37 -- STAINLESS STEEL PRESSURE VESSELS

Notice Date

June 6, 2001

Contracting Office

USDA, ARS, Pacific West Area, 800 Buchanan St., Albany, CA 94710

ZIP Code

94710

Solicitation Number

RFQ-95CV-11-2001

Response Due

June 22, 2001

Point of Contact

FRED GIFFORD 510-559-6017 fax 6023

E-Mail Address

NA (giffordf@pw.ars.usda.gov)

Description

Ref Submission #50M890 Please be advised that we have made attempts to fax all interested firms copies of the answers to some questions asked concerning the projects contained on RFQ-95CV-11 & 12-2001 presented below for your reference. Notification to all requester of RFQ-95CV-11 & 12 2001 Answers to questions 6-5-2001 1. What is the exact type of Gasket being used? We are not specifying exact gaskets. Gaskets must be compatible with the high working temperature and must fulfill gasketing requirements of specific design. Gaskets should tolerate 300 F working temp. 2. Clarify / Explain eccentric ports? The eccentric ports are straight-out ports not in line with the center of the vessel, as illustrated. 3. Are the slotted 6"x1" rings to be welded permanently or to be re-moveable? The ring is to be permanently welded. The screen must be removable. Alternative designs to the slotted ring will be considered, as will designs with a removable slotted ring. 4. Are we to assume from the pressure vessel design specs of 30 PSI that the calculated air demand as specified at 9600 CFM is to be provided at 30PSI? No, air demand is not 30 PSI. The pressure is generated during sterilization by injection of steam into the sealed vessel. 5. Is the use of steam to sterilize the tanks a manual operation? Yes. It is currently a manual operation. The tanks are moved around the facility with a forklift. 6. Is it possible that live steam would be in contact with any of the sensors? A living organism on wheat seed is being dried. Therefore, once the product enters the vessel, it is not exposed to temperatures above 150 F. Sensors not exposed to steam during sterilization of the vessels should not be exposed to temperatures above 150 F. 7. Would it be feasible to provide multiple blowers or compressors and stage them on/off to have redundancy in case of maintenance or equipment failures? Yes. Such a design would be considered and contrasted with other options. 8. Will the USDA consider alternate designs? There already exist a number of the ASME vessels that are currently being used both to dry product and to incubate the product after inoculation. We are requesting quotes to build the third generation vessel currently. The product being dried is a living organism and must not be exposed to lethal combinations of heat and moisture. We already have a functioning drying system that we are trying to improve. Considerable experimentation may be required to pursue such a severe change in the concept design. It is not clear that the proposed design would result in high quality material. We will consider all potential technologies. 9. What hind of finish is required in side of the vessels? Machined finish

Web Link

NA (NA)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010608/37SOL002.HTM (W-157 SN50O1G8)