Life cycle assessment on the vanadium production process: A multi-objective assessment under environmental and economic perspectives
Guangming Zhang, Yuting Wang, Xianhao Meng, Di Zhang, Ning Ding, Zhijun Ren, Wenfang Gao, Zhi Sun
Abstract
To ensure energy conservation and emission reduction, a quantitative evaluation of V 2 O 5 production from environmental and economic perspectives is crucial for process optimization. However, a typical life cycle assessment (LCA) can not fulfill this important role from producers and market perspectives. In this research, Three typical V 2 O 5 production processes (PⅠ: sodium roasting, PⅡ: calcium roasting, and PⅢ: sub-molten salt production process) were selected under the raw material of vanadium slag. A multi-objective assessment under LCA, comprehensive environmental assessment (CEA), and economic assessment perspectives are established for V 2 O 5 production processes. Under the multi-objective comprehensive assessment, the best process was PIII, which combines cleaner production and end-of-pipe treatment with minimal pollutants emission and optimal benefits. Raw material section and vanadium slag are the key process and substance, respectively. With this comprehensive evaluation, the best vanadium production process is revealed which can guide industrial factories to optimize relevant production processes.