Foam Analyzer

Background
The Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division (NSWCCD) Code 633 has been tasked by NAVSEA 05P5/F to investigate aqueous detergent solutions commonly found in shipboard vacuum, collection, and holding (VCHT) tanks and what may cause overfoamation events.

This procurement is necessary for Code 633 to execute the 'Sanitary Fixture Cleaners Foaming Investigation' task, which was funded by NAVSEA 05P5/F to support the NAVSEA Afloat Environmental Quality RDT&EN program that addresses Fleet issues associated with Non-Oily Wastewater systems, technologies, equipment, methods, and processes.

The goal of the contract is to procure an automated, bench-scale foam analyzer to study the behavior of foam formation from different detergents and surfactants found in shipboard VCHTs.

Work Details
The contractor shall provide foam analyzing lab equipment, compatible software/PC with a fully automated foam measuring process, on-site installation, and training services. Minimum specifications include:
- Laboratory analytical, bench-scale equipment for foam analysis that operates with aqueous detergent solutions and can create foam comparable to shipboard VCHTs through mechanical stirring/agitation and gas aeration.
- Equipment must perform tests in cyclical events resembling shipboard VCHT conditions.
- Software must analyze test results, track changes in foam height over time, distinguish between foam and liquid during agitation, calculate metrics such as maximum foam height and foam density, and create visual graphs.
- A desktop PC for software installation along with a monitor is required.

Services include standard on-site installation by a certified OEM technician who will unpack the equipment, set it up, perform necessary electrical connections, conduct initial startup inspections and demonstrations of key functions to NSWCCD personnel prior to acceptance. On-site training will be provided for at least two NSWCCD employees covering operation and troubleshooting of both the lab equipment and software.

Place of Performance
NSWCCD Code 633 Non-oily Wastewater (NOW) Laboratory