Piping Response to Steam-Generated Water Hammer

Abstract

Theoretical estimates are presented for the impulse generated by the collapse of a steam bubble trapped by a column of subcooled liquid in a pipe. Predictions are compared with experimental results obtained in a laboratory scale test system. The excitation of pipe responses by the transmission of the water hammer impulse through pipe bends is discussed and predictions are presented for two simple piping configurations. Experimentally measured pipe deflections excited by a steam-generated water hammer are compared with the predictions.