Eine Plattform für die Wissenschaft: Bauingenieurwesen, Architektur und Urbanistik
Eine Plattform für die Wissenschaft: Bauingenieurwesen, Architektur und Urbanistik
Life cycle assessment for lithium hydroxide production : preoperational study of carbon footprint for Keliber’s lithium hydroxide production in Central Ostrobothnia
The aim of this thesis was to identify the hotspots of the environmental footprint for a Finnish mining and chemical company Keliber Technology Oy, and to assess the challenges related to the implementation of LCA methodology in the mining industry. The practical part of this study was carried out as a preoperational cradle-to-gate assessment on the environmental impacts of a battery-grade lithium hydroxide production. The data collection used in this study was based on one year of fictional operation (with an estimated annual operation hours 7500 h and a production capacity of 15 000 t) and plans and data available by September 2021. The theoretical part of the study on the challenges of LCA in the mining industry was carried out as a literature review. The total carbon footprint calculated in this preoperational study for 1 tonne of lithium hydroxide monohydrate from Keliber’s process is 9,4 t CO2 eq. Majority of the emissions (77%) derives from the operations at the chemical plant which use most of the energy and chemicals. According to the results, energy use accounts for the biggest source of CO2-emissions together with the use of calcium oxide as a process reagent at the chemical plant. Energy use was assessed to cover 61% of the total CO2-emissions whereas transportation in its entirety, proved to be a minor contributor to the carbon footprint with just 3% share of the emissions. In addition to the greenhouse gas emissions, the production process was identified to generate significant amounts of extractive waste and contribute to the depletion of fossil resources through the use of non-renewable energy sources. Based on the results, decarbonizing fuels and energy would offer the most efficient tool for emission mitigation. In terms of challenges of LCA methodology in the mining industry, several needs for customization and harmonization have been identified in order to realize the full potential of life cycle methodology for the sector. Further development is required, for example, to increase the suitability of impact categories to meet the specificities of the mining industry. Fundamental differences in methodological issues like units and practices, characterization models and allocation approaches are likely to introduce unacceptable variation into the results. Full implementation of life-cycle methodology in the mining industry is particularly important because the assessment of the environmental impacts of other products depends directly or indirectly on the information provided by the mining industry.
Life cycle assessment for lithium hydroxide production : preoperational study of carbon footprint for Keliber’s lithium hydroxide production in Central Ostrobothnia
The aim of this thesis was to identify the hotspots of the environmental footprint for a Finnish mining and chemical company Keliber Technology Oy, and to assess the challenges related to the implementation of LCA methodology in the mining industry. The practical part of this study was carried out as a preoperational cradle-to-gate assessment on the environmental impacts of a battery-grade lithium hydroxide production. The data collection used in this study was based on one year of fictional operation (with an estimated annual operation hours 7500 h and a production capacity of 15 000 t) and plans and data available by September 2021. The theoretical part of the study on the challenges of LCA in the mining industry was carried out as a literature review. The total carbon footprint calculated in this preoperational study for 1 tonne of lithium hydroxide monohydrate from Keliber’s process is 9,4 t CO2 eq. Majority of the emissions (77%) derives from the operations at the chemical plant which use most of the energy and chemicals. According to the results, energy use accounts for the biggest source of CO2-emissions together with the use of calcium oxide as a process reagent at the chemical plant. Energy use was assessed to cover 61% of the total CO2-emissions whereas transportation in its entirety, proved to be a minor contributor to the carbon footprint with just 3% share of the emissions. In addition to the greenhouse gas emissions, the production process was identified to generate significant amounts of extractive waste and contribute to the depletion of fossil resources through the use of non-renewable energy sources. Based on the results, decarbonizing fuels and energy would offer the most efficient tool for emission mitigation. In terms of challenges of LCA methodology in the mining industry, several needs for customization and harmonization have been identified in order to realize the full potential of life cycle methodology for the sector. Further development is required, for example, to increase the suitability of impact categories to meet the specificities of the mining industry. Fundamental differences in methodological issues like units and practices, characterization models and allocation approaches are likely to introduce unacceptable variation into the results. Full implementation of life-cycle methodology in the mining industry is particularly important because the assessment of the environmental impacts of other products depends directly or indirectly on the information provided by the mining industry.
Life cycle assessment for lithium hydroxide production : preoperational study of carbon footprint for Keliber’s lithium hydroxide production in Central Ostrobothnia
Anttonen, Riikka (Autor:in)
01.01.2021
Sonstige
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
DDC:
690
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