A life cycle assessment of a new laterite processing technology. (20th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Khoo, Janelle Zhiyun; Haque, Nawshad; Woodbridge, Geoff; McDonald, Robbie; Bhattacharya, Sankar
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 142:Part 4(2017)
• Page Start: 1765
• Page End: 1777
• Publication Date: 2017-01-20
• Subjects: Sustainable development -- Life cycle assessment -- Metal production -- Environmental impacts -- Nickel processing -- Stainless steel production; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.11.111
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: This paper presents a life cycle assessment (LCA) study of three nickel laterite processing technologies. The main goal was to quantify selected environmental impact categories and to compare and analyse each impact category for three different nickel feedstock for stainless steel production. The nickel laterite processing routes were (1) high pressure acid leaching (HPAL), (2) ferronickel, and (3) the newly developed Direct Nickel (DNi Process) that involves atmospheric leaching of nickel laterite using nitric acid. A cradle to gate approach was adopted. A functional unit of one tonne stainless steel was chosen. The scope covered was from laterite ore mining to final metal production. All inventory data was expressed in units per tonne nickel-based feedstock. The flow sheets for each technology were developed and the system boundaries were clearly defined. It was found that Ferronickel has the highest global warming potential and non-renewable energy scores whereas HPAL has the highest water depletion score. Overall, the DNi Process is found to be a more sustainable processing route as it produces less airborne emissions compared to the other two routes. Nitric acid is also less toxic compared to sulphuric acid used in HPAL. The DNi Process is also able to process different types of laterite ores (from limonitic to saprolitic ores) which is an important feature for future nickel production. Highlights: A comparative life cycle assessment of conventional nickel laterite processing technologies with the new DNi Process. To determine the sustainability and capability of the DNi Process for future stainless steel production. To evaluate the environmental impacts of an alternative stainless steel feedstock option from the DNi Process. Functional unit of one tonne stainless steel, making it a fair comparison between different nickel processing technologies. The DNi Process is more sustainable and less toxic with the capability of processing different types of laterite ores.