Life cycle assessment of fertilisers produced in Algeria

In this research, a detailed study for energy consumption levels evaluation and environmental impacts assessment in the fertilizers production sector in Algeria was achieved. An analysis of the various inputs and outputs to the process to identify different sources of pollution throughout the life cycle of fertilizer was used. Six products are making the subject in this study; two phosphate-based, SSP and TSP; two nitrogen-based, CAN 27% N and Sulfazot; and two compounds fertilizers, NPKs 3x15 and NPKch 3x15. The flows of material and energy for each phase of the life cycle were counted and the associated environmental problems were identified. The analysis was conducted according to the LCA standards ISO 14040 series. The impacts categories studied are Global Warming Potential, Acidification Potential, Tropospheric Ozone Precursor Potential, and Resources use. Evaluation of the impact was achieved using GEMIS 4.7 software. The results show that Cumulative Energies Requirement and GHG emission in Algerian fertilizers production process are significant. Sulfazot is the most GHG emitter by 8.64 t CO2 eq. Ammonia plant use 78% of total natural gas that is consumed by Fertial-Annaba. Production of one ton of ammonia requires 51.94 GJ and generates 1.44 t CO2 eq.

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Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment