Process information
| Key Data Set Information | |
| Location | NMG-CN |
| Reference year | 2012 |
| Name |
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| Use advice for data set | Users of this lifecycle inventory data set for average rare earth oxide from Bayan Obo should incorporate the data within an attributional modeling framework for assessing environmental impacts, preferably using the CML2002 method (CML 2015) or similar. Users should consider the eleven mid-point impact categories selected to understand the full environmental impact. Additionally, note that this data set is constructed to reflect average conditions and does not account for specific REO production chains or individual methods involved in metal refining. Those seeking detailed insights into particular REO production chains or metal refining should refer to supporting information S1 on the Web, which includes in-depth descriptions of the processes, LCI, and modeling data used. |
| Technical purpose of product or process | The rare earth oxides (REO) produced from the Bayan Obo mine are utilized for a wide range of applications, including the manufacture of magnets, catalysts, alloys, glass, and ceramics. These oxides are key in the production of high-tech devices such as smartphones, computer hard drives, and electric vehicles due to their unique magnetic, luminescent, and electrochemical properties. Specifically, the 1 kg REO at 100% purity described in the lifecycle inventory is typically used in applications requiring high levels of purity, such as advanced electronics, research, and specialized industrial processes. |
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| General comment on data set | The rare earth oxides (REO) produced from the Bayan Obo mine are utilized for a wide range of applications, including the manufacture of magnets, catalysts, alloys, glass, and ceramics. These oxides are key in the production of high-tech devices such as smartphones, computer hard drives, and electric vehicles due to their unique magnetic, luminescent, and electrochemical properties. Specifically, the 1 kg REO at 100% purity described in the lifecycle inventory is typically used in applications requiring high levels of purity, such as advanced electronics, research, and specialized industrial processes. |
| Copyright | No |
| Owner of data set | |
| Quantitative reference | |
| Reference flow(s) | |
| Functional Unit | 1 kg REO at 100% purity |
| Time representativeness | |
| Data set valid until | 2014 |
| Technological representativeness | |
| Technology description including background system | The LCA model was constructed using eBalance Professional 4.7 (IT & Knowledge for Environment, Sichuan, China). We chose to construct an attributional model because it aligned more with the aims of our research, although we adopted a contributional approach to the scenarios sensitivity analysis. Life cycle environmental impacts were assessed using the CML2002 method (CML 2015). Eleven mid-point impact categories were selected based on suggested LCA practice (Hauschild et al. 2013) and previously identified environmental harms in the industry. |
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Modelling and validation
Administrative information
Inputs and Outputs