Metal Powder Handling System

Metal Powder Handling System UT-Battelle (UTB), operating contractor for Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), seeks supplier sources to enable equipping and making operational a post-atomization Powder Handling System (PHS) to support a new metal powder atomization facility currently being planned for installation at ORNL. The scope of operations encompassed by the PHS include sieving, blending, product packaging and compaction of revert powder.

All operations will be designed to maintain metal powder in an inert argon atmosphere with introduction of oxygen only for controlled passivation. Metal powder will be produced and collected in batches of approximately 100 Kg and transported between operations in Industrial Bulk Containers (IBC) of approximately 30 L volume. Product will be packaged and shipped in metal containers containing about 10 Kg of powder and certified for over-the-road transport.

Sources sought include suppliers of components, sub-systems, design and integration services to create a fully functional PHS. Some subsystems may be acquired from other reliable suppliers, but the supplier assumes all responsibility for a functioning system. Onsite installation support/supervision should be included with the cooperation of ORNL staff. The PHS will be contained within a hazardous occupancy category 3 (H-3) enclosure.

A Dust Hazards Analysis (DHA) has been developed for the purpose of identifying and evaluating the hazards, assessing risks, and identifying the engineered and administrative controls necessary for the protection of the dust hazard associated with the storage, handling, and use of combustible metal powders. The DHA identifies all PHS components and defines facility engineering controls and will govern operations within the facility.

A DHA is required by NFPA 484 (7.2.1) and NFPA 652 (7.1.1) to evaluate the fire, deflagration, reactivity, and explosion hazards and to provide recommendations to manage the hazards. Combustible metal dusts can present fire and explosion hazards under certain process conditions.

The fire protection requirements applicable to the atomizer process are driven by 10 CFR 851, Worker Safety and Health Program, DOE Order 420.1C, Change 3, Facility Safety, and DOE Standard, DOE-STD-1066- 2016, Fire Protection, which provides acceptable methods for meeting the DOE Order requirements. In accordance with the DOE requirements, facilities must be constructed to meet the applicable codes and standards in effect when the design criteria are approved. The DHA will be provided upon the issuance of the request for proposals (RFP).