REFERENCE AND APPLICATION DATA
Pressure Sensors
Protecting Pressure Sensor Diaphragm
From Rupture Due To Water Hammer – Note #8
Introduction 1. Surge tank Typically, pressure snubbers are cylindri-
Many hydraulic systems exhibit short dur- An air chamber or surge tank can be cal cross-section devices ranging from
ation pressure pulses or shocks, called placed between the components that 0.75 to 1.5 inches in diameter and 0.75 to
‘‘water hammer.’’ These shocks are gen- generate the flow rate change, and the 5.0 inches long. Two types commonly
erated by the rapid change of system flow pressure sensor. The higher the volume used employ either a porous metal plug
rates by components such as compres- of the tank, the higher the pressure shock or filter in the pressure path, or a movable
sors, pumps, pistons and valves. Water it will absorb. Inlet and outlet ports should plunger restricting the flow rate. Sensor
hammer can reach pressure levels far ex- never be opposite each other to prevent response to significant pressure changes
ceeding the over pressure rating of our direct transmittal of shock pulses. Some will be slowed from about 1.0 millisecond
pressure sensors causing destruction of fluid collection can be expected in most to as much as a few seconds when a
the pressure sensing diaphragm. pneumatic systems. The area required for snubber is used.
the surge tank is the major problem with
There are four factors that determine wa- If the pressure sensor is mounted only by
this approach.
ter hammer: the input port at the end of a long pressure
1. System length (the longer the line, the snubber, resistance to shock and vibra-
2. Slowing operation
greater the shock). tion will be reduced. Rated shock and
Water hammer is developed only by a
2. System pipe diameter. vibration divided by the increased mount-
rapid change in flow rate. If the operation
3. System fluid velocity. ing length in inches approximates the ex-
of valves or other flow rate modifiers is
4. Closing time of valves or other flow pected shock and vibration resistance.
slowed beyond the critical time of change
modifiers. Adding a 3 inch long snubber will reduce
(tc), shock pulses can be prevented. Crit-
shock and vibration resistance to about
The pressure increase in a fluid system ical time of change is defined as:
one third of the rated value.
due to water hammer can be described tc J 2 D/c
by: Where:
Following is a list of vendors for pressure
D P J ec D V tc J Time of change (seconds).
snubbers:
Where: D J Distance from flow restriction point to
e J density of fluid pressure sensor to be protected (feet).
Allied Witan Company
c J velocity of sound in the system fluid c J Velocity of sound in system fluid
Arcco Instrument Company, Inc.
(ft./sec.) (feet/second).
Autoclave Engineers Inc.
D J change in velocity (ft./sec.)
V For most fluids, the velocity of sound lies Cajon Company
D P J change in pressure (lb./ft.2) between 1000 and 7000 feet per second. Chemiquip
(Divide by 144 for pressure in psi) If system distances are great (a few Cutler Controls Incorporated
hundred feet), the time of change can be Duro Instrument Corporation
The magnitude of water hammer shock 0.5 second or more. One problem with Enerpack Division Applied Power Inc.
can be reduced thru reducing the system this approach is that some components Fluid Kinetics Corporation
fluid velocity. Often the GPM (gallons per may not accommodate such slow oper- Greer Hydraulics
minute) flow rate can be reduced or the ation. ITT Grinnell Corporation
system pipe diameter increased. Metserco
3. Pressure snubber Mid-West Instrument Division Astra
Water Hammer Protection Systems A pressure snubber is a device for slow- Associates Inc.
Fluid systems can be developed in three ing the rate of change of system flow. Mott Metallurgical Corporation
ways to eliminate or control water Installation of a properly sized snubber at Oligear-Ball Products
hammer. or near the input of a pressure sensor will Pulsafeeder/Interpace
protect it from water hammer damage. Sigma-Netics Incorporated
Trerice, H O Company
Weiss, Albert A & Sons Inc.
120 Honeywell 1 Sensing and Control 1 1-800-537-6945 USA 1 F1-815-235-6847 International 1 1-800-737-3360 Canada