Sylvie Willis
Cobalt is a chemical element with the symbol Co and atomic number 27. It is primarily used in lithium-ion batteries and in the manufacture of wear-resistant alloys. Cobalt is also used in the petroleum industry as a catalyst when refining crude oil, to remove sulphur, which is highly polluting when burned and causes acid rain. While cobalt is not present in the fuel itself, it is used in refineries as a catalyst for the desulphurisation of fuel. The use of cobalt catalysts in catalytic applications supports climate change initiatives by contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gases. Cobalt catalysts play a vital role in mitigating environmental harm and improving air quality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cobalt's role in refining fuel | Used as a catalyst for the desulphurisation of fuel |
| Cobalt in refined fuel | Not present in the fuel |
| Cobalt's recyclability | Recyclable, with refiners having recycled spent catalysts for years |
| Cobalt's contribution to climate change initiatives | Helps reduce greenhouse gases, sulphur, and nitrous oxide emissions |
| Cobalt's role in mitigating environmental harm | Improves air quality by reducing sulphur from crude oils, which otherwise causes acid rain |
| Cobalt's global demand | 30% increase in global demand from 2016 to 2020 |
| Cobalt's use in batteries vs. catalysts | Battery demand for cobalt rose 58% from 2016 to 2020, outpacing catalyst demand |
| Cobalt's production | Chinese ownership of cobalt production in the Congo was estimated at over 10% of global supply in 2016 |
| Cobalt's role in human rights abuses | Concerns about labor and human rights violations in cobalt mines in the DRC |
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What You'll Learn
Cobalt is not burned or released into the atmosphere during fuel refining
Cobalt is a chemical element with the symbol Co and the atomic number 27. It is found in the Earth's crust only in a chemically combined form and is often produced as a by-product of copper and nickel mining. While cobalt is used in refineries as a catalyst for the desulphurisation of fuel, it is not burned or released into the atmosphere during this process.
Cobalt catalysts help facilitate reactions without being consumed themselves. They lower the activation energy required for reactions, such as the removal of sulphur from crude oil during refining. Sulphur is a highly polluting substance when burned, as it contributes to acid rain and has detrimental effects on crops, forests, and aquatic species. By using cobalt catalysts, refineries can effectively reduce sulphur emissions and mitigate environmental harm.
The cobalt catalysts used in fuel refining are recyclable, and refiners have been recycling spent catalysts into fresh catalysts for many years. This recycling process helps to reduce the environmental impact of cobalt use and contributes to a more sustainable society. Additionally, the recycling of cobalt metal from cells has been found to be easier than refining it from ore, making recycled cobalt a more attractive option than newly mined cobalt.
While cobalt is used in the fuel refining process, it is not present in the fuel itself. As a catalyst, cobalt helps to facilitate the chemical reactions involved in desulphurisation without being consumed or released into the atmosphere. This is in contrast to the use of cobalt in batteries, where cobalt is an integral component and can be recycled to a lesser extent. The demand for cobalt in batteries has been increasing, particularly with the rise in EV production, and it has become a significant driver of global cobalt demand.
In summary, cobalt plays a crucial role in the fuel refining process as a catalyst for desulphurisation. However, it is not burned or released into the atmosphere during this process. Cobalt catalysts are recyclable and help reduce the environmental impact of fuel refining by facilitating the removal of harmful sulphur compounds. While cobalt use in the fossil fuel industry has been a topic of discussion, its role in refining fuel does not contribute to atmospheric emissions.
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Cobalt is used as a catalyst to remove sulphur from fuel
Cobalt is a chemical element with the symbol Co and atomic number 27. It is found in the Earth's crust only in a chemically combined form, except for small deposits found in alloys of natural meteoric iron. Cobalt is primarily used in lithium-ion batteries and in the manufacture of magnetic, wear-resistant, and high-strength alloys. It also has applications in the petroleum industry, where it acts as a catalyst in the refining of crude oil.
The use of cobalt catalysts in this context is important for several reasons. Firstly, they facilitate the removal of sulphur, reducing harmful emissions and mitigating environmental harm. Secondly, cobalt catalysts are recyclable, and refiners have been recycling spent catalysts for many years. This recyclability makes cobalt more attractive to use than raw ore, as there is no loss of material, and sufficient recycled cobalt can meet new demand without the need for additional mining.
While cobalt is used in the refining of fuel, it is not present in the fuel itself, nor is it burned into the atmosphere. The cobalt content in catalysts is also quite low compared to other applications, such as batteries, which have seen a significant increase in cobalt demand due to the growing electric vehicle market. The global demand for cobalt in batteries was 10-12 times higher than that for catalysts in 2016 and has continued to grow.
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Cobalt catalysts are recyclable
Cobalt is a vital component in many industrial processes, and its recycling is an important topic for several reasons. Firstly, cobalt is a critical raw material with a high selling value. Secondly, cobalt recycling has a smaller environmental impact than primary production, and finally, recycling cobalt can help diversify the supply of this valuable metal.
Cobalt-based catalysts are used in several applications, including hydrodesulfurization (HDS) to remove sulfur from oil, and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) to create synthetic fuel from natural gas. These catalysts can be produced by impregnating a metal precursor onto a support structure, maximizing the surface area of the catalyst. Cobalt catalysts are also used in sustainable energy and environmental applications, such as hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) and oxygen evolution reactions (OER).
Cobalt catalysts can be recycled, and this process is the subject of ongoing research. The recycling of cobalt catalysts involves recovering cobalt from cobalt-containing waste and scrap, including spent catalysts. The largest contributors to the environmental impact of recycling cobalt catalysts are the production of the chemicals consumed, particularly sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid. Other impacts include the production of materials for the precursor and support, as well as NOx emissions and nitric acid consumption.
The recycling of cobalt catalysts is an important step towards reducing the environmental impact of industrial processes and diversifying the supply of cobalt. It is also more attractive to use recycled cobalt than to refine it from ore, as the latter is a wasteful process with a significant environmental footprint. By recycling cobalt catalysts, we can move towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.
In addition to the environmental and supply benefits, cobalt recycling also has economic advantages. The high value of cobalt means that the oil industry can recover significant revenue by recycling cobalt catalysts. This revenue can be reinvested in sustainable technologies and further recycling initiatives, creating a positive cycle of resource management.
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Cobalt is a detectable element in exhaust emissions
Catalysts are vital in lowering activation energy and facilitating reactions without being consumed in the process. Cobalt catalysts, specifically, are used to convert sulphur into hydrogen sulphide (H2S), which can then be transformed into either elemental sulphur or sulphuric acid (H2SO4) for other industrial processes.
The detection of cobalt in exhaust emissions is due to the leaching of cobalt away from the catalyst, resulting in its presence in the fuel. This leads to the requirement for regular replacement of catalysts, as they can only be regenerated a limited number of times.
The use of cobalt in refineries constitutes a significant application of the element, although it is important to note that the battery sector, particularly for electric vehicles (EVs), demands a much higher proportion of cobalt. The global demand for cobalt in catalysts represented 5% in 2016, while the battery sector consumed 10 times more. By the following year, battery demand had increased to 12 times that of catalysts, and it has continued to grow. This trend is largely driven by the increasing production of EVs, which require large batteries.
Despite cobalt's significance in refinery processes, it is not the primary driver of cobalt demand. The battery sector, especially with the rise of electric vehicles, has become the dominant force in shaping the cobalt market.
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Cobalt demand has increased due to its use in batteries
The demand for cobalt in batteries has significant implications for the environment and social welfare. Firstly, the high demand has led to concerns about supply risks and potential shortages in the short to medium term. While advancements in battery technology and recycling can help alleviate long-term supply risks, it may not be enough to meet the immediate demand. Recycling cobalt from old phone and laptop batteries has been proposed as a solution, and companies like Apple are exploring this approach. However, recycling may not be feasible for electric car batteries in the near future, as most of the demand for EVs comes from first-time buyers.
The social impact of cobalt mining cannot be ignored, especially in the DRC, where most of the world's cobalt is produced. The country's mining industry is dominated by unregulated, artisanal miners working under poor conditions, and child labour is prevalent. Additionally, the DRC is one of the poorest countries in the world, with more than 60% of its population living on less than $2 per day, lacking access to basic necessities like electricity and safe drinking water. Mining accounts for a significant portion of the country's exports and provides a vital source of income.
To address the challenges posed by the increasing demand for cobalt in batteries, several strategies can be considered. Firstly, the development and adoption of cobalt-free batteries can help reduce reliance on this metal. Secondly, improving recycling technologies and processes can ensure that recycled cobalt can meet a significant portion of the demand, especially for electric vehicle batteries in the future. Additionally, addressing the social and environmental issues associated with cobalt mining in the DRC and other similar countries is crucial. This includes implementing regulations and safeguards to improve working conditions and eradicate child labour.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, cobalt is used as a catalyst in the refining of fuel.
Cobalt is used to remove sulphur from crude oil. This process is called desulphurisation.
No, cobalt is not burned or released into the atmosphere. It is a catalyst, which means it helps the reaction occur but does not take part.
Cobalt is used in small quantities in the refining of fuel. The exact amount is not publicly available but can be estimated using certain data.
Yes, cobalt catalysts can be recycled and refiners have been doing so for many years.
