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

• Main Authors: Khan, R., Mourad, A.-H.I., Seikh, A.H., Petru, J., H.Ya, H.
• Format: Article
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 2023
• Online Access: http://scholars.utp.edu.my/id/eprint/37298/; https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85168806997&doi=10.1016%2fj.engfailanal.2023.107565&partnerID=40&md5=dee91f23916ae511fe6030431d0feb8b

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. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd