Pressure spike

A pressure spike is the resulting rapid rise in pressure above static pressure caused by water hammer. The highest pressure spike attained will be at the instant the flow changed and is governed by the following equation.

where:

Example: Pressure spike

Water at a density of 62.4 lbm/ft3 and a pressure of 120 psi is flowing through a pipe at 10 ft/sec. The speed of sound in the water is 4780 ft/sec. A check valve suddenly closed. What is the maximum pressure of the fluid in psi?

Solution: