1011 PROCESS CONTROL.Medium Module

The Computer Controlled Water Hammer Unit, “EGAC”, is designed to demonstrate the effects of an instantaneous variation of the speed of a fluid. It is possible to study the water hammer, which is the consequence of a quick change in a fluid speed.

Besides, damping of water hammer effects by using surge tanks can also be demonstrated.

The unit includes a hydraulic system with a centrifugal pump, which transfers water from the tank of the hydraulic system to the a constant level tank. This last tank supplies three different circuits to carry out the practical exercises. It can keep a constant pressure level at the three outlets by means of an inner wall. Besides, there is a valve that makes it possible to control the reflux from the hydraulic system to the constant level tank. A variable area flow meter is included to measure the reflux.

There are four testing circuits made of several materials and with different diameters to study their influence and to compare the results from every circuit. Each circuit has a quick-closing impact valve that generates the characteristic over-pressure of the water hammer. They also guarantee a quick closing without vibrations that could affect the measurements.

It also includes a discharge tank used to calm the water. Moreover, it provides the means of checking visually that the circuit under study is working.

Finally, there are three surge tanks which can be adapted to nine points of the system. They make it possible to study the conversion of the kinetic energy, released during the abrupt stopping of the water mass, into potential energy. Furthermore, the generated pressure vibrations can be analyzed by placing both pressure sensors at any of the twelve points of the circuits.