--- title: "Wetted Failed Fuel Radiolysis Reference number: NNLC178" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-2e3ef88d-3386-46ef-8bb2-2ddf71ddb67e" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-2e3ef88d-3386-46ef-8bb2-2ddf71ddb67e" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-2e3ef88d-3386-46ef-8bb2-2ddf71ddb67e.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-2e3ef88d-3386-46ef-8bb2-2ddf71ddb67e.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "SELLAFIELD" published: "2020-08-03" --- # Wetted Failed Fuel Radiolysis Reference number: NNLC178 Buyer: SELLAFIELD Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-2e3ef88d-3386-46ef-8bb2-2ddf71ddb67e [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-2e3ef88d-3386-46ef-8bb2-2ddf71ddb67e) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-2e3ef88d-3386-46ef-8bb2-2ddf71ddb67e.json) ## Summary 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. ## Notice 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. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/efac1fa2-f81d-4ef3-950e-5017ae0cdbeb | | 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 | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 3 Aug 2020 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 19 Aug 2020 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | SELLAFIELD | | Locality | SEASCALE | | Post town | Carlisle | | Postcode | CA20 1PG | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLD1 Cumbria | | ITL 3 | TLD13 Cumberland | | Local authority | Cumberland | | Electoral ward | Gosforth | | Westminster constituency | Whitehaven and Workington | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) ### Codes - 38420000 - Instruments for measuring flow, level and pressure of liquids and gases - 38431100 - Gas-detection apparatus - 38432000 - Analysis apparatus - 38433000 - Spectrometers ## Release History - 3 Aug 2020 at 05:55 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/efac1fa2-f81d-4ef3-950e-5017ae0cdbeb ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/efac1fa2-f81d-4ef3-950e-5017ae0cdbeb 3rd August 2020 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder ## Notice URLs - https://www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/shared-services-alliance-ssa-for-nuclear-decommissioning-estate ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. 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