Power Tubes & Piping

Power Tubes & Piping

Power Tubes & Piping
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  • Power Tubes & Piping

Power Tubes & PipingGlobal Sourcing for Engineering & Procurement

 

1. Product Positioning and Scope

Power plant tubes cover high-temperature and high-pressure steam circuits, feedwater and condenser services, heat-exchanger bundles, main and reheat steam piping, and balance-of-plant lines across coal-fired units, combined-cycle HRSGs, biomass and waste-to-energy plants, nuclear units, and thermal-storage facilities. Material families include carbon steels, ferritic Cr-Mo steels, 912Cr creep-strength-enhanced ferritic (CSEF) grades such as T91/T92, austenitic stainless (including H grades), duplex stainless, nickel-based and high-alloy materials, with titanium and copper-based options sometimes used for condenser services. This guide enables buyers to complete a fast scenariomaterialstandardsize mapping and finalize orders.

 

2. Standards Matrix (with general-requirements mapping)

Seamless boiler/heat-exchanger tubes: ASTM A213 (ferritic and austenitic seamless tubes; general requirements per ASTM A1016), ASTM A209 (T1), ASTM A210 (carbon/molybdenum boiler tubes; general requirements per ASTM A450), ASTM A192 (high-pressure carbon steel boiler tubes; general requirements per ASTM A450).  

High-temperature alloy steel piping: ASTM A335 (general requirements per ASTM A999).  

Austenitic general-purpose and welded HX tubes: ASTM A269 (general requirements per A1016), ASTM A249 (welded austenitic boiler/superheater/HX tubes; general requirements per A1016).  

Duplex stainless tubes and pipes: ASTM A789 (tubes; general requirements per A1016) and ASTM A790 (pipes; general requirements per A999 for large-diameter piping).  

Feedwater heaters and condensers: ASTM A556 (seamless carbon steel), ASTM A688 (welded austenitic stainless feedwater heater tubes).

Nickel/high-alloy HX tubes: ASTM B163/B167 (600/601), B407 (800H/HT), B423 (825), B444 (625), B619/B622/B626 (C-276). Alloy 690TT is widely used for nuclear steam-generator tubing per B163 with dedicated thermal treatment control.  

Dimensional series & general requirements: ASME B36.10M (carbon/alloy), ASME B36.19M (stainless); A450/A530 (carbon/low-alloy tubes & pipe), A1016 (ferritic & stainless tubes), A999 (alloy/stainless pipe).  

Design codes: ASME Section I (Power Boilers), ASME B31.1 (Power Piping); nuclear service per ASME Section III.

Europe & International: EN 10216-2, EN 10216-5, EN 10217-7, EN 12952/12953, EN 13480; NDT per EN ISO 10893; MTC per EN 10204 3.1/3.2.

China & Japan: GB 3087, GB/T 5310, GB/T 13296, GB/T 14976, GB/T 9948; JIS G3461/G3462/G3463.

 

3. ScenarioMaterialStandardSize Mapping

1. Super/ultra-supercritical reheater & superheater coils

Materials: T91/T92 (912Cr CSEF), TP347HFG where applicable.

Standards: ASTM A213 (general per A1016); external piping via ASTM A335 P91/P92 (general per A999).  

Typical sizes: OD 2563.5 mm, WT 312 mm, length 624 m; ovality and wall eccentricity controlled per project.

2. Waterwalls & economizers

Materials: A210 A1/C, T11/T22; use 304H/316H/347H for higher chlorine-bearing corrosion risk.

Standards: ASTM A210 (general per A450), ASTM A213 (general per A1016).  

Typical sizes: OD 3860.3 mm, WT 38 mm.

3. HRSG low/mid-temperature sections

Materials: T11/T22/T91 with TP304L/TP316L where needed.

Standards: A213/A335.

Sizes: OD 1950.8 mm, WT 2.08.0 mm; cleanliness and bevel quality controlled at the cold-end.

4. Feedwater heaters & condensers

Materials: carbon steel A556, austenitic TP304L/TP316L, duplex 2205 where required; welded feedwater tubes per A688.

Standards: ASTM A556, ASTM A213/A269, ASTM A688.

Sizes: OD 19.05/22.22/25.4/31.75 mm typical, WT 1.242.77 mm; U-bend stress relief per project.

5. Nuclear steam generators & primary-side HX components

Materials: Alloy 690TT for SG tubing; some systems use 304L/316L or 800/800H/800HT.

Standards: ASTM B163 (690), B407 (800H/HT); nuclear per ASME Section III and plant specs.  

Sizes: OD 19.05 mm, WT 1.11.3 mm; stringent degreasing and cleanliness control.

6. Main/reheat steam & feedwater external piping

Materials: P22/P91/P92; austenitic 304H/316H where applicable.

Standards: ASTM A335 (general per A999); dimensions per ASME B36.10M/B36.19M.  

Sizes: NPS 1/224 and above; wall thickness per Schedule.

 

4. Size Range & Tolerances

Seamless HX/boiler tubes: OD ~12.7168.3 mm, WT 1.225 mm, length 624 m; U-bends as specified.

A335 hot-service piping: NPS 1/224+, thickness per B36.10M; stainless per B36.19M.

Tolerances: per A1016 (stainless & ferritic tubes), A450 (carbon/low-alloy boiler tubes), A999 (alloy/stainless pipe); D/T grades per ISO 1127/EN 10216-5 can be agreed where applicable.  

Geometry: straightness, ovality, and eccentricity quantified in the spec; cleanliness and degreasing levels specified for clean services.

 

5. Manufacturing & Key Controls

EAF/BOF melting with AOD/VOD for stainless (ESR as needed) piercing & hot-rolling/extrusion cold-drawing/rolling (if required) heat treatment (normalize/temper for ferritic & CSEF; solution anneal & rapid quench for austenitic; duplex phase-balance control) U-bending with stress-relief for feedwater heaters pickling/passivation; cleanliness control for condenser/SG services.

 

6. Quality & Documentation

General requirements per A1016/A450/A999; mechanical tests (tensile, hardness, flattening/flaring), corrosion tests (A262 for austenitic IGC, A923 for duplex; G48 pitting where needed), NDE (ET/UT per standard or EN ISO 10893), hydrostatic test per code. Documentation per EN 10204 3.1/3.2, heat-treatment charts, NDE and cleanliness reports.

 

7. Supply Forms & Packaging

Straight tubes, U-bent tubes, and tube bundles; ends bevelled per ASME B16.25 or square-cut with caps; dry, chloride-free packaging; nuclear and ultra-clean services with dedicated clean packaging.

 

8. Ordering Checklist (RFQ/PO)

Standard & year (e.g., ASTM A213-2024 TP347HFG, general per A1016), grade & condition (T91 N+T, TP316L solution annealed), size & tolerances (OD×WT×L/U-bend data; straightness/ovality/eccentricity limits), inspection (ET/UT coverage, hydro; A262/A923/G48 if needed), documents (EN 10204 3.1/3.2; third-party witness), packaging & cleanliness (degreased, dry, capped, chloride-free).

 

9. Material Selection Pointers

USC/USC coils: T91/T92 with TP347HFG; external piping P91/P92.

Chloride-bearing cold-end: TP316L/duplex 2205 per A213/A789.  

Feedwater heaters: A556 or TP304L/TP316L; welded feedwater tubes per A688.

Nuclear SG: Alloy 690TT per B163 with thermal-treatment and cleanliness control.  

 

10. Procurement, Construction & O&M Risks

Wrong general-requirements pairing (A213/A269 with A1016; A210/A192 with A450; A335 with A999) causes inspection gaps.  

CSEF heat-treatment errors degrade creep life; enforce PWHT and hardness limits.

Austenitic sensitization risk: use H or stabilized grades plus A262.

U-bend cleanliness & stress issues: inadequate degreasing or stress relief can trigger early leaks.

Dimensional series mix-ups: B36.10M vs B36.19M must be specified.

 

11. Representative Spec Lines

Boiler superheater tube: ASTM A213 TP347HFG, OD 50.8 mm × WT 6.3 mm × L 12 m, general per A1016, solution-annealed & pickled; 100% ET + hydro; EN 10204 3.1. 

Main steam line: ASTM A335 P91, NPS 10, Sch 80, L 12 m, general per A999; bevel per ASME B16.25; UT per project class; EN 10204 3.1 + WPS/PQR summary.  

Feedwater heater U-tubes: ASTM A688 TP316L, OD 22.22 mm × WT 1.65 mm, U-bend radius per drawing, stress relieved, degreasing & cleanliness report; EN 10204 3.1.

Nuclear SG tube: ASTM B163 Alloy 690TT, OD 19.05 mm × WT 1.24 mm, TT curve & cleanliness records, 100% ET/UT, EN 10204 3.2 (third-party witness).  

 

12. Representative Global Producers (alphabetical, examples)

Alleima (ex-Sandvik), Baosteel, BENTELER, JFE, Nippon Steel/NSST, Salzgitter Mannesmann, Sumitomo, Tenaris, TPCO, Tubacex, Vallourec. Manufacturing windows vary by mill; always align with mill datasheets and contractual technical clauses.

 

 

 

Power Tubes & PipingTechnical Specifications

 

1) Product Definition & Scope

Scope. Metallic pipes, fittings and flanges for nuclear, fossil/combined-cycle, HRSG, hydropower, seawater cooling/circulating water, wind (nacelle hydraulics/cooling), CSP (solar-thermal) and energy storage (electrochemical/CAES/LAES/hydrogen) projects. Includes seamless/welded pipe, boiler heating-surface tubes, heat-exchanger tubes, process pipe, U-bent tubes, butt-weld / socket-weld / threaded fittings, forged/stainless/Ni-alloy flanges and stub-ins, and prefabricated spools.

Objective. Satisfy 4060 year design life (nuclear/conventional), low leakage, inspectability/repairability, full traceability, and optimal life-cycle cost.

 

 

2) Standards Matrix (from top-level design to products & inspection)

Top-level design & regulations

Power/process piping: ASME B31.1 (Power Piping), ASME B31.3 (Process Piping), ASME B31.12 (Hydrogen).

Boilers/pressure boundary: ASME BPVC (Sections I / II / V / VIII / IX); nuclear Section III (NB/NC/ND). EU PED. PRC GB/T 20801 (pressure piping), NB/T 20001.x (nuclear), HAF 604 (nuclear safety equipment license).

Hydropower penstocks / waterways: AWWA C200 (steel water pipe) with AWWA C210/C213/C222 (internal linings/coatings).

 

Products & materials (examples)

Boiler/heating surfaces: ASME/ASTM SA-213 (T11/T22/T91/T92), SA-210 / SA-192.

High-temperature alloy steel pipe (piping): A335 (P11/P22/P91/P92).

Austenitic stainless: A312 / A376 (pipe), A249 / A269 (welded HX/instrument tubes).

Duplex / super-duplex: A789 / A790 / A928.

Nickel-base: B163 / B167 / B407 / B423 / B444 / B622.

Titanium & Cu-Ni: B338 (Ti), B111 (Cu-Ni 90/10, 70/30).

Plate-fabricated pressure pipe: A358 (stainless EFW), A671/A672 (CS/low-alloy plate-welded).

Flanges/forgings/fittings: B16.5 / B16.47 (flanges), B16.9 / B16.11 (fittings); materials A105 / A350 LF2 / A182 (F11/F22/F91/F304/F316 etc.), A403 (SS BW fittings), A234 (CS/low-alloy BW fittings), A815 (duplex), B366 (Ni-alloy fittings), B564 (Ni-alloy forgings).

Nuclear-grade: ASME Section III (NB/NC/ND) + RCC-M; welding per ASME IX; QA per NQA-1.

External coating/linings: ISO 21809 (FBE/3LPE/3LPP), AWWA C210/C213/C222 (liquid epoxy/FBE/polyurethane).

Corrosion & materials selection: ISO 21457; sour per NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156.

NDE & general requirements: A999/A1016 (general), A450/A530 (tube/pipe general). ECT/UT/RT/TOFD, PMI, helium leak (nuclear/hydrogen/cryogenic as applicable).

 

 

3) Materials & Grade System (incl. forgings/fittings)

Carbon steel / LTCS / line pipe: A106 Gr.B/C, A333 Gr.6, API 5L (Gr.B, X42X70; limited to in-plant utilities if used; preferred for off-plot/long-distance).

Cr-Mo heat-resistant steel: A335 P11/P22/P91/P92; heating-surface tubes SA-213 T11/T22/T91/T92.

Austenitic stainless: 304/304L/304H, 316/316L, 316L(N)/316N, 321, 347/347H; 316L(N) common in nuclear primary systems.

Duplex / super-duplex: 2205 (S32205), 2507 (S32750) (seawater/high Cl).

Nickel-base alloys: Alloy 600/625/690/800H/825/C-276/B-2/B-3; SG usually 690TT / 800NG.

Titanium / Cu-Ni: Ti Gr.2/Gr.12 (condenser/seawater side), Cu-Ni 90/10, 70/30 (seawater cooling/firewater).

Forgings/flanges: A105, A350 LF2, A182 (F11/F22/F91/F304/316/321/347 ), B564 (Ni-alloy); nuclear often F316L(N) forgings.

Fittings: A234 (WPB/WP11/WP22/WP91), A403 (WP304L/316L/321/347), A815 (S32205/S32750), B366 (Ni-alloy).

 

 

4) Sizes & Tolerances (text description)

Heat-exchanger / instrument tubes: OD 660 mm, WT 0.56 mm; U-bend R 1.5D; lengths up to 25 m (project-specific).

Process / power piping: OD 21.3660 mm (NPS 1/226); larger by A358 EFW or plate LSAW/SAW.

Hydropower penstocks/waterways: OD 112 m+, WT 1080 mm+, shop-fabricated in sections with field girth welds.

Flanges: ASME B16.5 24; B16.47 > 24(Series A/B), Class 1502500; faces RF/RTJ/FF; materials matched to medium/temperature.

Fittings: Butt-weld B16.9, socket-weld/threaded B16.11; for high-alloy grades (WP91/WP92) and duplex/Ni-alloy, validate post-forming heat treatment and impact/hardness.

Tolerance system: Stainless/Ni-alloy optionally to ISO 1127 (D/T classes); general to A999/A1016; bevels per B16.25.

 

 

5) Manufacturing Flow & Heat Treatment (key points)

Melting. EAF/IF + LF/VOD/AOD; for nuclear/Ni-alloy consider VIM + ESR/VAR to control inclusions/segregation.

Forming. Seamless (hot-roll/hot-extrude + cold draw/cold roll); welded (EFW/TIG/laser/SAW); large diameters by plate roll + LSAW/SAW.

Heat treatment. Austenitic solution ≥ 1040 °C with rapid quench; CSEF (T/P91/92) normalize + temper with strict PWHT; SG U-tubes stress relief/aging per project.

Surface. Pickling & passivation (ASTM A380/A967), BA/EP as specified; nuclear limits on halogen residues (Cl/F); control δ-ferrite and residual stress.

Ancillaries. Prefab spools, induction bends, internal linings/coatings (FBE/epoxy/rubber/cement mortar).

Flanges/forgings. Open-/closed-die + normalizing/tempering/solution; nuclear forgings with enhanced traceability and UT classes.

 

 

6) ServiceMaterialStandard Quick Mapping (engineering guidance)

Nuclear primary circuit (Class 1). SA-312/SA-376 316L / 316L(N) / 316N; design to ASME III NB or RCC-M; control δ-ferrite, residual stress, surface halogens; welding per ASME IX; cleanliness/He-leak per project.

SG U-tubes. SB-163/167 Alloy 690TT / 800NG; U-bend R ≥ 1.5D; 100% ECT + optional He-leak; surface BA/EP.

Nuclear secondary & auxiliaries. 304L/316L; firewater/seawater side Ti Gr.2 or Cu-Ni / 2205; B31.1/B31.3.

Fossil/HRSG superheater/reheater. Tubes SA-213 T91/T92, piping A335 P91/P92; PWHT, hardness and creep life critical; B31.1.

Feedwater/condensate (FAC risk). T11/T22 or 304/316; coordinate water chemistry OT / AVT(O) and flow/geometry; B31.1/B31.3.

Hydropower penstocks/waterways. AWWA C200 + C210/C213/C222 (internal/external protection); sectional UT/RT and high-head hydrotest; cathodic protection.

Seawater circulating/condenser. Ti Gr.2 tubing mainstream; piping 2205/2507 or Cu-Ni 90/10, 70/30; address crevice/pitting and CP.

CSP heat-transfer oil (~300400 °C). 321/347H, P11/P22; insulation/sealing and thermal-cycling fatigue.

CSP molten salt (~400565 °C). 347H / 800H / 625 and P22/P91; control chlorides/impurities and high-temperature corrosion/embrittlement.

Hydrogen (B31.12) / cryogenic storage. 316L / Ni-base or qualified CS; deep-cold sections A333 / 304L; critical joints He-leak.

 

 

7) Quality Assurance & Verification (ITP backbone)

Chemistry / cleanliness. OES/ICP; low S/P/inclusions; batch qualification for nuclear/Ni-alloy.

Mechanical / high-temperature. Room-/elevated-T tensile, impact, hardness; creep/rupture for T/P91/92, 800H, 625, etc.

Corrosion & phase control. A262 (IGC), G48 (pitting/crevice), A923 (duplex), G28 (Ni-base); duplex phase balance/ferrite.

NDE. Small-bore tubes 100% ECT (e.g., E426/E571), UT E213 where required; weld RT/UT/TOFD; penstock sections UT/RT.

Pressure / tightness. Per-piece hydro or equivalent; nuclear/hydrogen/cryogenic add He-leak; system tests per B31.1/B31.3 and project.

PMI / hardness. Alloy ID and hardness limits (CSEF/duplex/Ni-alloy weld/HAZ).

Coating QC. Blast cleanliness, DFT, adhesion, holiday testing.

Documentation. EN 10204 3.1/3.2, heat-treat charts, original NDE, pressure/leak tests, PMI; nuclear dossiers per NQA-1 / HAF with witnessing.

 

 

8) Delivery & Packaging

Ends. Plain/beveled per B16.25, protected with end caps; U-tubes matched and crated; flange faces with protectors.

Protection. Dry-preserved in/out; stainless/Ni-alloy protected from scratch/contamination; nuclearoptional vacuum/inert-gas packaging.

Marking. Standard, grade, size, heat/lot, heat-treat status, NDE/pressure status; nuclear class markings and traceable QR/barcodes.

 

 

9) Ordering Essentials (RFQ/PO checklist paste-ready)

1. Plant type / system / medium / P-T, start-stop frequency, water-hammer/vibration limits; (nuclear) Class and code (NB/NC/ND or RCC-M).

2. Codes & acceptance: B31.1/B31.3/B31.12, ASME III / RCC-M, ITP/witness points, NDE percentages.

3. Material / heat-treatment / surface: e.g., SA-213 T91 (N+T+PWHT) / SA-312 316L (EP) / A790 S32205 (solution annealed) / SB-163 690TT (BA/ECT).

4. Dimensions & manufacture: OD × WT × L; U-bend R; EFW/LSAW/SAW or SMLS; ends (BE/PE/BW/SW/THD/flanged).

5. Corrosion & protection: CA; internal lining/coating/CP; insulation/cryogenic; (nuclear) halogen limits.

6. Inspection/testing: Chemistry/mech/IGC/pitting/phase; NDE & pressure/He-leak; CSEF hardness/metallography; SG tubes 100% ECT.

7. Dossier & credentials: 3.1/3.2, heat-treat charts, WPS/PQR/WPQ, PMI, NDE/pressure/corrosion reports; (nuclear) NQA-1/HAF certificates & stamps.

8. Logistics & installation: Section lengths/transport limits; field fit-up/induction bends/PWHT services; coating field-joint procedures and site cleanliness.

 

 

10) Construction & Risk Controls (what not to do)

P91/P92 heat-treat & filler misapplication: Missing N+T/PWHT, interpass/hardness out of control early cracking / life loss.

FAC ignored: Feedwater/low-pressure circuits not treated via material (Cr content), chemistry, flow/geometry perforation risk.

304/316 in high-Cl/strong oxidizers: Cl-SCC / pitting risk upgrade to 2205/2507 or Ni-base.

No He-leak on nuclear/hydrogen/cryogenic: Micro-leaks invisible, severe consequences.

Standards mixed: Using API 5L for boiler/power service, or mixing AWWA / ASME flange classes pressure / sealing mismatch.

SG / primary surface contamination: Halogens/iron fines, pickling residues elevated IGA/IGSCC risk.

Poor welding control on duplex/Ni-alloy: δ-ferrite/phase balance & hardness off-spec SCC/embrittlement risk.

 

 

11) Example Spec Lines (copy-ready for procurement files)

Nuclear SG U-tubes

Tube, SB-163 Alloy 690TT, OD 22.23 mm × WT 1.24 mm, U-bend R 1.5D, post-bend stress relief per spec, 100% ECT, optional He-leak, surface BA/EP, CMTR 3.2, cleanliness & halogen limits per project.

Nuclear primary circuit (Class 1)

Pipe, SA-312 316L(N), NPS 10 Sch 80S, BE with B16.25 bevel, solution annealed & pickled/passivated, 100% PMI, RT/UT per ASME III NB / RCC-M, He-leak if specified, CMTR 3.2 & NQA-1 dossier.

HRSG superheater tubes

Tube, SA-213 T91, OD 38.1 mm × WT 6.3 mm, N+T, ends BE, NDE per SA-1016 (UT 100%), hydro per B31.1, PWHT & hardness records attached, CMTR 3.2.

Hydropower penstock

Pipe, AWWA C200, OD 4.2 m × WT 28 mm, long-seam SAW, L = 12 m, internal lining C210 DFT ≥ 300 µm, external FBE C213, UT S2/E2 + seam RT, hydro ≥ 1.5×DP, flanges AWWA C207 Class D, CMTR 3.2 & holiday test.

Seawater circulating duplex pipe

Pipe, ASTM A790 S32205 (2205), NPS 12 Sch 40S, solution annealed, BE, pickled & passivated (A380/A967), 100% PMI, G48A @ 25 °C pass, CMTR 3.1.

CSP molten-salt hot end

Pipe, Alloy 800H (SB-407), NPS 8 Sch 80, solution annealed, weld RT 100%, creep data provided, insulation-compatible, CMTR 3.1.

 

 

12) Representative Global Producers / Integrators (by category & region examples; verify credentials before tender)

Seamless boiler/power tubes: Vallourec (FR/BR/DE), Tenaris (IT/AR/MX/US), Nippon Steel (JP), JFE Steel (JP), Salzgitter Mannesmann (DE), Tubacex (ES/IN/AT), Alleima (formerly Sandvik, SE).

High-alloy / nuclear-capable (SG / nuclear-grade SS & Ni-base): Alleima (SE), Tubacex (ES/IN/AT), Nippon Steel (JP), JFE (JP), Vallourec (EU), Jiuli (CN; high-alloy SS/duplex/Ni-base pipes & components).

Large-diameter plate-rolled / pressure pipe: EEW Group (DE/AE/US), Jindal SAW (IN), PCK Panyu Chu Kong (CN), Baowu / Baosteel (CN).

Fittings / prefabrication: Erne Fittings (AT), BUTTING (DE, CRA & spools), Proclad (UK/UAE, cladding & spools), Jiuli (CN), JFE/NSC affiliated shops (JP).

Flanges & forgings: Ulma Forja (ES), Galperti (IT), Metalfar (IT), JSW Japan (JP, large forgings), Doosan/Hyundai (KR), CITIC Heavy / Shanghai Electric Forging / CFHI (CN).

Titanium & Cu-Ni HX tubes: Plymouth Tube (US), KME / Wieland (EU, Cu-Ni), Baoti (CN), Western Superconducting (CN).

Nuclear QA / inspection capability: Major groupsnuclear subsidiaries hold ASME N/NPT/NCA-3800 or RCC-M / HAF 604 credentials (require valid certificates and recent nuclear deliveries with references in bids).

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Tsisco Industrial Ltd.
Tsisco Industrial Ltd.