Numerical Simulation Analysis of Flow-Accelerated Corrosion in Carbon Steel Tee Tube in Power Plants

Abstract

As common components in power plant piping, ensuring the safe operation of tee tube is of great significance for the actual production of power plants.In this study, computational fluid dynamics simulations and the Sanchez-Caldera model were employed to investigate the effects of different inlet flow velocities on the flow-accelerated corrosion rates of T-type tee diversion tubes and T-type tee confluence tubes,considering the actual operating conditions of power plants.The results indicated that, under the same inlet flow velocity, the flow-accelerated corrosion was more severe in T-type tee diversion tubes.The maximum flow-accelerated corrosion rates rate in T-type tee diversion tubes occurred at the 0.5D position from the branch outlet,while in T-type tee confluence tubes,the maximum flow-accelerated corrosion rates rate was located at the sidewall downstream of the main pipe intersection at the 1D position.Additionally,it was found that the inlet flow velocity did not affect the sensitive locations of flow-accelerated corrosion rates.The findings of this study provided significant guidance for the design and operation of power plant piping systems.

Keywords

• carbon steel； tee tube； flow-accelerated corrosion； numerical simulation