Numerical simulation of the stress state of an erosion-worn tee of the main gas pipeline

Purpose: To investigate the strength of tees with regard to their erosion wear, it is necessary to consider the complex three-dimensional geometric shape of the erosion worn inner surface of the tee. In addition, the study of the strength of the erosion worn tees of the main gas pipelines is complicated by the occurrence of additional stresses caused by changes in the direction of movement of the gas stream, resulting in an uneven pressure distribution in the inner cavity of the tee, and the temperature difference in its walls. Design/methodology/approach: Methodology for complex numerical three-dimensional simulation of the stressed state of tees of the main gas pipelines, taking into account the gas-dynamic processes that occur in the places of these defects, erosion wear of the tee wall, temperature difference in the tee walls. Findings: The acceptable parameters of erosion defects of tees of gas pipelines, and residual life of tees with erosion defects of the wall should be determined. Research limitations/implications: The developed model does not take into account internal corrosion and corrosion products as an additional erosion factor. Further studies plan to develop a model of corrosion-erosion wear of pipeline elements. Practical implications: The developed technique allows determining the location of erosion defects, estimating the strength and determining the residual life of tees with erosion wear of the wall in order to ensure their reliability, to rank such defects according to the degree of danger, to determine which of them are critical and need an immediate repair. Originality/value: Based on the gas-dynamic processes occurring in the internal cavity of the main gas pipelines’ tees, the complex three-dimensional geometric form of wall erosion defects, and temperature difference, the technique of three-dimensional simulation of stress state of the main gas pipelines’ tees is developed