What is Water

Hammer?
◉ Water Hammer is the term used tо refer tо а noise that іѕ produced іn
water pipes, when the water flow іѕ turned off suddenly.

◉ Thе noise іѕ similar tо one that іѕ produced when ѕоmеthіng hits with
а hammer, giving the name ‘water hammer’.

◉ It’s аlѕо known аѕ fluid hammer.

 What Causes Water Hammer?
◉ Aѕ mentioned above, water hammer refers tо the sound that occurs іn
the form оf knocking noise аѕ іf the pipes were being hit bу а
hammer.
◉ Thе movement оf water іn the pipes іѕ driven bу ѕоmе amount оf
kinetic energy, оr lеt’s say momentum.
◉ Now іf this flow іѕ made tо stop with а sudden force, оr change in
direction wіth immediate effect, then а pressure surge оr wave іѕ
created which causes the hammering noise and vibration іn the pipes.
◉ Thіѕ hammering noise іѕ nоt а normal occurrence and іt’ѕ nоt heard
when the water іѕ flowing. Only heard when the water іѕ turned off.
 Water hammer in Pipes
◉ In a long pipe, when the flowing water is suddenly brought to rest by
closing the valve by any similar cause, there will be a sudden rise in
pressure due to the momentum of water being destroyed.
◉ A pressure wave is transmitted along the pipe.
◉ A sudden rise in pressure has the effect of hammering action on the
walls of the pipe.
◉ This phenomenon of sudden rise in pressure is known as water
hammer or hammer blow.
 Water hammer in Pipes
The magnitude of pressure rise depends on:
◉ The speed at which valve is closed.
◉ The velocity of flow
◉ The length of pipe
◉ The elastic properties of the pipe material as well as that of the flowing fluid.

 The rise in pressure in some cases may be so large that the pipe may even burst.
 Therefore it is essential to take into account this pressure rise in the design of the
pipes.
 Instantaneous closure of valve in rigid pipe

◉ When the valve is closed instantaneously (i-e t=0) the inertia head should rise to
infinity.
◉ However, in practice, it is not possible to close the valve instantaneously as it
always takes some time.
◉ Thus even for a very rapid closure of the valve, as observed during experiments,
the pressure rise is quite finite and measurable.
 Water hammer in Pipes

There are two conditions:

2L
(i) The closure of value is said to be gradual when t > C
Where C = Velocity of pressure
wave
The rise in pressure (P) for gradual closure of valve will be calculated by:

- the velocity at which the pressure wave moves in the fluid and is
also referred to as the velocity of sound.
 Water hammer in Pipes

2L
(ii) The closure of value is said be to instantaneous when t <
C

But, Velocity of pressure wave (C) would be:

Rise in pressure (P) would be:

Problem.
In a pipe of 0.6 m diameter and 3 km length, provided with a valve at its end,
water is flowing with a velocity of 2 m/sec. Assuming velocity of pressure wave
1500 m/sec. Find (i) the rise in pressure if the valve is closed in 20 seconds, and
(ii) the rise in pressure if the valve is closed in 2.5 seconds. Assume the pipe to
be rigid one and take bulk modulus of water as 2x10 9 kg/m2.
Data.
Dia. of the pipe, D = 0.6 m,
L = 3 km = 3000 m,
V= 2 m/sec,
C = 1500 m/sec, and
K = 2x109 kg/m2
 (i) Rise in pressure, P: t = 20 sec
Now, the ratio, 2L 2 x 3000
 4
C 1500

The closure of value is said to be gradual if, t  2L

c
Hence the valve is closed gradually. The rise in pressure (P) for
gradual closure of valve is given by:

P = 3 x 105 Kg/m2
(ii) Rise in Pressure P:
Time taken to close the value, t = 2.5 seconds
Bulk modulus of water (K) = kg/m2
Velocity of pressure wave is given by:

C = = = 1414.2 m/sec

2L 2x3000
The ratio,   4.24 Seconds
C 1414.2
2L
t , Thus the value closed instantaneously (For rigid
C pipe)
Now, rise in pressure

P = 2 x 1000 x 1414.2 = 2828400 kg/m2

Problem.
In a pipe of 800 mm diameter and 4000 m length, provided with a valve at its
end, water is flowing with a velocity of 4 m/sec. Assuming velocity of pressure
wave 1400 m/sec. Find (i) the rise in pressure if the valve is closed in 30
seconds, and (ii) the rise in pressure if the valve is closed in 4.5 seconds. Assume
the pipe to be rigid one and take bulk modulus of water as K = 2.5x10 9 kg/m2.
Data.
Dia. of the pipe, D = 800 mm = 0.8 m,
L = 4 km = 4000 m, Home
V= 4 m/sec, Work
C = 1400 m/sec, and
K = 2x109 kg/m2