---
title: "Research into a measurement technique for UF3 and UF4 ratios in Uranium Fuel Salts"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-033154"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-033154"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-033154.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-033154.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY"
published: "2022-04-28"
---

# Research into a measurement technique for UF3 and UF4 ratios in Uranium Fuel Salts

Buyer: NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-033154

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## Summary

The National Nuclear Laboratory is initiating a procurement process titled "Research into a measurement technique for UF3 and UF4 ratios in Uranium Fuel Salts." This project falls under the industry category of research and development services, specifically related to nuclear fuels. The procurement is currently in the planning stage, with a deadline for expressions of interest set for 10th May 2022. The work must be completed within 12 months, and the delivery will take place at the NNL laboratory located in Warrington, UK.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses involved in nuclear research, analytical methods development, and chemical product manufacturing. Companies with expertise in electrochemical and spectrophotometric analysis methods, particularly those focused on uranium fuels and related materials, would be well-suited to compete. The successful development of the required measurement techniques may unlock further commercial interests and expand capabilities within the emerging field of molten salt reactor technology.

## Notice

Terrestrial Energy are currently looking to establish a supply of Uranium based fuel salts for its Integrated Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR) testing programme and to support this establishment work NNL and Westinghouse are proposing to undertake a testing programme on Uranium based fuel salt materials to support the manufacture of this fuel at the NNL Preston laboratory. NNL and Westinghouse have agreed an analytical specification for the manufactured fuel to meet the requested specification requirements of Terrestrial Energy. However, there is a gap in the combined analytical capability, for the determination of the ratio of UF3 to UF4 material in any given sample of fuel salt to be tested. NNL are therefore looking to procure services for this element of the scope.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Terrestrial Energy are currently looking to establish a supply of Uranium based fuel salts for its Integrated Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR) testing programme and to support this establishment work NNL and Westinghouse are proposing to undertake a testing programme on Uranium based fuel salt materials to support the manufacture of this fuel at the NNL Preston laboratory. NNL and Westinghouse have agreed an analytical specification for the manufactured fuel to meet the requested specification requirements of Terrestrial Energy. However there is a gap in the combined analytical capability for the determination of the ratio of UF3 to UF4 material in any given sample of fuel salt to be tested. The ratio of these compounds within the fuel salt composition needs to be measurable to ensure compliance with the acceptance specification of Terrestrial Energy (target UF4/UF3 ratios in the range 50/1 - 154/1 have been specified for similar fuel salts produced for test reactors) and thus a technique needs to be developed and trialled on similar Fuel salt compositions to ensure that this technique is demonstrable and can be performed in a short timescale on multiple samples within the NNL Preston laboratory. There are no current commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technologies or instrumentation available to meet this analytical requirement. However, both electrochemical and spectrophotometric methods have been used to measure UF4/UF3 ratios in fuel salts produced for test reactors and it is therefore anticipated that further development of these techniques will likely provide a solution to this analytical challenge. Determination of the composition of molten fuel salts will likely be integral to development of the MSR technologies moving forward and any technological developments will be of keen interest to reactor vendors. It is anticipated therefore that this work could unlock further commercial opportunities to industrialise the analytical techniques and methods. The works contract for this scope will be formed of the following stages: * Definition of an appropriate technique for measuring UF3/UF4 ratio's in fuel salt samples to meet TEI specifications (to be confirmed although - target UF4/UF3 ratios in the range 50/1 - 154/1 have been specified for similar fuel salts produced for test reactors) * Conduct a research and development phase to provide the evidence of the techniques success on fuel salt samples. * Trial the developed technique on fuel salt samples within the NNL Preston laboratory alongside NNL staff, for proof of concept and applicability to testing in a laboratory environment. * Write up of a research paper demonstrating the R&D development of the technique and its applicability to fuel salt samples. The overall scope of work for this contract must be complete within 12 months to support the wider project timescales. Additional information: If you have the experience/ capability required to deliver this scope of work and are interested in this procurement please respond to this PIN notice by close of play on Tuesday 10th May. Within your confirmation of interest please also detail your capability/ experience of delivering services of this nature (i.e. via Case Studies etc).

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010934-2022 |
| Notice type | Planning Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| 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 | 28 Apr 2022 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 15 May 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 | Planned |
| Lots status | Planned |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY |
| Locality | WARRINGTON |
| 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 | TLD61 Warrington |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 09 - Petroleum products, fuel, electricity and other sources of energy
- 24 - Chemical products
- 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 09340000 - Nuclear fuels
- 09341000 - Uranium
- 24950000 - Specialised chemical products
- 38432000 - Analysis apparatus
- 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development

## Release History

- 28 Apr 2022 at 11:01 - Planning - Planning Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010934-2022

## Notice URLs

- https://sharedsystems.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=15711&B=SELLAFIELD
- https://sharedsystems.eu-supply.com/ctm/Company/CompanyInformation/Index/3510
- https://www.nnl.co.uk/

## Provenance

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