Development and validation of a mechanistic model to predict solid particle erosion in multiphase flow

Prediction of erosion in flow systems requires an understanding of the complex interactions between the fluid and the solids. The complexity of the problem increases significantly in multiphase flow due to the existence of different flow patterns. Earlier predictive methods for erosion in multiphase flow were primarily based on empirical data and the applicability of those models was limited to the flow conditions of the experiments. A new mechanistic model for predicting erosion in elbows in multiphase flow is presented. Local fluid velocities in multiphase flow are used to calculate erosion rates in multiphase flow using particle tracking and simplified erosion equations. The predicted erosion rates obtained by the mechanistic model presented here are in good agreement with experimental data available in the literature for different flow regimes and a wide range of flow velocities. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.