Life cycle assessment of phosphogypsum utilization technologies: Method application and environment performance of technologies

An increasing number of technologies have been developed and applied to use phosphogypsum (PG) resources and reduce their environmental impact (EI) entirely. This research examines the life cycle assessment (LCA) of six types of PG utilization technologies (PGUTs), with a focus on evaluating the limitations of the product LCA method, exploring methodological improvements, and reviewing the EI of these technologies. Owing to the diverse characteristics of technologies and products, variations were observed in the LCA components of the functional unit, system boundary, inventory allocation methods, and selection of EI categories. For most PGUTs, abiotic depletion potential and global warming potential were the predominant categories, with ecotoxicity also identified as a significant concern. This research highlights the inapplicability of LCA for technology, provides specific suggestions for setting key components of LCA for PGUTs for the first time, proposes an innovation improvement for the LCA method and contributes to the optimization and selection of PGUTs. • The LCA of six types of PG utilization technologies was examined. • Limitations of product LCA method and methodological improvements were explored. • The environmental performance of these technologies was reviewed. • Functional unit, allocation methods, and impact categories selection were redefined. • ADP and GWP were the predominant environment impact categories.