In this study, we optimized the removal condition of contaminants attached on the scrap surface to recycle the scrap generated from the Zr alloy tube manufacturing process back to the nuclear grade. The main contaminant is remnant of watersoluble cooling lubricant that is used in the pilgering manufacture during the tube production, and it is assumed to be compressed and carbonized on the surface of tube. Zirlo alloy tube of φ 9.50 mm, which has high occurrence frequency of scrap, was selected as the object to be cleaned, and cleaning abilities of reagents were evaluated by measuring the characteristics of contaminants remained and by analyzing the surface of the tube after cleaning process. For evaluation of each cleaning agent, we selected two types of sodium hydroxide series and three types of potassium hydroxide series. Furthermore, to confirm dependence on tempe

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Zirconium is one of the most important material used as cladding of fuel rods in nuclear reactors because of its high dimensional stability, good corrosion resistance and especially low neutron-absorbing cross section. However, Hf free nuclear grade Zr sponge is commercially produced by only three countries including USA, France and Russia. So, Zr has been thoroughly managed as a national strategic material in Korea. Most of the zirconium is used for Korean nuclear industry as nuclear fuel cladding materials manufactured from Hf free Zr alloy raw material. Also, there are some other applications such as alloying element and detonator. In this review, zirconium production and recycling technologies have been reviewed and current industrial status was also analyzed. And recent achievements in innovative reduction technologies such as electrolytic reduction process and molten oxide electrolysis were also introduced.

Nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid are used for acid pickling in zirconium alloy tubing manufacturing process. Nitrate and fluoride in the wastewater were treated by chemical coagulation and SOD (Sulfur Oxidation Denitrification) process. This study is investigated the effect of fluoride concentration and the optimal condition for SOD process. The limited fluoride concentration for SOD process was below 20 mg F-/L. The adjusted pH and alkalinity by NaOH and NaHCO3 was shown to be more effective for removal of nitrate compared with using NaOH. Furthermore, the microbial activator mixed trace elements and ingredient for alkalinity did not only supplement with alkalinity but also enhance the growth and proliferation for sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. As a result, the inorganic industrial wastewater was successfully treated by the microbial activator in SOD process without continuous addition of seed sludge. Finally, SOD process was shown to remove nitrate in industrial wastewater and to contribute the microbial activator for activation of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria.

The main pollutants from zirconium alloy tubing manufacturing process in nuclear industry are nitrate (NO3-N) and fluoride (F-)Nitric acid, and hydrofluoric acid is used for acid pickling. The process for the removal of nitrate and fluoride is composed of 1st chemical coagulation, SOD (Sulfur Oxidation Denitrification) process using sulfur-oxidizing denitrification, and 2nd chemical coagulation. The characteristic of the wastewater treatment is an application of SOD process. The SOD Process is highly received attention because it is significantly different from existing processes for sulfur denitrification. A JSC (JeonTech-Sulfur-Calcium) Pellet is unification of sulfur and alkalinity material. According to result of SOD process in wastewater treatment plant, the removal efficiency of T-N was over 91% and the average concentration of T-N from influent was 147.55 mg T-N/L and that from effluent was 12.72 mg T-N/L. Therefore, SOD process is a useful to remove nitrogen from inorganic industrial wastewater and a new development of microbial activator was shown to be stable for activation of autotrophic bacteria.