Which action can cause water hammer in a piping system?

Which action can cause water hammer in a piping system?

• A. Slowly opening a valve
• B. Leaving a valve fully open
• C. Rapidly closing a valve
• D. Checking valve pressure

Answer: (C)

Water hammer is a phenomenon that occurs in piping systems when there is a sudden change in the flow of water, leading to shock waves that can cause loud banging noises and potential damage to the pipes. Rapidly closing a valve is a primary cause of water hammer because it creates a sudden stop in the flow of water. When a valve is closed abruptly, the momentum of the moving water is interrupted quickly, which results in a pressure surge or shock wave throughout the system. This shock wave travels back through the pipes, which is experienced as a loud banging noise. The mechanics involved in this process highlight the importance of controlling flow changes gradually. When a valve is opened or closed slowly, the flow rate changes are more moderate, allowing the water to adjust without creating significant pressure fluctuations. Therefore, while actions like slowly opening a valve or leaving a valve fully open may affect flow, they do not contribute to the creation of water hammer as significantly as the rapid closure of a valve does.

Water hammer is a phenomenon that occurs in piping systems when there is a sudden change in the flow of water, leading to shock waves that can cause loud banging noises and potential damage to the pipes. Rapidly closing a valve is a primary cause of water hammer because it creates a sudden stop in the flow of water. When a valve is closed abruptly, the momentum of the moving water is interrupted quickly, which results in a pressure surge or shock wave throughout the system. This shock wave travels back through the pipes, which is experienced as a loud banging noise.

The mechanics involved in this process highlight the importance of controlling flow changes gradually. When a valve is opened or closed slowly, the flow rate changes are more moderate, allowing the water to adjust without creating significant pressure fluctuations. Therefore, while actions like slowly opening a valve or leaving a valve fully open may affect flow, they do not contribute to the creation of water hammer as significantly as the rapid closure of a valve does.