--- title: "Coater requirements Reference number: AFCP" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-434a6058-6c56-495a-a6da-c8d6d28c4b85" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-434a6058-6c56-495a-a6da-c8d6d28c4b85" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-434a6058-6c56-495a-a6da-c8d6d28c4b85.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-434a6058-6c56-495a-a6da-c8d6d28c4b85.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "SELLAFIELD" published: "2022-01-12" --- # Coater requirements Reference number: AFCP Buyer: SELLAFIELD Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-434a6058-6c56-495a-a6da-c8d6d28c4b85 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-434a6058-6c56-495a-a6da-c8d6d28c4b85) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-434a6058-6c56-495a-a6da-c8d6d28c4b85.json) ## Summary The current procurement process, initiated by Sellafield, seeks to contract for the design of a fluidised bed chemical vapour deposition system, identified by the title "Coater requirements Reference number: AFCP." This project falls under the construction structures and materials industry and is located in Seascale, England. The tender process is currently in the planning stage, with a key milestone being the engagement end date set for 11th February 2022. Interested parties are encouraged to submit their capabilities in relation to this tender. This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses involved in advanced manufacturing, particularly those specialising in chemical engineering and nuclear applications. Companies with expertise in designing and constructing sophisticated coating systems, especially within controlled environments or nuclear licensed sites, will be well-positioned to compete. Given the nature of the project, firms that possess experience with fluidised bed technology and safety measures for handling reactive materials will find this procurement particularly suitable for fostering growth and expanding their market presence. ## Notice NNL are seeking to place a contract for the design of a fluidised bed chemical vapour deposition system. The equipment should have a coating chamber diameter of around 150mm and be capable of coating 1-2 kg of 0.5mm diameter kernels of uranium dioxide (UO2) in a single batch. Each coating will need to be deposited from different precursors sequentially while at its operating temperature, ranging from 1200-1600degC. The expected precursors for the different coating layers are acetylene, acetylene/propylene mixtures and methyltrichlorosilane diluted in hydrogen. An argon carrier gas is also required for fluidisation. Due consideration will need to be given to the scrubbing of exhaust gases and to the safe operation of the equipment using these reactive precursors on a nuclear licensed site. Additional information: NNL are interested in developing capabilities for the manufacture of fuels for the next generation of advanced modular reactors to contribute to the UK's target of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050. A promising candidate reactor technology are high temperature gas cooled reactors, which have high efficiencies, passive safety features and potential for co-generation of hydrogen. The fuels of these reactors are termed coated particle fuels and consist of spherical particles (approx. 0.5 mm diameter) coated in successive layers of porous carbon, pyrolytic carbon and silicon carbide. The coating process is traditionally carried out using fluidised bed chemical vapour deposition equipment, in which the particles are suspended within a fluidised bed while deposition of coating layers occurs by reaction of suitable precursors. NNL are seeking to place a contract for the design of a fluidised bed chemical vapour deposition system. The equipment should have a coating chamber diameter of around 150mm and be capable of coating 1-2 kg of 0.5mm diameter kernels of uranium dioxide (UO2) in a single batch. Each coating will need to be deposited from different precursors sequentially while at its operating temperature, ranging from 1200-1600degC. The expected precursors for the different coating layers are acetylene, acetylene/propylene mixtures and methyltrichlorosilane diluted in hydrogen. An argon carrier gas is also required for fluidisation. Due consideration will need to be given to the scrubbing of exhaust gases and to the safe operation of the equipment using these reactive precursors on a nuclear licensed site. The system will need to conform to standards required for operation within a controlled area, with due consideration for handling of radioactive materials while loading and unloading the coater, contamination control and ease of maintenance. To support the drafting of a future Invitation to Tender for the procurement of design, build and installation services for a fluidised bed chemical vapour deposition coater, NNL request interested parties to respond with a summary of their current, existing capabilities. Respondents should also indicate if they would have the capability to build and deliver a system to the proposed design together with any prior experience of working on or supply equipment/services to nuclear licensed sites. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/b8759d44-0208-45e4-bc74-4d2b8fc5d2a6 | | 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 | 12 Jan 2022 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 11 Feb 2022 | | 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 - 44 - Construction structures and materials; auxiliary products to construction (except electric apparatus) ### Codes - 44000000 - Construction structures and materials; auxiliary products to construction (except electric apparatus) ## Release History - 12 Jan 2022 at 06:49 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/b8759d44-0208-45e4-bc74-4d2b8fc5d2a6 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/b8759d44-0208-45e4-bc74-4d2b8fc5d2a6 12th January 2022 - 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. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-434a6058-6c56-495a-a6da-c8d6d28c4b85. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-434a6058-6c56-495a-a6da-c8d6d28c4b85.json.