Experimental Thermal Storage Set (ITT/548)

Descriptions

Summary of the Requirement:The equipment required is intended to serve as a part of a larger experimental arrangement. The other part comprises heat-exchanger provisions (see Contract Notice ref Tender PROC HF ITT/556 HXUs)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)Two 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 degrees 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 to hot or hot to 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.Full details in the ITT published.NOTE: Pre-Return bidder briefing session for prospective bidders: 04 November, University campus. Please express interest through the etendering system for tender docs and meeting details.