ESA Open Invitation to Tender AO10172
Open Date: 06/02/2020
Closing Date: 02/04/2020 13:00:00

Status: ISSUED
Reference Nr.: 20.129.01
Prog. Ref.: Technology Developme
Budget Ref.: E/0901-01 – Technology Developme
Special Prov.: BE+DK+FR+DE+IT+NL+ES+SE+CH+GB+IE+AT+NO+FI+PT+GR+LU+CZ+RO+PL+EE+HU
Tender Type: C
Price Range: 200-500 KEURO
Products: Orbital Transportation & Re-entry Systems / Environment and Crew Life Support (ECLS) / ECLS / Pressure, air, water, lighting systems, …
Technology Domains: Environmental Control & Life Support (ECLS) and In Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU) / ECLS / Regenerative Life Support
Establishment: ESTEC
Directorate: Directorate of Tech, Eng. & Quality
Department: Mechanical Department
Division: Mechatronics and Optics Division
Contract Officer: Magne-Lie, Karine
Industrial Policy Measure: C1 – Activities in open competition limited to the non-Larg…
Last Update Date: 06/02/2020
Update Reason: Tender issue

Solid / liquid separation studies have to address a major need: for both the solid and liquid phases, ensuring their quality matches their respective intended use.Amongst others, membrane based separation technologies are seen as promising techniques becauseof their ability to preserve intrinsic properties of the fluids. However, depending on the study case, difficulties exist which are linked to the use of these pressure-driven techniques in reduced or zero gravity conditions, e.g. Involvement of pumps/rotating parts, wetability issues in the presence of micro bubbles (e.g. At start-up phase).These difficulties may be overcome by following an appropriate study logic, starting from a deep knowledge of the considered solid and liquid phases.The main tasks of the study proposed are therefore to:- Define representative cases of solid/liquid separations in Space, the requirements and expected performances of the separation system; the definition of requirements should include the needs for post-processing, microgravity and other space related requirements (e.g. Limitation of consumables).- Review relevant separation technologies including membrane-based ones,- Perform a trade-off of potentially relevant separation systems, including evaluation of ALISSE criteria and select the best suited one,-Demonstrate the relevance of the proposed separation system through performance ofrelevant test campaign.Procurement Policy: C(1)= Activity restricted to non-prime contractors (incl. SMEs). For additional information please go to EMITS news “Industrial Policymeasures for non-primes, SMEs and RD entities in ESA programmes”.