Particle erosion under multiphase bubble flow in horizontal-vertical-upward elbows

The erosion of particles is one of the main reasons of damage to the multiphase flow pipelines in black water treatment systems. In this study, the particle erosion of liquid-solid-gas multiphase bubble flow in a horizontal-vertical-upward elbow was analysed. The optical microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and white light interference microscope were used for detection of failed pipe samples. An erosion simulation method based on the volume of fluid (VOF) model and discrete phase model (DPM) was adopted to study the influencing factors on the erosion. The results showed that the particles and bubbles lead to lots of pits and furrows on the pipe surfaces, and the erosion at the outer elbow is relatively severe due to the effect of multiphase bubble flow. The most severe damage occurred at theta = 25 degrees of the elbow, and erosion rate is positively correlated with the particle diameter, volume fraction and inlet velocity. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.