What Does
Internal Erosion Mean?
Internal erosion is the gradual diminution of the internal surface of a pipe due to the impingement of flowing particles. It is entirely a mechanical process, as opposed to corrosion and erosion-corrosion, which include chemical processes. Defects in underground pipes due to internal erosion may be corrected using trenchless rehabilitation techniques.
The term internal erosion is also commonly used to describe the removal of material by seepage from within an earthen dam.
Trenchlesspedia Explains Internal Erosion
The breakdown of pipe surfaces, both internal and external, are intensely studied by academics and engineers in fields where underground pipes are prevalent. Hydrocarbons make oil and gas pipelines especially susceptible to erosion and corrosion. Internal erosion can damage any kind of pipe, however, trenchless rehabilitation such as sliplining or mechanical spot repair can be used to address its effects.
internal erosion is the primary cause of channeling in a pipe when the bottom of the pipe wears away, leaving behind a lengthwise gap along the pipe. Trenchless rehabilitation techniques such as sliplining can be used to insert a liner into the broken pipe.
Internal erosion can dramatically shorten the life of a pipe. Experts can make predictions on the time it might take to degrade a pipe based on the density and flow velocity of the fluid, along with other factors.