API 14E sand free erosion velocity
API 14E sand free erosion velocity
(OP)
Gents,
The formula for calculating erosional velocity in API 14E is for "sand free fluids". What is the threshold value for "sand free"? I have heard a number like <1 lb per 1000 BBL i dont know where it comes from and i cant seem to find it in API 14E.
Best regards, Morten
The formula for calculating erosional velocity in API 14E is for "sand free fluids". What is the threshold value for "sand free"? I have heard a number like <1 lb per 1000 BBL i dont know where it comes from and i cant seem to find it in API 14E.
Best regards, Morten





RE: API 14E sand free erosion velocity
Dejan IVANOVIC
Process Engineer, MSChE
RE: API 14E sand free erosion velocity
In wells that are free from; corrosion (or well inhibited), sand, and propant many people use c = 125, 150, or even 200.
The harder and more angular the sand is then the more conservative you need to be.
At the same time you need to think about restrictions (choke, valve, elbows) where conditions will be worse.
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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube
RE: API 14E sand free erosion velocity
RE: API 14E sand free erosion velocity
There are simply too many issues to be able to state 1 lb/ 1000 bbls is OK, but 2 isn't.
Composition of the "sand", velocity, turbulence, material all play a part.
Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.
RE: API 14E sand free erosion velocity
Get a bunch and read them.
My experience is mostly with pumps, and our velocities were a lot higher.
Given that 1 bbl of oil is roughly 300lbs, then we are talking about 3ppm sand.
We always saw issues at 15ppm (5 lb/1000 bbl), and depending on the sand we would see issues at 5ppm.
One thing to keep in mind is that a lot of modern propants have ceramics is them and they can be much more abrasive than sand.
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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube
RE: API 14E sand free erosion velocity
@littleinch, i know this and also use DNV-RP-501 that actually takes this into account but "everybody" wants me to do API14E also and then tell them how little is "free"
Best regards, Morten
RE: API 14E sand free erosion velocity
Then tell them sand free means sand free - like none. 14E is used too broadly IMHO
Or tell them that if solids are present in any shape or form then the c factor is 50. However when you use xxx the velocity can be much higher.
As I'm sure you have, when I read API 14E I don't see the hard numbers everyone quotes and it's all rather vague and woolly, which of course Flow Assurance doesn't like...
The one I hate is when people quote section 2.3a as an ultimate fluid velocity (15ft/sec) without reading the entire para which is all about flow from one pressure vessel to another....
Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.