Water hammer is a common but potentially damaging phenomenon in hydraulic and irrigation systems. Understanding and mitigating this phenomenon is crucial to ensure the efficiency and longevity of water distribution systems.

What are the causes and consequences of water hammer?

Water hammer occurs when a valve closes rapidly, stopping the flow of water abruptly. This action causes a pressure wave to travel through the pipe, causing pressure fluctuations that can be very high. These shock waves can lead to different problems:

1. Damage to infrastructure: pressure fluctuations can cause ruptures in pipes, joints and other system components. This not only entails repair costs, but also interruptions in water supply.
2. Efficiency loss: water hammer can cause water and energy losses, affecting the overall efficiency of the system.
3. Safety risks: In industrial and urban installations, water hammer can represent a safety risk for operators and people in the vicinity of the affected installations.

How to reduce water hammer?

To prevent and mitigate water hammer, several strategies and devices are used, including the use of backflow preventers. These systems allow water to flow in one direction only and prevent the sudden return of fluid, thus reducing the chances of water hammer.

1. Soft-close valves: prevent abrupt changes in system pressure by providing an operation that allows a smooth transition between open and closed positions. This can be achieved with pressure reducing valves or with electric or pneumatic actuators.
2. Air release valves: the elimination of air in the installation significantly reduces the overpressure generated by water hammer, reducing its consequences.
3. Check-valve couplings: such as Hidroten's CHECK-VALVE STRAIGTH COUPLINGS, these systems not only prevent water hammer, but also prevent the lines from emptying, which facilitates the start-up of the syste

HIDROTEN CHECK-VALVE STRAIGTH COUPLINGS: An Effective Solution
This is an innovative solution that helps to effectively manage water hammer. By preventing the backflow of water, this device protects installations against damaging pressure waves. In addition, its advanced design allows for minimum head loss and maximum tightness, ensuring the safety and reliability of the system.

• Full integration: perfectly integrated into the fitting linking system.
• Minimal pressure drop: thanks to its advanced retention design.
• High cost-effectiveness: easy assembly and disassembly with its Netwell system.
• Maximum watertightness: provides safety and reliability in your installations.
• Sealing pressure: between 0.1 - 0.2 BAR.

With its ability to maintain the integrity of the lines and optimise the efficiency of the irrigation system, the Hidroten CHECK-VALVE STRAIGTH COUPLINGS is an indispensable solution for any modern installation.

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