The LFC™_3B Surge prevention system is designed to prevent water hammer or pressure surges in pumping systems. Especially in mining applications. Water hammer (or, more generally, fluid hammer) is a pressure surge or wave resulting when a fluid in motion is forced to stop or change direction suddenly (Momentum Change).
Water hammer commonly occurs when a pump is stopped suddenly and a pressure wave propagates in the pipe. It is a force that can arise in any pumping system that undergoes abrupt changes in its rate of flow. These flow changes can result from pump starts and stops, the opening and closing of valves, and water column separation and closure. The piping design does have an effect upon water hammer but, we have identified the main conditions resulting in hammer.