Steam Water Hammer Accident Investigation and Steam Training


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Wayne Kirsner, P.E. / Principal

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Tennessee State University -- Tunnel Steam Piping Investigation -- Observations
Overall plan of the steam tunnel that summarizes the observations You are here

Photo 1-12.

Skewed and strained trap piping at location of broken anchor A-20. Trap has been valved off due to leaks caused by pipe stress.
It appears that most traps which are valved off are out of commission due to leaks caused by pipe stress.

By my count, 10 of 22 traps physically located in the tunnel are valved off. This is not good in light of the fact that the university is using an un-supervised start-up to warm up the steam system.

An un-supervised start-up uses only the traps (as opposed to manual drains provided at each trap station) to drain start-up condensate formed as cold pipes are warmed by entering steam. Failure to adequately drain the large amount of condensate formed at start-up can result in water hammer.

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