The principal design codes used for piping design are the ANSI/ASME B31.1 (Code for Power Piping) and ANSI/ASME B31.3 (code for process piping), ASTM A53 B, ASTM A106 B and API 5L carbon steel pipes are the ones used for geothermal fields. The expansion loops most commonly used in crosscountry pipelines are L bends, Z bends, conventional 90° elbow and V bends.
This requires the consideration of installation cost, pressure loss effect on production, stress level concern, fatigue failure, support and anchor effects, stability, easy maintenance, parallel expansion capacity and others. The best piping configuration is the least expensive over a long term basis.
