Bottling Line Water Hammer
Industry Served: Consumer Products
Problem:
A manufacturing facility in Arizona producing bottled cleaning chemicals was operating a high cycle filling system running 24/7. The process used a circular bottling machine with a fill box controlled by a quick closing valve, which repeatedly opened and shut to fill batches of 20 bottles at a time.
Each time the valve closed, it generated a severe water hammer event, sending pressure transients back through approximately 100 feet of piping to the pump. These repeated pressure spikes caused extreme pipe shaking to the point where operators avoided standing near the piping due to safety concerns.
The ongoing stress raised serious risks, including:
• Potential pipe failure
• Chemical spills onto the plant floor
• Possible exposure hazards to nearby personnel
Solution:
To eliminate the damaging pressure spikes, a BLACOH surge dampener was installed directly at the source, adjacent to the quick closing valve.
By placing the dampener at the point where the water hammer originated, the system was able to:
• Absorb and dissipate pressure transients immediately
• Prevent shockwaves from traveling back through the piping system
• Reduce mechanical stress on downstream equipment and piping
This targeted installation addressed the root cause rather than allowing the effects to compound through the system.
Result:
With the surge dampener in place, the system now operates safely and smoothly, even under continuous cycling conditions.
Key Outcomes
• Elimination of severe pipe shaking
• Significant reduction in water hammer pressure spikes
• Improved safety for plant personnel
• Reduced risk of pipe failure and chemical spills
• More stable and reliable system operation
With BLACOH’s help, the facility was able to transform a potentially hazardous process into a controlled, stable, and safe operation, reinforcing the importance of proper surge and pulsation control in high cycle applications.