scholarly journals Life cycle assessment of expanded polystyrene

2021 ◽  
Vol 920 (1) ◽  
pp. 012030
Author(s):  
Y S Lim ◽  
T N T Izhar ◽  
I A Zakarya ◽  
S Y Yusuf ◽  
S K Zaaba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Ozone Depletion ◽  
Expanded Polystyrene ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Significant Potential ◽  
Acidification Potential ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
Ozone Depletion Potential

Abstract Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is one of the most common materials used in packaging. In Malaysia, EPS is a type of plastic which is not in the recycling category. Usually, EPS wastes will end up in landfill and incinerator, leading to severe environmental impacts. Therefore, a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) study of EPS was carried out to investigate the potential environmental impacts of EPS. The most significant potential environmental impact will also be identified. Both will be identified under 2 different scenarios. The study was analyzed using GaBi Education Software with the method of TRACI 2.1 to the environmental indicators of global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential (AP), eutrophication potential (EP), and ozone depletion potential (ODP). In scenario 1, the emission percentage for GWP, AP, EP, and ODP are 99.73 %, 0.21 %, 0.06 %, and 3x10-6 %, respectively. As for scenario 2, all the 3 conditions show similar trend with scenario 1. The LCA study of EPS is particularly focused on the manufacturing, distribution, and the end-of-lifetime treatments, with the introduction of recycling into the system. The findings show that manufacturing of EPS is the major contributor of the environmental impacts and GWP contributes to the most significant potential environmental impacts. Overall, recycling was found to have the least impact to the environment, which possibly be used as the new end-of-lifetime treatment of EPS in Malaysia.

Comparative life cycle assessment of three drink delivery systems

2005 ◽  
Vol 895 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dario Martino ◽  
Susan Selke ◽  
Satish Joshi
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Ozone Depletion ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Data Uncertainty ◽  
Dominant Effect ◽  
Container Material ◽  
Ozone Depletion Potential ◽  
Lca Results ◽  
Comparative Life Cycle Assessment

AbstractThis paper presents information regarding a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA), including scenario and data uncertainty, based on a hypothetical drink product for which we evaluate three main container material alternatives: (1) a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle; (2) an aluminum can; and (3) a polylactide (PLA) bottle. The scope of results included energy, water use and two characterized impacts are included: global warming potential (GWP) and ozone depletion potential (ODP).The results presented in this study demonstrate that LCI parameter uncertainty seems to have a dominant effect in the outcome of the LCA results considered. Indeed, in most cases there is overlap in the uncertainty intervals (at 95% confidence level), indicating that the three systems under study have similar indicator values, at least with regard to the environmental indicators included here.

scholarly journals Process simulation and gate-to-gate life cycle assessment of hydrometallurgical refractory gold concentrate processing

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 456-477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heini Elomaa ◽  
Pia Sinisalo ◽  
Lotta Rintala ◽  
Jari Aromaa ◽  
Mari Lundström
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Process Simulation ◽  
Development Stage ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Gold Recovery ◽  
Pressure Oxidation ◽  
Refractory Gold

Abstract Purpose Currently, almost all cyanide-free gold leaching processes are still in the development stage. Proactively investigating their environmental impacts prior to commercialization is of utmost importance. In this study, a detailed refractory gold concentrate process simulation with mass and energy balance was built for state-of-the-art technology with (i) pressure oxidation followed by cyanidation and, compared to alternative cyanide-free technology, with (ii) pressure oxidation followed by halogen leaching. Subsequently, the simulated mass balance was used as life cycle inventory data in order to evaluate the environmental impacts of the predominant cyanidation process and a cyanide-free alternative. Methods The environmental indicators for each scenario are based on the mass balance produced with HSC Sim steady-state simulation. The simulated mass balances were evaluated to identify the challenges in used technologies. The HSC Sim software is compatible with the GaBi LCA software, where LCI data from HSC-Sim is directly exported to. The simulation produces a consistent life cycle inventory (LCI). In GaBi LCA software, the environmental indicators of global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential (AP), terrestrial eutrophication potential (EP), and water depletion (Water) are estimated. Results and discussion The life cycle assessment revealed that the GWP for cyanidation was 10.1 t CO2-e/kg Au, whereas the halogen process indicated a slightly higher GWP of 12.6 t CO2-e/kg Au. The difference is partially explained by the fact that the footprint is calculated against produced units of Au; total recovery by the halogen leaching route for gold was only 87.3%, whereas the cyanidation route could extract as much as 98.5% of gold. The addition of a second gold recovery unit to extract gold also from the washing water in the halogen process increased gold recovery up to 98.5%, decreasing the GWP of the halogen process to 11.5 t CO2-e/kg Au. However, both evaluated halogen processing scenarios indicated a slightly higher global warming potential when compared to the dominating cyanidation technology. Conclusions The estimated environmental impacts predict that the development-stage cyanide-free process still has some challenges compared to cyanidation; as in the investigated scenarios, the environmental impacts were generally higher for halogen leaching. Further process improvements, for example in the form of decreased moisture in the feed for halide leaching, and the adaptation of in situ gold recovery practices in chloride leaching may give the cyanide-free processing options a competitive edge.

Life cycle assessment of asphalt pavement maintenance and rehabilitation techniques: a study for the City of St. John’s

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (12) ◽  
pp. 1320-1326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Rakibul Alam ◽  
Kamal Hossain ◽  
Ali Azhar Butt ◽  
Tim Caudle ◽  
Carlos Bazan
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Impact Category ◽  
Pavement Maintenance ◽  
Environmental Footprints ◽  
Maintenance And Rehabilitation ◽  
Maintenance Techniques ◽  
Acidification Potential ◽  
The City

Although pavement maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R) techniques are usually examined in economic terms, there is a growing need to address their environmental footprints. The objective of this study is to assess the environmental impacts of M&R techniques. Life cycle assessment (LCA) can help in the decision-making process of selecting suitable maintenance techniques based on their environmental impacts. This study investigates: patching, rout & sealing, hot in-place recycling, and cold in-place recycling. Global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential, human health particulate, eutrophication potential, ozone depletion potential, and smog potential are estimated as environmental impacts for each maintenance activity. Materials, equipment use (for construction and M&R), and transportation were the main elements considered. A sensitivity test is performed to identify the significant factors for the LCA. The study concluded that GWP was the most important impact category. Rout & sealing and cold in-place recycling produced the lowest GWP emissions. Notably, pavement patching and hot in-place recycling showed significant detrimental environmental impacts.

scholarly journals Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Marine Insulation Materials

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1099
Author(s):  
Hayoung Jang ◽  
Yoonwon Jang ◽  
Byongug Jeong ◽  
Nak-Kyun Cho
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Polyurethane Foam ◽  
Mineral Wool ◽  
Expanded Polystyrene ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Human Toxicity ◽  
Insulation Materials ◽  
Marine Vessels

This study aimed to reduce the holistic environmental impacts of insulation materials proposed for the accommodation of a marine cargo ship, and suggest the optimal option for cleaner ship production, using life cycle assessment. With a commercial bulk carrier as a case ship, three major insulations were assessed, which were wool-based material (mineral wool or glass wool), expanded polystyrene, and polyurethane foam. The analysis was scoped based on ‘from cradle to grave’, while focusing on the following five representative environmental indicators: global warming potential100years, acidification potential, eutrophication potential, ozone depletion potential, and human toxicity potential. The assessment was performed in the platform of the GaBi software. The results showed that polyurethane foam would have the greatest impacts, especially in regard to global warming, eutrophication, and human toxicity. On the other hand, expanded polystyrene and wool-based material showed better environmental performance than polyurethane foam. For example, wool-based insulation was found, in terms of GWP and HTP, to produce 2.1 × 104 kg CO2-eq and 760.1 kg DCB-eq, respectively, and expanded polystyrene had similar results with respect to GWP, AP, and EP as 2.1 × 104 kg CO2-eq, 23.3 kg SO2-eq, and 2.7 kg Phosphate-eq, respectively. In fact, the research findings point out the shortcomings of current design practices in selecting insulation materials for marine vessels, while providing meaningful insights into the importance of the selection of appropriate insulation materials for marine vessels for cleaner shipping. Therefore, it is believed that this paper will make a sound contribution to enhancing future design practice and regulatory frameworks in response to environmental issues in the marine industry.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Life-Cycle Assessment Analysis: Application to Restoration Projects and New Construction in Alpine Climate, Japan

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 3608
Author(s):  
Yohei Endo ◽  
Hideki Takamura
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Heritage Buildings ◽  
Operational Energy ◽  
Protection Legislation ◽  
New Construction ◽  
Analysis Application ◽  
Materials Used

The present paper discusses the applications of life-cycle assessment (LCA) to construction works in Japan. LCA has been frequently used to assess the environmental impacts of new construction. Nonetheless, the applications of LCA to restoration have not been fully confirmed to date. It is said that historical buildings may contribute to sustainable development. Nonetheless, as for heritage buildings, since the protection of cultural value is usually prioritised, their environmental impacts may not be sufficiently explored. To this aim, this paper evaluated the environmental impacts of the restoration of heritage buildings. This paper consisted of two tasks. First, the restoration projects of heritage buildings in Japan were introduced. The restoration of two heritage houses was discussed, referring to heritage protection legislation in Japan. Second, LCA was performed on the restoration of heritage houses and the construction of contemporary houses. Environmental impacts were compared between the restoration and new construction with regard to greenhouse gas emissions and operational energy use. A focus was given to the amount of materials used. Restoration consumes a limited amount of materials compared to new construction, although the energy use of heritage buildings is considerable. The environmental impacts of restoration were quantified so that they were compared with those of new construction. The comparison indicated issues applying LCA to heritage buildings.

scholarly journals A Method to Include Life Cycle Assessment Results in Choosing by Advantage (CBA) Multicriteria Decision Analysis. A Case Study for Seismic Retrofit in Peruvian Primary Schools

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8139
Author(s):  
Ian Vázquez-Rowe ◽  
Cristina Córdova-Arias ◽  
Xavier Brioso ◽  
Sandra Santa-Cruz
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Public Procurement ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Information Modeling ◽  
Final Decision

Building information modeling (BIM) is an emerging technology that improves visualization, understanding, and transparency in construction projects. Its use in Latin America and the Caribbean (LA&C), while still scarce, is developing in combination with multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods, such as the choosing by advantages (CBA) method. Despite the holistic nature of MCDM methods, the inclusion of life cycle environmental metrics is lagging in construction projects in LA&C. However, recent studies point toward the need to optimize the synergies between BIM and life cycle assessment (LCA), in which a method like CBA could allow improving the quality of the decisions. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to integrate LCA and CBA methods to identify the effect that the inclusion of environmental impacts can have on decision-making in public procurement, as well as comparing how this final decision differs from an exclusively LCA-oriented interpretation of the results. Once the LCA was performed, a set of additional criteria for the CBA method were fixed, including transparency, technical, and social indicators. Thereafter, a stakeholder participative workshop was held in order to gather experts to elucidate on the final decision. The methodology was applied to a relevant construction sector problem modelled with BIM in the city of Lima (Peru), which consisted of three different construction techniques needed to retrofit educational institutions. Results from the LCA-oriented assessment, which was supported by Monte Carlo simulation, revealed a situation in which the masonry-based technique showed significantly lower environmental impacts than the remaining two options. However, when a wider range of technical, social, and transparency criteria are added to the environmental indicators, this low-carbon technique only prevailed in those workshop tables in which environmental experts were present and under specific computational assumptions, whereas teams with a higher proportion of government members were inclined to foster alternatives that imply less bureaucratic barriers. Finally, the results constitute an important milestone when it comes to including environmental factors in public procurement in LA&C.

scholarly journals Life Cycle Assessment of Mortars Produced Partially Replacing Cement by Treated Mining Residues

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (17) ◽  
pp. 7947
Author(s):  
Joana Almeida ◽  
Paulina Faria ◽  
Alexandra Branco Ribeiro ◽  
António Santos Silva
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Ozone Depletion ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Photochemical Ozone ◽  
Mining Residues ◽  
Abiotic Depletion

The use of secondary mining resources to replace conventional constituents in mortars production has proved the effectiveness to preserve the quality of mechanical, physical, and chemical properties. However, minimal research has been performed to quantify the environmental impacts of mortars with mining residues. In the present work, a life cycle assessment of 10 mortars was carried out. A reference mortar (100% of cement binder) and mortars with cement substitutions in 10, 25, and 50% by raw, electrodialytic treated, and electrodialytic plus thermal treated mining residues were analysed. The impacts were studied in six environmental categories: (1) abiotic depletion; (2) global warming; (3) ozone depletion; (4) photochemical ozone creation; (5) acidification; and (6) eutrophication potentials. The results demonstrated that mortars formulated with raw mining residues may decrease the environmental impacts, namely in global warming potential (55.1 kg CO2 eq./t modified mortar). Considering the treatments applied to mining residues, the major mitigations were reported in photochemical ozone creation (−99%), ozone depletion (−76 to −98%), and acidification potential (−90 to −94%), mainly due to the disposal impacts avoided in comparison to the reference mortar. Analysing all mortars’ constituents and their management options, products with electrodialytic treated mining residues showed higher influence in ozone depletion (18 to 52%). Coupling a thermal procedure, mining residues contributed for 99% of the abiotic depletion potential of mortars.

Life-cycle assessment of ships: The effects of fuel consumption reduction and light displacement tonnage

2019 ◽  
Vol 234 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duc Tuan Dong ◽  
Wei Cai
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Fuel Consumption Reduction ◽  
Consumption Reduction ◽  
The Impact

Life-cycle assessment has been widely applied in many industry sectors for years and there are some applications of this method in the shipping sector. Fuel consumption and material consumption are considered as crucial factors in the life cycle of ship. This study uses the life-cycle assessment method to show the effects of fuel consumption reduction and light displacement tonnage on the environmental performance of ships. This is done by comparing the environmental impacts of 25 investigated scenarios with different fuel consumption and light displacement tonnage. CML2001 methodology is used to evaluate the impact assessment and the results are calculated using GaBi software. The results show that fuel consumption reduction could cut down the environmental impacts. However, some scenarios are not environmentally beneficial due to the increase in light displacement tonnage. The effects of fuel consumption and light displacement tonnage on 12 CML2001 environmental indicators are different. It is recommended that the life-cycle assessment method should be used to fully assess the environmental impacts of ships before applying any techniques in order to achieve the environmental benefits.

scholarly journals Life Cycle Assessment of Aquaculture Stewardship Council Certified Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar)

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (15) ◽  
pp. 6079 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesse Sherry ◽  
Jennifer Koester
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Salmo Salar ◽  
Global Warming Potential ◽  
Ozone Depletion ◽  
Salmon Aquaculture ◽  
Certification Standards

Salmon aquaculture has grown rapidly and is expected to continue to grow to meet consumer demand. Due to concerns about the environmental impacts associated with salmon aquaculture, eco-labeling groups have developed standards intended to hold salmon producers accountable and provide a more sustainable option to consumers. This study utilized life cycle assessment (LCA) to quantify the environmental impacts of salmon raised to Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification standards in order to determine if ASC certification achieves the intended reductions in impact. We find that environmental impacts, such as global warming potential, do not decrease with certification. We also find that salmon feed, in contrast to the on-site aquaculture practices, dominates the environmental impacts of salmon aquaculture and contributes to over 80% of impacts in ozone depletion, global warming potential, acidification, and ecotoxicity. Based on these findings, we recommend that eco-labeling groups prioritize reducing the environmental impacts of the feed supply chain.

Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida de materiais cimentícios utilizados no Brasil: estudo para o bloco de concreto e diferentes argamassas

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 34-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Rosse Caldas ◽  
Romildo Dias Toledo Filho
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Concrete Block ◽  
Cementitious Materials ◽  
Building Sector ◽  
Summary Table ◽  
Iso 14040 ◽  
European Standards ◽  
Materials Used

É comum nos estudos de Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida (ACV) aplicados ao setor da construção civil a falta de dados condizentes com a realidade do Brasil. Sabendo que existem diferentes materiais cimentícios, entre eles argamassas, blocos de vedação e blocos estruturais, faz se necessário ter um banco de dados mais apropriado às misturas utilizadas no país, que facilite a quantificação de seus impactos ambientais. Neste contexto, esta pesquisa apresentou os impactos ambientais, segundo o método CML-IA baseline, dos principais materiais cimentícios utilizados no Brasil, entre eles: argamassas simples para chapisco, argamassas mistas para assentamento e revestimento, graute para alvenaria estrutural e blocos de concreto. Para isto, foram utilizadas as normas NBR ISO 14040:2009 e 14044:2009 em conjunto com as normas europeias EN 15978:2011 and EN 15804:2012. O inventário foi realizado a partir de dados coletados no SINAPI e estudos voltados para a realidade brasileira em conjunto com o banco de dados do Ecoinvent 3. Ao final é apresentado o perfil ambiental dos materiais cimentícios avaliados e uma tabela resumo que mostra os impactos ambientais desses materiais. As argamassas avaliadas foram comparadas com uma argamassa do banco de dados do Ecoinvent, resultando em valores discrepantes. O estudo traz uma importante contribuição para a difusão da ACV no setor da construção civil brasileira, especificamente para o setor de cimento e seus produtos. Os resultados de AICV apresentados aqui poderão ser utilizados em outros estudos de ACV, facilitando o processo e ao mesmo tempo estarem alinhados com a realidade internacional, que também faz uso da normativa europeia utilizada nesta pesquisa.  Palavras-chave: Avaliação do Ciclo de Vido (ACV). Materiais cimentícios. Argamassas. Graute. Bloco de concreto.ResumenEn los estudios de Análisis de Ciclo De Vida (ACV) aplicados al sector de la construcción civil, usualmente se percibe la falta de datos que se ajusten con la realidad de Brasil. Conociendo la existencia de varios materiales cementantes como son morteros, bloques de cierre, bloques estructurales, existe la necesidad de contar con un banco de datos más apropiado con los diseños de mezclas utilizados en el país, que facilite cuantificar sus impactos ambientales. En este contexto la presente investigación evalúa impactos ambientales según el método de CML-IA baseline, de los principales materiales cementantes utilizados en Brasil, entre ellos: morteros simples para resano, morteros mixtos de asentamiento y revestimiento, grout para albañilería estructural y bloques de hormigón. Para este fin fueron utilizadas las normas brasileiras NBR ISO 14040:2009 y 14044:2009 en conjunto con las normas europeas EN 15978:2011 y EN 15804:2012. El inventario fue realizado a partir de datos colectados por el SINAPI y estudios volcados para la realidad brasileira conjuntamente con el banco de datos Ecoinvent 3. Al final se presentan perfiles ambientales de los materiales cementantes evaluados y una tabla resumiendo los impactos ambientales de estos materiales. Fueron comparados los morteros evaluados con los morteros del banco de datos Ecoinvent, resultando en valores discrepantes. El presente estudio tuvo una importante contribución en la difusión de ACV en el sector de la construcción Civil Brasileira, especialmente para el sector de la industria del cemento y sus productos, los resultados de AICV presentado aquí podrán ser utilizados en otros estudios de ACV, facilitando el proceso y de igual forma alineados con el paradigma internacional, que igualmente utilizan las normas europeas, que fueron referencia para evaluar los materiales en este estudio.  Palabras clave: Analysis do Ciclo de Vida (ACV). Materiales cementantes. Morteiros. Grout. Bloque de hormigón.AbstractIt is common in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies applied to the building sector the absence of reliable data for the Brazilian context. In Brazil, there are different cementitious materials, such as mortars, partition and structural blocks. Moreover, it is necessary to have a more appropriate database to the mixtures used in the country, which it will facilitates the quantification of its environmental impacts. In this context, this research presented the environmental impacts, according to the CML-IA baseline method, of the main cementitious materials used in Brazil, among them: simple mortars for roughcast, mixed mortars for laying and covering, grout and concrete blocks for structural masonry. The standards NBR ISO 14040: 2009 and 14044: 2009 were used together with the European standards EN 15978: 2011 and EN 15804: 2012. The inventory was carried out from data collected in SINAPI and studies developed for the Brazilian reality combining with the Ecoinvent 3 database. In the end, the environmental profile of the evaluated cementitious materials and a summary table were presented. The evaluated mortars were compared with a mortar from the Ecoinvent database, which resulted in discrepant values. This study makes an important contribution to the diffusion of LCA in the Brazilian building sector, specifically for the cement sector and its products. The LCIA results presented here may be used in other LCA studies. This approach will facilitate the process and at the same time is aligned with the international context, which also uses the European normative used in this research.  Keywords: Life Cycle Assessment. Cementitious materials. Mortars. Grout. Concrete block.

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