Prediction of thickness loss in a standard 90° elbow using erosion-coupled dynamic mesh

• Published in: Wear 2020-11, Vol.460-461, p.203400, Article 203400
• Main Authors: Adedeji, Oluwaseun Ezekiel, Duarte, Carlos Antonio Ribeiro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Computational fluid dynamics; Deformation; Dynamic mesh; Erosion wear model; Finite element method; Multiphase flow modeling; Rotation; Solid particle erosion; Surface deformation; Thickness; Time dependence; Topology; Wear
• ISSN: 0043-1648; 1873-2577
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wear.2020.203400

Erosion wear is an inevitable problem in particle-laden flows. Generally, the erosive wear is reported as a thickness loss (mm or mm/yr), but in the form of a scar or wear map distribution on the target material surface. Recent advances in CFD techniques now allow the prediction of a time-dependent surface evolution due to the impact of solid particles. With this in mind, an erosion-coupled dynamic mesh approach was employed to predict a realistic surface deformation in a standard 90∘ elbow. Experimental data were used to validate the numerical results. The effects of wall condition, namely, smooth wall, rough wall, and rough wall with particle rotation, on the topology of the deformed surface were investigated. Interestingly, the simulations revealed better performance of the dynamic mesh approach when compared to static mesh cases. Also, it was found that wall roughness and particle rotation significantly influences the shape and magnitude of the surface deformation. The results also showed that particle dynamics in response to the surface deformation might be the key to solve complex erosion-related problems. In such cases, the erosion spots can evolve over time and may be inaccurately assessed when based solely on static mesh erosion calculations. [Display omitted] •Erosion-coupled dynamic mesh approach is employed in a standard 90∘ elbow.•The dynamic mesh cases showed significant improvement when compared to static ones.•Wall roughness and particle rotation played an important role on the deformed elbow.•The surface deformation is crucial on the particle dynamics and erosion patterns.•The thickness loss using the dynamic mesh showed better agreement to the experimental data.