Steam Hammer

The steam hammer identical to water hammer except for it is for a steam system. Steam hammer is a gaseous shock wave resultant from the sudden beginning or stopping of flow. The steam hammer is not as harsh as water hammer for three reasons:

1. Compressibility of the steam moistens the shock wave.

2. The speed of sound in steam is around one third the speed of sound in water.

3. The density of steam is around 1600 times less than that of water.

The items of anxiety which deal with steam piping are thermal shock and water slugs (that is, condensation in the steam system) as an outcome of inappropriate warm up.