Supply of Hoppers, Screwfeeders, Vibratory Feeders and Rotary Barrels

UKNNL is looking to purchase four pieces of equipment to support research and development activities relating to nuclear powder technology. The four pieces of equipment are Hoppers, Screwfeeders, Vibratory Feeders and Rotary Barrels.

The equipment is required to be used within a laboratory fumehood. The fumehood has a 600 mm by 1200 mm (Depth x Width) footprint. Ideally, these technologies can be handled easily, making quick and easy switching of equipment into and out of the fumehood. It is expected that these technologies can handle/hold up to 1 litre of powder and performance over a short fixed duration (e.g. 1 l h-1 max flow rate).

UKNNL would like to hear from suppliers who are able to design and machine these items to the suitable scale, or suppliers who have off the shelf solutions, meeting the sizing requirements stipulated.

UKNNL are exploring the option of purchasing all four items from a singular supplier or from a multiple suppliers.

Flexibility of equipment must be considered where possible, whether this is screw size in a feeder, or interchangeable hopper outlets. The key here is to allow UKNNL's powder capability to test as many scenarios as possible against different powders. Table 1 below captures where flexibility is of interest for different technologies.

Hoppers

• Interchangeable Hopper outlets, specifically different outlet diameters
• 12.5 cm and 10 cm Hopper diameters
• Coupling for outlet valve attachments

Screwfeeders

• Interchangeable screws with:

o Different configurations

o Varying pitches

• Variable rotation speeds

Vibratory feeders

• Variable vibration frequency
• Variable angles of chute
• Variable chute geometries (e.g. cylindrical, rectangular)

Rotary Barrels

• Variable rotational speeds
• Variable angles of incline
• 12.5 cm and 10 cm diameters
• Interchangeable 'inserts' (e.g. lifters, baffles)

All

• Where possible (and compatible), transparent materials to provide visual feedback