4 SPE-170951-MS

Figure 1—Erosion Ratio vs. Impact Velocity

Figure 2—Erosion Ratio vs. Impact Velocity (ASTM Correlation and Exp. Data)

predictions in Fig. 1. The vertical axis shows the erosion ratio and corresponding impact velocities are
shown on the horizontal axis. As it can be seen, the ASTM and Erosion/Corrosion Research Center
(E/CRC) correlation predictions are close to the experimental values.
The correlation predictions have been also compared to experimental data by Baker et al. [4] for a
range of droplet sizes (350 ␮m to 1050 ␮m) impacting chromium steel specimens which are mounted on
a rotating disk (Fig. 2). The vertical axis shows volumetric erosion ratios and the corresponding impact
velocities are shown on the horizontal axis. The model predictions are close to the experimental
measurements for large droplets and over-predict the values for smaller ones at lower impact velocities.
Low velocities (less than 100 m/s) are more applicable to the oil and gas industry. So, the correlation
has been modified to provide better predictions at low velocities.
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Figure 3—Erosion Ratio vs. Impact Velocity (Modified Correlation and Exp. Data)

(4)

In the new correlation, the velocity exponent has been changed from a constant value of 4.8 to a
function of droplet size, and the droplet exponent has been raised from 0.67 to 9. The predictions from
the modified correlation have been compared to experimental data discussed earlier from literature. (See
Fig. 1 and Fig. 3). The ER values are now closer to the experimental data for low velocity cases as
compared to ASTM correlation predictions.
Erosion Induced by Small Particles
Solid particles that are entrained by the liquid may cause erosion. Larger particles (⬎100 ␮m) may be
removed from the flow by sand screens, filtration or other physical means, but it is not easy to separate
small particles. The purpose of this section is to develop a model for erosion of production and
transportation facilities due to small particles entrained by liquid droplets. Zhang et al. [15] developed
erosion ratio equations for sand particles using experimental data from direct impingement testing. In their
equations, erosion ratio is a function of impact condition (impact speed and angle), erodent particle
characteristics (particle sharpness, size and density) and target material properties (ductility, hardness and
density). The erosion ratio equation is
(5)

where Ce is the experimental constant equal to 1.42⫻10-7 for Stainless Steel, BH is the Brinell hardness
of the wall, Fs is particle sharpness factor which is 1 for silica flour, Vp is particle impact velocity in m/s
and F(␪) is angle function which assumed to be one as impact angle of the particles in droplet is almost
90.
Erosion Rate and Threshold Velocity Calculation
This erosion model can be applied to estimate the erosion rate at a given operating condition or calculate
the threshold erosional velocity for a given penetration rate. Erosion rate is a function of impact velocity,
droplet size and the amount of liquid droplets or solid particles that impinge the wall in the time unit. So
in both cases, whether penetration rate is given and threshold velocity is desired or the other way, it is