Steam Hammer (Pipeline Phenomena)

Basics

• Similar to Water Hammer (Pipeline Phenomena) but caused by Condensate in Pipeline Transport of Steam
• Can cause anything from equipment failure and minor pipe/seal bursts all the way to major incedents
  • Such as the 2007 NYC Steam Explosion
• If you don't consider it a problem, realise Steam Rockets are a thing, and mythbusters essentially made a hot water heater into a small bomb via removing all pressure release valves and other safeguards

See Also

• Steam Trap
• Pressure Release Valve

Useful Link

• The Wikipedia Page on Steam Hammer
• A Video by the Youtube Channel Practical Engineering explaning steam hammer, and a model using compressed air instead of steam