Vanadium metabolism investigation using substance flow and scenario analysis

Abstract

Vanadium is a vital strategic resource, and vanadium metabolism is an important part of the national socio-economic system of China. This study conducts accounting and scenario analysis on the life cycle of vanadium metabolism in China. Based on the characteristics of vanadium life cycle and substance flow analysis (SFA) framework, we present a quantitative evaluation of a static anthropogenic vanadium life cycle for the year 2010. Results show that anthropogenic vanadium consumption, stocks, and new domestic scrap are at 98.2, 21.2, and 4.1 kt, respectively; new scrap is usually discarded. The overall utilization ratio of vanadium is 32.2%. A large amount of vanadium is stockpiled into tailings, debris, slags, and other spent solids. A scenario analysis was conducted to analyze the future developmental trend of vanadium metabolism in China based on the SFA framework and the qualitative analysis of technology advancement and socio-economic development. The baseline year was set as 2010. Several indicators were proposed to simulate different scenarios from 2010 to 2030. The scenario analysis indicates that the next 20 years is a critical period for the vanadium industry in China. This paper discusses relevant policies that contribute to the improvement of sustainable vanadium utilization in China.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

metabolism / vanadium industry / substance flow analysis / scenario analysis

References

[1] Gummow B. Vanadium: Environmental Pollution and Health Effects. Townsville: Elsevier, 2011, 628−636

[2] China Market Research Report. Market Report on the Trade of China Vanadium Ores and Concentrates, 2010−2015. Shenzhen, 2010, 20−31.

[3] Ayres R U. Metals recycling: economic and environmental implications. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 1997, 21(3): 145−173

[4] Ichiro D, Yasunari M, Yoshihiro A. Substance flow analysis of chromium and nickel in the material flow of stainless steel in Japan. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 2010, 54 (11): 851−863

[5] Wang T, Müller D B, Graedel T E. Forging the anthropogenic iron cycle. Environmental Science & Technology, 2007, 41(14): 5120−5129

[6] Graedel T E, Van Beers Dick, Bertram M, Fuse K, Gordon R B, Gritsinin A. The multilevel cycle of anthropogenic zinc. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 2005, 9(3): 67−90

[7] Graedel T E, van Beers D, Bertram M, Fuse K, Gordon R B, Gritsinin A, Kapur A, Klee R J, Lifset R J, Memon L, Rechberger H, Spatari S, Vexler D. Multilevel cycle of anthropogenic copper. Environmental Science & Technology, 2004, 38(4): 1242−1252

[8] Johnson J, Jirikowic J, Bertram M, van Beers D, Gordon R B, Henderson K, Klee R J, Lanzano T, Lifset R, Oetjen L, Graedel T E. Contemporary anthropogenic silver cycle: a multilevel analysis. Environmental Science & Technology, 2005, 39(12): 4655−4665

[9] Johnson J, Schewel L, Graedel T E. The contemporary anthropogenic chromium cycle. Environmental Science & Technology, 2006, 40(22): 7060−7069

[10] Mao J S, Dong J, Graedel T E. The multilevel cycle of anthropogenic lead: I. Methodology. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 2008, 52(8−9): 1058−1064

[11] Mao J S, Dong J, Graedel T E. The multilevel cycle of anthropogenic lead: II. Results and discussion. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 2008, 52(8−9): 1050−1057

[12] Reck B K, Müller D B, Rostkowski K, Graedel T E. Anthropogenic nickel cycle: insights into use, trade, and recycling. Environmental Science & Technology, 2008, 42(9): 3394−3400

[13] Chen W Q, Shi L, Qian Y. Substance flow analysis of aluminium in mainland China for 2001, 2004 and 2007: Exploring its initial sources, eventual sinks and the pathways linking them. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 2010, 54(9): 557−570

[14] Xu Y, Zhang T. A new approach to modeling waste in physical input-output analysis. Ecological Economic, 2009, 68(10): 2475−2478

[15] Yue Q, Wang H M, Lu Z W. Quantitative estimation of social stock for metals Al and Cu in China. Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China, 2012, 22(7): 1744−1752

[16] Guo X Y, Zhong J Y, Song Y, Tian Q H. Substance flow analysis of zinc in China. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 2010, 54(3): 171−177

[17] Hilliard H E. The materials flow of vanadium in the United States. Washington, D C: Bureau of Mines Information Circular, No. 9409, United States Department of the Interior, 1994

[18] Chen S G, Xu J C, Zheng T H, Liu L M. The application of SFA in Dukou’s industrial environment-movement and distribution of Fe, Ti, V in the environment. Sichuan Environment, 1983, 5(1): 14−19 (in Chinese)

[19] Spatari S. The contemporary European copper cycle: 1 year stocks and flows. Ecological Economics 2002, 42(1,2): 27−42

[20] China Steel Development Research Institute. China Steel Year Book 2011. Beijing: Metallurgical Industry Press, 2011 (in Chinese)

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the National Key Technology R&D Program of China (Grant No. 2011BAC06B13) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 71103172).

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2013 Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg