One Question per Day: Methanol Technology Exchange Edition 20180503

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This post was last edited by Xiao Yu on May 3, 2018, at 10:42. Let’s learn from the best practices in the “Study & Brothers” section. There are rewards for correct answers; everyone who participates gets a reward. Let us grow and mature through these Q&A sessions. Brief answer: Water hammer. The condensate water at the bottom of steam pipelines is one of the causes of water hammer. Steam traveling through the pipeline at a speed of 40 m/s encounters the condensate water at the bottom of the pipeline, resulting in \"water waves\". If a sufficient amount of condensate is formed, the high-speed flowing steam will carry the condensate with it, creating a dangerous head pressure that increases as it moves through the liquid in front of it; this pressure can damage any fittings, control valves, tees, elbows, or blind flanges that attempt to change the direction of the steam flow. In addition to this type of \"water hammer,\" the high-speed flow of condensed water scouring the metal surface can also erode various pipe fittings. When steam meets condensate that is at a lower temperature than the steam, another type of water hammer occurs, known as thermal shock. Steam occupies a much larger volume than condensed water; when the volume of steam suddenly decreases, a shock wave is released throughout the system. The formation of such water hammer can damage the equipment.