If we consider 100% cold spring in a typical main steam piping to steam turbine with NEMA SM-23 load allowable, as per eqn 22 clause 319.5.1(a) of ASME B 31.3, thermal expansion load R can be reduced to (1-2/3C)* Eh/Ec * R. With C=1.0, Eh/Ec=0.73, the expansion load gets reduced to one-fourth of R. Only risk is that the expansion load will come back at installation temperature which can result in leakage at start-up.

For steam turbine piping, is cold spring a safe option ? As it is simpler compared to complex anchor/restraint arrangements, constant/softer springs, low diameter/low thickness (better material) pipings or additional piping loops, can this option be tried ?

regards,

sam