Choosing A Line Size and Wall Thickness
Choosing A Line Size and Wall Thickness
• Fluid erosion occurs when liquid droplets impact the wall with enough force to erode the
products of corrosion, exposing the metal to the fluid and allowing more corrosion to occur
• values of C from 150 to 200 may be used for continuous, non-corrosive or corrosion
controlled services, if no solids are present.
EROSIONAL FLOW
• Clean service test results conclude that erosional velocity limitations are not
required. Velocities for this flow condition should be limited to 60 ft/sec to prevent
excessive noise.
• For erosive service, the erosional velocity can be determined from the following
equation:
EROSIONAL FLOW
• Erosion of the pipe material itself can occur if solids are present in the fluid. There is
no minimum velocity at which this will occur. One equation proposed to evaluate the
erosion of metal is:
LIQUID LINES
• The maximum velocity used in sizing liquid lines is on the order of 15 ft/sec.
• Experience has shown that this limit is normally sufficient to minimize noise, water
hammer, and erosion
• a minimum velocity of 3 ft/sec is normally recommended, minimum velocity to
minimize surging and to transport sand and other solids
• Fluid velocity, expressed in oil field units, can be determined from the following
equation:
GAS LINES
GAS LINES
• Same as Example 1
• Liquid flow to a low pressure separator operating at 150 psi.
Line is rated for 1,480 psi.
• Choose a line size and wall thickness using B 31.3, B 31.4,
and B 31.8.