Procurement of consultancy services in support of technology development of heat exchanger design

National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) is currently leading a project in Phase B of the Advanced Modular Reactor design competition. As part of this project we are beginning to develop a digital twin of the thermal system of the combined nuclear reactor, nuclear power plant (electrical generation) and hydrogen production plant (hydrogen generation). The digital twin will be developed in parallel to the reactor system design. Further components, such as energy storage systems, safety systems etc will be added to the digital twin as the whole system design progresses.

A digital twin represents a live coupling of the physical reality to a digital representation. In the current phase of this project the live component will be a representation of end user demand as no physical reactor demonstrator will be ready for several years. The digital twin will however help with the progress of the design, by demonstrating the required performance characteristics of key components, specifically the heat exchanger manifold that will distribute heat from the reactor to the generator or hydrogen production facility. Ultimately, we intend to use the digital twin in support of the substantiation of the business case for future phases of the AMR development programme.

In order to develop this digital twin, NNL needs to understand how the heat exchanger (system) manifold could respond to the energy dynamics of the system. NNL requires consultancy support to help develop the dynamic model of the heat exchanger manifold.

Responses to the attached RFI document should be sent to david.brown@uknnl.com before 17:00pm 19th January 2024.

Additional information: Responses to the RFI should be sent to david.brown@uknnl.com before 17:00pm 19th January 2024.