Erosion impact on mild steel elbow pipeline for different orientations under liquid-gas-sand annular flow

In this paper, the quantitative results of erosion of a horizontal-vertical (H-V) downward long radius 90 degrees elbow and horizontal-horizontal (H-H) elbow for abrasive annular flow conditions is evaluated using experimental and Computational Fluid Dynamics. Experimental results indicate that the critical erosion eventuates when the angle reaches approximately 45 degrees, which is perceived in both H-V and H-H orientation. The excessive pitting and microcutting are the main causes of erosive wear for both oriented elbows after the abrasive particle collision. Meanwhile, the 1018 steel H-H exhibited the lowest thickness loss, surface roughness, hardness, and mass loss in comparison with H-V oriented elbow. The corresponding erosion rate of the H-V elbow was comparatively 21% higher than 90 degrees H-H elbows for identical annular flow conditions.