Supply, Delivery and Installation of a Hydrogen Analyser

The National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) operates research and technology facilities on behalf of the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) at several locations in the UK. It is a source of nuclear expertise, offering technical products and services to organisations nationally and internationally. These include everything from fuel manufacture, power generation, reprocessing and waste treatment to disposal, defence, new nuclear build, and homeland security.

NNL operates at various locations in the UK including Preston, Sellafield, Workington, and Warrington. The NNL Preston Laboratory (A709) is based at Springfields Fuels Ltd, Salwick, Preston, PR4 OXJ.

As part of the waste and residue processing capability, NNL are currently processing Depleted Uranium (DU) swarf material in their Pilot Plant facility at Preston. Initial processing has indicated the need to upgrade the gas monitoring capability by implementing an engineered solution which will help drive an increase in drum processing efficiency.

A requirement has been identified for a hydrogen (H2) process analyser on the extract line of the Pilot Plant batch dissolver vessels. The vessels utilise a blend of a nitric and sulphuric acid for the dissolution of DU swarf metal. Hydrogen gas is produced as a biproduct, creating the requirement for a device which can monitor the level of hydrogen in the extract line. This procurement specification sets out the requirement for the process analyser and constraints as currently understood. Bids are sought from likely suppliers of the ultimate solution which demonstrate the technical feasibility of what has been requested. The document also contains the scope of work, background to the project and any associated documentation and quality requirements.