AbstractWhen it comes to shape optimization of processes and equipment in an industrial environment, adjoint methods together with computational fluid dynamics have been a great solution. The success of these methods is due to the total cost of obtaining the sensitivity derivatives once it is independent of the number of shape parameters. However, few developments for multiphase flows have been proposed, as there are still fundamental limitations in adjoint models that might prevent their common use. The adjoint theory is not applicable, for example, to the Lagrangian formulation, which has been the workhorse in particle‐induced erosion simulations. Despite these circumstances, it is intuitively possible to think that the optimization of the carrier flow is also expected to ‘optimize’ the particle flow. For instance, reducing total losses in a pipe junction will lead to a more streamlined design. This, in turn, will prevent sudden changes in fluid motion and, consequently, in particle path. As a direct outcome, erosion is expected to be mitigated, as it is mostly influenced by the particle velocity. Given the lack of rigorous mathematical proof of that, the present work investigates how the optimization of single‐phase flow can also mitigate erosion. The erosive wear problem was tackled in three different bend pipes, and the correlation with Stokes number was further explored. As general results, substantial reductions in peak erosion have been found as a consequence of minimizing total losses for all addressed cases. Accordingly, these pipeline components may have an increase in their service life.