Multiphase Sand Erosion Velocity

Screen oil, water, gas, and sand-laden lines with API RP 14E velocity limits plus a Salama-style sand erosion estimate for elbows, tees, and straight runs.

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Screening verdict

Actual / API limit--

Salama erosion / allowable--

Inputs

Pipe ID (in)

Geometry

Oil rate (STB/d)

Water rate (STB/d)

Gas rate (MMscf/d)

Pressure (psia)

Temperature (°F)

Gas specific gravity

Gas Z-factor

Oil density (lb/ft3)

Water density (lb/ft3)

Mixture density override (lb/ft3)

Sand rate (lb/day)

Sand concentration (ppm mass)

Particle size (micron)

Allowable erosion (mm/yr)

API service basis

Material basis

Results

Actual velocity

API RP 14E Ve

Salama erosion rate

Recommended max sand

Mixture density

Gas density

C-factor: --

Salama velocity at allowable erosion: --

Sand basis: -- in --

Method

API RP 14E: Ve = C / sqrt(rho_mix), with rho_mix in lb/ft3 and Ve in ft/s. The selected C is derated when sand is entered because API 14E notes that solids require lower C-factors but does not prescribe a sand-specific value.

Mixture model: oil and water use entered stock-tank rates and densities; gas actual volume and density are calculated from P, T, gas gravity, and Z. Enter a density override if you have simulator or meter-derived mixture density.

Salama screen: the sand-laden velocity limit uses Ve = D sqrt(rho_mix) / (20 sqrt(W)) for the 0.1 mm/yr, 250 micron bend basis, adjusted here for particle size, allowable erosion, and geometry screening factors.

References & Attribution

API RP 14E, Recommended Practice for Design and Installation of Offshore Production Platform Piping Systems, erosional velocity screening equation.
M. M. Salama, "An Alternative to API 14E Erosional Velocity Limits for Sand-Laden Fluids," OTC 8898 / J. Energy Resources Technology, 1998/2000.
Y. Bai and Q. Bai, Subsea Engineering Handbook, flow assurance and erosion design discussion.
DNV-RP-O501, Erosive Wear in Piping Systems, public recommended-practice reference for sand erosion management.
API 14E check logic adapted from Afkerian/petroleum-nodal-analysis, MIT License. See included license text.

Use this as a screening calculation. Final limits should be checked against inspection history, material selection, corrosion control, flow regime, CFD, and operator standards.