Experimental Thermal Storage Set and HXUs (ITT/617).

Descriptions

Summary of the Requirement:The equipment required is intended to serve as a part of a larger experimental arrangement. The other part (Lot #2) comprises heat-exchanger provisions.The equipment required for the present part is to comprise the following major items described at high level here. Expanded definitions are provided later in the ITT documentation set published out.(a) 2 identical thermocline sets realised in standard 20 ft shipping containers each having cold and hot ends. Each set to have two manifold sets within the container at the cool end (inward and outward) and continuously-controllable valve arrangements on both of these manifold sets. The thermocline units will experience internal temperatures up to 550°C. Each thermocline set will contain four (almost-) cylindrical tubes with horizontal axes filled with an appropriate material – which may be glass cullet or pebbles of an appropriate rock or any other material shown to be suitable.(b) A blower system comprising an “inward” and “outward” blower fitted externally to the cold end of each thermocline set (4 blowers in total with capability for all to run simultaneously). Each blower to be rated at 2kW and to have capability to deliver flow rates of 1.25m3/s with pressure differences of up to 4kPa. The blowers must be variable speed. The blower system must include a manifold arrangement such that air may be propelled within each of the individual cylindrical tubes within each thermocline set in either cold¿hot or hot¿cold directions.(c) A hot box to be located at the hot ends of the two thermocline sets having four ports and capable of being configured in either of two different states. The configuration is to be changeable through moving one single armature using an external handle or an integral motor. In one configuration, the hot end of each thermocline set is connected directly to the hot end of a corresponding heat-exchanger unit (outside of the scope of this experimental set). In the other configuration, the hot ends of the two thermocline sets are coupled together via a 100kW air-heating unit accommodated within the hot-box.(d) A cover. The equipment will be accommodated outdoors.The system is intended to be movable. Thus it must be safe and convenient to lift onto and off trucks.Each thermocline set will be an independent module. The blower system may be implemented as either one or two discrete modules. The hot box unit should implemented as two discrete units to facilitate transportation.The continued operability of this system for a period of 4 years is to be the responsibility of the main contractor. The equipment will be kept outdoors – mainly in Nottingham but it may see salt-spray within the 4-year life. Each thermocline set will have a heat-exchanger unit sitting above it – also in standard 20 ft shipping containers. These heat-exchanger units are not within the scope of this equipment description – they are being sourced independently. The cover will ultimately be fitted above the heat-exchanger units and so it must use standard interface arrangements onto the shipping containers.Lot#2: Heat Exchanger Units.Summary of the Requirement.The equipment specified is intended to serve as a part of a larger experimental arrangement. The other part comprises thermal storage provisions, means for charging up those thermal stores and for passing ambient-pressure air through them. The present specification comprises the following discrete parts:(a) A pair of identical contra-flow heat-exchanger units (HXUs). These units will each be housed in a standard 20 foot shipping container. They will work to exchange heat between ambient-pressure1 air and air at a “high pressure” (HP) between 30bar and 70bar.(b) A system for circulating HP air through the heat exchangers. This system must be (removably) connected to the cool ends of the HP systems of the two HXUs and must include a suitable expansion vessel, some provision for cooling the HP air between the two cool ends and some provision for heating the HP air between the two hot ends. A bridge is also required at the hot ends of the HXU sets.(c) A system for circulating LP air through the heat exchangers. This system must be (removably) connected to the cool end of the LP air system.All components of the system are intended to be movable. Thus it must be safe and convenient to lift components on and off trucks. Each HXU will be an independent module and may be required to operate at some future time as an independent stand-alone heat-exchanger unit.The continued operability of this system for a period of 4 years is to be the responsibility of the main contractor. The equipment will be kept outdoors – mainly at a site in Nottingham University but it may see salt-spray within the 4-year life. Each heat-exchanger unit will be located above a thermocline set – also in standard 20 ft shipping containers. These thermocline sets are not within the scope of this equipment description – they are being sourced independently. A cover will be fitted above the heat-exchanger units (also sourced independently).Full details in the ITT published.Note: Pre-Return bidder briefing session for prospective bidders: 12.6.2014. Please express interest through the eTendering system for tender docs and meeting details.