This publication provides an overview about data of the German PRTR ( P ollutant R elease and T ransfer R egister). For each pollutant, the number of reported facilities and their releases to air, water and land and their off-site transfer in waste water are clearly displayed. Data for industrial sectors of the current reporting year 2022 are summarized in tables while their developments since 2007 are presented in diagrams. Detailed information and search options within the PRTR are available at www.Thru.de . Veröffentlicht in Broschüren.
technologyComment of cobalt production (GLO): Cobalt, as a co-product of nickel and copper production, is obtained using a wide range of technologies. The initial life cycle stage covers the mining of the ore through underground or open cast methods. The ore is further processed in beneficiation to produce a concentrate and/or raffinate solution. Metal selection and further concentration is initiated in primary extraction, which may involve calcining, smelting, high pressure leaching, and other processes. The final product is obtained through further refining, which may involve processes such as re-leaching, selective solvent / solution extraction, selective precipitation, electrowinning, and other treatments. Transport is reported separately and consists of only the internal movements of materials / intermediates, and not the movement of final product. Due to its intrinsic value, cobalt has a high recycling rate. However, much of this recycling takes place downstream through the recycling of alloy scrap into new alloy, or goes into the cobalt chemical sector as an intermediate requiring additional refinement. Secondary production, ie production from the recycling of cobalt-containing wastes, is considered in this study in so far as it occurs as part of the participating companies’ production. This was shown to be of very limited significance (less than 1% of cobalt inputs). The secondary materials used for producing cobalt are modelled as entering the system free of environmental burden. technologyComment of platinum group metal mine operation, ore with high palladium content (RU): imageUrlTagReplace6250302f-4c86-4605-a56f-03197a7811f2 technologyComment of platinum group metal, extraction and refinery operations (ZA): The ores from the different ore bodies are processed in concentrators where a PGM concentrate is produced with a tailing by product. The PGM base metal concentrate product from the different concentrators processing the different ores are blended during the smelting phase to balance the sulphur content in the final matte product. Smelter operators also carry out toll smelting from third part concentrators. The smelter product is send to the Base metal refinery where the PGMs are separated from the Base Metals. Precious metal refinery is carried out on PGM concentrate from the Base metal refinery to split the PGMs into individual metal products. Water analyses measurements for Anglo Platinum obtained from literature (Slatter et.al, 2009). Mudd, G., 2010. Platinum group metals: a unique case study in the sustainability of mineral resources, in: The 4th International Platinum Conference, Platinum in Transition “Boom or Bust.” Water share between MC and EC from Mudd (2010). Mudd, G., 2010. Platinum group metals: a unique case study in the sustainability of mineral resources, in: The 4th International Platinum Conference, Platinum in Transition “Boom or Bust.” technologyComment of processing of nickel-rich materials (GLO): Based on typical current technology. technologyComment of smelting and refining of nickel concentrate, 16% Ni (GLO): Extrapolated from a typical technology for smelting and refining of nickel ore. MINING: 95% of sulphidic nickel ores are mined underground in depths between 200m and 1800m, the ore is transferred to the beneficiation. Widening of the tunnels is mainly done by blasting. The overburden – material, which does not contain PGM-bearing ore – is deposed off-site and is partially refilled into the tunnels. Emissions: The major emissions are due to mineral born pollutants in the effluents. The underground mining operations generate roughly 80 % of the dust emissions from open pit operations, since the major dust sources do not take place underground. Rain percolate through overburden and accounts to metal emissions to groundwater. Waste: Overburden is deposed close to the mine. Acid rock drainage occurs over a long period of time. BENEFICIATION: After mining, the ore is first ground. In a next step it is subjected to gravity concentration to separate the metallic particles from the PGM-bearing minerals. After this first concentration step, flotation is carried out to remove the gangue from the sulphidic minerals. For neutralisation lime is added. In the flotation several organic chemicals are used as collector, frother, activator, depressor and flocculant. Sometimes cyanide is used as depressant for pyrite. Tailings usually are led to tailing heaps or ponds. As a result, nickel concentrates containing 7 - 25% Ni are produced. Emissions: Ore handling and processing produce large amounts of dust, containing PM10 and several metals from the ore itself. Flotation produce effluents containing several organic agents used. Some of these chemicals evaporate and account for VOC emissions to air. Namely xanthates decompose hydrolytically to release carbon disulphide. Tailings effluent contains additional sulphuric acid from acid rock drainage. Waste: Tailings are deposed as piles and in ponds. Acid rock drainage occurs over a long period of time. METALLURGY AND REFINING: There are many different process possibilities to win the metal. The chosen process depends on the composition of the ore, the local costs of energy carrier and the local legislation. Basically two different types can be distinguished: the hydrometallurgical and the pyrometallurgical process, which paired up with the refining processes, make up five major production routes (See Tab.1). All this routes are covered, aggregated according to their market share in 1994. imageUrlTagReplace00ebef53-ae97-400f-a602-7405e896cb76 Pyrometallurgy. The pyrometallurgical treatment of nickel concentrates includes three types of unit operation: roasting, smelting, and converting. In the roasting step sulphur is driven off as sulphur dioxide and part of the iron is oxidised. In smelting, the roaster product is melted with a siliceous flux which combines with the oxidised iron to produce two immiscible phases, a liquid silicate slag which can be discarded, and a solution of molten sulphides which contains the metal values. In the converting operation on the sulphide melt, more sulphur is driven off as sulphur dioxide, and the remaining iron is oxidised and fluxed for removal as silicate slag, leaving a high-grade nickel – copper sulphide matte. In several modern operations the roasting step has been eliminated, and the nickel sulphide concentrate is treated directly in the smelter. Hydrometallurgy: Several hydrometallurgical processes are in commercial operation for the treatment of nickel – copper mattes to produce separate nickel and copper products. In addition, the hydrometal-lurgical process developed by Sherritt Gordon in the early 1950s for the direct treatment of nickel sulphide concentrates, as an alternative to smelting, is still commercially viable and competitive, despite very significant improvements in the economics and energy efficiency of nickel smelting technology. In a typical hydrometallurgical process, the concentrate or matte is first leached in a sulphate or chloride solution to dissolve nickel, cobalt, and some of the copper, while the sulphide is oxidised to insoluble elemental sulphur or soluble sulphate. Frequently, leaching is carried out in a two-stage countercurrent system so that the matte can be used to partially purify the solution, for example, by precipitating copper by cementation. In this way a nickel – copper matte can be treated in a two-stage leach process to produce a copper-free nickel sulphate or nickel chloride solution, and a leach residue enriched in copper. Refining: In many applications, high-purity nickel is essential and Class I nickel products, which include electrolytic cathode, carbonyl powder, and hydrogen-reduced powder, are made by a variety of refining processes. The carbonyl refining process uses the property of nickel to form volatile nickel-carbonyl compounds from which elemental nickel subsides to form granules. Electrolytic nickel refineries treat cast raw nickel anodes in a electrolyte. Under current the anode dissolves and pure nickel deposits on the cathode. This electrorefining process is obsolete because of high energy demand and the necessity of building the crude nickel anode by reduction with coke. It is still practised in Russia. Most refineries recover electrolytic nickel by direct electrowinning from purified solutions produced by the leaching of nickel or nickel – copper mattes. Some companies recover refined nickel powder from purified ammoniacal solution by reduction with hydrogen. Emissions: In all of the metallurgical steps, sulphur dioxide is emitted to air. Recovery of sulphur dioxide is only economic for high concentrated off-gas. Given that In the beneficiation step, considerable amounts of lime are added to the ore for pH-stabilisation, lime forms later flux in the metallurgical step, and decomposes into CO2 to form calcite. Dust carry over from the roasting, smelting and converting processes. Particulate emissions to the air consist of metals and thus are often returned to the leaching process after treatment. Chlorine is used in some leaching stages and is produced during the subsequent electrolysis of chloride solution. The chlorine evolved is collected and re-used in the leach stage. The presence of chlorine in wastewater can lead to the formation of organic chlorine compounds (AOX) if solvents etc. are also present in a mixed wastewater. VOCs can be emitted from the solvent extraction stages. A variety of solvents are used an they contain various complexing agents to form complexes with the desired metal that are soluble in the organic layer. Metals and their compounds and substances in suspension are the main pollutants emitted to water. The metals concerned are Cu, Ni, Co, As and Cr. Other significant substances are chlorides and sulphates. Wastewater from wet gas cleaning (if used) of the different metallurgical stages are the most important sources. The leaching stages are usually operated on a closed circuit and drainage systems, and are therefore regarded as minor sources. In the refining step, the combustion of sulphur leads to emissions of SO2. Nitrogen oxides are produced in significant amounts during acid digestion using nitric acid. Chlorine and HCl can be formed during a number of digestion, electrolytic and purification processes. Chlorine is used extensively in the Miller process and in the dissolution stages using hydrochloric acid and chlorine mixtrues respectively. Dust and metals are generally emitted from incinerators and furnaces. VOC can be emitted from solvent extraction processes, while organic compounds, namely dioxins, can be emitted from smelting stages resulting from the poor combustion of oil and plastic in the feed material. All these emissions are subject to abatement technologies and controlling. Large quantities of effluents contain amounts of metals and organic substances. Waste: Regarding the metallurgical step, several co-products, residues and wastes, which are listed in the European Waste Catalogue, are generated. Some of the process specific residues can be reused or recovered in preliminary process steps (e. g. dross, filter dust) or construction (e. g. cleaned slag). Residues also arise from the treatment of liquid effluents, the main residue being gypsum waste and metal hydroxides from the wastewater neutralisation plant. These residuals have to be disposed, usually in lined ponds. In the refining step, quantities of solid residuals are also generated, which are mostly recycled within the process or sent to other specialists to recover any precious metals. Final residues generally comprise hydroxide filter cakes (ironhydroxide, 60% water, cat I industrial waste). References: Kerfoot D. G. E. (1997) Nickel. In: Ullmann's encyclopedia of industrial chemis-try (ed. Anonymous). 5th edition on CD-ROM Edition. Wiley & Sons, London. technologyComment of smelting and refining of nickel concentrate, 7% Ni (CN): The nickel concentrate (6.78% beneficiated - product of the mining and beneficiation processes) undergoes drying, melting in flash furnace and converting to produce high nickel matte. The nickel matte undergoes grinding-floating separation and is refined through anode plate casting and electrolysis in order to produce electrolytic nickel 99.98% pure. Deng, S. Y., & Gong, X. Z. (2018). Life Cycle Assessment of Nickel Production in China. Materials Science Forum, 913, 1004-1010. doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.913.1004 technologyComment of treatment of metal part of electronics scrap, in copper, anode, by electrolytic refining (SE, RoW): Production of cathode copper by electrolytic refining.
This publication provides an overview about data of the German PRTR (Pollutant Release and Transfer Register). For each pollutant, the number of reported facilities and their releases to air, water and land and their off-site transfer in waste water are clearly displayed. Data for industrial sectors of the current reporting year 2021 are summarized in tables while their developments since 2007 are presented in diagrams. Detailed information and search options within the PRTR are available at www.Thru.de. Quelle: https://www.umweltbundesamt.de
Das Projekt "Teilvorhaben 1/4: Technologienentwicklung Teil II und III" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von S + G Sanierungsgesellschaft durchgeführt. In dem Projektteil Technologie II soll die Homogenisierung des Bodenmaterials und die geeignete Mischtechnik untersucht werden. Fuer die Prozessablaeufe 'Material foerdern, sichten, homogenisieren, Zuschlagstoffe zudosieren incl. Regeltechnik' sowie 'Verhinderung von Verklumpungen' werden marktgaengige technische Vorrichtungen getestet und ausgewaehlt. Auf diese Weise soll ein reproduzierbarer Produktionsprozess und eine gleichbleibende Produktqualitaet des zu erzeugenden Rekultivierungssubstrates erzielt werden. Ziel des Projektteils Technologie III ist die Planung eines Modellvorhabens zur Sanierung eines groesseren PAK-Schadens mit der 'Kontrollierten Humifizierung'. Hier stehen verfahrenstechnische Fragen im Vordergrund; u.a. on-site oder off-site-Realisierung, Optimierung des Transportes, des Durchsatzvolumens und der Verfahrenskosten. Darauf aufbauend wird die Errichtung eines Bodenbehandlungszentrums projektiert.
Das Projekt "14C content of specific organic compounds in subsoils" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität zu Köln, Institut für Geologie und Mineralogie durchgeführt. Organic matter (OM) composition and dynamic in subsoils is thought to be significantly different from those in surface soils. This has been suggested by increasing apparent 14C ages of bulk soil OM with depth suggesting that the amount of fresh, more easily degradable components is declining. Compositional changes have been inferred from declining ä13C values and C/N ratios indicative for stronger OM transformation. Beside these bulk OM data more specific results on OM composition and preservation mechanisms are very limited but modelling studies and results from incubation experiments suggest the presence and mineralization of younger, 'reactive carbon pool in subsoils. Less refractory OM components may be protected against degradation by interaction with soil mineral particles and within aggregates as suggested by the very limited number of more specific OM analysis e.g., identification of organic compound in soil fractions. The objective of this project is to characterize the composition, transformation, stabilization and bioavailability of OM in subsurface horizons on the molecular level: 1) major sources and compositional changes with depth will be identified by analysis of different lipid compound classes in surface and subsoil horizons, 2) the origin and stabilization of 'reactive OM will be revealed by lipid distributions and 14C values of soil fractions and of selected plant-specific lipids, and 3) organic substrates metabolized by microbial communities in subsoils are identified by distributional and 14C analysis of microbial membrane lipids. Besides detailed analyses of three soil profiles at the subsoil observatory site (Grinderwald), information on regional variability will be gained from analyses of soil profiles at sites with different parent material.
Das Projekt "Real-time on-line decision support systems for off-site emergency management following a nuclear accident" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH Technik und Umwelt durchgeführt. Objective: Scientific cooperation between EC and CIS institutes in this area will be undertaken using, as a platform, the Decision Support System (DSS) which is being developed within the framework of the Radiation Protection Research Action of the CEC. The broad objectives of the collaborative programme are to improve the models included in the DSS; to include additional models to make the DSS comprehensive; to broaden the applicability of the DSS to the CIS as well as the EC; to implement the DSS in institutes in the CIS; and to use data following the Chernobyl accident both to improve and validate models included in the DSS. General Information: Data assimilation techniques for real time systems. The effective use of both model predictions and monitoring data in decision support systems is essential for the realistic estimation of the potential radiological impact of an accidental release and the introduction of the most appropriate countermeasures. Various techniques exist or are being developed for this purpose with varying degrees of success. To further support methodological developments in this area, and at least partially, validate the techniques, investigations are needed in the following areas: the compilation of a coherent data base containing accredited radiological measurements made in the short term following the Chernobyl accident; - the testing and validation of the techniques used to assimilate model predictions and monitoring data, including quantification of their uncertainties; - the optimisation of environmental monitoring strategies to reduce uncertainties in radiological predictions during the early stages of an accident. Effectiveness of countermeasures involving the movement of people. The voluntary or forced movement of people before, during and after an accidental release of radioactive material is associated with benefits and harm. Their evaluation and quantification are an important input to well considered judgements on the use of evacuation as a countermeasure. Evaluation of the practical experience gained during and after the Chernobyl accident has the potential to provide both qualitative and quantitative insights and information that may be useful for future planning. Investigations of the following topics are seen as most profitable in this respect: the compilation of a consistent data base which, chronologically, includes information on the introduction and withdrawal of early countermeasures, both temporally and spatially; on the response and behaviour of the population to these countermeasures; on the resources, manpower and time required for their introduction; and on the dose distributions in the affected population; - the development of methods, simulation models and computer programs for the DSS which enable dose distributions to be estimated reliably for population groups being evacuated or relocated; - the testing, validation and further improvement of countermeasure and dose assessment models ...
Das Projekt "Development of computerised systems for predicting the radiological impact of accidents to aid off-site emergency management" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH Technik und Umwelt durchgeführt.
Das Projekt "Modellhafte Altlastensanierung (MOSAL) - ehemaligen Industriegebietes Konz-Stadtmitte" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Stadt Konz durchgeführt. Das Projekt behandelt die innovative Sanierung zur Umnutzung (Flaechenrecycling) eines typischen urbanen Altstandortes, ein ehemaliges Gaswerk- und Maschinenfabrikgelaende (4 ha) im Zentrum der Stadt Konz (bei Trier), umgeben von Wohnbebauung. Ziel war die Gefahrenbeseitigung und die Ermoeglichung einer sensibleren Folgenutzung. Inhalt des Vorhabens war es, die stark organisch kontaminierten Boeden (PAK, MKW) mit innovativer Technik, vorrangig thermisch und zumindest teilweise vor Ort (on-site) zu reinigen. Alle Boeden sollten zudem nach ihrer Reinigung wiederverwertet werden. Die Gelaendesanierung und Bodenreinigung wurde im Zeitraum November 1995 bis Oktober 1996 realisiert. Insgesamt wurden ca. 75.000 to Boden ausgehoben. Ein Grossteil war minderbelastet und wurde direkt wiederverwendet (Profilbedeckung einer benachbarten geschlossenen Deponie). Ca. 4.000 to MKW-monobelastete Boeden wurden on-site in einer mobilen Desorptionsanlage der Fa. Leonhard Weiss, Crailsheim, im Niedertemperaturbereich (ca. 200 Grad Celsius) gereinigt. Weitere 5.000 to MKW-monobelasteter Boeden wurden konventionell mikrobiologisch gereinigt. Ca. 13.500 to PAK-MKW-mischbelasteter Boeden wurden thermisch off-site im Mitteltemperaturbereich von ca. 650 Grad Celsius gereinigt (stationaere Anlagen der Fa. Broerius, Deutzen). Im Rahmen einer wissenschaftlichen Begleitung wurde die Eignung der beiden thermischen Verfahren verglichen (Prof.Dr. A.-I. Urban, Abfalltechnik, Universitaet Kassel, Prof.Dr. J.F. Wagner, Geologie, Universitaet Trier). Die erfolgreiche Projektbilanz lautet: das anfaengliche Sanierungsziel wurde uebertroffen, mehr als 99 Prozent der Boeden wurden wiederverwendet, die veranschlagten Kosten wurden erheblich gesenkt. Die Neubebauung des Sanierungsgelaendes als Wohn- und Geschaeftszentrum erfolgt seit Ende 1996. Die Grundwassersanierung zur Entfernung der verbleibenden Mineraloelphase wird noch einige Jahre benoetigen.
Das Projekt "Innovative Business Models for Market Uptake of Renewable Electricity unlocking the potential for flexibility in the Industrial Electricity Use (IndustRE)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von WIP, Wirtschaft und Infrastruktur GmbH & Co Planungs-KG durchgeführt. The flexibility of the industrial electricity demand has been identified as a potential that through innovative business models can facilitate further growth of variable renewable energy, while reducing the industrial electricity costs and contributing to the European energy policy goals. In this project the large industry is working with the renewable energy community to identify and implement business models for supplying variable renewable electricity to industrial users with flexibility in their demand, creating win-win situations. Several variations of the business models will be described covering different options like on and off-site renewable energy production. The business models will be adapted to 5 industrial sectors (Chemicals, non-ferrous metals, cold storage, steel, and water treatment) and 6 target countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and UK). Tools will be developed to facilitate adoption of the business models: Model contracts adapted to the target countries and the different business models and a methodology that assesses the flexibility in industrial units and its value within the business models. The methodology will be transferred to third parties and will be applied in 6 case studies covering all target sectors and countries. Recommendations for improvements in the regulatory and market framework will be formulated and promoted. A top-down and a bottom-up methodology will be used to quantify the potential for further cost-effective grid integration of variable renewable electricity by the exploitation of the industrial electricity demand flexibility. The use of a sophisticated power system model and detailed analysis will provide reliable data on the impact the policy recommendations could have. An ambitious campaign will be carried out for engaging the target groups in direct action implementing the business models and informing the interested actors about the project activities and results.
Das Projekt "Strategies to accelerate the productive biodegradation of several herbicides under environmental stress condition" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von UFZ-Umweltforschungszentrum Leipzig-Halle GmbH durchgeführt. Objective: The project is focussed on the biodegradation of persistent herbicides belonging to the groups of triazines, amides and chlorophenoxyalkanes under stress conditions, which are present in every polluted site. Both the physiology of adaptive responses and the regulation of catabolic genes under different stress conditions will be investigated. For herbicides with a low solubility, attempts to increase their bioavailability will be made by promoting biosurfactant activity of microbial consortia. Additionally, the project will focus on toxicological investigations of herbicides and their metabolites using amphibian and insect cell tissues, and toxicity assessments developed for Saccharomyces cerevisiae as an eukaryotic model organism. The project will develop techniques which will allow an increased use of biological methods to remediate sites contaminated with herbicides and other xenobiotics. Objectives This proposal will focus mainly to the investigation of the biodegradation of different herbicides under circumstances related to environmental stress conditions regularly present in soil systems. The main attempts will be: to investigate the degradation kinetics and adaptive responses of herbicide-degrading bacteria under environmental stress conditions in soil systems. to study the effect of increased bioavailability, caused by (bio)surfactants, on the biodegradation of triazines and other pesticides. to examine the regulation and possible corregulation of catabolic genes for different herbicides, and detoxifying enzymes, like Glutathione S-Transferases (GSTs). to assess the toxicological impacts of the herbicides and their possible intermediates using tissues from amphibians and insects, and yeast. Description of the work Herbicides. As herbicides will be tested: triazines (atrazine, simazine, metribuzin); amides (alachlor, metolachlor); and chlorophenoxy compounds (2,4-D, 2,4,5-T, MCPA). Physiological and technical investigations. 1) Measurement of the sorption kinetics and microbial degradation of the herbicides in soil subjected to different forms of stress. Study of the retention, degradation and downward movement of the herbicides in equilibrated soil column microcosms. 2) Examine the effects of different types of stress on the degradation kinetics of herbicides and the physiology of adaptive responses. 3) Study the effects of different environmental stresses on the degradation of herbicides in an off site pilot plant for soil bioremediation provided and engineered by an industrial partner. 4) Studies on the effects biosurfactants causing increased bioavailability on degradation kinetics and the bacterial adaptation. ... Prime Contractor: Umweltforschungszentrum Leipzig-Halle GmbH; Leipzig; Germany.