Steam hammer is similar to water hammer
except it is for a steam system. Steam
hammer is a gaseous
shock wave resulting from the sudden starting or stopping of
flow. Steam hammer is not
as severe as water hammer for three reasons:
1. The compressibility of the steam dampens
the shock wave
2. The speed of sound in steam is
approximately one third the speed of sound in water.
3. The density of steam is approximately 1600
times less than that of water.
The items of concern that deal with steam
piping are thermal shock and water slugs (i.e., condensation
in the steam system) as a result of improper warm up.
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