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EUROTECH, Ltd., announced today that two of its EKOR™ nuclear encapsulation products were successfully demonstrated at the Savannah River Site (SRS), a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) facility near Aiken, South Carolina, managed by Westinghouse Savannah River Company (WSRC). This represents the third paid EKOR demonstration and application at DOE sites since August.

WSRC paid Eurotech technicians to perform two separate demonstrations of EKOR's capability. One test involved using EKOR Grout to seal a concrete floor underneath a tank containing simulated liquid radioactive waste. The second test involved EKOR Matrix microencapsulating simulated radioactive debris. Both evaluations were performed as part of WSRC's continuing effort to manage the radioactive waste at SRS in a safe and efficient manner. The estimated revenue potential for just these specific applications at the Savannah River Site is approximately $400,000.

The EKOR Grout was pumped onto a tank support deck using a long nozzle and quickly formed a continuous surface that sealed against the base of the tank containing simulated liquid radioactive waste. The Grout was self-leveling and easy to direct, forming a ¼-inch thick seal. This EKOR application demonstrated how loose radioactive contamination could be fixed in place and sealed to the floor, while preventing any tank leaks from penetrating the floor and migrating to the environment. The Grout hardened to a solid elastomeric surface within 24 hours. The radiation-resistant EKOR Grout accomplished all objectives in the test, and provided a long-lived, fire-resistant barrier.

The EKOR Matrix was mixed with a quantity of simulated radioactive debris and contaminated dirt in a three-to-one ratio of waste to EKOR™. The debris was quickly absorbed into the Matrix solution and after only a few minutes of mixing the resultant mixture was poured into a curing receptacle. After 24 hours the mixture had hardened into a solid monolith that completely bound the debris and dirt. These applications demonstrated EKOR's ability to effectively encapsulate and contain radioactive waste and provide a volume reduction advantage over most conventional encapsulants. EKOR Matrix performed flawlessly as revealed in examinations of cross-section cuts of the monolith to verify its encapsulation capability.

WSRC is continuing evaluation of options to mitigate potential leaks from the waste tanks. Eurotech Vice-President Paul Childress stated, "The capability of Matrix to encapsulate large volumes of diverse waste - dry or wet, powder or component - has now been verified and we expect to start receiving orders for this product in January 2002. Eurotech is continuing to work with SRS personnel on the application of its EKOR and related technologies to other critical projects at their site, including High-Level Waste (HLW) management."

Eurotech has several outstanding proposals for EKOR applications at DOE sites and with participating contractors. Recent DOE budget delays for FY2002 due to the September 11th crisis are being addressed this week, with major sites expected to receive funding allocations and spending approval from the Government.

Source: EUROTECH, Ltd.

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