scholarly journals Life cycle design and efficiency strategy for sustainable membrane technology

2021 ◽  
Vol 880 (1) ◽  
pp. 012053
Author(s):  
K K Razman ◽  
A W Mohammad ◽  
M M Hanafiah

Abstract Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is an assessment tool to evaluate the potential environmental impact of a system or product throughout its life cycle. Results from LCA provides an insight on developing a more sustainable system while identifying its environmental hotspots. With recent advancements in membrane treatment systems especially for wastewater treatment (WWT), there is a rising interest in its sustainability aspect. Thus, it is crucial to review on previous published studies to highlight the challenges and achievements in implementing LCA for the membrane system. Hence, this paper presents a review of 33 recent papers published from year 2017-2020 conducting LCA on membrane systems for WWT. Bounded by the key frameworks of ISO standards, the analysis of papers showed variance in defining its functional unit, system boundaries, impact assessment categories and method to evaluate LCA, which makes it a challenge to do comparison. Some of the challenges discussed and highlighted in this paper include the inconsistencies in specifying the impact assessment and methodology used for some journals and the lack of LCA study in certain regional areas. A more uniform implementation of LCA should be considered to ensure the reliability and reproducibility of results to allow adoptions on novel or existing membrane systems.

Author(s):  
Emma-Jane Goode ◽  
Eirian Thomas ◽  
Owen Landeg ◽  
Raquel Duarte-Davidson ◽  
Lisbeth Hall ◽  
...  

AbstractEvery year, numerous environmental disasters and emergencies occur across the globe with far-reaching impacts on human health and the environment. The ability to rapidly assess an environmental emergency to mitigate potential risks and impacts is paramount. However, collating the necessary evidence in the early stages of an emergency to conduct a robust risk assessment is a major challenge. This article presents a methodology developed to help assess the risks and impacts during the early stages of such incidents, primarily to support the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism but also the wider global community in the response to environmental emergencies. An online rapid risk and impact assessment tool has also been developed to promote enhanced collaboration between experts who are working remotely, considering the impact of a disaster on the environment and public health in the short, medium, and long terms. The methodology developed can support the appropriate selection of experts and assets to be deployed to affected regions to ensure that potential public health and environmental risks and impacts are mitigated whenever possible. This methodology will aid defensible decision making, communication, planning, and risk management, and presents a harmonized understanding of the associated impacts of an environmental emergency.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (12) ◽  
pp. 2432-2450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoine Beylot ◽  
Sara Corrado ◽  
Serenella Sala

Abstract Purpose Trade is increasingly considered a significant contributor to environmental impacts. The assessment of the impacts of trade is usually performed via environmentally extended input–output analysis (EEIOA). However, process-based life cycle assessment (LCA) applied to traded goods allows increasing the granularity of the analysis and may be essential to unveil specific impacts due to traded products. Methods This study assesses the environmental impacts of the European trade, considering two modelling approaches: respectively EEIOA, using EXIOBASE 3 as supporting database, and process-based LCA. The interpretation of the results is pivotal to improve the robustness of the assessment and the identification of hotspots. The hotspot identification focuses on temporal trends and on the contribution of products and substances to the overall impacts. The inventories of elementary flows associated with EU trade, for the period 2000–2010, have been characterized considering 14 impact categories according to the Environmental Footprint (EF2017) Life Cycle Impact Assessment method. Results and discussion The two modelling approaches converge in highlighting that in the period 2000–2010: (i) EU was a net importer of environmental impacts; (ii) impacts of EU trade and EU trade balance (impacts of imports minus impacts of exports) were increasing over time, regarding most impact categories under study; and (iii) similar manufactured products were the main contributors to the impacts of exports from EU, regarding most impact categories. However, some results are discrepant: (i) larger impacts are obtained from IO analysis than from process-based LCA, regarding most impact categories, (ii) a different set of most contributing products is identified by the two approaches in the case of imports, and (iii) large differences in the contributions of substances are observed regarding resource use, toxicity, and ecotoxicity indicators. Conclusions The interpretation step is crucial to unveil the main hotspots, encompassing a comparison of the differences between the two methodologies, the assumptions, the data coverage and sources, the completeness of inventory as basis for impact assessment. The main driver for the observed divergences is identified to be the differences in the impact intensities of goods, both induced by inherent properties of the IO and life cycle inventory databases and by some of this study’s modelling choices. The combination of IO analysis and process-based LCA in a hybrid framework, as performed in other studies but generally not at the macro-scale of the full trade of a country or region, appears a potential important perspective to refine such an assessment in the future.


2018 ◽  
Vol 74 ◽  
pp. 11003
Author(s):  
Andreas Pramudianto

Basically each product or service has its own life cycle. Life Cycle Analysis Method can be used to assess the impact of an activity both production and service activities. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or Analisis Mengenai Dampak Lingkungan (AMDAL) is one of the activities that must be fulfilled in order to obtain an environmental permit. EIA activities have a life cycle process that needs to be known and understood so that environmental permits can be obtained. Therefore this study aims to find out the use of the LCA method in EIA procedures. In addition, with the LCA method, EIA activities are expected to be well studied according to the function of this service. LCA can provide to reduce the least impact from environmental damage. This research will be useful for the development of environmental science, especially related to the study of environmental impacts, especially EIA. It is expected that the results of the study will provide a complete picture of the relevance of the LCA method with EIA and the benefits that can be taken. The results of this study will be an important recommendation for decision makers regarding the importance of EIA in development, especially sustainable development through the method used, namely LCA.


Author(s):  
Günter Fleischer ◽  
Karin Gerner ◽  
Heiko Kunst ◽  
Kerstin Lichtenvort ◽  
Gerald Rebitzer

Author(s):  
John Reap ◽  
Bert Bras ◽  
Patrick J. Newcomb ◽  
Carol Carmichael

Drawing from the substantial body of literature on life cycle assessment / analysis (LCA), the article summarizes the methodology’s limitations and failings, discusses some proposed improvements and suggests an additional improvement. After describing the LCA methodology within the context of ISO guidelines, the article summaries the limitations and failings inherent in the method’s life cycle inventory and impact assessment phases. The article then discusses improvements meant to overcome problems related to lumped parameter, static, site-independent modeling. Finally, the article suggests a remedy for some of the problems with LCA. Linking industrial models with spatially explicit, dynamic and site-specific ecosystem models is suggested as a means of improving the impact assessment phase of LCA.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-224
Author(s):  
Desrina Yusi Irawati ◽  
Melati Kurniawati

Kenaf fiber from the kenaf plant is the excellent raw material for industry because of the various diversified products it produces. To develop sustainable kenaf fiber, information is needed on the strengths and weaknesses of kenaf cultivation systems with respect to productivity and environmental impact. Therefore, a comprehensive environmental and economic impact assessment was conducted from cultivating kenaf to kenaf fiber. The environmental impact assessment uses the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method and economic calculations from the life cycle of kenaf to kenaf fiber to collectors use the Life Cycle Cost (LCC) method. The calculation of environmental impacts is in accordance with the stages of ISO 14040, using a single score assessment. The LCA results show that the treatment stage is the highest contributor of the three groups of impact categories. The highest to the lowest in the impact category group that was influenced by the treatment stage were resources with a value of 21.4 mPt, human health with a value of 8.76 mPt, and ecosystem quality with a value of 1.91 mPt. The cost identified through the LCC is Rp. 6,088,468,333, NVP and B/Cnet are positive. The results of the sensitivity analysis if there is a reduction in production> 6%, the business is still profitable and can be run.


TAPPI Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 467-478
Author(s):  
DIEGO F. RIVERA ◽  
MAX KLEIMAN-LYNCH ◽  
BRENT D. KELLER ◽  
STEPHEN F. FRAYNE

Advancements in membrane systems indicate that they will soon be robust enough to concentrate weak black liquor. To date, the economic impact of membrane systems on brownstock washing in kraft mills has not been studied and is necessary to understand the viability of these emerging systems and their best utilization. This study investigated the savings that a membrane system can generate related to brownstock washing. We found that evaporation costs are the primary barrier for mills seeking to increase wash water usage. Without these additional evaporation costs, we showed that our hypothetical 1000 tons/day bleached and brown pulp mills can achieve annual savings of over $1.0 MM when operating at higher dilution factors and fixed pulp production rate. We then investigated the impact of increasing pulp production on mills limited by their equipment. In washer-limited mill examples, we calculated that membrane systems can reduce the annual operating cost for a 7% production increase by 91%. Similarly, in evaporator-limited mill examples, membrane systems can reduce the annual operating cost for a 7% production increase by 86%. These results indicated that membrane systems make a production increase significantly more feasible for these equipment-limited mills.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (20) ◽  
pp. 5628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Lindner ◽  
Horst Fehrenbach ◽  
Lisa Winter ◽  
Judith Bloemer ◽  
Eva Knuepffer

In this article, the authors propose an impact assessment method for life cycle assessment (LCA) that adheres to established LCA principles for land use-related impact assessment, bridges current research gaps and addresses the requirements of different stakeholders for a methodological framework. The conservation of biodiversity is a priority for humanity, as expressed in the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Addressing biodiversity across value chains is a key challenge for enabling sustainable production pathways. Life cycle assessment is a standardised approach to assess and compare environmental impacts of products along their value chains. The impact assessment method presented in this article allows the quantification of the impact of land-using production processes on biodiversity for several broad land use classes. It provides a calculation framework with degrees of customisation (e.g., to take into account regional conservation priorities), but also offers a default valuation of biodiversity based on naturalness. The applicability of the method is demonstrated through an example of a consumer product. The main strength of the approach is that it yields highly aggregated information on the biodiversity impacts of products, enabling biodiversity-conscious decisions about raw materials, production routes and end user products.


2016 ◽  
Vol 842 ◽  
pp. 355-364
Author(s):  
Aristotle T. Ubando ◽  
Charles B. Felix ◽  
Ivan Henderson V. Gue ◽  
Andres Philip Mayol ◽  
Nieves A. Toledo ◽  
...  

Algal biofuel is considered as an advanced generation bioenergy fuel which addresses the concerns of the preceding generations of biofuels on crop land competition and water consumption. Microalgae are considered as the only biomass feedstock capable of displacing fossil-fuel based on very high-oil yield per land area and other benefits. The production of biofuels in the Philippines is mandated by its Biofuel Act of 2006 which aims to introduce low-carbon fuels to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the dependence on oil imports. The Philippines’ biodiesel production uses solely coconut as biomass feedstock to produce coconut methyl ester (CME). With the mandate to increase the biodiesel blend to 5% by 2015, this adds pressure to the production of CME while battling for the fluctuating price of coconut. Due to the archipelagic geography and tropical climate of the country, abundance of thriving endemic species of microalgae can be found in the country. Hence, algal biofuel presents a viable option to alternatively produce biodiesel in the Philippines. Thus, policies in sustainable production of algal biofuel based on its environmental impact and natural resource consumption must initially be developed and drafted. A life-cycle assessment (LCA) approach was recommended to evaluate the sustainability of algal biofuel production in the country leading to policy development. Prior finalizing the impact assessment of an LCA study, prioritization of impact factors must initially be established and evaluated based on the programs and goals of the government and other stakeholders. LCA studies on algal biofuels were previously conducted overseas. However, the impact assessment of such studies is not applicable for the Philippines. Furthermore, there has been limited LCA study on algal biofuel production in the Philippines. Hence, this study proposes to establish a multi-criteria decision structure of the life-cycle impact factors of algal biofuels specifically for the Philippines and quantifying its priority levels using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). AHP is a multi-criteria decision analysis which quantifies the prioritization weights of the considered impact factors via pairwise comparison method. Survey shall be conducted to various government agencies, the industry, and other research institutions to establish an initial impact assessment of algal biofuels in the country. The initial results revealed priority are given to global warming potential, eco-toxicity, and photochemical ozone depletion, respectively. The results of this work shall aid the policy and decision makers of the country to develop and draft environmental policies and strategic plans for the proliferation of algal biofuels in the Philippines.


Author(s):  
Christopher Bryan ◽  
Charles Eubanks ◽  
Kosuke Ishii

Abstract This paper describes a methodology and tool which assist deployment of serviceability in the early stages of life-cycle design. Unlike design for assembly, producability, etc., design for serviceability (DFS) commonly occurs in the later stages of the design process. By this time, any design changes required to enhance serviceability are either costly or infeasible. We have developed a graphics-based computer tool to be used early in the design phase that employs the concept of service mode analysis (SMA), coupled with a service-based design description, to assess the impact of component relationships on life-cycle service costs. We also employ design compatibility analysis (DCA) to assess qualitative aspects of the design for serviceability concerns and provide the user with comments and suggestions for design improvements. Significant reductions in life-cycle costs and significant improvements in customer satisfaction can be achieved by including DFS in the design trade-off analysis process.


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