Water Hammer (Hydraulic Shock)

A pressure surge or wave resulting when a liquid in motion is forced to stop or change direction suddenly (momentum change). Water hammer commonly occurs when a valve is closed suddenly at an end of a pipeline system, causing a high-pressure wave to propagate in the pipe. This pressure wave can cause major problems, from noise and vibration to pipe collapse. It is possible to reduce the effects of the water hammer pulses with accumulators and reduce the valve closing time.