steamed : Selecting Steam Trap Design Understanding Steam Traps Compare Two Fixed Orifice Venturi Products to a Variable Orifice Free Float Steam Trap 5. Steam Trap Problems Is My Trap Leaking Live Steam? Temperature Control Trap Precautions Trap Installation Orientation Trap Back Pressure Double Trapping Group Trapping Steam Locking Air Binding My Steam Trap Is Good - Why Doesn't It Work? 6. Steam Trap Management Introduction to Steam Trap Management Steam Trap Losses - what it costs you A Guide to Steam Trap Testing Implement a Sustainable Steam Trap Management Program Impact Plant Performance by Improving the Steam System 7. Water Hammer Water Hammer: What is it? Water Hammer: The Mechanism Water Hammer: Cause and Location Water Hammer: In Steam Distribution Lines Water Hammer: In Equipment Water Hammer: In Condensate Transport Piping Identifying Water Hammer Using a Thermal Camera Mitigation of Water Hammer in Vertical Flashing Condensate Transport Piping Stop Knocking Your Condensate Return Steam Trap Management: Do Something; Anything. Please! 8. Risk Mitigation Steam System Optimization and Risk Mitigation Risk Based Methodology for Industrial Steam Systems Why Bad Things Happen to Good Steam Equipment Beware of the Dangers of Cold Traps Steam System Winterization: How to Protect Your Plant 9. Steam Quality Wet Steam vs. Dry Steam: The Importance of the Steam Dryness Fraction Separators and their Role in the Steam System Clean & Pure Steam Temperature Problems Caused by Air Removing Air from Steam Equipment Air Vents for Steam Steam Quality Considerations 10. Steam Distribution Best Practices for Condensate Removal on Steam Lines Installation Tips for Steam Traps on Steam Mains Erosion in Steam and Condensate Piping Corrosion in Steam and Condensate Piping Allocate New Plant Focus to Steam System Design—Part 1 11. Condensate Recovery Introduction to Condensate Recovery Returning Condensate and When to Use Condensate Pumps Condensate Recovery: Vented vs. Pressurized Systems Condensate Recovery Piping What is Stall? Methods of Preventing Stall Cavitation in Condensate Pumps Steam Heat Exchangers are Underworked and Over-Surfaced Allocate New Plant Focus to Steam System Design—Part 2 Optimize Reboiler Performance via Effective Condensate Drainage Vent Away Condensate Pump Frustrations in a Flash 12. Energy Efficiency Tips to improve steam plant efficiency Advice on Winter Preparation for Steam Systems Insulating Traps Steam Compressors Why Save Energy? Management Strategies for Conserving Energy Recovering Steam Clouds and Waste Heat Waste Heat Recovery Boiler Energy Saving Tips Steam Line Energy Saving Tips Steam-Using Equipment Energy Saving Tips Preventing Steam Leaks Handle Steam More Intelligently Optimize the Entire Steam System Use Available Data to Lower System Cost 13. Compressed Air / Gas Removing Condensate from Compressed Air Preventing Clogging of Air Traps Air Compressor Energy Saving Tips Improving Compressed Air Quality and Countermeasures Against Leaks 14. Other Valves Types of Manual Valves Bypass Valves Check Valve Installation and Benefits Pressure Reducing Valves for Steam What is Water Hammer/ Steam Hammer? Contents: Have you ever heard a loud 'BANG' or hammer-like sound after quickly turning on or off a water faucet? This is the sound of water hammer in the water piping system. In a factory, a pump starting up operation or shutting down, or an air vent suddenly closing are examples of when this might occur. In addition to water transport piping systems, water hammer also occurs in steam and condensate recovery (i.e. water circulation) systems. This series of articles will focus on water hammer in these latter two systems. Note that as steam is involved, this type of water hammer is also sometimes referred to as 'steam hammer'. The Dangers of Water Hammer When steam is first supplied to steam distribution piping or steam-using equipment, a metallic and repetitive 'bang, bang, bang', or even sometimes a violent 'boom' accompanied by vibration may be heard. Most steam users will probably have experienced one of these at some time. Do you know what water hammer sounds like? Listen here. When water hammer occurs, a momentary abrupt pressure change of over 10 MPa may occur inside the piping. This impact can severely jar piping, equipment or machinery housing, possibly resulting in damage not only to gaskets in junctions, but also to valve flanges or the valves themselves. Example of piping damaged by water hammer As soon as something like this, such as a valve, becomes damaged, large quantities of steam or hot condensate begin blowing out, which could lead to a serious accident. There have even been reports of deaths occurring as the result of water hammer. In spite of this, there is remarkably little research or literature devoted to its causes and prevention, and many steam users find themselves at a loss with how to cope with the issue. Places Water Hammer (Steam Hammer) Occurs, by Type Having problems with water hammer? Our steam specialist engineers can help. Contact Us Impact Plant Performance by Improving the Steam System Water Hammer: The Mechanism Also on TLV.com Services Steam and Condensate Training Seminars Spring Loaded Disc-type Check Valves Engineering Calculator Steam Bulletin: Archive - Email Magazine