A Model for the Effect of Velocity on Erosion of N80 Steel Tubing due to the Normal Impingement of Solid Particles

Abstract

As part of a combined experimental and computational study of erosion for gas and oil production conditions, a semi-empirical model has been developed to predict erosion ratio behaviors of metals due to solid particle impingement. One use of the model will be to reduce the total number of experiments needed to characterize erosion behavior. The model represents material property information associated with both the target material and the impinging particles, as well as impingement speed. Five different models are examined in terms of ability to predict erosion ratio behavior as a function of impingement speed. The model selected is based on a conservation of energy formulation and fracture mechanics considerations to predict the amount of material removed due to solid particle impingement. The resulting equation to predict the erosion ratio for a given particle size contains one unknown coefficient which is determined through comparison with experimental data. Illustrative examples are presented for data for two different sizes of glass bead solid particles in an oil carrier fluid impinging on an API (American Petroleum Institute) N80 grade steel target at an impingement angle 90 deg to the target surface. Using erosion data at one impingement speed to determine the unknown coefficient, the model was used to predict erosion behavior at a range of other speeds. Good agreement between the erosion ratio data and the values predicted by the model were found for two solid particle sizes. Recommendations for expanding the capabilities of the model are pointed out.