CFD modelling of erosion-corrosion of steel in aqueous environments : particle concentration effects on the regime boundaries

In this study, a new methodology is used to model the effects of particle concentration on the inner surfaces of a circular pipe 90º bend, assuming applied potential controlled aqueous slurry flow at room temperature. This enables the regimes of the component to be mapped according to the intensity of erosion and corrosion contributions. The results show that for a constant inlet particle concentration, it is shown how transitions between erosion-corrosion regimes are observed around the pipe. For increases in particle concentration, significant variation of the erosion-corrosion regimes are observed, with a reduction of the corrosion dominated regime. The results are interpreted in the terms of the changes in local erosion conditions along the component in the flowing environments. Typical results from the model are shown illustrating how this new mapping method can be used effectively to optimize process conditions and materials in such environments