CFD-DPM modelling of solid particle erosion on weld reinforcement height in liquid-solid high shear flows

Abstract

Liquid-solid two-phase flow erosion can lead to great economic losses and safety concerns in the oil & gas storage and transportation industry. The solid particle erosion on weld reinforcement height (WRH) in liquid-solid high shear flows were systematically investigated by coupling the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the discrete phase model (DPM) method. The effects of liquid velocity, WRH height, particle flow rate, and particle size on the particle erosion in the WRH region were analyzed. Increasing erosion rate was observed with increasing liquid velocity. The erosion rate first increased and then decreased with increasing WRH height. The increasing erosion rate was observed with both increasing particle flow rates and particle sizes. The existence of defects on the WRH surface significantly increased the maximum erosion rates. This work can provide scientific guidelines for the corrosion protection and safe operation of long-distance oil & gas pipelines.