Theoretical Prediction Method for Erosion Damage of Horizontal Pipe by Suspended Particles in Liquid–Solid Flows

Abstract

In order to study the erosion of a pipe wall via a liquid–solid suspension flow, a two-phase flow model combined with an erosion forecasting model for multiparticle impact on horizontal pipe wall surfaces was established in this work on the basis of low-cycle fatigue theory. In the model establishment process, the effects of particle motion and material damage were considered, and a simplified method for predicting horizontal wall erosion was obtained. The calculated results showed that the particles impact the wall at a small angle of most liquid flow velocities, causing cutting erosion damage of the wall. The settling velocity and fluctuating velocity of the particles together determine the radial velocity of the particles, which affects the impact angle of the particles. The cutting erosion caused by the small-angle impact of the particles in the pipe is more likely to cause rapid loss of the wall material. Therefore, the pipe wall is usually evenly thinned.