Pulsation Dampeners, Surge Suppressors and Pump Inlet Stabilisers

H2O Rx's Blacoh Pulsation Dampeners, Surge Suppressors and Pump Inlet Stabilisers protect pumps, pipes and sensitive instruments from damage. These are hydraulic shock absorbers. Hydraulic shock is caused by rapid acceleration or deceleration of the liquid.

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Pulsation Dampeners and Surge Suppressors

The metering of fluids is critical in maintaining control of quality and material usage. A SENTRY PULSATION DAMPENER installed at the discharge of a reciprocating pump eliminates the pulsating flow, allowing the meter to respond to a steady flow, insuring its accuracy, protection and longevity.

Quick closing valves create dangerous pressure surges during operation. When fluid velocity is stopped, it is transformed into pressure energy, causing a pressure spike up to six times greater than operating pressure – valves are destroyed, piping is ruptured, and sensitive instrumentation is damaged. A SENTRY SURGE SUPPRESSOR, placed upstream as close to the valve as possible, will absorb dangerous pressure spikes.

Filter screens are susceptible to breakdown due to fatigue and “stretching” from pulsations. Pulsating fluids will loosen and eventually tear apart filter media. Pulsating pressure spikes enlarge flow holes and allow larger particles to pass. A SENTRY PULSATION DAMPENER placed at the pump discharge will create steady pressure and constant flow to ensure longer media life and particle size integrity.

At pump start‑up, the fluid in a pipeline must be accelerated from zero to operating velocity. When the initial pump surge contacts static line fluid, a pressure spike is created. The force of this “water hammer” will rupture pipes, break fittings and destroy instrumentation. A SENTRY SURGE SUPPRESSOR installed at the pump discharge absorbs the initial surge.

Suction stabilisation is critical to pump efficiency and cavitation prevention. Cavitation results in premature failure of seals, packing, plungers and diaphragms. A SENTRY SUCTION STABILISER installed at the pump inlet controls pressure fluctuations and ensures a full‑volume stroke.

Coating, spraying and curtain coating applications benefit from a SENTRY PULSATION DAMPENER placed directly at the discharge of a reciprocating pump. Uneven flow causes rejected product and overuse of coating materials, resulting in lost profits.

Back surge occurs when pumping vertically or over a rise. At pump shutdown, fluid reverses direction and creates a dangerous pressure spike. A SENTRY SURGE SUPPRESSOR placed at the discharge or check valve absorbs the pressure shock.

Thermal expansion of fluids in closed systems can result in dangerously high pressures. A SENTRY THERMAL EXPANSION CHAMBER placed in‑line will accumulate the expanded fluid and reduce pressure increase.

Download the above table as a flyer – Click here.

Sentry Series – Dampeners
Blacoh Capabilities Guide
Hybrid Valve – A combination pulsation dampener and back pressure valve.
XP Series – High Pressure Dampeners.
Sanitary Series – For clean and hygenic applications.
Inlet Stabilisers – For the suction side of your pump.
Automatic Inlet Stabilisers – For AODD suction sides.
SurgeShield – Large capacity dampener and surge vessel.

Each application requires a different sizing formula.

A spreadsheet to size dampeners can be downloaded here.

Do Pulsation Dampeners comply with AS1210 – Pressure vessels?

AS1210‑2010, Clause 1.3 Application says…

“This standard is not intended to apply to … and other plant under pressure excluded by AS/NZS 1200.”

AS1200‑2000, Appendix A3 – Equipment or plant under pressure not specifically covered, Item 15, says…

“Hydraulic actuated equipment, including inert gas type ‘dampers’, in which the product of pressure (MPa) and gas volume (L) does not exceed 30 MPa·L.”

So the answer is that the majority of pulsation dampeners do not have to comply with AS1210, as they are excluded from the scope.

Do Pulsation Dampeners comply with ASME VIII?

In most cases pulsation dampeners do not need to comply with ASME VIII due to their size and scope. Blacoh does, however, design to the intent of the ASME VIII standard, even though it is not required. Download the explanation from Blacoh Engineering here.

What is the best way to support a Blacoh pulsation dampener?

Smaller dampeners can be supported by the piping without difficulty. Larger dampeners should be supported to prevent loads on the piping. H2O Rx can provide a support plate to simplify this. Download the datasheet for the support plate here.

Can I get a CAD model of a dampener for my skid layouts?

Yes! Just ask H2O Rx!

Pressure / Temperature Deratings for uPVC Shells?

PVC loses strength as temperature increases. The pressures below are provided for guidance only. Users must make their own determinations.