Environmental impact assessment of a package type IFAS reactor during construction and operational phases: a life cycle approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 75 (10) ◽  
pp. 2246-2256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nitin Kumar Singh ◽  
Rana Pratap Singh ◽  
Absar Ahmad Kazmi

In the present study, a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach was used to analyse the environmental impacts associated with the construction and operational phases of an integrated fixed-film activated sludge (IFAS) reactor treating municipal wastewater. This study was conducted within the boundaries of a research project that aimed to investigate the implementation related challenges of a package type IFAS reactor from an environmental perspective. Along with the LCA results of the construction phase, a comparison of the LCA results of seven operational phases is also presented in this study. The results showed that among all the inputs, the use of stainless steel in the construction phase caused the highest impact on environment, followed by electricity consumption in raw materials production. The impact of the construction phase on toxicity impact indicators was found to be significant compared to all operational phases. Among the seven operational phases of this study, the dissolved oxygen phase III, having a concentration of ∼4.5 mg/L, showed the highest impact on abiotic depletion, acidification, global warming, ozone layer depletion, human toxicity, fresh water eco-toxicity, marine aquatic eco-toxicity, terrestrial eco-toxicity, and photochemical oxidation. However, better effluent quality in this phase reduced the eutrophication load on environment.

2021 ◽  
Vol 897 ◽  
pp. 137-142
Author(s):  
Luiza Silva ◽  
Elisabete Silva ◽  
Isabel Brás ◽  
Idalina Domingos ◽  
Dulcineia Wessel ◽  
...  

The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is one of the most important analytical tools available to provide the scientific basis of engineering solutions for sustainability. The focus of this study was a LCA (cradle to gate) of a product intended to be used in countertops. The functional unit chosen was 1 m2 of finished panel (countertop) and the boundary system involved the study of raw materials and product packaging and the panel’s production process. The chosen method for impact assessment was EPD (2018) available in SimaPro PhD software and Acidification, Eutrophication, Global Warming, Photochemical Oxidation, Abiotic Depletion (elements), Abiotic Depletion (fossil fuels), Water Scarcity and Ozone Layer Depletion were the impact categories considered. Results showed that the panel’s manufacturing is the process that presented the highest influence in all categories analyzed ranging from 88% on Abiotic Depletion to approximately 101% on Water Scarcity. Polyvinylchloride (PVC) is the greatest contributors to all impact categories except to Photochemical Oxidation that is the Polyester.


Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 873
Author(s):  
Francisco Javier Flor-Montalvo ◽  
Agustín Sánchez-Toledo Ledesma ◽  
Eduardo Martínez Cámara ◽  
Emilio Jiménez-Macías ◽  
Jorge Luis García-Alcaraz ◽  
...  

Natural stoppers are a magnificent closure for the production of aging wines and unique wines, whose application is limited by the availability of raw materials and more specifically of cork sheets of different thickness and quality. The growing demand for quality wine bottle closures leads to the search for alternative stopper production. The two-piece stopper is an alternative since it uses non-usable plates in a conventional way for the production of quality caps. The present study has analyzed the impact of the manufacture of these two-piece stoppers using different methodologies and for different dimensions by developing an LCA (Life Cycle Assessment), concluding that the process phases of the plate, its boiling, and its stabilization, are the phases with the greatest impact. Likewise, it is detected that the impacts in all phases are relatively similar (for one kg of net cork produced), although the volumetric difference between these stoppers represents a significant difference in impacts for each unit produced.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 10454
Author(s):  
Katarína Teplická ◽  
Martin Straka

This article summarizes the arguments within the scientific discussion on the issue of using mining machines and their life cycle. The main goal of the article is to investigate the impact of a combination of mobile and stationary mining machines and their optimal distribution in the mining process to increase the efficiency of mining and processing of raw materials. The following methods of research were focused on the use of technical indicators for the valuation efficiency of the mining process: a simulation method was used for the distribution of mining machines, comparison analysis was used for the real and past state of mining machines, and a decision tree was used as managerial instrument for optimal alternatives of mining machines. The research empirically confirms and theoretically proves that optimal distribution of mining machines and machine parks is very important for mining companies. The benefit of this research for the mining company was the new location of the machines and the combination of stationary production lines and mobile equipment. The optimal layout of the machines reduced the number of conveyor belts and improved the transfer of limestone processing to mobile devices, saving time, which was reflected in transport costs. The results can be useful for other mining companies seeking to create an optimal machine park.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 13120
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Soltanzadeh ◽  
Ali E. Behbahani ◽  
Eduardo N. B. Pereira ◽  
Carlos A. Teixeira

The adverse consequences of producing ordinary Portland cement (OPC) on the environment have introduced cement production as the fourth largest source of anthropogenic carbon emissions after petroleum, coal, and natural gas. Managing and reducing the environmental concerns regarding the impacts of cement production on the environment, namely the depletion of non-renewable fuel resources, consumption of natural raw materials, and releasing huge amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere should be, therefore, one of the key priorities of the cement industry. Application of locally available minerals and wastes that can be blended with OPC as a substitute could considerably reduce the environmental impact. The present study evaluates the potentiality of waste seashell to be used as an additive in the production of blended cement through a modified life cycle approach integrating environmental and mechanical performances. In this regard, 34 cements consisting of different blends of OPC, seashell powder (within the range of 4–30% by OPC mass), and natural pozzolan (up to 30% by OPC mass) were tested to identify the optimal dosage of OPC substitution. Environmental impacts of the cements were assessed through life-cycle analysis. The possibility of mitigating the carbon dioxide emissions in the production of cements, with similar mechanical performance compared to that of OPC, was evaluated by considering both the mechanical and environmental results. The outcome of this study introduced more environment-friendly and sustainable options for future cements.


Author(s):  
Bayu Sukmana ◽  
Isti Surjandari ◽  
Muryanto . ◽  
Arief A. R. Setiawan ◽  
Edi Iswanto Wiloso

Firstly global warming issue caused by greenhouse gas emissions (CO2) which comes from human activities. Along with increasing of daily need, that humans of activities food produce is also increase, include of tofu. Tofu is a traditional Indonesian specialty made from soybeans and used as a side dish. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of global warming from tofu products on Mampang Prapatan's Small Tofu and Medium Enterprises. The method used in this study is the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method with the help of Simapro 8.4 software with a 1 kg tofu functional unit. The data collected in this study is the average data of tofu production for 3 months, namely January - March 2018. The LCA data in this study include the process of soybean cultivation, transportation processes for shipping soybeans, water, fuel wood, and electricity use. The limitations of this study are from cradle (soybean cultivation) to gate (tofu products).The results showed that UKM Mampang Prapatan has the potential impact of global warming with a value of 3.84 kg CO2-eq, while the value of global warming in the production process knows the scenario of wastewater treatment and the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as fuel for boiling pulp 4.49 kg CO2-eq soybeans. Based on the results of this study, greenhouse gas (CO2) emissions are issued; the intervention that can be done is to optimize the use of raw materials for production to reduce the impact of CO2-eq kg global warming.


Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 4664
Author(s):  
Pedro L. Cruz ◽  
Diego Iribarren ◽  
Javier Dufour

Biobased liquid fuels are becoming an attractive alternative to replace, totally or partially, fossil ones in the medium term, mainly in aviation and long-distance transportation. In this regard, coprocessing biomass-derived feedstocks in conventional oil refineries might facilitate the transition from the current fossil-based transport to a biobased one. This article addresses the economic and environmental feasibility of such a coprocessing strategy. The biomass-based feedstocks considered include bio-oil and char from the fast pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass, which are coprocessed in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC), hydrocracking, and/or cogasification units. The assessment was based on the standardized concept of eco-efficiency, which relates the environmental and economic performances of a system following a life-cycle approach. Data from a complete simulation of the refinery process, from raw materials to products, were used to perform a life cycle costing and eco-efficiency assessment of alternative configurations of the coprocessing strategy, which were benchmarked against the conventional fossil refinery system. Among other relevant results, the eco-efficiency related to the system’s carbon footprint was found to improve when considering coprocessing in the hydrocracking unit, while coprocessing in FCC generally worsens the eco-efficiency score. Overall, it is concluded that coprocessing biomass-based feedstock in conventional crude oil refineries could be an eco-efficient energy solution, which requires a careful choice of the units where biofeedstock is fed.


Author(s):  
Davide Settembre Blundo ◽  
Anna Maria Ferrari ◽  
Martina Pini ◽  
Maria Pia Riccardi ◽  
José Francisco García ◽  
...  

Purpose – In this paper, of exploratory character, the purpose of this paper is to propose the analysis of the life cycle for assessing the environmental, economic, and social impact in the activity of recovery, restoration, and valorization of Cultural Heritage. Design/methodology/approach – The analysis protocol is applied to the case of recovery and restoration processes and then outlining the salient features of what may become a model of Cultural Heritage Life Cycle Management (CH-LCM). Findings – The authors propose the approach of the life cycle, normally used to assess the impact of materials, processes or products, to the management of cultural heritage as an innovative methodology with great potential. Originality/value – The methodology for this sector is highly innovative, especially in its interdisciplinary approach, through the use of different technical, historical, and economic skills which can provide the tools for the preparation of a management plan according to the logic of the life cycle.


2005 ◽  
Vol 895 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonia Moropoulou ◽  
Christopher Koroneos ◽  
Maria Karoglou ◽  
Eleni Aggelakopoulou ◽  
Asterios Bakolas ◽  
...  

AbstractOver the years considerable research has been conducted on masonry mortars regarding their compatibility with under restoration structures. The environmental dimension of these materials may sometimes be a prohibitive factor in the selection of these materials. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a tool that can be used to assess the environmental impact of the materials. LCA can be a very useful tool in the decision making for the selection of appropriate restoration structural material. In this work, a comparison between traditional type of mortars and modern ones (cement-based) is attempted. Two mortars of traditional type are investigated: with aerial lime binder, with aerial lime and artificial pozzolanic additive and one with cement binder. The LCA results indicate that the traditional types of mortars are more sustainable compared to cementbased mortars. For the impact assessment, the method used is Eco-indicator 95


2017 ◽  
pp. 171-177
Author(s):  
Nina Volkova ◽  
Anastasiia Koliada

Introduction. Agricultural enterprises are the basic elements of agriculture. They provide it with the necessary raw materials for food production. In this regard, it is essential to continuously improve the efficiency of a modern market economy. Purpose. The study aims to search for reserves of efficiency of agricultural enterprises using analytical techniques such as canonical analysis. Results. In the article the necessity of finding reserves of efficiency of enterprises using canonical analysis is grounded. This analytical method allows to determine the effect of factors that describe the production and financial activities of companies on several performance indicators surveyed entities, which increases the objectivity of analytical findings as the basis for management decisions and payments made practical significance. In order to identify the causes that led to the emergence of weaknesses in the functioning of agricultural enterprises it has been built the monitoring system that provides specially organized surveillance of objects, phenomena, processes for their assessment, control or prediction. The usage of canonical analysis made it possible to identify the negative effects of internal and external environment during the relevant phases of the life cycle of agricultural enterprises which are analyzed. It has become the basis for forecasting its level of efficiency taking into consideration the impact of the most significant factors on the activity of this company depending on the phase of the life cycle. The results of such analyses helped to develop a set of analytical measures to neutralize these manifestations on the early stages. Application of analytical reporting tool will allow their management personnel time to identify, neutralize and prevent the negative effects of internal and external environment for production and financial activities of domestic agricultural enterprises. This technique, which is simple in calculation, does not require the use of information sources that are confidential. It describes the production as well as the financial aspects of the agricultural enterprises.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-154
Author(s):  
Zoltán Korényi

Összefoglaló. A dolgozat témája a különböző erőműfajták életciklusra vonatkozó fajlagos anyagigényének a vizsgálata. Az elemzések a nemzetközi szakirodalmi források felhasználásával történtek. Módszere, a bázisadatok elemzése, majd az anyagigényeknek az erőmű beépített teljesítményére és az életciklus alatt megtermelt villamosenergiára vonatkoztatott fajlagos értékek meghatározása. Az eredmények azt mutatják, hogy a nap- és szélerőművek elterjedésével a hagyományos erőművek által felhasznált fosszilis energiaforrások (pl. a szén) bent maradnak ugyan a földben, de cserébe az új technológia legyártásához a hagyományos anyagokból (beton, acél, alumínium, réz stb.) fajlagosan jóval nagyobb mennyiségekre lesz szükség. Emellett megnő a ritkán előforduló fémek (gallium, indium stb.) felhasználása, ami Európában, a lelőhelyek hiányában, új kockázatokkal jár. Summary. The topic of the study is to determine the material use of different power plant types. This is a part of the known life cycle analysis (LCA). The aim of LCA is to determine the impact of human activity on nature. The procedure is described in the standards (ISO 14040/41/42/42). Under environmental impact we mean changes in our natural environment, air, water, soil pollution, noise and impacts on human health. In the LCA, the environmental impact begins with the opening of the mine, continues with the extraction and processing of raw materials, and then with the production of equipment, construction and installation of the power plant. This is followed by the commissioning and then operation of the power plants for 20-60 years, including maintenance. The cycle ends with demolition, which is followed by recycling of materials. The remaining waste is disposed of. This is the complex content of life cycle analysis. Its purpose is to determine the ecological footprint of man. The method of the present study is to isolate a limited area from the complex LCA process. This means determining the amount of material needed to build different power plants, excluding mining and processing of raw materials. Commercially available basic materials are built into the power plant’s components. The research is based on the literature available in the international area. The author studied these sources, analysed the data, and checked the authenticity. It was not easy because the sources from different times, for different power plants showed a lot of uncertainty. In overcoming the uncertainties, it was a help that the author has decades of experience in the realisation of power plants. It was considered the material consumption related to the installed electricity capacity of the power plant (tons/MW) as basic data. The author then determined the specific material consumptions, allocated to the electric energy generated during the lifetime, in different power plants. The calculation is carried out with the help of the usual annual peak load duration hours and the usual lifetime of the power plants. The results show that with the spread of solar and wind energy, the fossil energy sources previously needed for conventional power plants will remain inside the Earth, but in exchange for the production of new technological equipment from traditional structural materials (concrete, steel, aluminium, copper and plastic), the special need multiplies. If we compare the power plants using renewable energy with the electric energy produced during the life cycle of a nuclear power plant, the specific installed material requirement of a river hydropower plant is 37 times, that of an onshore wind farm it is 9.6 times, and that of an outdoor solar power park is 6.6 times higher. Another important difference is that wind turbines, solar panels and batteries also require rare materials that do not occur in Europe (e.g. gallium, indium, yttrium, neodymium, cobalt, etc.). This can lead to security risks in Europe in the long run.


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