Finite Element Analysis of Nozzle Erosion Caused by Abrasive Particles of Ultra High Pressure Water Jet

Abstract

In order to analyze and solve the erosion of the inside of nozzle caused by high - speed abrasive particles for improving the nozzle’s erosion and wear resistances and optimizing the structure design of ultra - high pressure jet nozzle, transient two - phase flow simulation, discrete phase simulation and visualization processing were used to simulate the erosion test. An axisymmetric solid - liquid two - phase flow analysis model was established for the inside of the nozzle, and the motion trajectory and acceleration process of the premixed abrasive water jet particles in the nozzle were simulated. Meanwhile, the maximum erosion rate of the nozzle inner wall was calculated, and the internal structure of the nozzle was optimized. Results showed that the garnet abrasive particles collided with the inner wall of the nozzle in the focusing section of the tungsten carbide nozzle and were reflected back to the axis to cause a focusing effect, the particle movement speed decreased and the inner wall was eroded. Furthermore, the maximum erosion rate was 1.9×10-6kg/(m2·s), which arose at the junction between the contraction section and focusing section of the nozzle. The second peak appeared in the middle and front of the focusing section, 20 mm away from the nozzle outlet, and the erosion rate was 1.7×10-6kg/(m2·s). According to the actual test life and failure criterion of nozzle, the calculated actual erosion rate of the nozzle was 1.078×10-6kg/(m2·s) and the correction coefficient of erosion rate was 0.567 4. Generally, the finite element analysis provided a basis for the optimization of the nozzle shape, which was beneficial for the improvement of the corrosion resistance of the nozzle.

Keywords

• ultra - high pressure|jet nozzle|particle trajectories|erosion|cutting|two - phase flow