Pressure surges in pipe systems: Impact on plant safety, detection, analysis and prevention methods

Due to control process, start-up and shut-down processes as well as operational disturbances in a process plant flow rate, pressure fluctuations and surges occur (e.g. water hammer, cavitational hammer). These pressure surges can lead to damages of plant's equipment (valves, pumps, pipe bends) up to leakage of the pipe system. These damages have impact on plant availability and plant safety. In this contribution, the results of experiments at UMSICHT's own test rig as well as some new methods of prevention of pressure surges are presented.