Process information
| Key Data Set Information | |
| Location | CN |
| Geographical representativeness description | Bayan Obo, Chinese Southern Provinces |
| Reference year | 2007 |
| Name |
|
| Use advice for data set | When utilizing this Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data, users must account for the lack of primary mining data from Bayan Obo by referencing alternative datasets derived from either iron or phosphate rock mining. Users are advised to be cautious of the uncertainties and differences in crucial parameters across the Life Cycle Inventories (LCIs) and should note the limitations in the comparability of Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) results due to varying methodology. Additionally, users may need to recalculate LCIA data when utilizing other LCIA methods not covered in this study. It is essential to consult supplementary material such as Tables S1 and S3 for detailed results and consider the technological applicability of the data carefully while integrating it into broader environmental assessments. |
| Technical purpose of product or process | The processing route involving solvent extraction (SX) and calcination of rare earth oxides (REO), particularly from bastnaesite containing REE ore, is a critical unit procedure applied primarily in the separation and purification of rare earth elements. This industrial process is essential for producing REO, which are pivotal in various high-tech applications, such as in the manufacturing of permanent magnets, catalysts, glass additives, and specialized ceramics. The Bayan Obo region in the Chinese Southern Provinces is significant for its REO production capabilities. |
| Classification |
Class name
:
Hierarchy level
|
| General comment on data set | The processing route involving solvent extraction (SX) and calcination of rare earth oxides (REO), particularly from bastnaesite containing REE ore, is a critical unit procedure applied primarily in the separation and purification of rare earth elements. This industrial process is essential for producing REO, which are pivotal in various high-tech applications, such as in the manufacturing of permanent magnets, catalysts, glass additives, and specialized ceramics. The Bayan Obo region in the Chinese Southern Provinces is significant for its REO production capabilities. |
| Copyright | No |
| Owner of data set | |
| Quantitative reference | |
| Reference flow(s) | |
| Functional Unit | The study considered 15 different functional units corresponding to different RE metals. The assessment included three main RE production sites in China: REO production in Bayan Obo, Sichuan, and IACs. Primary data were collected for foreground production processes from Chinese and further international scientific literature, industry reports, government and industry surveys. The authors assumed a baseline for aqueous and gaseous emissions using national discharge standards for industry from the Chinese Ministry of |
| Time representativeness | |
| Data set valid until | 2020 |
| Technological representativeness | |
| Technology description including background system | Because no primary mining data from Bayan Obo were available, LCI data in the studies (Sprecher, Arshi, Marx, Bailey (Classen et al., 2007)) are based on different data sources either from iron mining or in Althaus from phosphate rock mining. Main inputs are energy and blasting agent |
| Flow diagram(s) or picture(s) | |
Modelling and validation
Administrative information
Inputs and Outputs