Refurbished Rotary Tube Furnace

BRU-2017-01 close date is extended until 2:00PM Pacific Time, April 17, 2017 The USDA, ARS, Western Regional Research Center, Albany, California has a requirement for a refurbished, rotary tube furnace preferably in almost new condition for plant material pyrolysis. The commercial item being considered is a Thermcraft rotary tube furnace Model TRT-6-0-72-3C-J12894/1A or equal. The furnace must have at least 3 heating sections for greater control of the temperature during pyrolysis, quartz tube, and auger; the heating sections must allow independently controlled temperatures. The furnace must be capable of heating up to 1000C with upgrade capability to 1200C, and operable using nitrogen gas. The interior diameter of the heated chamber must be at least 8.25-inches to accommodate 6-inch outside diameter quartz tube. The tube must be able to rotate at 0 - 10 rpm. The touch-screen control panel must be separate from the kiln. The unit must have a volumetric feeder with single screw and variable speed motor control; have an afterburner; frame for holding bulk bags of raw material; furnace tilt; and rotary tube speed of 0 - 10 rpm via chain drive. The rotary furnace cannot exceed 44-inches width, 144-inches length, 150-inches height. Provide installation/set-up/commissioning, user manuals, warranties, and shipping/freight fees. Responses to vendor questions: Question: How long for each heated section? Response: 24 inches. Question: What kW is required for the process? Response: 27kW. Question: What voltage is planned for this system? Response: 480V. Question: What are the sizes of the bag of bulk material and weights? Response: 20 inches tall x 18 inches wide. Question: How much tilt is required for the system? Response: 45 degrees. Question: Any thickness requirement for quartz tube? Response: At least 0.125 inches thick. Question: If the kiln will be used at 1200C, then better to use SiC heating rods, they can go up to 1350C working temperature and also easy to replace in the future. Response: SiC heating rods are acceptable. Question: Is there any information available about the gas tightness and how the nitrogen gas will be used? Is the nitrogen gas inside the process tube or outside of it? Response: Gas will be introduced inside the process tube. Question: Can the after burner be electric or does it need to be gas? What information is available to design the capacity of the afterburner? Response: The after burner is electric. Question: If you can provide the process flow chart, that will be better for us to evaluate. Response: A process flow chart is not available. This solicitation incorporates the following commercial FAR clauses by reference 52.212-1, 52.212-2, 52.212-3, 52.212-4, and 52.212-5. The following applicable FAR clauses are incorporated by reference: 52.222-3, 52.222-19, 52.222-21, 52.222-26, 52.222-35, 52.222-36, 52.225-13, 52.232-33, 52.232-36 (FAR clauses may be obtained at www.acquisition.gov). Interested vendors are encouraged to submit proposals including descriptive literature (refer to FAR 52.214.21) to Clarice Dixson, USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Western Regional Research Center, 800 Buchanan Street, Albany, CA 94710 or by e-mail to Clarice.Dixson@ars.usda.gov no later than 2:00PM PDST April 17, 2017.