scholarly journals Evaluation of the Lifecycle Environmental Benefits of Full Battery Powered Ships: Comparative Analysis of Marine Diesel and Electricity

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Byongug Jeong ◽  
Hyeonmin Jeon ◽  
Seongwan Kim ◽  
Jongsu Kim ◽  
Peilin Zhou

The paper aims to investigate the holistic environmental benefits of using a battery system on a roll on/roll off (ro-ro) passenger ship which was originally fitted with a diesel engine engaged in Korean coastal service. The process of this research has multiple layers. First, the operating profiles of the case ship were collected, such as speed, output, operation time and the configuration of the diesel propulsion system. Second, the full battery propulsion system, in place of the diesel system, was modelled and simulated on a power simulation software (PSIM) platform to verify the adequacy of the proposed battery propulsion system. Then, the life cycle assessment method was applied to comprehensively compare the environmental footprint of the diesel-mechanical and fully battery-powered vessels. A focus was placed on the life cycle of the energy sources consumed by the case ship in consideration of the South Korea’s current energy importation and production status. Three life cycle stages were considered in the analysis: ‘production’, ‘transport’ and ‘use’. With the aid of Sphera GaBi Software Version 2019 and its extensive data library, the environmental impacts at the energy production and transport stages were evaluated, while the same impacts at the use stage were determined based on actual laboratory measurements. The environmental performance of the two scenarios in four impact categories was discussed: global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential (AP), eutrophication potential (EP) and photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP). Results of the comparative analysis are presented based on estimates of the overall reduction in the environmental impact potential, thereby demonstrating the overall benefits of using a battery driven propulsion, with a decrease of the GWP by 35.7%, the AP by 77.6%, the EP by 87.8% and the POCP by 77.2%. A series of sensitivity analyses, however, has delivered the important message that the integration of batteries with marine transportation means may not always be the best solution. The types of energy sources used for electricity generation will be a key factor in determining whether the battery technology can ultimately contribute to cleaner shipping or not. By casting doubts on the benefits of battery propulsion, this paper is believed to offer a meaningful insight into developing a proper road map for electrifying ship propulsion toward zero emission of shipping.

Author(s):  
Duc Tuan Dong ◽  
Wei Cai

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.


2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 255-261
Author(s):  
Andrzej Marcinkowski ◽  
Krzysztof Zych

AbstractThe main objective of this paper is to compare the environmental impact caused by two different types of water boiling processes. The aim was achieved thanks to product life cycle assessment (LCA) conducted for stovetop and electric kettles. A literature review was carried out. A research model was worked out on the basis of data available in literature as well as additional experiments. In order to have a better opportunity to compare LCA results with reviewed literature, eco-indicator 99 assessment method was chosen. The functional unit included production, usage and waste disposal of each product (according to from cradle to grave approach) where the main function is boiling 3360 l of water during 4-year period of time. A very detailed life cycle inventory was carried out. The mass of components was determined with accuracy of three decimal places (0.001 g). The majority of environmental impact is caused by electricity or natural gas consumption during usage stage: 92% in case of the electric and kettle and 99% in case of stovetop one. Assembly stage contributed in 7% and 0.8% respectively. Uncertainty and sensitivity analyses took into consideration various waste scenario patterns as well as demand for transport. Environmental impact turned out to be strongly sensitive to a chosen pattern of energy delivery (electricity mix) which determined final comparison results. Basing on LCA results, some improvements of products were suggested. The boiling time optimization was pointed out for electric kettle's efficiency improvement. Obtained results can be used by manufacturers in order to improve their eco-effectiveness. Moreover, conclusions following the research part can influence the future choices of home appliances users.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-24
Author(s):  
V. N. Fursov ◽  
L. S. Cherney

Darkling beetle Zophobas atratus (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) is recorded here for the first time as a new species for the fauna of Ukraine. Detailed study on morphology of preimaginal stages and biology of this species recently introduced to Ukraine, is given here. Zophobas atratus is an important species being easily reared in laboratory cultures and widely distributed in North and South America, Europe, and Asia. Detailed descriptions of all life stages, including egg, young and older larvae, pupa and adult of Z. atratus are required for further taxonomical study of the genus Zophobas, which isn’t yet definitively established. New identification keys for adults and larvae of the genera of tribe Tenebrionini are presented here, based on a comparative analysis of the taxonomic characters of adults and larvae of Z. atratus and species from the genera Tenebrio and Neatus. Comparative analysis of morphology of larva of Z. atratus and larvae of the tribe Cteniopodini of close subfamily Alleculinae was conducted here. The subfamily Alleculinae previously had the rank of family Alleculidae, but our analysis confirmed the reliability of its current taxonomic position as subfamily. The study of morphology of larvae of 1st and 2nd instars of Z. atratus revealed that they are characterized by special taxonomic structures that are not characteristic for oldest instars of larvae of Z. atratus. These characters include absence of spines on caudal segment, presence of a set of 4 setae at posterior margin of tergites of prothorax, metathorax, and 1st to 8th abdominal segments, strongly convex 2nd antennal segment and sensory zone in the form of an open ring on its apex, and etc. Moreover, structure of antenna of larvae of Z. atratus is similar to that of oldest larvae of most species of darkling beetles of the fauna of Ukraine. The most distinctive features of Z. atratus are: sexual dimorphism in structure of clypeus of adults; filiform sclerotized antenna of larva with a continuous sensory zone at apex of 2nd segment, weakly developed 3rd segment; fusion of sclerotized pleurites of 1st–8th abdominal segments with their tergites; sexual dimorphism in structure of 9th abdominal segment of pupa, and presence of two hooks on apex of its appendages. The data of original study of features of life cycle of Z. atratus are given. The pictures and photos of details of morphology of egg, larvae, pupa and adult of Z. atratus are presented. It was recored that life cycle of Z. atratus from laying of egg to the emergence of adult continues from 169 up to 181 days. Adults lived maximum up to 206 days. Maturation of eggs in female after copulation continues 10-11 days. Stage of egg continues 7 days, larva – up to 151 days, including pre-pupal period from 6 to 22 days, pupa – from 8 to 21 days. Twelve larval stages of Z. atratus were recorded in laboratory culture.


2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo Bern�l ◽  
Rosana Schneider ◽  
�nio Machado

Over the past few decades, conventional agriculture has been facing serious crises caused by numerous factors, including poor soil management and the excessive application of pesticides. Thus, alternative production systems have been developed, including agroforestry systems, especially those that produce both energy and food. The objective of this study was to environmentally evaluate the culture of Aleurites fordii Hemls. (Tung) using the Life Cycle Assessment method with the SimaPro 7.3.2 software. The results revealed that in family farms that use less mechanization to harvest crops, the primary category of environmental impact was land use, which included the removal of animal and vegetable species and ecosystem changes. The full impact of this category was 1741.21 m2yr PDF (potentially disappeared fraction). Subsequently, prognostics were established for the reduction of such impacts, and we conclude that Tung has a high potential for agricultural installation with high responsibility to the environment. Keywords: Environmental factors, Aleurites fordii Hemls, Life Cycle Management, Tung.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 1172
Author(s):  
Hafiz Haq ◽  
Petri Välisuo ◽  
Seppo Niemi

Industrial symbiosis networks conventionally provide economic and environmental benefits to participating industries. However, most studies have failed to quantify waste management solutions and identify network connections in addition to methodological variation of assessments. This study provides a comprehensive model to conduct sustainable study of industrial symbiosis, which includes identification of network connections, life cycle assessment of materials, economic assessment, and environmental performance using standard guidelines from the literature. Additionally, a case study of industrial symbiosis network from Sodankylä region of Finland is implemented. Results projected an estimated life cycle cost of €115.20 million. The symbiotic environment would save €6.42 million in waste management cost to the business participants in addition to the projected environmental impact of 0.95 million tonne of CO2, 339.80 tonne of CH4, and 18.20 tonne of N2O. The potential of further cost saving with presented optimal assessment in the current architecture is forecast at €0.63 million every year.


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