ELECTROLYTIC METHOD OF ZIRCONIUM WASTER AND DEVICE THEREFOR

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrolytic method for convert zirconium waste to the oxide suitable for disposal environment without lowering the treating rate. SOLUTION: In the oxidation of zirconium waste 6 in an electrolysis using a nitrate solution as an electrolyte, (1) the rate of the electrolysis is accelerated by heating the electrolyte 8, (2) a zirconium oxide thin film layer formed on the surface of the zirconium waste 6 and having extremely low electric conductivity is continuously stripped with the irradiation with ultrasonic. (3) The stripping of the zirconium oxide thin film layer formed on the surface is accelerated by pressing the whole of zirconium or a zirconium alloy from the upper side. (4) The stripping of the zirconium oxide thin film layer formed on the surface is accelerated by continuously giving impact to the whole of zirconium or the zirconium alloy. In the case that the zirconium waste is relatively small and the surface is covered with the oxide, (a) the electrolyte is stirred and (b) the electrolyte is fed to a waste housing cell to remove thin chips of zirconium oxide from the inside of the electrolytic cell.