Flow induced errosion at Tee Branch Connection
Flow induced errosion at Tee Branch Connection
(OP)
There is an Equal Tee Configuration right on the discharge line of a Boiler Feed Water Pump. The Tee branch is very close to the pump discharge, less than half a meter. The piping and fitting material is Carbon Steel. Although it is Sch 160 material, there is severe abrasion. I plan to replace the Tee connection with a Lateral, and a 45 Deg. Elbow configuration and change the Carbon Steel material to Stainless Steel material. Would be a good solution? What are your suggestions?
Thanks





RE: Flow induced errosion at Tee Branch Connection
This will help everyone visualize and understand your problem better and give a more effective recommendation.
RE: Flow induced errosion at Tee Branch Connection
Just going to a lateral (and the other fittings that get the pipe from where it is to where you need it to be)won't necessarily eliminate the scouring that leads to abrasion.
You need to look at your fluid velocites to figure out what is going on. There are millions of pumps that discharge into the branch on a tee with no problems, you need to determine why you are having a problem before you develop a solution.
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
www.muleshoe-eng.com
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
The Plural of "anecdote" is not "data"
RE: Flow induced errosion at Tee Branch Connection
the engineer re-fabbed the piping an moved both slightly further from the original location because of the flow rates - this was also schedule 160 6" CS pipe.
RE: Flow induced errosion at Tee Branch Connection
RE: Flow induced errosion at Tee Branch Connection
I would check into some other material to see if the costs and weldability might be better.
RE: Flow induced errosion at Tee Branch Connection
It looks like you and I are the only ones unwilling to provide opinions with inadequate data.
David
RE: Flow induced errosion at Tee Branch Connection
RE: Flow induced errosion at Tee Branch Connection
The answers give several different options and no direction. It would be nice to present some action items for mufasa to consider, possibly in some order that might preclude an Edisonian approach.
RE: Flow induced errosion at Tee Branch Connection
Could be.
It could also be that when you've seen a half a dozen different causes for a given phenonem, you get reluctant to pick one without knowing the conditions.
Just a thought.
David
RE: Flow induced errosion at Tee Branch Connection
gents,
granted, but i thought this forum was for shared ideas and experiences. not to take others to the wood shed for offering up their ideas.
he asked and some have responded.
RE: Flow induced errosion at Tee Branch Connection
Sorry for the late response. Thanks all for the comments,
Here are the necessary data:
Fluid= Boiler Feed Water
Q= 350 ton/hr (Pump discharge capacity)
T= 158.4 DegC
Discharge Pressure: 160 kg/cm2
Pipe Size= 10"
And the Tee is a 10"x6" Red. Tee, with this tee a 6" line is branched from the discharge line and the turbulence and erosion happens at this fitting.
Regards,
RE: Flow induced errosion at Tee Branch Connection
Can I come out of the woodshed now?
RE: Flow induced errosion at Tee Branch Connection
yes adding Cr to the replacement pipe material will offer resistance to FAC as previously offered
as EPRI says, FAC is accelerated by the eddys formed near the elbows & tees as offered.
you should check/look 1.5 X pipe dia downstream of the connections for additional FAC; including the next elbow downstream.
it is a good day for all of us to be out of the woodshed
RE: Flow induced errosion at Tee Branch Connection