Gas Erosional Velocity Discussion

Panel Members
Chris Williams
Eileen Steinbach
Ron Matthews
Anders Johnson
Ken Skweres
Thomas Rey

Cheniere
DCP Midstream
Emeritus
Kinder Morgan
Spectra
Gregg Engineering

2012 Pipeline Knowledge Retention Conference

Houston, Texas

November 6-7, 2012

Erosion Velocity Discussion

Definition

Importance

Factors

Examples

Measurement techniques

Mitigating options

Safety is No.1 prudent designs No. 2
2012 Pipeline Knowledge Retention Conference
Houston, Texas

November 6-7, 2012

Note the points made in these presentations are for discussion purposes only. Engineered systems must be designed by qualified individuals that account for the site specific conditions.

Erosion Definition

Erosion is the loss of material due to solid

or liquid particle impact on the materials
surface

It is a battle of the steels yield stress and fracture
mechanics vs. the surface morphology 1

Important for piping systems since loss of material
leads to wall thinning and loss of pressure containing
capabilities

For correctly designed transmission line systems,
problems due to erosion are rare
1

Understanding equipment erosion; Ray Cocco, PBE October 2012, www.powderbulk.com

Factors Affecting Erosion

Particle Speed & Mass

Material MOE/Ductility

Particle Angle of Attack

Particle Concentration

Material Surface Roughness

2012 Pipeline Knowledge Retention Conference

Houston, Texas

November 6-7, 2012

Note the points made in these presentations are for discussion purposes only. Engineered systems must be designed by qualified individuals that account for the site specific conditions.

Where Erosion Shows Up

Bends/Changes in Direction

2012 Pipeline Knowledge Retention Conference

Houston, Texas

November 6-7, 2012

Note the points made in these presentations are for discussion purposes only. Engineered systems must be designed by qualified individuals that account for the site specific conditions.

Where Erosion Shows Up

Blind Tees

Headers

Where Erosion Shows Up

Reducers

Re-enforced Welds

Calculating Permissible Velocity

API RP 14E

Basic Equation

Vmax in f/s

Terms

Note This is not a one size fits all equation there are many
factors which we will explore in a real world example

Equation

Note the points made in these presentations are for discussion purposes only. Engineered systems must be designed by qualified individuals that account for the site specific conditions.

Case Studies

10

Meter Station example

DCP Midstream

2012 Pipeline Knowledge Retention Conference

Houston, Texas

November 6-7, 2012

Note the points made in these presentations are for discussion purposes only. Engineered systems must be designed by qualified individuals that account for the site specific conditions.

Velocity concerns associated

with particle entrainment in a
meter tube

11

2012 Pipeline Knowledge Retention Conference

Houston, Texas

November 6-7, 2012

Note the points made in these presentations are for discussion purposes only. Engineered systems must be designed by qualified individuals that account for the site specific conditions.

Particle build-up/dropout
observed in the meter tube

12

Meter tube has been in service for several years no indications of wall
loss within the tube. However observed particle dropout warrants further
investigation. Ascertain what is happening to the downstream piping
Note the points made in these presentations are for discussion purposes only. Engineered systems must be designed by qualified individuals that account for the site specific conditions.

13

Gas analysis

Pipeline quality gas

1023 BTU

Upstream filtration

No indication of free liquids

Solids observed in the
meter tube

2012 Pipeline Knowledge Retention Conference

Houston, Texas

November 6-7, 2012

Note the points made in these presentations are for discussion purposes only. Engineered systems must be designed by qualified individuals that account for the site specific conditions.

Valve

Elbow

Pipe Velocities Pipe, Fittings,

and Appurtenances
Flow Rate
(MCFD)
110,000
124,000
150,000
200,000
220,000
275,000
110,000
124,000
150,000
200,000
220,000
275,000

Pressure
(PSIG)
230
230
230
230
230
230
230
230
230
230
230
230

Pipe I.D.
(INCHES)
15
15
15
15
15
15
9
9
9
9
9
9

Temp
(Deg. F)
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
40

14

Velocity
(FPS)
63
71
85
114
125
157
174
196
237
316
348
435

Check velocities through the entire flow path time of day, time of year

Observations

Pipe O.D.

16

Pipe wall

0.500

Pipe Grade

X-42

15

Seamless pipe

Velocity estimated to exceed 100 feet/second based on meter
flow and delivery pressure hundred of hours per year

No readily discernable excessive wear using ultrasonic
thickness measurements

2012 Pipeline Knowledge Retention Conference

Houston, Texas

November 6-7, 2012

Note the points made in these presentations are for discussion purposes only. Engineered systems must be designed by qualified individuals that account for the site specific conditions.

Measurement Techniques and

Analyses

16

Ultrasonic thickness
indicator

Grid pattern established for
measurements

X-ray

Magnetic Particle (SCC)

Examine upstream piping

Component(s) in question

Downstream piping

2012 Pipeline Knowledge Retention Conference

Houston, Texas

November 6-7, 2012

Note the points made in these presentations are for discussion purposes only. Engineered systems must be designed by qualified individuals that account for the site specific conditions.

Measurement Techniques and

Analyses

17

Ultrasonic thickness
indicator readings

Downstream piping wall
variations were observed
but are not unlike any
inspection of seamless pipe

93.5% of nominal 500 wt =
.4675" minimum allowed
wall thickness

Note the points made in these presentations are for discussion purposes only. Engineered systems must be designed by qualified individuals that account for the site specific conditions.

18

Recommendations

Annual check of high velocity piping where entrained
particles may be present using ultrasonic measurements

Complete flow path study

Meter tube inspection

Gas analysis

Coupons optional

X-ray

2012 Pipeline Knowledge Retention Conference

Houston, Texas

November 6-7, 2012

Note the points made in these presentations are for discussion purposes only. Engineered systems must be designed by qualified individuals that account for the site specific conditions.

19

Conclusion

Pipeline gas velocity is not a sole determinant

In this example there was no readily discernable excessive

wear based on the ultrasonic thickness measurements in spite
of possible particle entrainment and bends in the flow path

Traditional rules of thumb may be overly conservative for
pipeline quality natural gas systems

Careful checks should be made but automatic pipe
replacements avoided unless there is a reason to believe there
is a safety issue

2012 Pipeline Knowledge Retention Conference

Houston, Texas

November 6-7, 2012

Note the points made in these presentations are for discussion purposes only. Engineered systems must be designed by qualified individuals that account for the site specific conditions.

Thank You

Questions?
Chris Williams
Eileen Steinbach
Ron Matthews
Anders Johnson
Ken Skweres
Thomas Rey

Cheniere
DCP Midstream
Emeritus
Kinder Morgan
Spectra
Gregg Engineering

2012 Pipeline Knowledge Retention Conference

Houston, Texas

November 6-7, 2012

Note the points made in these presentations are for discussion purposes only. Engineered systems must be designed by qualified individuals that account for the site specific conditions.

21

References:

DNV Recommended Practice RP O501, Erosive Wear in
Piping Systems;
http://www.dnvusa.com/industry/maritime/rulesregulations/dn
vrules/offshorecodes/recommendedpractises.asp

Understanding equipment erosion; Ray Cocco, PBE
October 2012; www.powderbulk.com

Course No O-5001, Gas Pipeline Hydraulics;
www.pdhengineer.com

API RP 14E, Recommended Practice for Design and
Installation of Offshore Production Platform Piping Systems;
http://www.api.org/publications-standards-and-statistics.aspx

2012 Pipeline Knowledge Retention Conference

Houston, Texas

November 6-7, 2012

Note the points made in these presentations are for discussion purposes only. Engineered systems must be designed by qualified individuals that account for the site specific conditions.