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Process Data set: Separation of acid leach of Rare Earth Elements (REE)s;Rare Earth Elements (REE);bastnaesite route;Rare Earth Elements (REE) containing ore (en) en zh

Key Data Set Information
Location NMG-CN
Reference year 2014
Name
Separation of acid leach of Rare Earth Elements (REE)s;Rare Earth Elements (REE);bastnaesite route;Rare Earth Elements (REE) containing ore
Use advice for data set When using this dataset for Life Cycle Assessment, ensure you account for variations in mineralogy and processing routes, as they can affect the environmental impacts of REE production. Studies pertaining to radioactivity should include radioactivity flows if available. Quantification of waste treatment flows in LCIs is essential due to the potential environmental impacts. Co-mining aspects have to be considered, highlighting the co-products obtained in addition to REE. The functional unit for comparison is the production of 1 kg of a basket of REO (Rare Earth Oxides) from the specified mineralogical and processing route.
Technical purpose of product or process The rare earth elements (REEs) extracted from the described industrial process are utilized in various high-tech applications, including the production of powerful permanent magnets, hybrid vehicle batteries, fluorescent lamps, and electronics. Specifically, the acid leach separation process applied to bastnaesite route REE-containing ore is a critical step for isolating pure REE compounds necessary for these applications.
Classification
Class name : Hierarchy level
  • ILCD: Unit processes / Materials production / Non-energetic raw materials
General comment on data set The rare earth elements (REEs) extracted from the described industrial process are utilized in various high-tech applications, including the production of powerful permanent magnets, hybrid vehicle batteries, fluorescent lamps, and electronics. Specifically, the acid leach separation process applied to bastnaesite route REE-containing ore is a critical step for isolating pure REE compounds necessary for these applications.
Copyright No
Owner of data set
Quantitative reference
Reference flow(s)
Functional Unit The functional unit of this study is the production of 1 kg of the basket REO from each corresponding mineralogical and processing route.
Technological representativeness
Technology description including background system In this study, the REE production system was analyzed from mining up to and including solvent extraction which contains product finishing processes such as precipitation and calcination
Flow diagram(s) or picture(s)
  • KkPTbSaoeomImdxTMrXclfbJnPg.png Image
LCI method and allocation
Type of data set Unit process, single operation
LCI Method Principle Attributional
Deviation from LCI method principle / explanations None
Deviations from LCI method approaches / explanations In this study, the REE production system was analyzed from mining up to and including solvent extraction which contains product finishing processes such as precipitation and calcination (Fig. 1). The other categories assessed in the literature review were mineral type, radioactivity, waste treatment, and co-mining. For mineral type, it was noted that the mineralogy accounted for in each study was different, which makes comparison difficult. For radioactivity, we marked with an X those studies which exemplified radioactivity flows in the LCI (if provided). For waste, we distinguished those LCIs which quantified waste treatment flows. For co-mining, since all REE are co-products of each other, this column is meant to highlight the co-products in addition to REE.
Deviation from modelling constants / explanations None
Data sources, treatment and representativeness
Deviation from data cut-off and completeness principles / explanations None
Deviation from data selection and combination principles / explanations None
Deviation from data treatment and extrapolations principles / explanations None
Data source(s) used for this data set
Completeness
Completeness of product model No statement
Validation
Type of review
Dependent internal review
Reviewer name and institution
Data generator
Data set generator / modeller
Data entry by
Time stamp (last saved) 2023-12-24T16:06:40+08:00
Publication and ownership
UUID 92fea6a9-4fd7-4fdd-b4ee-9f76dd26172f
Date of last revision 2024-04-20T15:07:24.858137+08:00
Data set version 00.01.005
Permanent data set URI https://lcadata.tiangong.world/showProcess.xhtml?uuid=92fea6a9-4fd7-4fdd-b4ee-9f76dd26172f&version=01.00.000&stock=TianGong
Owner of data set
Copyright No
License type Free of charge for all users and uses

Inputs

Type of flow Classification Flow Location Mean amount Resulting amount Minimum amount Maximum amount
Product flow
Materials production / Inorganic chemicals 1.0 kg1.0 kg
General comment Soda ash
Product flow Transport services / Other transport 0.53 t*km0.53 t*km
Product flow Transport services / Other transport 9.54 t*km9.54 t*km
Product flow
Materials production / Inorganic chemicals 1.0 kg1.0 kg
General comment Hydrochloric acid
Product flow
Materials production / Metals and semimetals 1.77 kg1.77 kg
General comment RE Chloride

Outputs

Type of flow Classification Flow Location Mean amount Resulting amount Minimum amount Maximum amount
Product flow
Materials production / Metals and semimetals 1.0 kg1.0 kg
General comment RE Chloride
Product flow Materials production / Other mineralic materials 0.00756 kg0.00756 kg
Elementary flow Emissions / Emissions to water / Emissions to sea water 7.56 m37.56 m3