Tubes for surface condenser A249 TP304L Vs. A213 TP304L

[starfarooq]

We are purchasing a surface condenser for which we had specified seamless SS304 tubes. Now the vendor has informed that he will use A249 TP304L tubes. This ASTM class represent welded austenitic stainless steel tubes. Please guide me whether the welded tubes should be acceptable?

 

[metengr]

For surface condenser used on large steam turbines or service applications which are low pressure on the tube ID side and vacuum conditions on the OD side, ASTM A 249 tube material is acceptable, and is typically specified by users. In fact, we used it when we re-tubed our condensers a while back. The limited availability of heat exchanger tube material in the OD and gage size for seamless is not worth the cost.

 

[MJCronin]

Your question seems to be a subset of the long discussion of the pros and cons between welded and seamless tubes.

Welded tubes are considered acceptable for many non demanding services such as surface condensers.

Farooq.......please search these fora for the many discussions on welded vs. seamless tubes.

 

[rmw]

I've used welded tubes in 'demanding' service like HP FWH's with no problem. Seamless tubes have their own particular problems, principal among which is ovality. I'd go for welded every time. Much better wall thickness consistency. If you do some testing, you might find that the weld is the strongest part of the tube if your supplier is a quality supplier depending on the Spec to which it was manufactured.

rmw