Experimental investigation of flow induced corrosion on the smooth elbows

Abstract

In the present study, the turbulent flow downstream a 900 pipe bend is investigated by means of flow induced corrosion (FIC). The hydrodynamic effects of single-phase flow on flow accelerated corrosion (FAC) in a single 90-degree elbow were investigated at the various velocities (1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 m/s). Experiments were performed to determine the surface wear patterns using elbows fabricated from low carbon steel. The wear patterns indicated the development of surface wear in the form of uniform corrosion over most of the elbow surface. Afterward, surface degradation of the bends was studied by visual inspection and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) analysis. Finally, from experimental conducted, it was observed that inner diameters are areas of highest FIC behaviour for 300 in the bends.