Simulation Analysis of Erosion–Corrosion Behaviors of Elbow under Gas-Solid Two-Phase Flow Conditions

Abstract

In the production and gathering process of coal gas, the complex composition of the coal gas, harsh environments, the complex medium, and high content of solid particles in slurry cause the equipment malfunctions and even failure because of erosion and corrosion. In the present study, COMSOL multi-physics finite element simulation software is used to simulate the erosion–corrosion behaviors of elbow in key chemical equipments. The electrochemical corrosion, solid particle erosion, chemical reaction, and turbulent flow are coupled together. The particle count method is proposed to clarify the erosion phenomenon. The simulation results show that particles with high turbulent intensity hit the wall of elbow directly, which forms a slanted elliptical erosion zone on the extrados surface at 40°–50°. The chemical reaction in turbulence has a difference in the concentration distribution of substances, and this phenomenon leads to different magnitudes of the corrosion current densities in the tube. Moreover, 1/6 released particles hit the extrados surface of the elbow. These findings are beneficial to understand the erosion–corrosion phenomena and design the elbow in key chemical equipment.

Interfacial Dissipative Phenomena in Tribomechanical Systems

“…Reference [9] by Zeng and Qi is a good example of how tribological problems are indeed multiphysics, involving several lengths and time scales. Zeng and Qi [9] have studied the process of erosion and corrosion in pipes that transport two-phase flow (gassolid) encountering a pipe elbow.…”

“…Reference [9] by Zeng and Qi is a good example of how tribological problems are indeed multiphysics, involving several lengths and time scales. Zeng and Qi [9] have studied the process of erosion and corrosion in pipes that transport two-phase flow (gassolid) encountering a pipe elbow. They have used a multiphysics finite element simulation software to couple turbulent fluid dynamics for the flow, chemical reactions for corrosion and particle dynamics for erosion.…”