Mathematical modelling of flow downstream of an orifice under flow-accelerated corrosion

Abstract

The main objective of this work is to establish an analytical model to evaluate the rate of corrosion in a horizontal pipe downstream of an orifice under flow-accelerated corrosion (FAC). FAC is a serious issue in nuclear and fossil power plants. In this work, an experimental setup was built to observe the effect of the flow on corrosion inside a tube. The experiments confirmed that the flow inside the tube caused more corrosion. However, accurate experimental data from literature has been selected and correlated by dimensional analysis, the modelling method of repeating variables and the Buckingham Pi theorem. It was found that the Sh number and the relative distance from the orifice are the main dimensionless parameters influencing FAC downstream of an orifice. The maximum value of the FAC rate could be well-predicted for the OR of 0.25, while the location of the maximum FAC rate could be well predicted for the OR of 0.5. The maximum FAC rate occurs between 2D to 4D downstream of the orifice and increases with a decreasing OR. This work could be useful for professionals in industry and researchers in the field and could be the starting point for a new way of evaluating the FAC rate downstream of a flow’s singularity.