Vacuum pumps

Tender description

Design and manufacture of a cryopump. The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) is a non-departmental government body carrying out research into the potential of nuclear fusion as a future source of energy. One such fusion experiment is the Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak (MAST), which has recently undergone an extensive upgrade programme referred to as MAST Upgrade (MAST-U). The Mast Upgrade Enhancements (MAST-U ENH) project will deliver additional enhancements that will further develop the capability of MAST-U. One of the new components central to achieving these enhancements is the Double Beam Box (DBB), a double neutral beam injection system that will deliver 5MW of neutral power from 2 beams. Cryopumping has been selected as the method of in-vessel pumping for the DBB, with a required pumping speed in the region of 1 500 m3/s. The concept design and initial stages of detailed design of a serial open structure cryopump is being produced in-house, with the aim of working with an external organisation to both mature this work to a final detailed design and subsequently progress into manufacture, assembly and testing. The purpose of this notice is to therefore identify the capability and capacity of industry to realise this scope. All feedback will be used to inform the subsequent invitation to tender and ensure that the development of this component fully maximises the engineering capability of both UKAEA and the supplier. By maximising this collaboration we aim to produce a quality cryopump that is fit for purpose. The details of the project and work scope can be found in the accompanying technical information document, which also describes the current maturity of the cryopump concept design. This concept design is still being developed within UKAEA and could therefore also be influenced by the response to this notice. A separate sheet of market sounding questions is also included to promote discussion; any answers from external organisations will be used to help further refine our procurement strategy for this system.