supertek65
11-04-2010, 09:50 PM
Hey guys!
I have a steam boiler which I found the LWCO float ball imploded.
I have heard of this and read about it.
basically water hammer?? I guess I do not completely understand?
COULD SOMEBODY PUT THIS IN BOILER FOR DUMMIES TERMS FOR ME?
I read the entire article,
here is a link
--------------
http://www.cool-info.co.uk/brines_steam/steam_heating/stm_heating.html
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One of the most common complaints against steam heating is that a system sometimes develops a hammer-like noise commonly referred to as water hammer. It can be very annoying. More importantly, it can indicate a condition which could produce serious consequences including damaged vents, traps, regulators and piping.
There are two types of water hammer that can occur in steam systems:-
One type is usually caused by the accumulation of condensate (water) trapped in a portion of horizontal steam piping. The velocity of the steam flowing over the condensate causes ripples in the water. Turbulence builds up until the water forms a solid mass, or slug, filling the pipe. This slug of condensate can travel at the speed of the steam and will strike the first elbow in its path with a force comparable to a hammer blow. In fact, the force can be great enough to break the back of the elbow. Steam flowing in a system at 50m/s is travelling at over 100 miles per hour. The slug of condensate can reach the speed of the steam flow.
The second type of water hammer is actually cavitation. A steam bubble forming or being pushed into a pipe completely filled with water causes this. As the trapped steam bubble looses its latent heat, the bubble implodes, the wall of water comes back together and the force created can be in severe. This condition can crush float balls and destroy thermostatic elements in steam traps. Cavitation is the type of water hammer that usually occurs in wet return lines or pump discharge piping.
I have a steam boiler which I found the LWCO float ball imploded.
I have heard of this and read about it.
basically water hammer?? I guess I do not completely understand?
COULD SOMEBODY PUT THIS IN BOILER FOR DUMMIES TERMS FOR ME?
I read the entire article,
here is a link
--------------
http://www.cool-info.co.uk/brines_steam/steam_heating/stm_heating.html
------------------
One of the most common complaints against steam heating is that a system sometimes develops a hammer-like noise commonly referred to as water hammer. It can be very annoying. More importantly, it can indicate a condition which could produce serious consequences including damaged vents, traps, regulators and piping.
There are two types of water hammer that can occur in steam systems:-
One type is usually caused by the accumulation of condensate (water) trapped in a portion of horizontal steam piping. The velocity of the steam flowing over the condensate causes ripples in the water. Turbulence builds up until the water forms a solid mass, or slug, filling the pipe. This slug of condensate can travel at the speed of the steam and will strike the first elbow in its path with a force comparable to a hammer blow. In fact, the force can be great enough to break the back of the elbow. Steam flowing in a system at 50m/s is travelling at over 100 miles per hour. The slug of condensate can reach the speed of the steam flow.
The second type of water hammer is actually cavitation. A steam bubble forming or being pushed into a pipe completely filled with water causes this. As the trapped steam bubble looses its latent heat, the bubble implodes, the wall of water comes back together and the force created can be in severe. This condition can crush float balls and destroy thermostatic elements in steam traps. Cavitation is the type of water hammer that usually occurs in wet return lines or pump discharge piping.