Global Mitigation of Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases

Global Mitigation of Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases: Magnesium Production

Key Points

The global abatement potential of 98% is achieved through three abatement measures that substitute sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) with alternative gases.
From 2010 to 2030, SF₆ emissions are projected to stay in the range of 5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e).
Full abatement potential can be achieved at break-even prices of $5/tCO₂e or less.

Sector Description

Magnesium production uses SF₆ as a cover gas during production and casting to prevent spontaneous combustion of molten magnesium in the presence of air. The use of SF₆ can result in fugitive emissions during manufacturing processes. Advanced initiatives in the magnesium industry to phase out the use of SF₆ have resulted in a 50% reduction in global SF₆ emissions from 10 MtCO₂e to 5 MtCO₂e between 2000 and 2010.

2030 emissions from magnesium production are projected to be 5 million MtCO2e, or 0.04% of total non-CO2 emissions. Projected 2030 top five emitting countries for magnesium production are China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Israel, and Ukraine. View or download the full-size image here.(123 K, PNG)

Emissions Reduction Potential

Assuming full implementation of current technology, emissions in the magnesium production sector could be reduced by up to 5 MtCO₂e in 2030. This accounts for 0.11% of the 4,615 MtCO₂e in global reduction potential in 2030.

Potential for SF6 reductions from magnesium production: 2030 emissions with full implementation of current technology could be reduced by up to 5 MtCO2e, or 0.11% of the 4,615 MtCO2e in global reduction potential for non-CO2 GHGs in 2030. View or download the full-size image here.(95 K, PNG)

Abatement Potential

The global abatement potential of SF₆ emissions in the magnesium sector is 5 MtCO₂e, approximately 98% of projected emissions. The maximum reduction potential for the suite of reduction technologies is 98% of projected emissions in 2030. These reductions can be achieved at a cost of less than $5/tCO₂e.

2030 baseline projected global SF6 emissions from magnesium production: It would be cost-effective to reduce emissions by 97% compared to the baseline. An additional 1% reduction is available using technologies with increasingly higher costs. It would be cost-effective to reduce emissions by 97%, compared to the baseline, in 2030. An additional 1% reduction is available using technologies with increasingly higher costs.

View or download the full-size image here.(35 K, PNG)

Abatement Measures

Three abatement measures are available for reducing SF₆ emissions in production and processing, all of which involve replacing SF₆ with an alternative cover gas: SO₂, HFC-134a, or Novec 612. Although toxicity, odor, and corrosive properties are a concern of using SO₂ as a cover gas, it can potentially eliminate SF₆ emissions entirely through improved containment and pollution control systems. HFC-134a, along with other fluorinated gases, contains fewer associated health, odor, and corrosive impacts than SO₂, but it does have global warming potential. Novec 612 is currently being used in a die-casting facility, and the replacement of SF₆ with Novec 612 is under evaluation.

2030 achievable reductions in magnesium production SF6 emissions by technology: The solid bars show reductions achievable at a cost less than $0/tCO2e, and the fading bars show the reductions achievable at a higher prices. Emissions reductions by technology in 2030 at $0/tCO₂e and at higher prices.

View or download the full-size image here.(40 K, PNG)

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