Measures to reduce water hammer when using butterfly valves
In industrial pipework systems, especially in applications with liquids, water hammer is a frequent and serious problem. A water hammer occurs when the flow of a medium is abruptly stopped or changed. In this blog post, we look at the problem of water hammer, highlight the challenges that shut-off valves have to overcome and show how GEFA butterfly valves can help reduce the risks. You will also learn more about GEFA's water hammer test, which is demonstrated in a descriptive video.
What are water hammer? - Causes and effects
Water hammer occurs when there are abrupt changes in the flow rate in pipework. Common causes are:
Sudden closing or opening of valves
Pump failures or starts
Changes in the direction of flow
These rapid changes result in high pressure waves travelling along the pipeline and hitting barriers. The effects of these pressure waves can be devastating and include:
Pipe bursts: The enormous forces can cause pipes to break or develop leaks.
Damage to valves: The sudden change in pressure can damage or destroy valves, seals and other valves.
System failures: A serious pressure surge can cause the entire piping system to fail, resulting in production
GEFA water hammer test
We have made a water hammer video to draw attention to this undesirable effect and show how seriously we take the issue. Our expertise enables us to develop solutions to minimise such risks. This video impressively demonstrates the measures that can be taken to protect the system from pressure surges.
GEFA butterfly valves are also designed to master special challenges. Their design is based on decades of experience and development in the field of process technology.
The butterfly valves are made of high-quality materials and have precise control mechanisms that allow them to open and close precisely. The slower a butterfly valve closes, the lower the effect of the pressure surge. This significantly reduces the risk of damage to pipework and valves.
Efficiency in practice
GEFA butterfly valves have proven to be extremely reliable in practice. Numerous industrial applications, from chemical plants to water treatment plants, benefit from their robust design and high performance.
Another advantage is the ease of maintenance. The valves are designed so that they can be easily inspected and maintained. This creates optimisation potential, whereby costs such as consequential costs due to system downtime and efficiency losses during operation can be reduced.
Summary
Pressure surges pose a considerable challenge in industrial pipework systems. With the help of many years of experience and extensive expertise in this area, GEFA can make your process safer. The combination of innovative design, high material quality and precise control makes our butterfly valves an indispensable component in modern industrial plants.
If you would like to find out more about our butterfly valves, take a look at our product area or contact us directly.
