5. Water hammer in pumping stations

Pressure and flow variations due to water hammer in pumping stations are determined using Bergeron's method. The examples given always correspond to the same basic installation, which differs only in its means of water hammer protection.

The system consists of a pump drawing from a basin B and discharging into a reservoir R, both at atmospheric pressure. Negative flows through the pump will not be dealt with. A non-return valve will be installed just downstream of the pump to prevent this from happening.

The principle of calculating ram protection developed here is not restricted to Bergeron's method, and remains valid for other models.