A tubing manufacturer has many alternatives for manufacturing and testing stainless steel tubing for feedwater heater and condenser applications. ASTM/ASME specifications are basic requirements intended to cover all applications. These minimum requirements may not be sufficient for providing the appropriate quality tube for demanding requirements, such as continuous duty for 18 to 24 months common with feedwater heaters and condensers today. This paper summarizes the basic ASTM/ASME requirements with many of the additional property and testing options available to ensure reliable service for today’s power plant environment. It identifies the advantages and disadvantages of each and provides suggestions on what could be specified to ensure the best value tubing for your application.
Author: Dan Janikowski
Author: Ed Blessman, P.E.
