API RP 14E Erosional Velocity Guide
A careful API RP 14E erosional-velocity workflow covering mixture density, empirical C factor, actual velocity, utilization, pipe sizing, and the equation's documented screening limitations.
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Practical workflow
- 1
Establish gas and liquid rates, properties, pressure, temperature, and pipe inside diameter at the same flowing condition.
- 2
Calculate gas-liquid mixture density and select a documented empirical C factor for the service.
- 3
Compare calculated erosional velocity with actual mixture velocity and report utilization.
- 4
Review corrosion, solids, geometry, flow regime, materials, transients, and the governing design or integrity standard separately.
A complete screening sequence
First determine gas-liquid mixture density at the flowing condition. Select and document a service-appropriate C factor, calculate erosional velocity, then calculate actual mixture velocity from the same rates, pressure, temperature, and pipe inside diameter.
Utilization is the ratio of actual to screening velocity. It is useful for comparing cases, but it is not a probability of failure or proof of integrity. Keep the source edition, company design basis, corrosion allowance, material, and operating envelope with the result.
Why the C-factor equation is not a full erosion model
The reviewed literature notes that API RP 14E's simple relationship does not explicitly model solids loading, impact angle, elbows and restrictions, droplet size, corrosion synergy, material resistance, flow pattern, or transient operation.
Escalate beyond the screening equation for sand production, corrosive or sour service, high liquid loading, frequent transients, unusual geometry, observed wall loss, or any case governed by a newer company, regulatory, or integrity-management requirement.
Start with these calculators
These links keep the guide close to the working calculator flow.