Analysis on material flows and carbon emissions of nickel resources in China

doi:10.16085/j.issn.1000-6613.2023-1875

Abstract

Abstract:

Nickel is a crucial resource in the development of new energy vehicles, wind turbines, solar photovoltaic power generation and other renewable energy technologies. It plays a significant role in economic and social development. China is the world's largest consumer of nickel, but there is a lack of detailed and in-depth research on the trade flow and carbon emission distribution of nickel resources among provinces in China. This paper combined the material flow analysis (MFA) and the emission factor method (IPCC) based on the life cycle assessment concept to analyze the nickel material flow and carbon emissions of typical nickel products in different provinces in China from 2010—2020. The results showed that from 2010 to 2020, the nickel material flowed in China increased from 0.6 million tons to 1.24 million tons, among which the mining stage mainly came from imports, the smelting stage changed from import-oriented to domestic supply-oriented, the product manufacturing stage had the largest share of stainless steel and some nickel products were recycled after recovery in the end-use stage. The carbon emissions from the production of 1 tonne of refined nickel, ferronickel and nickel sulphate were 10.19t CO₂, 14.01t CO₂ and 28.76t CO₂, respectively. Domestic refined nickel, ferronickel and nickel sulphate were primarily concentrated in Gansu, Shandong and Guangdong. In terms of spatial distribution, their carbon emissions showed a trend of progressive increase, fluctuation and significant growth. In the context of low-carbon energy transition, clarifying the material flow of nickel resources and carbon emission distribution relationship of related products in China can help to improve the mechanism of nickel resource management, and provided basic data and methodology support for achieving clean production and sustainable development of Chinese nickel industry.

Key words: nickel, material flows, carbon emission, life cycle assessment, material flow analysis (MTA), emission factor method (IPCC)

摘要：

镍作为一种战略性资源已广泛应用于新能源汽车、风力发电、太阳能光伏发电等可再生能源技术，在经济社会发展中具有重要意义。中国是世界上最大的镍消费国，但镍资源在我国的贸易流动及各省碳排放分布尚缺乏深入细致的研究。本文基于全生命周期理念，将物质流分析法（MFA）和排放因子法（IPCC）相结合，开展了中国2010—2020年镍物质流动分析和不同省份典型镍产品碳排放核算研究。结果表明，中国镍物质流从2010年的60×10⁴t增加至2020年的124×10⁴t，其中采矿阶段主要源于进口，冶炼阶段由进口为主转变为国内供应为主，产品制造阶段不锈钢占比最大，终端应用阶段镍产品经回收后循环利用。1t精炼镍生产阶段、镍铁生产阶段、硫酸镍生产阶段的碳排放量分别为CO₂ 10.19t、CO₂ 14.01t、CO₂ 28.76t；国内精炼镍、镍铁、硫酸镍在空间分布上主要集中在甘肃、山东、广东等地，时间上碳排放分别呈递增、波动和显著增长趋势。在能源低碳转型背景下，厘清镍资源物质流动和相关产品碳排放分布的关系，有助于完善镍资源管理机制，为实现我国镍工业低碳循环发展提供基础数据及方法学支撑。

关键词: 镍, 物质流动, 碳排放, 全生命周期, 物质流分析法, 排放因子法

CLC Number:

X322

MENG Xingyu, ZONG Yuhang, ZHANG Xihua, YAN Wenyi, SUN Zhi. Analysis on material flows and carbon emissions of nickel resources in China[J]. Chemical Industry and Engineering Progress, 2024, 43(11): 6563-6572.

孟星宇, 宗宇航, 张西华, 阎文艺, 孙峙. 中国镍资源物质流动与碳排放分析[J]. 化工进展, 2024, 43(11): 6563-6572.

Figures/Tables 15

References 36

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原料	工序	产品	工序能耗/kgce·t^-1	质量分数/%
硫化镍矿	熔炼	高镍硫	2371	35
硫化镍矿	精炼	精炼镍	1550	99.96
红土镍矿	烧结	烧结矿	150	1.6
	高炉	低镍铁	650	1.6
	矿热炉	高镍铁	2200	8
硫化镍矿	火法冶炼	硫酸镍	3731	—
红土镍矿	湿法冶炼	硫酸镍	7150	—
镍铁	转产高冰镍	硫酸镍	22300	—

原料	工序	产品	工序能耗/kgce·t^-1	质量分数/%
硫化镍矿	熔炼	高镍硫	2371	35
硫化镍矿	精炼	精炼镍	1550	99.96
红土镍矿	烧结	烧结矿	150	1.6
	高炉	低镍铁	650	1.6
	矿热炉	高镍铁	2200	8
硫化镍矿	火法冶炼	硫酸镍	3731	—
红土镍矿	湿法冶炼	硫酸镍	7150	—
镍铁	转产高冰镍	硫酸镍	22300	—

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