Test benches for carrying out erosion and / or corrosion tests

Abstract

1. A test bench for performing corrosion and / or erosion tests, comprising: a mixing reactor having a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet; a test chamber having an inlet fluidly connected to the outlet of the mixing reactor, and an outlet; a settling system having an inlet fluidly connected to the outlet of the test chamber and an outlet; a fluid recirculation network; A test bench having:

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application relates to a test bench for performing erosion and / or corrosion tests. [Background technology]

[0002] Erosion is the progressive wear of materials due to the influence of high-velocity fluid and / or solid particle flows. Corrosion is the progressive degradation of materials caused by chemical and / or electrochemical reactions with the environment. Corrosion is a relatively well-known and predictable process. On the other hand, erosion is less well understood. Few attempts have been made to model the latter in very specific cases. Predicting the changes in materials undergoing both corrosion and erosion is more difficult and requires experimental evaluation. For example, simultaneous corrosion and erosion are often observed in centrifugal pumps, such as those used in the chemical, petrochemical, or hydrometallurgical industries, explaining their relatively rapid deterioration. As another example, this dual phenomenon is observed in centrifugal pumps used in the phosphate rock mining industry. These pumps can circulate a mixture containing phosphoric acid and phosphogypsum particles.

[0003] Thus, the test bench is used to simultaneously evaluate the erosion and corrosion resistance of materials (e.g., the materials constituting the components of the centrifugal pumps mentioned above).The erosive and corrosive conditions generated by such a test bench accelerate material degradation phenomena and make them easier to observe.

[0004] A slurry pot-type test bench has a test chamber, usually cylindrical, closed by a lid, into which the experimenter places a sample of the material to be tested, as well as a mixture containing a potentially corrosive liquid, such as an acid, and erosive particles.

[0005] At the start of the test, the sample is rotated within the test chamber and exposed to the flow of the liquid-particle mixture. The hard particles erode the exposed surface of the sample under impact. The sample rotation speed, mass ratio of the liquid-particle mixture, size of the erosive particles, type of corrosive liquid, test time, and temperature are all parameters that the experimenter can vary to study their effects.

[0006] At the end of the test, the experimenter can retrieve the samples and carry out an analysis, in particular by measuring the mass loss they have undergone or by observing their surface morphology, for example by microscope.

[0007] One of the main drawbacks of the aforementioned slurry pot test bench is the gradual dulling of the erosive particles during the test. In fact, as the particles wear down under impact, their erosive action is not constant throughout the entire test period, but rather gradually decreases. This decrease in erosion rate during the test makes it difficult to interpret the results.

[0008] Another drawback of the slurry pot test bench is the quality of the homogeneity of the liquid-particle mixture within the test chamber. In practice, the mixture is homogenized by the experimenter only before introduction into the test chamber and the start of the test. Because particles tend to fall to the bottom of the test chamber due to gravity, the mass ratio of the liquid-particle mixture varies locally across the height of the test chamber during the test. As a result, the mass ratio of the liquid-particle mixture locally received by the sample differs from that set globally by the experimenter conducting the test, distorting the measurement results. A proposed improvement to the slurry pot test bench is to add a turbine to the test chamber to homogenize the particle-fluid mixture within the chamber over the test period. However, simulations of such a test chamber show that this turbine alone does not completely avoid the problem. Furthermore, adding a turbine complicates the installation of the test chamber. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] One object of the present invention is to design a test bench for erosion / corrosion testing of materials that produces a controlled and consistent erosion action on the sample under test throughout the test chamber and throughout the entire test period, resulting in reproducible results that are easy to interpret. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] For this purpose, the present invention provides 1. A test bench for performing corrosion and / or erosion tests, comprising: A mixing reactor having a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet, a flow of a corrosive fluid is provided to the first inlet of the mixing reactor; the second inlet is supplied with new erosive particles; the mixing reactor is configured to mix the fresh erosive particles and the corrosive fluid to obtain a circulating flow of a homogeneous particle-fluid mixture at the outlet of the mixing reactor; a mixing reactor; a test chamber having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the mixing reactor, and an outlet, configured to accommodate at least one sample; configured to perform a corrosion and / or erosion test of the at least one sample under impact of the homogeneous particle-fluid mixture derived from the mixing reactor and circulated from the inlet of the test chamber to the outlet of the test chamber; a test chamber; a sedimentation system having an inlet fluidly connected to the outlet of the test chamber, and an outlet, configured to allow the homogenous particle-fluid mixture derived from the test chamber to settle and separate the erosive particles and the corrosive fluid used in conducting the test from the mixture; a sedimentation system; 1. A fluid recirculation network comprising: The corrosive fluid separated from the erosive particles used in conducting the test is conveyed from the outlet of the settling system to the first inlet of the mixing reactor, and the flow of the corrosive fluid supplied to the mixing reactor is configured to include recycled corrosive fluid. a fluid recirculation network; A test bench is proposed having:

[0011] In the test bench according to the present invention, a continuous flow of a liquid-particle mixture is generated. Fresh erosive particles with known erosive properties are mixed with a corrosive fluid in a mixing reactor before they reach the test chamber where the test is performed. The new particles lose their sharpness due to collisions with the sample and / or the walls of the test chamber. However, they are expelled from the outlet of the test chamber under the influence of the flow, and then a settling system removes them as the corrosive fluid is recycled. This recycled fluid is remixed with fresh erosive particles as it returns to the mixing reactor before reaching the test chamber again. Thus, the test chamber is constantly supplied with erosive particles whose sharpness has not been reduced, thereby ensuring a constant erosion rate throughout the entire test period under the conditions selected for the test.

[0012] Furthermore, the continuous flow of the liquid-particle mixture between the mixing reactor and the settling system through the test chamber ensures a smoother and more homogenous liquid-particle mixture between the top and bottom of the test chamber compared to prior art slurry pot configurations where only the rotation of the sample holder and any additional turbine ensures homogenization of the mixture.

[0013] In other optional aspects of the invention, the following features are implemented alone or in combination, where technically feasible: the test chamber is located below the mixing reactor and above the settling system; the outlet of the mixing reactor is located in a lower portion of the mixing reactor; the inlet to the test chamber is located in an upper portion of the test chamber; The outlet of the test chamber is located in a lower portion of the test chamber.

[0014] The test bench further comprises: a first valve adapted to control the flow rate of the circulating flow of the homogenous particle-fluid mixture into the test chamber; a second valve adapted to control the flow rate of the circulating flow of the homogenous particle-fluid mixture exiting the test chamber and to maintain a constant level of the particle-fluid mixture within the test chamber; It has.

[0015] The test bench further comprises a reservoir of fresh erosive particles, preferably located above the mixer-reactor, arranged to feed the second inlet of the mixer-reactor.

[0016] The test bench further includes a third valve; The third valve has a variable orifice that controls the flow rate of the stream of fresh erosive particles conveyed from the reservoir of fresh erosive particles to the second inlet of the mixing reactor.

[0017] the test bench further comprises a peristaltic pump connected to the recirculation network; the peristaltic pump is adapted to pump the corrosive fluid separated from the erosive particles used in conducting the test from the outlet of the settling system to the first inlet of the mixing reactor; The peristaltic pump is further adapted to control the flow rate of the corrosive fluid stream provided to the first inlet of the mixing reactor.

[0018] the test chamber having a lower wall, an upper wall, and at least one side wall extending between the lower wall and the upper wall; The upper wall forms a lid for the test chamber, and the outlet of the test chamber is located in the lower wall of the test chamber.

[0019] the at least one sidewall of the test chamber comprises PVC; and / or The lower wall and the upper wall comprise polyamide.

[0020] The at least one sidewall of the test chamber is separable from the lower and upper walls.

[0021] the test chamber further comprising a baffle disposed on the at least one sidewall of the test chamber; The formation of turbulence in the homogeneous particle-fluid mixture within the test chamber is limited.

[0022] the test chamber further comprising a sample holder; the sample holder is configured to be mated with the at least one sample; the sample holder is further configured to be rotationally driven about an axis of rotation of the sample holder relative to the lower wall of the test chamber; The axis of rotation is perpendicular to the lower wall of the test chamber and passes through the center of gravity of the sample holder.

[0023] The test bench further includes a first variable speed motor; The first variable speed motor is configured to drive the sample holder in rotation about the sample holder's axis of rotation at a rotational speed selected to perform the test.

[0024] The inlet to the test chamber is located in the upper wall of the test chamber at an intersection between the upper wall and the axis of rotation of the sample holder.

[0025] the mixing reactor has a turbine and a second variable speed motor; The second variable speed motor is configured to rotatably drive the turbine, and mixing of the fresh erosive particles with the corrosive fluid is effected under the influence of the rotation of the turbine.

[0026] The mixing reactor has a heating system; The heating system is configured to heat the corrosive fluid during mixing of the corrosive fluid with the new erosive particles, such that the homogeneous particle-fluid mixture at the outlet of the mixing reactor is subjected to a temperature selected for conducting the test.

[0027] The mixing reactor has an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall and the outer wall form a double wall of the mixing reactor; The heating system has a heat transfer fluid circulating between the inner wall and the outer wall, and heating of the corrosive fluid in the mixing reactor is achieved by heat transfer between the heat transfer fluid and the corrosive fluid via the inner wall.

[0028] The sedimentation system comprises: a first settling tank having an inlet forming an inlet of the settling system; a second settling tank having an outlet forming an outlet of the settling system; the first tank further having an outlet fluidly connected to an inlet of the second tank; the outlet of the first tank is located at an upper portion of the first tank such that only an upper portion of the particle-fluid mixture that has settled in the first tank flows into the second tank; the outlet of the settling system is positioned at the top of the second tank so as to collect only the corrosive fluid separated from the erosive particles used in conducting the test; The particles remain at the bottom of the first tank and the second tank.

[0029] The first settling tank is positioned above the second settling tank.

[0030] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] For reasons of legibility, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a test bench for performing erosion and / or corrosion tests according to the present invention, having a mixing reactor, a test chamber, a settling system, and a recirculation network. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 illustrates the interior of a test chamber with a sample holder and baffles, according to certain embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] The present invention relates to a test bench 1 for performing corrosion and / or erosion resistance tests on various materials. In particular, the test bench 1 allows samples of one or more materials to be tested to be subjected to erosive and / or corrosive flows that simulate the operating conditions of centrifugal pumps used in the chemical, metallurgical, and / or mining industries. Before and after the test, the samples are analyzed (e.g., by shape measurements and / or mass loss) to classify the materials comprising the samples according to their resistance to corrosion and / or erosion under the simulated conditions, thereby allowing a determination to be made as to which materials are best suited to the operating conditions of the centrifugal pump.

[0034] Furthermore, the test bench 1 can be used to study erosion and / or corrosion failure modes, thus allowing experimenters to model said failure modes and guide the development process of new materials.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 1, a test bench 1 according to the present invention comprises a mixing reactor 2, a test chamber 3, a settling system 4 and a fluid recirculation network 5.

[0036] Prior to carrying out a corrosion and / or erosion test on at least one sample 6 on the test bench 1, the experimenter places the sample 6 in the test chamber 3. During the test, the mixing reactor 2 continuously homogenizes the corrosive fluid with new erosive particles 7. A circulating flow of the homogenized mixture 8 is circulated from the mixing reactor 2 through the test chamber 3 to the settling system 4. Thus, under the influence of collisions with the walls of the test chamber 3 and / or the sample 6, the erosive particles lose their sharpness, are mobilized by the circulating flow and systematically removed in the settling system 4, so that each sample 6 is only impacted by new erosive particles 7 throughout the entire test. This mode of operation in an open reactor, rather than a closed one, allows for the simulation of a constant and controlled erosive action on the sample throughout the entire test period.

[0037] The recirculation network 5 allows the corrosive fluid separated from the worn erosive particles to be collected at the level of the settling system 4 and used to supply the mixing reactor 2 with the corrosive fluid. Thus, unlike the erosive particles, the corrosive fluid is continuously circulated in a closed circuit within the test bench 1 between the mixing reactor 2, the test chamber 3, the settling system 4, and the recirculation network 5. Such recirculation allows for the consumption of a smaller amount of fluid. Furthermore, in order to perform the test at a setpoint temperature of the homogeneous particle-fluid mixture 8, if the mixing reactor 2 has a heating system as described below, recirculation ensures a better control of said temperature compared to the constant introduction of cold corrosive fluid. Indeed, heating a cold fluid requires a lot of time and energy.

[0038] The remainder of this disclosure will describe in more detail one embodiment of each element included in test bench 1.

[0039] (Test Chamber 3) The test chamber 3 is configured to accommodate the samples 6, on which corrosion and / or erosion tests are performed under the impact of the erosive and / or corrosive flow of the homogeneous particle-fluid mixture 8. To this end, the test chamber 3 may have a sample holder 9 configured to be mated with each sample 6.

[0040] During testing, the sample holder 9 is driven to rotate relative to the wall of the test chamber 3 about the axis of rotation (X) of the sample holder 9. The axis (X) passes through the center of gravity of the sample holder 9, and the sample holder 9 is driven to rotate, for example, by means of a first variable speed motor 10 and an elastic coupling 33, at a rotational speed selected to perform the test.

[0041] Rotation of the sample holder 9 rotates each sample 6 in the particle-fluid mixture 8, thereby simulating the movement of erosive and / or corrosive streams impinging on the sample 6. Therefore, the rotation speed of the sample holder 9 corresponds to the velocity of the erosive and / or corrosive streams impinging on the sample. This is therefore a parameter of interest for experimenters to control and / or test on the test bench. The higher the velocity of the erosive and / or corrosive streams, the faster the erosion and / or corrosion of the material. Preferably, the rotation speed of the sample holder 9 may be controlled such that the velocity of the erosive and / or corrosive streams impinging on the sample is selected to be between 0 m / s and 50 m / s. The rotation speed of the sample holder 9 is high compared to the velocity of the circulating stream of the homogeneous particle-fluid mixture 8, so that the velocity of the erosive and / or corrosive streams impinging on the sample 6 is typically the same as the rotation speed of the sample holder 9 (in the absence of impingement of the circulating stream of the particle-fluid mixture 8 through the test chamber).

[0042] The test chamber 3 further has an inlet 12 fluidly connected to the outlet 11 of the mixing reactor 2 and an outlet 13 fluidly connected to the inlet 14 of the settling system 4. During testing, a circulating flow of the homogeneous particle-fluid mixture 8 is continuously discharged from the mixing reactor 2 through the outlet 11 and fed to the inlet 12 of the test chamber 6. Because the flow rate of the circulating flow does not exceed 50 mL / s, the speed of the circulating flow of the homogeneous particle-fluid mixture 8 is typically negligible compared to the rotation speed of the sample holder 9. In the test chamber 3, the circulating flow of the homogeneous particle-fluid mixture 8 is circulated from the inlet 12 of the test chamber to the outlet 13 of the test chamber 3 and discharged to the inlet 14 of the settling system 4.

[0043] If necessary, the test bench 1 further comprises a first valve 15 and a second valve 16, the first valve 15 adapted to control the flow rate of the homogenous particle-fluid mixture 8 entering the test chamber 3, and the second valve 16 adapted to control the flow rate of the circulating flow of the homogenous particle-fluid mixture 8 exiting the test chamber 3, so as to maintain a constant level of the particle-fluid mixture 8 in the test chamber 3 throughout the entire test. The level of the particle-fluid mixture 8 in the test chamber 3 is selected to keep the sample holder 9 fully immersed.

[0044] Preferably, the test chamber 3 is located below the mixing reactor 2 and above the settling system 4. In this embodiment, the inlet 12 of the test chamber 3 is located at the top of the test chamber 3, and the outlet 13 of the test chamber 3 is located at the bottom of the test chamber 3, so that the circulation of the homogeneous particle-fluid mixture 8 in the test chamber 3 can be facilitated by gravity, and the circulation of the homogeneous particle-fluid mixture 8 can be ensured without the need for a pump. In this embodiment, it is advantageous that the outlet 11 of the mixing reactor 2 is located in the lower part of said mixing reactor 2.

[0045] More specifically, the test chamber 3 may have a lower wall 17, an upper wall 18, and at least one side wall 19 (e.g., generally cylindrical) extending between the lower wall 17 and the upper wall 18, where the lower wall 17, the upper wall 18, and the side wall 19 define an interior volume in which the homogenous particle-fluid mixture 8 temporarily resides, and the level of the homogenous particle-fluid mixture 8 in this volume is preferably maintained constant throughout the test. The sample holder 9 is positioned within the interior volume defined by the lower wall 17, the upper wall 18, and the at least one side wall 19 such that the axis of rotation (X) of the sample holder 19 is perpendicular to the lower wall 17 of the test chamber 3. The upper wall 18 may form a lid for placing at least one sample 6 in the test chamber 3 before the start of the test and for removing it at the end of the test.

[0046] The inlet of the test chamber 3 may be located on the upper wall 18 of the test chamber at the intersection between the upper wall 18 and the rotation axis (X) of the sample holder 9, and the outlet 13 of the test chamber 3 may be located on the lower wall 17 of the test chamber 3. In this embodiment, the sample holder 9 may advantageously have a conical cover configured to fit over the upper surface of the sample holder perpendicular to the rotation axis (X), such that when the cover is fitted, the apex of the cone is positioned on the rotation axis (X) of the sample holder (see the embodiment of the sample holder 9 in FIG. 1 ). In this way, the particle-fluid mixture 8 is introduced directly into the center of the upper cone of the sample holder 9, which allows for uniform distribution of large / heavy particles within the test chamber 3. If necessary, the outlet 13 of the test chamber 3 has two drain pipes 13a and 13b. Increasing the number of drain pipes significantly prevents areas in the test chamber 3 where particles remain trapped and are not properly discharged.

[0047] If necessary, at least one side wall 19 of the test chamber 3 can be separated from the lower wall 17 and the upper wall 18, in which case it becomes possible to change said wall 19 after a number of tests as it wears down (erodes and / or corrodes) under the impact of the homogeneous particle-fluid mixture 8.

[0048] When the homogeneous particle-fluid mixture 8 is within the test chamber 3, the high speed rotation of the sample 6 can cause turbulence, or the formation of vortices, in the homogeneous particle-fluid mixture 8. Advantageously, the test chamber 3 may have baffles 20 disposed on the sidewalls 19 of the test chamber 3 to suppress the formation of said turbulence. For example, the test chamber 3 may have two (see FIG. 2 , which depicts the interior of the test chamber 3) or four baffles distributed to ensure symmetry of the test chamber 3 through 180° and 90° rotations, respectively, upon rotation of the sample holder 9 about the axis of rotation (X). In certain embodiments of the baffles 20, the baffles 20 are assembled to the upper wall 18, forming a lid for the test chamber 3, and the baffles 20 are positioned on the sidewalls 19 when the test chamber 3 is closed.

[0049] The sidewalls 19 of the test chamber 3 are made of one or more highly corrosion-resistant materials, such as stainless steel, preferably 304 stainless steel or 316 stainless steel. The inner surfaces of the sidewalls 19 (the surfaces facing the internal volume defined by the walls of the test chamber 3) advantageously have elements, such as cylindrical members, made of polymers, such as PVC, rubber, polyamide, or any other material that provides specific corrosion resistance, thereby effectively protecting the inner surfaces of the metal sidewalls 19. The lower and upper walls 17 and 18 comprise, for example, polyamide or any other corrosion-resistant material. If the test chamber 3 has a baffle 20, the baffle may be made of polyamide or other corrosion-resistant material.

[0050] In one exemplary embodiment of the sample holder 9, the sample holder 9 has an upper surface as well as at least one side surface and one inner surface, and the interior volume defined by the upper, side, and lower surfaces is filled with a material that advantageously prevents parasitic flow of the particle-fluid mixture 8 within the sample holder 9 as the sample holder 9 rotates about its axis of rotation (X) within the test chamber 3 immersed in the particle-fluid mixture 8.

[0051] As another example, the sample holder 9 may have a single side surface that rotates about the rotation axis (X) of the sample holder 9 and at least two supports arranged on the side surface, each supporting a sample. It is also advantageous for the first and second supports arranged on the side surface of the sample holder 9 to be configured such that, when the first and second samples are fixed to the first and second supports, respectively, the major surfaces of the samples are oriented at different angles relative to a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis (X). This configuration of the supports allows an experimenter to study at least two different impingement angles of the erosive and / or corrosive flow on the sample of the material being studied during the same test, with other parameters strictly equal. Indeed, the impingement angle of the erosive and / or corrosive flow is another parameter of interest in studying erosion and / or corrosion phenomena.

[0052] (Mixing reactor 2) As previously mentioned, the mixing reactor 2 has an outlet 11 that is fluidly connected to the inlet 12 of the test chamber 3 .

[0053] The mixing reactor 2 further includes a first inlet 21 through which a flow of corrosive fluid is supplied and a second inlet 22 through which a flow of fresh erosive particles 7 is supplied. For example, the flow rate of the corrosive fluid supplied to the first inlet 21 is less than 50 mL / s. As another example, the flow rate of the fresh erosive particles 7 supplied to the second inlet 22 may be between 0.1 g / s and 0.6 g / s. Controlling the flow rates allows for control of the erosion rate and test time. Therefore, increasing the flow rates of the corrosive fluid and the fresh erosive particles significantly increases the erosion rate and reduces the test time. Above a threshold flow rate of the fresh erosive particles, the erosion rate decreases. The flow rate selection must be adjusted depending on the equipment used, particularly the pipes and the intended pumps. The mixer reactor 2 is configured to mix fresh erosive particles 7 introduced through the second inlet 22 with the corrosive fluid introduced through the first inlet 21, resulting in a circulating flow of a homogeneous particle-fluid mixture 8 at the outlet 11 of the mixer reactor 2.

[0054] Thus, in the test bench 1 according to the invention, in contrast to the slurry pot configuration, the homogenization of the particle-fluid mixture is not carried out in the test chamber, but upstream of the test chamber in the mixing reactor 2 .

[0055] If necessary, the second inlet 22 of the mixing reactor 2 is connected to a reservoir 23 containing new erosive particles 7, said reservoir 23 ensuring that the second inlet 22 is supplied with new erosive particles 7. Before the start of the test, the experimenter can select the size and shape of the particles desired to be used in the test, their erosive action as determined by said size and shape, and place said particles in the reservoir 23. The particles are then distributed throughout the entire test period in the mixing reactor 2 without the experimenter's intervention.

[0056] Preferably, the reservoir 23 of fresh erosive particles 7 is located above the mixing reactor 2, and the second inlet 22 of the mixing reactor is located above the mixture, so that the supply of fresh erosive particles 7 to the mixing reactor 2 by the reservoir 23 containing the fresh erosive particles 7 is facilitated by gravity, eliminating the need for a pump.

[0057] If necessary, a third valve 24 with a variable opening allows the experimenter to control the flow rate of the stream of fresh erosive particles 7 conveyed from the reservoir 23 of fresh erosive particles to the second inlet 22 of the mixing reactor 2.

[0058] For example, homogenization of the corrosive fluid and the new erosive particles can be performed in the mixing reactor 2 by a turbine of the mixing reactor and a second variable-speed motor, the second variable-speed motor configured to rotate the turbine, and mixing of the new erosive particles with the corrosive fluid is performed under the influence of the turbine's rotation. Homogenization of the corrosive fluid and the new erosive particles is difficult to achieve, depending on the flow rate of the new erosive particles and the size and / or mass of the particles. Therefore, by using a second variable-speed motor and adapting the rotation speed of the second motor to the selected particles, it is possible to evaluate several types of new erosive particles at various concentrations in the test bench 1 while maintaining good homogenization. The rotation speed of the second variable-speed motor can be, for example, between 0 rpm and 3,000 rpm.

[0059] The mixer-reactor 2 advantageously comprises a heating system 25 configured to heat the corrosive fluid during mixing with fresh erosive particles 7, so that the homogeneous particle-fluid mixture 8 at the outlet of the mixer-reactor 2 is brought to a temperature selected for carrying out the test. Temperature is a parameter that influences the kinetics of erosion and / or corrosion phenomena. Therefore, it is of great benefit to the experimenter to be able to control and / or study the influence of this parameter at the test bench 1.

[0060] In a particular embodiment, the mixing reactor 2 has an inner wall and an outer wall (not shown in FIG. 1 ), which form a double wall of the mixing reactor 2. The heating system 25 includes a pump and a heat transfer fluid 26, such as water, which circulates the heat transfer fluid 26 between the inner and outer walls, and heating of the corrosive fluid in the mixing reactor 2 is achieved by heat transfer between the heat transfer fluid 26 and the corrosive fluid through the inner wall.

[0061] Such fluid heating embodiments differ from those typically implemented in prior art slurry pots, where the test chamber is heated. Heating the corrosive fluid with the mixing reactor 2 is a simple implementation given the high availability of heated mixing reactors.

[0062] (Sedimentation System 4) As previously mentioned, the settling system 4 has an inlet 14 in fluid communication with the outlet 13 of the test chamber 3, which is supplied with a circulating flow of a homogenous particle-fluid mixture 8 containing the corrosive fluid and erosive particles previously used to conduct tests within the test chamber 3.

[0063] The settling system 4 is configured to settle the homogenous particle-fluid mixture 8 obtained from the test chamber 3 and separates the erosive particles 7 and the corrosive fluid used to perform the test from said mixture 8, thereby allowing the removal of the worn erosive particles and the recovery of the corrosive fluid via a recirculation network 5.

[0064] For this purpose, the settling system 4 may comprise a settling tank (embodiment not shown) with an inlet forming the inlet 14 of the settling system 4 and an outlet forming the outlet 27 of the settling system 4. The erosive particles used in the test settle to the bottom of the settling tank. The outlet of the settling system is located at the top of the settling tank, allowing only the supernatant corrosive fluid separated from the worn erosive particles to be collected.

[0065] Significantly, the settling system 4 may include a first settling tank 28 with an inlet forming the inlet 14 of the settling system 4 and a second settling tank 29 with an outlet forming the outlet 27 of the settling system (see FIG. 1 ). In this embodiment of the settling system 4, the first tank 28 further includes an outlet 30 fluidly connected to the inlet 31 of the second tank 29. The outlet 30 of the first tank 28 is located at the top of the first tank 28, allowing only the upper portion of the settled particle-fluid mixture to flow into the second tank 29. In fact, since the particles are heavy, the upper portion of the settled particle-fluid mixture substantially contains the corrosive fluid. Similarly, the outlet 27 of the settling system 4, e.g., a slot, is located at the upper portion of the second tank 29, allowing only liquid to exit the settling system 4. When a second settling tank is used in series with the first settling tank, the second settling phase can improve separation between the corrosive liquid and the particles. In particular, the use of two settling tanks allows for better removal of particles.

[0066] (Recirculation Network 5) The corrosive fluid recirculation network 5 is configured to transport the corrosive fluid separated from the erosive particles used to conduct the test from the outlet 27 of the settling system 4 to the first inlet 21 of the mixing reactor 2, and the flow of corrosive fluid supplied to the mixing reactor 2 comprises the recycled corrosive fluid.

[0067] A peristaltic pump 32 may be advantageously connected to the recirculation network 5, and may be configured to pump the corrosive fluid separated from the erosive particles used to perform the test from the outlet 27 of the settling system 4 to the first inlet 21 of the mixer reactor 2. The peristaltic pump 32 is further configured to control the flow rate of the corrosive fluid supplied to the first inlet 21 of the mixer reactor 2.

[0068] Advantageously, the first settling tank is located above the second settling tank, reducing the power required from the peristaltic pump 32.

[0069] By controlling the flow rate of the corrosive fluid fed to the first inlet 21 of the mixing reactor 2 relative to the flow rate of the new erosive particle 7 stream fed to the second inlet 22 of the mixing reactor 2, the experimenter can control the particle-to-fluid mass ratio of the homogeneous particle-fluid mixture 8 fed to the inlet 12 of the test chamber 3. This is another important parameter for the experimenter. It is significant that the particle-to-fluid mass ratio should be less than 30%. Above this particle concentration, the erosive effect of the homogeneous particle-fluid mixture 8 is artificially reduced due to an increase in the collision velocity between particles, which dissipates part of the particle's kinetic energy prior to impact with the sample.

[0070] The recirculation network 5 is configured to protect the peristaltic pump from the erosive effects of particles and to prevent the experimenter from uncontrolled degradation of the erosive effects of the particle-fluid mixture, possibly due to multiple use of the same blunt particles. To this end, the recirculation network 5 pumps liquid to the upper part of the settling system 4.

Claims

1. 1. A test bench for performing corrosion and / or erosion tests, comprising: A mixing reactor having a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet, a flow of a corrosive fluid is provided to the first inlet of the mixing reactor; the second inlet is supplied with new erosive particles; the mixing reactor is configured to mix the fresh erosive particles and the corrosive fluid to obtain a circulating flow of a homogeneous particle-fluid mixture at the outlet of the mixing reactor; a mixing reactor; a test chamber having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the mixing reactor, and an outlet, configured to accommodate at least one sample; configured to perform a corrosion and / or erosion test of the at least one sample under impact of the homogeneous particle-fluid mixture derived from the mixing reactor and circulated from the inlet of the test chamber to the outlet of the test chamber; a test chamber; a sedimentation system having an inlet fluidly connected to the outlet of the test chamber, and an outlet, configured to allow the homogenous particle-fluid mixture derived from the test chamber to settle and separate the erosive particles and the corrosive fluid used in conducting the test from the mixture; a sedimentation system; 1. A fluid recirculation network comprising: The corrosive fluid separated from the erosive particles used in conducting the test is conveyed from the outlet of the settling system to the first inlet of the mixing reactor, and the flow of the corrosive fluid supplied to the mixing reactor is configured to include recycled corrosive fluid. a fluid recirculation network; A test bench having:

2. the test chamber is located below the mixing reactor and above the settling system; the outlet of the mixing reactor is located in a lower portion of the mixing reactor; the inlet to the test chamber is located in an upper portion of the test chamber; The test bench of claim 1 , wherein the outlet of the test chamber is located in a lower portion of the test chamber.

3. moreover, a first valve adapted to control the flow rate of the circulating flow of the homogenous particle-fluid mixture into the test chamber; a second valve adapted to control the flow rate of the circulating flow of the homogenous particle-fluid mixture exiting the test chamber and to maintain a constant level of the particle-fluid mixture within the test chamber; 3. The test bench according to claim 1, comprising:

4. 4. The test bench according to claim 1, further comprising a reservoir of fresh erosive particles arranged to feed the second inlet of the mixer-reactor, preferably arranged above the mixer-reactor.

5. Further, a third valve is provided.

5. The test bench of claim 4, wherein the third valve has a variable opening that controls the flow rate of the stream of fresh erosive particles conveyed from the reservoir of fresh erosive particles to the second inlet of the mixing reactor.

6. further comprising a peristaltic pump connected to the recirculation network; the peristaltic pump is adapted to pump the corrosive fluid separated from the erosive particles used in conducting the test from the outlet of the settling system to the first inlet of the mixing reactor; 6. The test bench of claim 1, wherein the peristaltic pump is further adapted to control a flow rate of the flow of the corrosive fluid supplied to the first inlet of the mixing reactor.

7. the test chamber having a lower wall, an upper wall, and at least one side wall extending between the lower wall and the upper wall; 7. The test bench of claim 1, wherein the upper wall forms a lid of the test chamber, and the outlet of the test chamber is located in the lower wall of the test chamber.

8. the at least one sidewall of the test chamber comprises PVC; and / or The test bench of claim 7 , wherein the lower wall and the upper wall comprise polyamide.

9. 9. The test bench of claim 7, wherein the at least one side wall of the test chamber is separable from the lower wall and the upper wall.

10. the test chamber further comprising a baffle disposed on the at least one sidewall of the test chamber; 10. The test bench of claim 7, wherein the formation of turbulence in the homogeneous particle-fluid mixture in the test chamber is limited.

11. the test chamber further comprising a sample holder; the sample holder is configured to be mated with the at least one sample; the sample holder is further configured to be driven in rotation about an axis of rotation (X) of the sample holder relative to the lower wall of the test chamber; 11. The test bench according to claim 7, wherein the axis of rotation (X) is perpendicular to the lower wall of the test chamber and passes through the centre of gravity of the sample holder.

12. Further, a first variable speed motor is included; 12. The test bench of claim 11, wherein the first variable speed motor is configured to drive the sample holder in rotation about its axis of rotation (X) at a rotational speed selected to perform the test.

13. 13. The test bench according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the inlet of the test chamber is arranged in the upper wall of the test chamber at the intersection between the upper wall and the axis of rotation (X) of the sample holder.

14. the mixing reactor has a turbine and a second variable speed motor; 14. The test bench according to claim 1, wherein the second variable speed motor is configured to drive the turbine in rotation, and the mixing of the fresh erosive particles with the corrosive fluid is performed under the influence of the rotation of the turbine.

15. The mixing reactor has a heating system; 15. The test bench of claim 1, wherein the heating system is configured to heat the corrosive fluid during mixing of the corrosive fluid with the new erosive particles, and the homogeneous particle-fluid mixture at the outlet of the mixing reactor is subjected to a temperature selected for conducting the test.

16. The mixing reactor has an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall and the outer wall form a double wall of the mixing reactor; 16. The test bench of claim 15, wherein the heating system includes a heat transfer fluid circulating between the inner wall and the outer wall, and heating of the corrosive fluid in the mixing reactor is performed by heat transfer between the heat transfer fluid and the corrosive fluid through the inner wall.

17. The sedimentation system comprises: a first settling tank having an inlet forming an inlet of the settling system; a second settling tank having an outlet forming an outlet of the settling system; the first tank further having an outlet fluidly connected to an inlet of the second tank; the outlet of the first tank is located at an upper portion of the first tank such that only an upper portion of the particle-fluid mixture that has settled in the first tank flows into the second tank; the outlet of the settling system is positioned at the top of the second tank so as to collect only the corrosive fluid separated from the erosive particles used in conducting the test; 17. The test bench of claim 1, wherein the particles remain at the bottom of the first tank and the second tank.

18. 18. The test bench of claim 17, wherein the first settling tank is positioned above the second settling tank.

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