INDEX

1 2 3 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

SCOPE DEFINITIONS GENERAL ATTACHMENTS CAUSE OF WATER HAMMER EFFECT OF WATER HAMMER ON PIPING PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF WATER HAMMER PRECOMMISSIONING TESTING

2 1 A NO.

11-27-94 05-21-82 03-10-82 DATE

Re-typed without changes Approved for Construction Issued for Review REVISIONS

MJV

BY

CH'K

APPR.

SAUDI YANBU PETROCHEMICAL CO. SPECIFICATION FOR WATER HAMMER IN PIPING JOB. NO. 11211 SPECS/DES. GUIDE NO. A-308 REV 2

1.

SCOPE The contents of this procedure are limited to a consideration of Water Hammer in piping, valves, and other associated equipment.

2.

DEFINITIONS Water Hammer Water hammer is manifest as a series of shocks, sounding like hammer blows which may have sufficient magnitude to cause pipe rupture or damage to equipment connections.

3.

GENERAL Water hammer when detected should be eliminated or minimized prior to normal operation of the plant in order to avoid damage to equipment, piping, valves and other components of the system. If the velocity of fluid flowing in a pipe is suddenly decreased, the energy given up by the fluid will be dissipated in compressing the fluid itself, stretching the pipe walls and overcoming the frictional resistance to wave propagation. The three main variables that determine how severe a water hammer will be are: a) b) c) Length of system. Fluid flow velocity within the system. Fluid flow cutoff time.

A nomograph is included in Attachment 308-1 that utilizes these three variables to determine the pressure rise within a system that results from a sudden stoppage of fluid flow. An example is plotted that shows a system pressure rise of 1725 kPa. 4. ATTACHMENTS Attachment A308-1 Attachment A308-2 Nomograph Water Hammer Record Sheet

SPECIFICATION

A-308

REV.

SHEET

of

5.

CAUSE OF WATER HAMMER Water Hammer may be caused by the instantaneous or rapid closing of a valve or by an equivalent stoppage of flow as in the case of failure of power to a motor driven pump. Factors affecting the magnitude of a surge that causes water hammer may include:

Any sudden change in the velocity of the fluid. Equipment and/or component location. Sudden filling of empty systems.

Water Hammer may occur either upstream or downstream from a valve in the piping system. 6. EFFECT OF WATER HAMMER ON THE PIPING SYSTEM ASME boiler and pressure vessel code Section III is not very specific on the subject of water hammer in piping systems. The code states that impact forces caused by either external or internal conditions shall be considered. The design of the system will be reviewed for water hammer effects during startup or initial operating conditions. The effects of water hammer, if not properly assessed may cause:

Shutdown of the equipment or system. Shutdown of the plant for repair. Damage or leakage at critical joints and seals in the piping system. Possibility of fatigue fracture and the effect of fatigue on the life of piping. Damage to the supports (i.e., hangers, restraints and anchors). Impairment of operating of flow machinery, valves, and other components. Damage to instruments located in piping or equipment.

SPECIFICATION

A-308

REV.

SHEET

of

7.

PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF WATER HAMMER PROBLEMS IN THE PIPING SYSTEM 7.1 General Piping systems should be carefully reviewed against the following checklist to prevent water hammer. The following situations should be avoided: NOTE: a) This checklist is applicable to most piping systems supplied by motor-driven centrifugal pumps. High spots on the profile of the piping system where occurrence of a vacuum can cause a parting of the water column when a pump is cutoff. Where the length of the system is less than twenty (20) times the head of the pumps. Where there are no quick-closing automatic valves set to open or close in less than 5.0 seconds. Where there are no pump or driving motors that would suffer damage if allowed to accelerate backwards. Where the pump will not trip before the pump discharge valve is fully closed. Where the pump will not be started with the discharge valve open.

b) c) d) e) f) 7.2

Prevention of Water Hammer A careful review of the normal operating mode, emergency operating mode and other transient conditions may be useful in preventing water hammer. Also, the following suggestions should be applied during initial operation and testing of piping systems.

Start fluid flow slowly (if possible) through long horizontal pipe runs. Verify that relief valves are operating within limits set by design specifications.

SPECIFICATION

A-308

REV.

SHEET

of

Make arrangements which prevent rapid closure of system valves. Verify that accumulator tanks are not more than 2/3 full (if applicable).

7.3

Correction of Water Hammer Problems Some suggestions to correct water hammer related problems are:

Modify piping configuration. Relocate and/or install supports (hangers, restraints and anchors) to restrain forces imposed as a result of water hammer. Relocate valves and/or components. Select valves to increase closure time (if possible). Use of surge-suppressing devices.

8.

PRECOMMISSIONING TESTING During initial startup shutdown, and different modes of operation, a regular surveillance should be maintained to check for the occurrence of water hammer in the various piping systems. Attachment 308-2 shows a sample data sheet that can be used when making a water hammer check on any of the liquid filled piping systems.

SPECIFICATION

A-308

REV.

SHEET

of