The hydrodynamic effects of single-phase flow on flow accelerated corrosion in a 90-degree elbow

Abstract The hydrodynamic effects of single-phase flow on flow accelerated corrosion (FAC) in a single 90-degree elbow were investigated at a Reynolds number of 40,000. Experiments were performed to determine the surface wear patterns using elbows fabricated from hydrocal. The time evolution of the local surface wear was quantified using a laser scanning coordinate measurement system. Numerical simulations for the flow field were performed, and the wear patterns were correlated to the flow structures within the elbow. The wear patterns indicated the development of surface wear in the form of scallops over most of the elbow surface. Elevated levels of wear were found along the inlet of the elbow intrados. Along the elbow extrados, increased levels of wear, starting from 37° downstream of the elbow inlet and up to the elbow exit, were found at prolonged test times. The magnitude of the maximum wear on the surface along the elbow inner radius was found to be approximately 37% higher than the corresponding value at the surface along the outer radius.