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Dai T, Liu YF, Wang P, Qiu Y, Mancheri N, Chen W, Liu JX, Chen WQ, Wang H, Wang AJ. Unlocking Dysprosium Constraints for China's 1.5 °C Climate Target. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:14113-14126. [PMID: 37709662 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c01327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Some key low-carbon technologies, ranging from wind turbines to electric vehicles, are underpinned by the strong rare-earth-based permanent magnets of the Nd, Pr (Dy)-Fe-Nb type (NdFeB). These NdFeB magnets, which are sensitive to demagnetization with temperature elevation (the Curie point), require the addition of variable amounts of dysprosium (Dy), where an elevation of the Curie point is needed to meet operational conditions. Given that China is the world's largest REE supplier with abundant REE reserves, the impact of an ambitious 1.5 °C climate target on China's Dy supply chain has sparked widespread concern. Here, we explore future trends and innovation strategies associated with the linkage between Dy and NdFeBs under various climate scenarios in China. We find China alone is expected to exhaust the global present Dy reserve within the next 2-3 decades to facilitate the 1.5 °C climate target. By implementing global available innovation strategies, such as material substitution, reduction, and recycling, it is possible to avoid 48%-68% of China's cumulative demand for Dy. Nevertheless, ongoing efforts in REE exploration and production are still required to meet China's growing Dy demand, which will face competition from the United States, European Union, and other countries with ambitious climate targets. Thus, our analysis urges China and those nations to form wider cooperation in REE supply chains as well as in NdFeB innovation for the realization of a global climate-safe future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Dai
- Institute of Mineral Resource, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China
- Research Center for Strategy of Global Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Yan-Fei Liu
- School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yang Qiu
- Joint Global Change Research Institute, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 5825 University Research Court, Suite 3500, College Park, Maryland 20740, United States
| | - Nabeel Mancheri
- Rare Earth Industry Association, Diestsevest 14, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wei Chen
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Jun-Xi Liu
- Department of Materials Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University Tokyo (Hongo Campus), 113-8654, 7 Chome-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo City, Tokyo Japan
| | - Wei-Qiang Chen
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Heming Wang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Eco-Industry, Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110819, China
| | - An-Jian Wang
- Institute of Mineral Resource, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China
- Research Center for Strategy of Global Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 100037, China
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Lee H, Coulon F, Beriro DJ, Wagland ST. Increasing recovery opportunities of metal(loid)s from municipal solid waste via landfill leachate recirculation. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 158:116-124. [PMID: 36657376 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The recovery of 12 critical raw materials (CRM) from municipal solid wastes (MSW) via leachate recirculation was evaluated using a 4 L semi-pilot scale column percolation. The results showed that the recovery of the metal(loid)s was mainly influenced by order of importance: pH > organic content > type of metal(loid)s > age of the waste > redox potential. Among the CRM, Cd and Ni were the most mobile elements, while As and Cr were the least mobile. A comparison of leachate from the leachate recirculated columns before and after the initiation of recirculation indicates an increase in the concentrations of certain CRM and metalloids. The first recirculation cycle supported achieving 100 % recovery. CRM and metalloids in leachate can be recovered; however, the concentrations of CRM and metalloids are usually below 1 mg/L. In this regard, leachate recirculation may enhance the increasing concentration of CRM in landfill leachate. For example, after first recirculation cycle, Ni concentration increased from 0.05 mg/L to 0.11 mg/L. The results obtained from this study can develop further methodologies for the potential recovery of CRM and help foster further research into overcoming limitations for recovering CRM in landfill leachate.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Lee
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK
| | - F Coulon
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK
| | - D J Beriro
- Digital Laboratories, British Geological Survey, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK
| | - S T Wagland
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK.
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LAYERS: A Decision-Support Tool to Illustrate and Assess the Supply and Value Chain for the Energy Transition. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14127120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Climate change mitigation strategies are developed at international, national, and local authority levels. Technological solutions such as renewable energies (RE) and electric vehicles (EV) have geographically widespread knock-on effects on raw materials. In this paper, a decision-support and data-visualization tool named “LAYERS” is presented, which applies a material flow analysis to illustrate the complex connections along supply chains for carbon technologies. A case study focuses on cobalt for lithium-ion batteries (LIB) required for EVs. It relates real business data from mining and manufacturing to actual EV registrations in the UK to visualize the intended and unintended consequences of the demand for cobalt. LAYERS integrates a geographic information systems (GIS) architecture, database scheme, and whole series of stored procedures and functions. By means of a 3D visualization based on GIS, LAYERS conveys a clear understanding of the location of raw materials (from reserves, to mining, refining, manufacturing, and use) across the globe. This highlights to decision makers the often hidden but far-reaching geo-political implications of the growing demands for a range of raw materials that are needed to meet long-term carbon-reduction targets.
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Wang Z, Wang Y, Gomes RL, Gomes HI. Selenium (Se) recovery for technological applications from environmental matrices based on biotic and abiotic mechanisms. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 427:128122. [PMID: 34979385 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.128122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Selenium (Se) is an essential element with application in manufacturing from food to medical industries. Water contamination by Se is of concern due to anthropogenic activities. Recently, Se remediation has received increasing attention. Hence, different types of remediation techniques are listed in this work, and their potential for Se recovery is evaluated. Sorption, co-precipitation, coagulation and precipitation are effective for low-cost Se removal. In photocatalytic, zero-valent iron and electrochemical systems, the above mechanisms occur with reduction as an immobilization and detoxification process. In combination with magnetic separation, the above techniques are promising for Se recovery. Biological Se oxyanions reduction has been widely recognized as a cost-effective method for Se remediation, simultaneously generating biosynthetic Se nanoparticles (BioSeNPs). Increasing the extracellular production of BioSeNPs and controlling their morphology will benefit its recovery. However, the mechanism of the microbial production of BioSeNPs is not well understood. Se containing products from both microbial reduction and abiotic methods need to be refined to obtain pure Se. Eco-friendly and cost-effective Se refinery methods need to be developed. Overall, this review offers insight into the necessity of shifting attention from Se remediation to Se recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongli Wang
- Food Water Waste Research Group, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom.
| | - Yanming Wang
- Sustainable Process Technologies Research Group, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel L Gomes
- Food Water Waste Research Group, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | - Helena I Gomes
- Food Water Waste Research Group, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
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Resource Availability and Implications for the Development of Plug-In Electric Vehicles. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14031665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) have immense potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels, and for smart grid applications. Although a great deal of research is focused on technological limitations that affect PEV battery performance targets, a major and arguably equal concern is the constraint imposed by the finite availability of elements or resources used in the manufacture of PEV batteries. Availability of resources, such as lithium, for batteries is critical to the future of PEVs and is, therefore, a topic that needs attention. This study addresses the issues related to lithium availability and sustainability, particularly supply and demand related to PEVs and the impact on future PEV growth. In this paper, a detailed review of the research on lithium availability for PEV batteries is presented, key challenges are pinpointed and future impacts on PEV technology are outlined.
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Materials, energy, water, and emissions nexus impacts on the future contribution of PV solar technologies to global energy scenarios. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19238. [PMID: 31848432 PMCID: PMC6917800 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55853-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
PV technologies are increasingly making significant contribution to global energy generation (GEG), attributed to their high potential of increasing efficiency, cost reduction, and improving energy security. These technologies however rely on metals that are identified as critical due to risks associated with their supply, and other materials that require energy and water for their production. In this paper, a comprehensive assessment of required materials for PV technologies, an analysis of their materials inflows, outflows, and stocks, an estimate of their maximum contribution to global energy scenarios (GES), and an estimate of energy and water required for their material production and associated CO2 emissions under the nexus approach, have been carried out using a dynamic material flow-stock model. A total of 100 energy-material nexus scenarios, which combines 10 GES and 10 materials scenarios, have been analysed. Results indicate that although most GES are difficult to be realized under current PV technologies market share and condition; these technologies could make significant contribution to GEG in future. The three commercial thin-film PV technologies could produce between 3% and 22% of electricity generation in IEA-450 scenario. Energy required for PV materials production is expected to reach between 5.9% and 11.8% of electricity generated (EG) by PV solar and between 0.76% and 1.52% of total EG in IEA-450 scenario by 2050. CO2 emissions associated with material production are expected to be between 0.94% and 2.2% of total CO2 emissions in IEA-450 scenario by 2050.
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Watari T, Nansai K, Nakajima K, McLellan BC, Dominish E, Giurco D. Integrating Circular Economy Strategies with Low-Carbon Scenarios: Lithium Use in Electric Vehicles. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:11657-11665. [PMID: 31577427 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b02872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Electrification of the transport sector will support its decarbonization, yet significantly change material requirements. This calls for an integrated modeling approach internalizing metal demand-supply dynamics in low-carbon scenarios to support the Paris agreement on climate change and sustainable material circulation. Here we develop a step toward the integrated simulation of energy-materials scenarios by unifying a stock-flow dynamics model for low-carbon scenarios using linear programming. The modeling framework incorporates lithium supply from both mines and end-of-life (EoL) recycling for projected use in electric vehicles on a global basis. The results show that supply constraints, which could become apparent from around 2030 in the case of current recycling rates (<1%), would impede the deployment of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), leading to the generation of an additional 300 Mt-CO2 of emissions for vehicle operation in 2050. Another important finding is that increasing the recycling rate to 80% could substantially relieve restrictions on the introduction of BEVs without requiring primary supply from natural deposits far beyond historical rates of expansion. While EoL recycling is important from a long-term perspective, an EoL-oriented strategy has little effect on the short/medium-term (such as to 2030) lithium demand-supply balance because of exponential demand growth and long living batteries. Importantly, findings in this study emphasize the necessity of tackling climate change and resource circulation in an integrated manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuma Watari
- Center for Material Cycles and Waste Management Research , National Institute for Environmental Studies , 16-2 Onogawa , Tsukuba , Ibaraki 305-8506 , Japan
- Graduate School of Frontier Sciences , The University of Tokyo , 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha , Kashiwa , Chiba 277-8563 , Japan
| | - Keisuke Nansai
- Center for Material Cycles and Waste Management Research , National Institute for Environmental Studies , 16-2 Onogawa , Tsukuba , Ibaraki 305-8506 , Japan
- ISA, School of Physics, Faculty of Science , The University of Sydney , Camperdown , New South Wales 2006 , Australia
| | - Kenichi Nakajima
- Center for Material Cycles and Waste Management Research , National Institute for Environmental Studies , 16-2 Onogawa , Tsukuba , Ibaraki 305-8506 , Japan
| | - Benjamin C McLellan
- Graduate School of Energy Science , Kyoto University , Yoshida Honmachi , Sakyo-ku , Kyoto 606-8501 , Japan
| | - Elsa Dominish
- Institute for Sustainable Futures , University of Technology Sydney , Ultimo , New South Wales 2007 , Australia
| | - Damien Giurco
- Institute for Sustainable Futures , University of Technology Sydney , Ultimo , New South Wales 2007 , Australia
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PV Waste Management at the Crossroads of Circular Economy and Energy Transition: The Case of South Korea. SUSTAINABILITY 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/su10103565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The South Korean government’s renewable energy deployment plan aims to increase the share of electricity generated from renewables to 20% by 2030. To reach this goal, the rate of photovoltaic (PV) installation will accelerate in the coming years. This energy transition creates a new challenge: PV wastes. This study estimates the amount of PV waste generated, the material composition of PV waste, and the amount of recyclable metals in South Korea by 2080 under four different scenarios (combining shape parameters of 5.3759 [regular-loss] and 3.5 [early-loss] with PV module lifespans of 25 and 30 years) using the Weibull distribution function. The annual waste generated will fluctuate over time depending on the scenario, but between 4299 and 5764 thousand tons of PV waste will have been generated by 2080. Under the early-loss/25-year lifespan scenario, annual PV waste generation will increase to exceed 130,000 tons in 2045, then decrease through 2063 before increasing once again. The fluctuation in annual PV waste generation appears stronger under regular-loss scenarios. An appropriate system for the monitoring, collection, and storage of PV waste needs to be arranged even before the volume becomes high enough for recycling to be economically viable. International cooperation could be a way to maintain the PV waste stream at an economically feasible scale. It would also be a good idea if the PV module could be designed in a way that would enable easier recycling or reuse.
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