327e2d94-14c0-4610-9b19-dd776a6a85adNPK 15-15-15 (nitrophosphate route, 15N-15P2O5-15K2O)including primary production, nitrophosphate routeproduction mix, at plant15% nitrogen, 15 % phosphate, 15% potassiumProcessesIndustry dataFertilizers EuropeGood data quality. The data is based on recent industry data supplied by Fertilizers Europe as well as on literature and thus reflecting the reality in fertilzer production. Using the GaBi software system, the foreground data have been combined with LCI models integrating background LCI data on energy supply systems, ancillary processes and materials. Therefore, 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 Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics (IBP-GaBi), as an independent expert, has critically reviewed the entire LCI data profile including data consolidation, development for the various LCI models and the calculation of the associated LCI data sets.539The data set represents the situation for NPK 15-15-15 production in the EU-27.Foreground system:
NPK is a multinutrient compound fertilizer with various N, P2O5 and K2O contents. In the modelled case, an N content of 15 % as well as a P2O5 content and a K2O content of 15 % is assumed. The fertilizer production is modelled according to the nitrophosphate route. In the production process of NPK fertilizers via the nitrophosphate route phosphorus is added as rock phosphate and the rock phosphate is digested with nitric acid. This route includes two steps. In the first step nitrophosphoric acid and calcium nitrate is produced by digesting rock phosphate with a large amount of nitric acid.
1) Ca5F(PO4)3 + 10 HNO3 --> 3 H3PO4 + 5 Ca (NO3)2 + HF
To crystallise the calcium nitrate , the solution is cooled.
2) H3PO4 + HNO3 + Ca(NO3)2 + 4 H2O --> H3PO4 + HNO3 + Ca(NO3) * 4 H2O (s)
Then the nitrophosphoric acid is neutralised with ammonia and in the last step a solid compound fertiliser is obtained by granulating or prilling.
Transport of ancillary products to the NPK plant is included with the respective fuel demand and assumed by tanker and train.
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.Diesel mix at refineryHeavy fuel oil at refinery (1.0wt.% S)Electricity grid mixProcess steam from natural gas 95%Ammonia (NH3)Nitric acid (98% HNO3)NPK 15-15-15 is used as an input for the fertilizer in agriculture.This data set provides a standard technical product according to the applied technology mix.Intermediates_NPK 15_15_15_nitrophosphate route_ 15N_15P2O5_15K2O_Fertilizers Europe.JPGLCI resultAttributionalNoneAllocation - market valueAllocation - net calorific valueAllocation - exergetic contentAllocation - massForeground system: For the foreground system, no allocation was applied.
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"All data used in the calculation of the LCI results refer to net calorific value. For the transport of energy carriers average transport processes with specific parameter settings e.g. transport distances and route (ship, pipeline, rail, road) are used.NoneCut-off rules for each unit process: Coverage of at least 98 % of mass and energy of the input ans output flows and 98 % of their environmental relevance. Infrastructure is not included. Analyses were used to address the precision and uncertainty of relevant data as well as to justify the inclusion or exclusion of data from the system boundaries.NoneData set based on average site specific and literature data - on an annual basis. All data were collected and provided in a consistent way and consistent upstream data are used for all production and transportation processes.NoneIn cases where no primary data were available, literature data provided by Fertilizers Europe or calculated data was used.NoneBAT - Production of AmmoniaEnergy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in fertiliser productionLife Cycle Inventory (LCI) of Fertiliser ProductionBAT - Production of NPK Fertilizers by the Nitrophosphate RouteBasisdaten für ökologische BilanzierungenGaBi databasesCarbon Footprint Calculator for fertilizer products (CFC) Fertilizers Europe- Average Emissions Year 201190.0Primary data were collected on fertilizer production for the year 2011. These data were based on annual average data for the year 2011. The representative upstream data (mainly energies and fuels) were obtained from the yearly maintained GaBi databasesNoneThis data set can be used for LCA studies related to products made in Europe (EU-27). NPK 15-15-15 is used as a fertilizer.
The data set includes the burden and credit associated with the upstream processing and production of energies that make up the production of the stated functional unit.All relevant flows quantifiedThe Scope of the Critical Review:
The reviewer had the task to assess whether
- the methods used to carry out the LCA follow the international standards ISO 14040 and ISO 14044
- the methods used to carry out the LCA are scientifically and technically valid and correspond to the state of the art,
- the data used are appropriate and reasonable in relation to the goal of the project.
General evaluation:
The LCI model was applicable for the purpose of the project and had the capacity to support the goal of the project. Primary data were collected representing more than xx% of the production volume. Data quality is found to be good. However, when data gapy occured, the used literature data was not always up to date.
Conclusion:
The study has been carried out followig ISO 14040 and ISO 14044. The reviewer found the overall quality of the methodology and its execution to be goodfor the purposes of the study.Fertilizers EuropeOverall quality according to different validation schemes
GaBi = 2,2 interpreted into "good overall quality" in the GaBi quality validation scheme
ILCD = 2,5 interpreted into "basic overall quality" in the ILCD quality validation scheme
PEF = 2,2 interpreted into "good overall quality" in the PEF quality validation schemeGaBi 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 definedFertilizers EuropeNoneFertilizers Europe has collected LCI data representative for fertilizers in Europe to be used in LCA studies for or including crop production.
As an association representing the European fertilizers industry, Fertilizers Europe provides reliable scientific information to communicate the environmental performance of fertilizers to customers or retailers, non-governmental organizations and more generally those requiring such data for environmental studies or labelling purposes. Fertilizers Europe is interested in providing information on the continuous improvement of the environmental performance of fertilizers.Fertilizers Europe2017-01-01T00:00:00+01:00ILCD format 1.1IBP-GaBiFertilizers Europe2017-01-01T00:00:00+01:0011.00.000Data set finalised; entirely publishedFertilizers EuropetrueFree of charge for all users and usesThe data set can be used free of charge by anybody to perfom LCA studies, to distribute to third parties, to convert it to other formats, to develop own data sets etc. as long as the copyright and license conditions for the ELCD data sets and the ILCD format are met that can be accesses via http://lca.jrc.ec.europa.eu. Please note e.g. that reference must be given to 'Owner of data set' and to the 'ELCD database' plus version number, when using the data set or parts thereof. Please note also, that any modifications/omissions of the data set results in invalidity of any existing 'Official approval of data set by producer/operator', that the impression must be avoided that this would still be a complete ELCD data set and that the content of further fields has to be adjusted. For details see the aforementioned copyright and license conditions.NPK 15-15-15 (agrarian)Output110.000Mixed primary / secondaryMeasured