Planning

Wetted Failed Fuel Radiolysis Reference number: NNLC178

SELLAFIELD

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

03 Aug 2020 at 05:55

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The public procurement process titled "Wetted Failed Fuel Radiolysis", referenced as NNLC178, is being conducted by Sellafield, a buyer located in Seascale, England. This procurement falls under the industry category of instruments for measuring flow, level, and pressure of liquids and gases (CPV code: 38420000). The process is currently in the planning stage, with an engagement end date set for 19th August 2020. Interested vendors should prepare for individual supplier meetings, which will be held on 20th and 21st August from 09:00 to 14:45, where they can present their measurement solutions to the contracting authority.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in measurement technology and associated systems, particularly those with expertise in high-pressure applications and radiation-hardened equipment for use in controlled environments. Companies that can demonstrate proven methods for gas sampling and analysis, especially within hot cell facilities, are encouraged to participate. This is an excellent opportunity for advanced technology firms and researchers in the fields of gas detection and analysis apparatus to improve their market presence and potentially secure a follow-on open procurement process for further measurement systems.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Wetted Failed Fuel Radiolysis Reference number: NNLC178

Notice Description

NNL are currently contracted to carry out a series of trials to measure radiolytic gas generation. Because these measurements are to be made using irradiated material there are two significant constraints: * The quantity of material (predominantly a powder) used in each test must be minimised. * The samples and vessels must remain within a hot cell facility (see Appendix for details), therefore: o Sample lines between the text vessels and the measurement system located outside the hot cell will be long (~6-10 m). o Items in the hot cell will receive significant radiation doses and must be suitably radiation hardened. o All operations on equipment located in the hot cell (setup, operation, maintenance and dismantle) must be carried out remotely using master slave manipulators (see Appendix for examples). o Ambient temperature may vary in the range 5degC - 40degC during the year. NNL has developed a preliminary concept for undertaking the required measurements, show in Figure 1 : Figure 1 Initial Sampling Concept Some relevant characteristics of the proposed system are: * Individual tests will be conducted on a few grams of irradiated material in high integrity vessels with a total volume of ~ 3 cm3 and a free volume of ~ 2 cm3. * Connecting pipework to be narrow-bore, high pressure piping (nominally 1.6 mm, 1/16" bore) * The gas generated, in the test and whose composition needs to be measured, will depend on the test material and may be composed of either: o Hydrogen and sub-stochiometric quantity of oxygen (the degree of sub-stoichiometry is currently unknown); o Roughly equal amounts of hydrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and methane, with trace amounts of higher hydrocarbons. * Small quantities of Kr and He may be released from the test materials as a result of radioactive decay, and their presence would need to be accounted for. * The reference sampling process would involve: o Evacuating the manifold and isolating it. o Opening the valve for designated test vessel valve to equalize pressure with manifold following which the valve would be closed to leave a gas sample of around 50uL in the manifold. o Sweep the sample using a carrier gas to it to the measurement instrument. * An equilibrium is expected to form which will limit the overall pressure generated. It can be assumed that the experiment will be terminated if the pressure exceeds a value which is expected to be less than 50 BarG. * Tests will be conducted for a number of source materials and test conditions, leading to between 20 and 30 simultaneous tests. Scoping calculations suggests that * gas will be generated at a rate of ~ 10-9 moles per day. * the pressure rise will be ~1.5 x 10-5 Bar.d-1 and * the concentration of each species will increase by o ~90 ppm per week of hydrogen, or o ~20 ppm per week each of hydrogen, methane etc. * The tests may last between 3 and 12 months Additional information: NNL are currently contracted to carry out a series of trials to measure radiolytic gas generation from materials associated with spent nuclear fuel. One of the specific technical objectives is to determine the change in gas composition with time. Following the supplier meeting NNL intends to hold a series of 1:1 meetings with individual suppliers, which will provide an opportunity to discuss possible measurement solutions in greater detail. Anyone who wishes to have such a meeting should submit a brief overview of their recommended measurement approach, which may differ for the concept provided above if an alternative measurement system is able to provide the required measurement capability. The overview must demonstrate that the measurement system has a proven track record and can be deployed for undertaking measurements in a hot cell facility. Provided that NNL considers that the proposed scheme is viable, and the measurement system is reliable, a detailed meeting will be agreed. The total number of 1:1 meetings will be capped at ten. In the event that more than 10 viable approaches are suggested then meeting slots will be allocated on a first come first served basis. The dates and time slots for 1:1's are as follows: Thursday 20th August Friday 21st August 09:00 - 09:45 10:00 - 10:45 11:00 - 11:45 13:00 - 13:45 14:00 - 14:45 When providing your response, please indicate which date and time would be most convenient and we will try to accommodate. Please be aware that Matt McClure, the Procurement & CTM is on leave 31/07/2020 until 10/08/2020. Dial in details will be sent and any questions will be answered on return. NNL considers that the measurement of gas composition at intervals during the test is challenging and that the gas sampling and measurement techniques required are outside of its area of expertise. NNL is therefore requesting assistance from suppliers to help identify credible means of making the proposed measurements in order to enable NNL to define a specification for a subsequent open procurement process to provide a suitable measurement system.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-2e3ef88d-3386-46ef-8bb2-2ddf71ddb67e
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/efac1fa2-f81d-4ef3-950e-5017ae0cdbeb
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Not specified
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

CPV Codes

38420000 - Instruments for measuring flow, level and pressure of liquids and gases

38431100 - Gas-detection apparatus

38432000 - Analysis apparatus

38433000 - Spectrometers

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Aug 20205 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
19 Aug 2020Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SELLAFIELD
Contact Name
Matthew McClure
Contact Email
matthew.mcclure@uknnl.com
Contact Phone
+44 1900513447

Buyer Location

Locality
SEASCALE
Postcode
CA20 1PG
Post Town
Carlisle
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD1 Cumbria
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD13 Cumberland
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Cumberland
Electoral Ward
Gosforth
Westminster Constituency
Whitehaven and Workington

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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