Erosional Velocity Calculator
Calculate maximum allowable flow velocity and flow rates per API RP 14E. Prevents pipe erosion and equipment damage.
Input Parameters
Typical: gas 2-5, two-phase 5-20, liquid 40-65
Continuous service: 100 | Intermittent: 125 | Solids-free: 150
Ve = C / sqrt(ρm)
where Ve = erosional velocity (ft/s), C = empirical constant, ρm = mixture density (lb/ft³)
Max Erosional Velocity
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ft/s
Max Velocity (m/s)
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Max Flow Rates by Pipe Size
| Nominal Size | ID (in) | Area (ft²) | Max Rate (ft³/s) | Max Rate (MMscf/d) |
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How this was calculated
API RP 14E: Recommended Practice for Design and Installation of Offshore Production Platform Piping Systems.
C-Factor Guidelines: C=100 for continuous service, C=125 for intermittent service, C=150-200 for solids-free continuous service. Some operators use lower values (C=80) for corrosive or sand-laden service.
Flow rate: Q = Ve × A, where A = π/4 × ID²
Need help with flow assurance, pipe sizing, or facility design?
Book a free strategy call →Understanding Erosional Velocity
Erosional velocity is the maximum fluid velocity in a pipe above which erosion or damage to the pipe wall can occur. The API RP 14E equation provides a simple but effective screening criterion. Exceeding erosional velocity leads to accelerated pipe wall thinning, equipment failure, and costly repairs especially in offshore environments.
The C-factor captures the effect of fluid composition and service conditions. Sand-laden or corrosive fluids require lower C values, while clean dry gas service allows higher values. Modern computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can refine these estimates, but the API RP 14E formula remains the industry standard for initial design. Built by Groundwork Analytics.