Erosion impact on mild steel elbow pipeline for different orientations under liquid-gas-sand annular flow

Abstract

In this paper, the quantitative results of erosion of a horizontal-vertical (H-V) downward long radius 90° elbow and horizontal-horizontal (H-H) elbow for abrasive annular flow conditions is evaluated using experimental and Computational Fluid Dynamics. Experimental results indicate that the critical erosion eventuates when the angle reaches approximately 45°, which is perceived in both H-V and H-H orientation. The excessive pitting and microcutting are the main causes of erosive wear for both oriented elbows after the abrasive particle collision. Meanwhile, the 1018 steel H-H exhibited the lowest thickness loss, surface roughness, hardness, and mass loss in comparison with H-V oriented elbow. The corresponding erosion rate of the H-V elbow was comparatively 21% higher than 90° H-H elbows for identical annular flow conditions.