Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) System

Tender description

The Purchaser is inviting tenders on the terms set out in this further competition for the supply, delivery and installation of a Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) System. We seek apparatus for the manufacture of uranium oxide simulated fuel pellets. The facility will be used as part of Lancaster's existing UTGARD laboratory (see below). Building on its reputation and existing facilities for internationally excellent research in advanced nuclear fuel recycle technologies, Lancaster University Engineering Department has recently been awarded a grant of £800,000 to extend UTGARD Lab (U/Th/beta-Gamma Active process chemistry R&D facilities), a process chemistry laboratory for work on beta/gamma active fission products, uranium, thorium and low level alpha tracers. The UTGARD Lab extension will be equipped with a range of instruments, of which this SPS system is one component, for the manufacture of nuclear materials and simulated nuclear fuel to underpin both fundamental and application driven research (including scale up) in nuclear recycle and waste management. A unique feature of UTGARD Lab is that all of the equipment to be sited in the lab will be available to external researchers for use with open source uranium, thorium, beta/gamma emitters and alpha tracers. It is anticipated that the effective operational life of the machine will be 10 years. This purchase supports the University's objective to maintain its place as a world class research establishment. This purchase must fit within a project budget of £231,850 excl. VAT.