QA Document_447929.pdf

RFQ # 447929 QUESTION & ANSWERS DOCUMENT

1) Will the equipment be for replacement of existing unit, or for a brand new line?

a) This is a new oven based on upcoming project requirements.

2) When does the equipment need to be installed and operational?

a) Overall procurement cycle is listed in SOW (section 4) with contract execution within 3 months.

3.1) Please provide concept drawings or photos of the parts on the stainless steel support tubes. Will the support tubes be provided by Brookhaven (BH) or the oven supplier?

a) Support Tubes are particular and a permanent part of the coils being manufactured as of now they are not yet designed, BNL will design and provide these, they are not the vendors responsibility. They are relatively thin walled tubes. Their size and holding requirements are outlined in SOW 6.1.9.2. Support tubes can only be held on the ends (within 3 inches from each end).

3.1) What is being "cured"? A powder coating, a resin, a paint, an adhesive? Are there any flammable fumes released? If so, how much per batch? Please provide data sheets on the resin or coating or paint.

a) The materials being cured are B-stage Epoxies (See attached MSDS) The amount of outgassing is hard to estimate but it does exist. We have been curing this material up to 200 C for many years without incident, That said it is probably a good idea to have a certain (possibly adjustable) vent/leak rate if an inert gas option is not elected (see answers for 6.1.7).

6.1.3) Is the desired concept to imbed thermocouples (TCs) into the load to allow use of a heat head (i.e.

use extra hot air for a period of time during heatup, then drop the temperature back down before the load can overheat)?

a) There will be no thermocouples imbedded in the load, just surface mounted. Surface temperatures will be brought to temperature, soaked for a certain time, then be allowed to cool.

6.1.7) Is an inert atmosphere required for the process, or is the process impervious to oxygen? If an inert atmosphere is required…

1) what happens to the material if it is exposed to oxygen during heating?

(a) Nothing, Inert purge is priced as an option, SOW section 7 (“see 3.7” is in error, should be see 6.1.7)

2) what purity is required of the atmosphere (i.e. how many PPM of oxygen are allowable before if negatively affects the parts)?

(a) Answered above

3) after completion of the heating process and the load is cooled, at what temperature can the oven door be opened and the load exposed to atmosphere without negative effects?

(a) Answered above

4) our inert atmosphere ovens require a source of cold water for cooling the oven after the process is complete. Is cooling water available at the jobsite?

(a) Yes

6.1.9) Please provide more detail about the part loading. “The oven supplier is to propose a loading system to move the load into and out of the oven.” and “The oven shall be top loaded” That would imply a door on the top of the oven, like a coffin, and a crane to set the load down into the oven. Is that the desired concept? Please clarify.

a) Yes, we would like a top loaded oven. We will have crane coverage over the oven so another is not needed. Depending on how the door opens will determine if any other fixturing is needed in order to set the load on its supports.

RFQ # 447929 QUESTION & ANSWERS DOCUMENT

- Q: What is the desired outcome of the optional positive pressure inert gas purge of the atmosphere? What would its purpose be?

o A: While the inert purge is not necessarily needed for the current intended project, it would give the oven a more versatile capability in the future in curing and reacting operations where oxidation can occur. That is the reason this is priced as an option to see if it is worth an additional cost.