Life cycle assessment on the vanadium production process: A multi-objective assessment under environmental and economic perspectives

To ensure energy conservation and emission reduction, a quantitative evaluation of V2O5 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 V2O5 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 V2O5 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.