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Enabling Technologies for Flanged Connections Between Reactor System Components





Submit Innovation
Responses and/or Statements of Interest due no later than January 29
Sprint Challenge Description

TechConnect Ventures' client, The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), seeks immediate expressions of interest from individuals or organizations with innovative solutions or expertise to enable flanged connections between components in next-generation nuclear power systems.

All solutions, including novel flange designs, materials of construction (e.g., alloys, cladding, etc.), and the capabilities to design and evaluate suitable solutions are of interest.

Respondents are invited to either:

  1. Contact Program Manager, Kevin Andrews at kandrews@techconnectventures.com to register interest and learn more about this initiative.
  2. Respond directly by completing the Submission Form linked to this Request. Note that responses through this form should include ONLY non-confidential information.
Business Opportunity

Respondents will have the opportunity for direct engagements and discussions regarding future collaboration with the Client on product integration, collaborative R&D, and/or contract partnerships. By responding to this call with your interest, expertise and/or technologies you will have the opportunity to inform and influence future programs and development efforts, in addition to making your capabilities known to internal stakeholders within EPRI.

Timeline

This is a rapid partner identification opportunity. Responses must be received no later than the Submission Deadline to be considered for collaborations with the Client. All interested parties are strongly encouraged to make their interest known at the earliest possible opportunity.

  • Project Launch: December 18, 2020
  • Submission Deadline: January 29, 2021
  • Client Interviews and Partner Evaluations Complete: March 12, 2021
  • Initiation of Partner Engagements: as early as Q2 2021
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Background

Historically, power utilities have designed nuclear plants to last for 40-80 years of use. They designed systems to last as long as possible and be permanent for the life of the plant. Now, the nuclear community is considering a new design paradigm—to reduce overall lifecycle costs by enabling replacement or refurbishment of systems and components that have lifetimes shorter than intended plant lifetime. Flanged connections have been identified as a solution which should enable disassembly of the system, but they must be sufficiently robust to withstand operating conditions.

Ideally, the technologies required to solve this issue should be:

  • Durable at temperatures ranging from 250 to 850 °C and pressures ranging from ambient to 25 MPa
  • Compatible (or potentially compatible) with at least one of the following process fluids: molten salt (chloride and fluoride salts), helium, water/steam, liquid metal lead, and liquid metal sodium
  • Compatible with flow path diameters ranging from 4 to 30 inches
  • Adaptable to construction with materials that withstand radiation exposure

The Client understands that adaptation of existing rugged-service solutions is likely to be necessary, and that many prospective solutions may not yet be validated for use in all conditions described above.

How to Respond

Individuals or organizations with the requisite expertise to respond to this call for partners are invited to respond in one of two ways:

  1. Contact Program Manager, Kevin Andrews at kandrews@techconnectventures.com to register interest and learn more about this initiative.
  2. Respond directly by completing the Submission Form linked to this Request. Note that responses through this form should include ONLY non-confidential information.

Within the Submission Webform, your response Entry should address the Problem Statement through the following:

  • A brief, non-confidential summary of your technology, expertise, or innovations 
  • Availability of technical data related to Key Requirements 
  • Company or organizational profile
  • Contact, team, and organizational information

Respondents are also invited to upload one (1) supplemental file (max. size 10MB) containing their unique technology pitch, presentation, product literature, or white paper summary of their solution or capabilities.

You may optionally provide information regarding the following items related to your submission. (NOTE: In any case, if you are contacted for further dialogue, you may be asked to provide these additional details):

  • Value proposition and (potential) commercial impact
  • Development status and readiness level
  • Development and scale-up pathway (if available)
  • Intellectual property position
  • Funding and award status (if applicable)
  • Type of partnership or commercial relationship sought with Innovation Seekers
Evaluation

TechConnect Ventures and the Client will evaluate all responses. Based on the nature of the innovation and strength of the response relative to all submissions received, top innovators will be selected for introductions, interviews with Client stakeholders, and potentially engaged for further research, development, testing, demonstration, licensing and more.

Submit Innovation
Responses and/or Statements of Interest due no later than January 29

QUESTIONS? Contact: info@techconnectventures.com