Numerical Analysis of Erosion Rate Evolution in a Curved Gas Pipeline

Abstract

This study focuses on the predictive modeling of solid particle erosion, specifically sand, in gas conveyance pipelines used in the gas industry and pneumatic systems. The main objective is to predict and reduce mechanical damage to internal walls of pipelines produced by the recurrent impact of particles, with the aim of optimizing the durability and safety of installations. Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), the key parameters influencing the erosion mechanism were analyzed, such as particle size, flow velocity, and pipe bend configuration. The numerical results show strong correspondence with empirical observations, thereby confirming the validity of employing the Reynolds Stress turbulence model for analyzing the continuous phase and the Lagrangian discrete phase. The analysis reveals how these factors govern the location and intensity of maximum erosion on the pipeline walls. Furthermore, it demonstrates how these parameters shift the location of peak erosion and reveals the influence of solid particles on turbulent flow dynamics, particularly the role of Dean vortices in erosing the bend wall. Although the Rc/D ratio of curved conduits was constant in all cases examined, significant variations in erosion were observed. This implies that this ratio alone does not constitute a sufficient discriminating parameter to characterize the erosive behavior of gas-solid two-phase flows.