Discrete-Point Analysis of the Energy Demand of Primary versus Secondary Metal Production
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In: Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 54, No. 1, 07.01.2020, p. 507-516.
Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Discrete-Point Analysis of the Energy Demand of Primary versus Secondary Metal Production
AU - Schäfer, Philipp
AU - Schmidt, Mario
PY - 2020/1/7
Y1 - 2020/1/7
N2 - The metal industry consumes large amounts of energy and contributes significantly, up to 10%, to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Recycling is commonly included among the most viable options for mitigating the climate forcing of metal production by replacing primary production. However, the recycling rates of metals are still incomplete and, in particular, do not exist for most specialty metals. Our empirical analysis of 48 metals shows that their recycling is mainly impeded by their low concentrations. In many cases, the metal concentration in end-of-life products is lower than that in natural ores. This phenomenon inevitably raises the question of the extent to which recycling can be conducted without losing its mitigating effects on climate change. We answer this question for two example metals, tantalum and copper, within the scope of Germany, a leader in recycling. For tantalum, the results show that a further increase in the end-of-life recycling rate (EOL-RR) could contribute to minimizing the overall energy consumption and GHG emissions, despite its low concentrations in end-of-life products. The energy requirements for recycling copper from end-of-life products already reach the magnitude of those for primary production. A further increase in EOL-RR must be examined in detail to ensure mitigating effects on climate change.
AB - The metal industry consumes large amounts of energy and contributes significantly, up to 10%, to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Recycling is commonly included among the most viable options for mitigating the climate forcing of metal production by replacing primary production. However, the recycling rates of metals are still incomplete and, in particular, do not exist for most specialty metals. Our empirical analysis of 48 metals shows that their recycling is mainly impeded by their low concentrations. In many cases, the metal concentration in end-of-life products is lower than that in natural ores. This phenomenon inevitably raises the question of the extent to which recycling can be conducted without losing its mitigating effects on climate change. We answer this question for two example metals, tantalum and copper, within the scope of Germany, a leader in recycling. For tantalum, the results show that a further increase in the end-of-life recycling rate (EOL-RR) could contribute to minimizing the overall energy consumption and GHG emissions, despite its low concentrations in end-of-life products. The energy requirements for recycling copper from end-of-life products already reach the magnitude of those for primary production. A further increase in EOL-RR must be examined in detail to ensure mitigating effects on climate change.
KW - Engineering
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85076729909&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/3e120f3e-23e5-379e-805e-597a2cb32ac9/
U2 - 10.1021/acs.est.9b05101
DO - 10.1021/acs.est.9b05101
M3 - Journal articles
C2 - 31775507
AN - SCOPUS:85076729909
VL - 54
SP - 507
EP - 516
JO - Environmental Science and Technology
JF - Environmental Science and Technology
SN - 0013-936X
IS - 1
ER -