Project Lead:
David Fielding
david.fielding@nortonstraw.com
+44 (0)1332 348844
Erosion within oil and gas production and chemical process lines is a serious problem, and operators need an accurate understanding of when ultimate failure is likely to occur. It’s a complex phenomenon involving many different factors, and so empirical formulae that take into account the pipe material and the particle properties are used. However, these relationships don’t take into account changes to the local flow field caused by the erosion process itself, under-estimating component life.
The results were excellent, accurately predicting the location of the burn-through and the time taken to failure. These improved simulations can now be used by operators to extend component life and reduce replacement costs.