Condensation-Induced Water Hammer

Prevent pipework fracture due to condensation-induced water hammer.

Understand where and why it occurs, and how it can be prevented.

liquid volume fraction · 6 in. pipe, closed end CFD
Animation of a horizontal pipe partly filled with liquid. Waves grow on the liquid surface near the inlet, a liquid slug bridges the pipe and travels to the closed end.
Hot ammonia gas enters through the downcomer at the left over a stratified liquid layer (red: liquid, blue: vapour). Waves grow on the interface, a slug bridges the pipe and is driven towards the end cap at the right.
01 mechanism What is it? How a liquid slug driven by vapour, and the collapse of the vapour ahead of it, produce a pressure surge. 02 guidance Am I at risk? Design rules for hot-gas valves and pipework, and tools for critical flow and shock estimates. 03 research The research The CFD model, its validation against ammonia experiments, and the design-basis studies.
Occurs in
  • Refrigeration
  • Steam and power
  • Process plant
  • CO₂ sequestration