Prediction of impact erosion in valve geometries

In this paper, the capability of computational fluid dynamics techniques is investigated to predict the rate of solid particle erosion in industrially relevant geometries. An Eulerian–Lagrangian model of the flow is used, in combination with empirically developed equations for the mass removal, to examine erosion in valve components for aqueous slurry flows. Two types of geometries were used: (i) a relative simple geometry with basic geometrical features similar to real valves and (ii) a geometrically complex valve (a choke valve). Predictions of flow coefficients and mass removal rates were directly compared with measurements from a parallel experimental programme. While flow characteristics and erosion locations were identified satisfactorily, erosion rates were seriously underestimated.