Kurion to use Japanese grant to build MDS prototype

Kurion Inc. is building a prototype Modular Detritiation System (MDS) to process contaminated water and remove tritium from water supplies, the company announced Tuesday.

This project is a result of the company receiving an approximately $8.34 million grant from the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The ministry conducted a procurement of decontamination technology that could potentially be used to aid the recovery effort at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. The study is set to conclude in March 2016.

Tritium is a special form of hydrogen that attaches to a water molecule, thus creating tritiated water which is radioactive and a threat to public and environmental health if it is not contained. Tritium forms in treatment water during the treatment process of other radioactive isotopes that are carried out by nuclear reactors.

Because it is attached to the water molecule, it can be challenging to remove from water sources. In testing, the MDS is achieving results predicted by the company. In these tests the company has made improvements in the MDS capabilities and in the overall economic viability of the system.
   
Kurion is focused on the development and manufacture of technology that can stabilize and neutralize hazardous material in a safe manner to protect public and environmental health.