3073/JN - Sustainable Aviation Fuels - Innovation Centre: Aviation Characterisation Laboratory Equipment (16 Lots)

The University of Sheffield (UoS) with funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is establishing a Sustainable Aviation Fuels Innovation Centre (SAF-IC) to support and promote the production and characterisation of decarbonised and sustainable aviation fuel. To complement our research capability, we are looking to procure a range of test equipment approved to various ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards as well as other internationally recognised standards where appropriate.

The SAF-IC will be sited alongside a concentration of University translational research assets which form the University of Sheffield Innovation District, within the Sheffield City Region (SCR) Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMID). The building consists of several dedicated test cells designed to host a range of aviation fuel component experimentation, as well as a bespoke 200m2, Aviation Characterisation Laboratory. The ASTM approved test equipment procured under this tender will add to the assets employed in the Aviation Characterisation Laboratory and will focus on both Tier-1 and Tier-2 fuel specification and property testing. Each item of laboratory equipment has been specifically selected to complement the research capability and desired range of testing. Each item must be certified to validate a subset of ASTM test standards.

Lot 1 Automated Water Solubility Test Device - ASTM D6304 Lot 2 Dynamic Viscosity Measurement Device - ASTM D7042 Lot 3 Simulated Distillation Unit based on Gas Chromatography - ASTM D2887 and IP 406 Lot 4 Automated Lubricity Measurement Device - ASTM D5001 Lot 5 Automated Test Device for Determining Specific Heat Capacity by Differential Scanning Calorimetry - ASTM E1269 Lot 6 Automated Freeze Point Test Device - ASTM D2386 Lot 7 Automated Flash Point Test Device - ASTM D56, ASTM D3828 or ASTM D93 Lot 8 Digital Density Meter - ASTM D4052 Lot 9 Conductivity Response - ASTM D2624 Lot 10 Automated Atmospheric Distillation Analyser - ASTM D86, IP 123, ASTM D7344 and ASTM D7345 Lot 11 Automated Vapor Pressure Device - ASTM D6378 Lot 12 Automated Total Acid Number - ASTM D664 Lot 13 Automated Tensiometer - ASTM D1331 Lot 14 Automated Trace Sulphur Analyser - ASTM D5453 Lot 15 Automated Smoke Point Analyser - ASTM D1322 Lot 16 Automated Vapor Pressure Device - ASTM D6378

This is an EU / FTS open exercise. The ITT can be downloaded by registering and expressing your interest on the University`s e-tendering system https://in-tendhost.co.uk/sheffield

If you have any questions or comments in relation to this tender they must be submitted via the In-tend system, this can be accessed at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/sheffield

Completed tenders must be returned through the same e-tendering system.

In order to complement our research capability in keeping with the aviation fuel aviation characterisation requirements, we are looking to procure an Digital Density Meter for precise and reliable testing results in keeping with ASTM D4052.

This test method covers the determination of the density, relative density, and API Gravity of petroleum products and viscous oils, which can be handled as liquids at the temperature of test, using either manual or automated sample injection equipment. However, what we are seeking to buy is an automated sample injection device. The application of this method is restricted to liquids with total vapor pressure below approximately 15 000 mm2/s at the temperature of test. The total vapor pressure limitation however can be extended to >100 kPa provided that it is first ascertained that no bubbles form in the U-tube, which can affect the density determination. Some examples of products that may be tested by this procedure include: gasoline and gasoline-oxygenate blends, diesel, jet, basestocks, waxes, and lubricating oils. Density is the mass per unit volume relationship of fluids. Generally, relative density is the ratio of the density of a particular liquid fuel to the density of water at 15.5°C and is commonly referred to as specific gravity. These relationships are important in the design of aircraft and missiles, since fuel density variations can have significant impact on determining loaded weight and the range attainable. They are also used in flow calculations, fuel gaging, metering device considerations, fuel loading, thermal expansion of fuels, and fuel tank design. Temperature has a marked and inverse effect on the density of fuels. As the temperature increases, the density of a fuel decreases. Relative density, or specific gravity, is dimensionless since it is a ratio of the density of a substance to the density of a reference substance, namely water. Density varies with temperature therefore the temperature of the liquid being compared to the reference substance and the temperature of the reference substance, itself, must be given. Relative density can also be expressed in terms of American Petroleum Institute (API) gravity. Additional information: This procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds.

Identification of the project: European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)