6915520a-5ccc-4535-b0f9-ec06d9c7f892Copper (99.99%; cathode)from pyrometallurgical (including secondary) and hydrometallurgical productionproduction mix, at producer99.99% CuCuMaterials productionOther materialsThe dataset refers to copper cathode world production mix, and covers 21% of total world production. However, it is considered to be 95% technologically representative and 79% geographically representative of world production.
The data set covers all relevant process steps / technologies over the supply chain of the represented cradle to gate inventory with a good overall data quality. The inventory is based on industry data and is completed, where necessary, by secondary (upstream) data.0The mix includes production in Japan, Chile, Germany, Belgium, Bulgaria, Poland, Canada, USA, and Mexico. It is 79% geographically representative of global production, calculated as the weighted average deviation from actual production.
The data set represents the global situation, focusing on the main technologies, and the region specific characteristics.Foreground system:
Three copper production routes were modelled: pyrometallurgical (primary), pyrometallurgical (secondary, and hydrometallurgical (primary). The pyrometallurgical process includes mining of sulfide ores from either open-pit or underground mines, beneficiation, producing the intermediate copper concentrate product. The concentrate then undergoes smelting, which includes wet concentrate drying, smelting of the dry concentrate (via one of a dozen furnace types, including: Outokumpu flash furnace, reverberatory furnace, electric furnace, Mitsubishi furnace, Isasmelt, or Noranda furnace), converting to blister copper (typically using a Peirce-Smith converter), and slag cleaning. Once smelted, the blister copper undergoes refining and anode casting. The anodes then undergo electrolytic refining to produce the final cathode. Secondary copper production involves pre-treatment of the secondary copper-containing materials, a secondary smelting furnace (the top submerged lance (TSL) smelt furnace, electric furnace, mini smelter and blast furnace, top blowing rotary convert (TBRC), or the Contimelt process), and a secondary conversion process to create blister copper. It then undergoes the same refining process as primary copper. The hydrometallurgical route also includes mining (both open-pit and underground), typically of oxide ores (though bioleaching processes for sulfide ores are also available). The ore then undergoes leaching on pads sprinkled with sulfuric acid. The subsequent pregnant leach solution undergoes solvent extraction creating a rich electrolyte solution. Finally, the electrolyte solution is sent to electrowinning where cathode is produced.
Background system:
Electricity: Electricity is modelled according to the individual country-specific situations. The country-specific modelling is achieved on multiple levels. Firstly, individual energy carrier specific power plants and plants for renewable energy sources are modelled according to the current national electricity grid mix. Modelling the electricity consumption mix includes transmission / distribution losses and the own use by energy producers (own consumption of power plants and "other" own consumption e.g. due to pumped storage hydro power etc.), as well as imported electricity. Secondly, the national emission and efficiency standards of the power plants are modelled as well as the share of electricity plants and combined heat and power plants (CHP). Thirdly, the country-specific energy carrier supply (share of imports and / or domestic supply) including the country-specific energy carrier properties (e.g. element and energy content) are accounted for. Fourthly, the exploration, mining/production, processing and transport processes of the energy carrier supply chains are modelled according to the specific situation of each electricity producing country. The different production and processing techniques (emissions and efficiencies) in the different energy producing countries are considered, e.g. different crude oil production technologies or different flaring rates at the oil platforms.
Thermal energy, process steam: The thermal energy and process steam supply is modelled according to the individual country-specific situation with regard to emission standards and considered energy carriers. The thermal energy and process steam are produced at heat plants. Efficiencies for thermal energy production are by definition 100% in relation to the corresponding energy carrier input. For process steam the efficiency ranges from 85%, 90% to 95%. The energy carriers used for the generation of thermal energy and process steam are modelled according to the specific import situation (see electricity above).
Transports: All relevant and known transport processes are included. Ocean-going and inland ship transport as well as rail, truck and pipeline transport of bulk commodities are considered.
Energy carriers: The energy carriers are modelled according to the specific supply situation (see electricity above).
Refinery products: Diesel fuel, gasoline, technical gases, fuel oils, lubricants and residues such as bitumen are modelled with a parameterised country-specific refinery model. The refinery model represents the current national standard in refining techniques (e.g. emission level, internal energy consumption, etc.) as well as the individual country-specific product output spectrum, which can be quite different from country to country. The supply of crude oil is modelled, again, according to the country-specific situation with the respective properties of the resources.Copper is used mostly in electronics (e.g., wires), but also in buildings (e.g., plumbing, roofing, and cladding) and consumer goods (e.g., coins, jewelry, sculptures)metals_copper cathode flow chart.jpgLCI resultAttributionalNoneAllocation - market valueAllocation - net calorific valueAllocation - exergetic contentAllocation - element contentAllocation - massSubstitution - BATForeground system: none
Background system: For the combined heat and power production, allocation by exergetic content is applied. For the electricity generation and by-products, e.g. gypsum, allocation by market value is applied due to no common physical properties. Within the refinery allocation by net calorific value and mass is used. For the combined crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids production allocation by net calorific value is applied.
For details please see the document "GaBi Databases Modelling Principles"Foreground system: none
Background system: All data used in the calculation of the LCI results refer to net calorific value.NoneGaBi Modelling Principles 2007GaBi Water Modelling PrinciplesCut-off rules for each unit process: Coverage of at least 95 % of mass and energy of the input and output flows, and 98 % of their environmental relevance (according to expert judgement).
For further details please see the document "GaBi Databases Modelling Principles"NoneLCI modelling is fully consistent. For details please see the document "GaBi Databases Modelling Principles"NoneFor details please see the document "GaBi Databases Modelling Principles"None21.0~21,000 ktSelf-selection2013n/aThe data set represents a cradle to gate inventory. It can be used to characterise the supply chain situation of the respective commodity in a representative manner. Combination with individual unit processes using this commodity enables the generation of user-specific (product) LCAs.No statementThe LCI method applied is in compliance with ISO 14040 and 14044. The documentation includes all relevant information in view of the data quality and scope of the application of the respective LCI result / data set. The dataset represents the state-of-the-art in view of the referenced functional unit.thinkstepIABP-GaBiIBP-GaBiOverall quality according to different validation schemes
GaBi = 1,8 interpreted into "good overall quality" in the GaBi quality validation scheme
ILCD = 1,9 interpreted into "basic overall quality" in the ILCD quality validation scheme
PEF = 1,8 interpreted into "very good overall quality" in the PEF quality validation schemeThe dataset and systems, which are provided with our software and databases for public use into a broad user community, are constantly used, compared, benchmarked, screened, reviewed and results published in various external, professional and third party LCA applications in industry, academia and politics. So user feedback via the online GaBi forum or direct via user information is a standard routine in the maintenance and update process and leads to stable quality and constant control and improvement of data, if knowledge or technology improves or industrial process chains develop or change.GaBi user forumGaBi bug forumGaBi user communityAn independent critical review was conducted by four reviewers (Matthias Finkbeiner, Technische Universität Berlin, GERMANY (Chair of the Panel); Gustavo Lagos, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Escuela de Ingenieria, CHILE; Arpad Horvath, University of California, Berkeley, USA; and Hongtao Wang, Sichuan University, PR CHINA). The review concluded that the "study has been carried out in conformity with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044. The review panel found the overall quality of the methodology and its execution to be very adequate for the purposes of the study. The study is reported in a comprehensive manner including a transparent documentation of its scope and methodological choices."Prof. Dr. Matthias FinkbeinerHorvathWangLagosGaBi conformity systemFully compliantFully compliantFully compliantFully compliantFully compliantNot definedUNEP SETAC Life Cycle InitiativeNot definedNot definedNot definedNot definedNot definedNot definedILCD Data Network - Entry-levelNot definedFully compliantFully compliantNot definedFully compliantNot definedthinkstepICAThis background LCI data set can be used for any types of LCA studies.thinkstep2020-01-01T00:00:00.000ILCD format 1.1thinkstepNo official approval by producer or operator2020-01-01T00:00:00.00000.00.001Data set finalised; entirely publishedGaBi databasesthinksteptrueOtherGaBi (source code, database including extension modules and single data sets, documentation) remains property of thinkstep AG. thinkstep AG delivers GaBi licenses comprising data storage medium and manual as ordered by the customer. The license guarantees the right of use for one installation of GaBi. Further installations using the same license are not permitted. Additional licenses are only valid if the licensee holds at least one main license. Licenses are not transferable and must only be used within the licensee's organisation. Data sets may be copied for internal use. The number of copies is restricted to the number of licenses of the software system GaBi the licensee owns. The right of use is exclusively valid for the licensee. All rights reserved.Copper cathode (>99.99 Cu)Output1.01.00Mixed primary / secondaryMeasuredvaluable