Flow visualization experiments have been conducted in 7.5 cm and 10 cm I.D. three phase oil-water-gas pipes. The mechanisms that lead to increased corrosion rates in three-phase slug flow have been determined. The results show the existence of pulses of bubbles that have been formed in the mixing zone of the slug. These can impact on the lower pipe wall producing a cavitation-type effect leading to high rates of localized wall shear stress and associated high corrosion rates. This mechanism is sufficient to remove corrosion products and certain corrosion inhibitor films. The corrosion rate is strongly dependent on the flow composition and the Froude Number.

Subject
Piping, Froude number, Corrosion rate, Turbulent flow, Walls, Slug flow, Mixtures, Liquids, Stress, Bubbling, Shear, Mixing, Oil
Keywords:
Corrosion/Erosion, Multiphase Slug Flow, Mixing Zone, Large Diameter Horizontal Pipeline, Bubble Impact, Wall Shear
© 1995 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
1995
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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