Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC (SRNS), managing contractor of the Savannah River Site for the Department of Energy, solicits expressions of interest from companies wishing to provide a spherical-particle ion exchange medium that is highly specific for cesium in a high sodium, high free hydroxide (pH 14+) aqueous solution. The adsorbent shall be chemically and physically stable in highly alkaline conditions. The beaded material is to be elutable. Minimal bed shrinkage/swelling on cycling is desirable but not mandatory. Bead diameter would be typically in the 300 to 600 micron range and preferably monodisperse.
If a suitable ion exchange medium is currently available in non-spherical particle form then the supplier proposal should include work stages and their costs needed to develop a beaded version of their product. Laboratory scale quantities of beads are required initially for the sake of characterization and testing. The ultimate goal would be the ability to provide plant scale quantities, typically 500 gallon batches.
Any company interested in developing and providing this material must respond with a letter of interest (may be submitted by email) no later than 30 days from the publication date of this Notice summarizing the company's business, technical expertise, and motivation for pursuing this opportunity. Qualified companies will be provided with further information on the technology. Such information may require an executed nondisclosure agreement. Questions and expressions of interest may be addressed to the Point of Contact identified in this Notice.
Solicitation Number: SRNL-MS-2011-00073
Original Point of Contact
Charles A. Nash, telephone (803) 725-2615, fax: (803) 725-8829, email: charles.nash@srnl.doe.gov or address: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC, Building 773-42A, Room #182, Aiken, SC 29808.
