Evaluation of Bio-Based Earth Engineered Mortars for Low Energy and Carbon Buildings in Tropical and Subtropical Climates

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rayane de Lima Moura Paiva ◽  
Lucas Rosse Caldas ◽  
Patrícia Brandão Souza ◽  
Giulia Fea Oliveira ◽  
Romildo Dias Toledo Filho
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Hydrated Lime ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Cementitious Materials ◽  
Building Sector ◽  
Lower Carbon

Improving the thermal performance of low-income housing in developing countries, located in tropical and subtropical regions, is one of the main challenges of the building sector. The use of mortars as building cladding is a current practice in many developing countries. Bio-based (such as bamboo particles) and earth materials have shown interesting potential for improving some thermal properties of covering mortars. In addition, bio-based earth mortars can have a lower carbon footprint than conventional mortars (typically made of cement or cement with lime) used in the building sector. The aim of this study is the evaluation of the life cycle GHG emissions of different mixtures of an engineered bio-based earth mortar mixed with bamboo particles, earth, and different cementitious materials (Portland cement, hydrated lime, metakaolin, and fly ash) and water. Four mixtures are evaluated: without bamboo particles, with 3%, 6%, and 9% of bamboo particles in volume. The thermal energy performance and carbon footprint of these mortars are evaluated. From physical tests carried out in the laboratory, thermal energy simulations are carried out in DesignBuilder software considering a case study of a social housing project in Brazil, evaluating tropical and subtropical climates. Finally, the carbon footprint was performed, using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology considering a cradle-to-gate scope. When compared with two conventional mortars (made of cement and hydrated lime), the bio-based earth mortar presents better thermal energy performance and a lower carbon footprint. We can conclude that there is a potential to improve the thermal energy performance in low-income housing and, at the same time, to reduce the mortar carbon footprint. This mortar can be produced where bamboo and cementitious materials are available, which is the case in several developing countries that are expected to have a substantial housing demand for new buildings in the coming years.

scholarly journals Thermal-Energy Analysis and Life Cycle GHG Emissions Assessments of Innovative Earth-Based Bamboo Plastering Mortars

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (18) ◽  
pp. 10429
Author(s):  
Rayane de Lima Moura Paiva ◽  
Lucas Rosse Caldas ◽  
Adriana Paiva de Souza Martins ◽  
Patricia Brandão de Sousa ◽  
Giulia Fea de Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Energy Analysis ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Cementitious Materials ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Energy Simulations

Biomaterials and raw earth have demonstrated a promising potential for improving various thermal properties of plastering mortars used in buildings. The objective of this research was the evaluation of the thermal-energy performances and life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of different mixtures of engineered, bio-based earth mortars composed of bamboo particles, earth, and different cementitious materials. Four mixtures were assessed: mortars without bamboo particles (matrix), and mortars containing 3%, 6%, or 9% of bamboo particles by volume. The bulk density and thermal conductivity values obtained for the matrix and mortars with the highest percentage of bamboo particles (9%) were 1704.13 and 1471.80 kg/m3, and 0.62 and 0.43 W/M·K, respectively. Based on experimental results, thermal-energy simulations were carried out using a social housing project as a case study. The simulations evaluated different climate conditions and applied life cycle GHG emissions assessment methodology. Compared with typical cement and lime plastering mortars, the proposed bio-based earth mortars presented a superior thermal-energy performance and lower GHG emissions, particularly the 9% bamboo particles mixture. GHG emissions reached a maximum decrease of 28%. The main scientific contribution of this research is the presentation of an engineered, bio-based earth mortar that can be manufactured using local raw materials available in most developing countries with significant housing demands. The method used, based on experimental research, thermal-energy analysis, and life cycle GHG emissions, may be used for evaluating other innovative materials. It was verified that even with thin plastering in buildings, it is possible to achieve energy efficiency gains and to reduce GHG emissions.

scholarly journals An Investigation into the Environmental Impact of Product Recovery Methods to Support Sustainable Manufacturing within Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)

2012 ◽  
pp. 73-90
Author(s):  
Michaela R. Appleby ◽  
Chris G. Lambert ◽  
Allan E. W. Rennie ◽  
Adam B. Buckley
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Sustainable Manufacturing ◽  
Product Recovery ◽  
Waste Hierarchy ◽  
Government Legislation ◽  
Lower Carbon ◽  
Recovery Methods

The effects of climate change and government legislation has changed the way in which manufacturers can dispose of their waste, encouraging SMEs to source alternative disposal methods such as those indicated in the waste hierarchy. It is economically and environmentally beneficial to use product recovery methods to divert waste from landfill. The environmental impact of two product recovery methods, remanufacturing and repairing, has been compared via a carbon footprint calculation for a UK-based SME. The calculation has identified that repairing has a lower carbon footprint than remanufacturing, however this only extends the original life-cycle of the product, whereas remanufacturing provides a new life-cycle and warranty, and therefore seen as the most preferable method of product recovery to support sustainable manufacturing.

The energy efficiency and carbon footprint of temporary homes: a case study from Japan

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 326-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matti Kuittinen ◽  
Atsushi Takano
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Tohoku Earthquake ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Refugee Camps ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Proper Design

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the energy efficiency and life cycle carbon footprint of temporary homes in Japan after the Great Eastern Tohoku Earthquake in 2011. Design/methodology/approach An energy simulation and life cycle assessment have been done for three alternative shelter models: prefabricated shelters, wooden log shelters and sea container shelters. Findings Shelter materials have a very high share of life cycle emissions because the use period of temporary homes is short. Wooden shelters perform best in the comparison. The clustering of shelters into longer buildings or on top of each other increases their energy efficiency considerably. Sea containers piled on top of each other have superb energy performance compared to other models, and they consume even less energy per household than the national average. However, there are several gaps of knowledge in the environmental assessment of temporary homes and field data from refugee camps should be collected as part of camp management. Originality/value The findings exemplify the impacts of the proper design of temporary homes for mitigating their energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions.

scholarly journals An Investigation into the Environmental Impact of Product Recovery Methods to Support Sustainable Manufacturing Within Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Michaela R. Appleby ◽  
Chris G. Lambert ◽  
Allan E. W. Rennie ◽  
Adam B. Buckley
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Sustainable Manufacturing ◽  
Product Recovery ◽  
Waste Hierarchy ◽  
Government Legislation ◽  
Lower Carbon ◽  
Recovery Methods

The effects of climate change and government legislation has changed the way in which manufacturers can dispose of their waste, encouraging SMEs to source alternative disposal methods such as those indicated in the waste hierarchy. It is economically and environmentally beneficial to use product recovery methods to divert waste from landfill. The environmental impact of two product recovery methods, remanufacturing and repairing, has been compared via a carbon footprint calculation for a UK-based SME. The calculation has identified that repairing has a lower carbon footprint than remanufacturing, however this only extends the original life-cycle of the product, whereas remanufacturing provides a new life-cycle and warranty, and therefore seen as the most preferable method of product recovery to support sustainable manufacturing.

scholarly journals Finding Alternative Methods for Controlling the Power Shortage in Kurdistan through Improving Buildings’ Energy Performance

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 124
Author(s):  
Kawar T. Salih
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Building Sector

The power shortage is one of the major problems in developing countries. Kurdistan Region of Iraq suffers from this issue, like other developing countries. Especially, after the economy crises that has started in 2014. However, all its efforts for tackling this challenge has been in providing more energy supply stations and more fuel provision. Few studies have been found in the region that seek the relation between the quality of buildings and energy consumption. It is questioned if the building sector in Kurdistan is well managed and environmentally sufficient to consume minimum amount of energy since it is the largest energy consuming sector. This research will seek an alternative to decrease the energy demand in buildings instead of expanding the energy sector. This could be achieved by evaluating the quality of building sector environmentally and improving it. Providing guidelines for building’s thermal regulations, passive building design and increasing the energy efficiency of buildings by renewal means could be alternative strategies for lowering the energy consumption. Theoretical and numerical research approach have been taken in to account for finding the answer through a case study and comparative analysis. A variation of 21-29% of power consumption can be observed between buildings that have not considered energy efficiency criteria in their design and those who reflected them more in the design.

scholarly journals Development of GHG Emissions Curves for Bio-Concretes Specification: Case Study for Bamboo, Rice Husk, and Wood Shavings Considering the Context of Different Countries

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Rosse Caldas ◽  
Carolina Goulart Bezerra ◽  
Francesco Pittau ◽  
Arthur Araujo ◽  
Mariana Franco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Portland Cement ◽  
Rice Husk ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Rotation Period ◽  
Cementitious Materials ◽  
Supplementary Cementitious Materials ◽  
Wood Shavings ◽  
Biogenic Carbon

Bio-concretes are receiving special attention in recent research as an alternative for climate change mitigation due to their low carbon footprints. Different bio-based materials can be used, e.g., wood shavings, bamboo, rice husk, and coconut. However, various methodological parameters can influence the carbon footprint of bio-based materials, especially bio-concretes, like biogenic carbon, amount of carbon in dry matter, rotation period of bio-aggregates, and type of cementitious materials. It is important to have easier ways of estimating the carbon footprint of bio-concretes, using parameters and data easily available. This research aims to evaluate the (1) carbon footprint of different mixtures of three bio-concretes (wood bio-concrete - WBC, bamboo bio-concrete - BBC and rice husk bio-concrete - RBC), and the (2) development of GHG emissions curves for bio-concretes specification based on easily available data (such as density, biomass content, and compressive strength). Based on experimental data, the carbon footprint was performed using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. In order to extend the findings of this study, the context of the following four countries was evaluated: Brazil, South Africa, India, and China. In addition, the replacement of Portland cement for Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) are evaluated hypothetically. The results show that the increase of biomass content in bio-concretes and the replacement of Portland cement by SCMs leads to a radical decrease in life cycle GHG emissions. The percentage of carbon in biomass is a critical factor for reducing the carbon footprint. The WBC was the biomass that performed better for this parameter. The presented GHG emissions curves can be a useful way to estimate the carbon footprint of bio-concretes and can be adapted to other kinds of bio-concretes and countries.

scholarly journals Retrofitting a Building’s Envelope: Sustainability Performance of ETICS with ICB or EPS

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 1285 ◽  
Author(s):  
José D. Silvestre ◽  
André M. P. Castelo ◽  
José J. B. C. Silva ◽  
Jorge M. C. L. de Brito ◽  
Manuel D. Pinheiro
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Thermal Insulation ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Expanded Polystyrene ◽  
Insulation Material ◽  
Economic Dimension ◽  
Heating And Cooling

This paper analyses the environmental, energy, and economic performances of the External Thermal Insulation Composite System (ETICS) using agglomerated insulation cork board (ICB) or expanded polystyrene (EPS) as insulation material applied in the energetic renovation of the building envelope during a 50-year study period. A comparison between ETICS using ICB and EPS, for the same time horizon, is also presented. The environmental balance is based on “Cradle to Cradle” (C2C) Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), focusing on the carbon footprint and consumption of nonrenewable primary energy (PE-NRe). The characteristics of these products in terms of thermal insulation, the increased energy performance provided by their installation for retrofit of the buildings’ envelope, and the resulting energy savings are considered in the energy balance. The estimation of the C2C carbon and PE-NRe saved is considered in the final balance between the energy and environmental performances. ETICS with ICB is environmentally advantageous both in terms of carbon footprint and of PE-NRe. In fact, the production stage of ICB is less polluting, while EPS requires lower energy consumption to fulfil the heating and cooling needs of a flat, due to its lower U-Value, and its lower acquisition cost results in a lower C2C cost. Comparing both ETICS’ alternatives with reference solutions, it was found that the latter only perform better in the economic dimension, and only for an energy consumption to fulfil less than 25% of the heating and cooling needs. This paper represents an advance to the current state-of-the-art by including all the life-cycle stages and dimensions of the LCA in the analysis of solutions for energy renovation of building envelopes.

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.

scholarly journals A sustainable wood biorefinery for low–carbon footprint chemicals production

Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 367 (6484) ◽  
pp. 1385-1390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuhe Liao ◽  
Steven-Friso Koelewijn ◽  
Gil Van den Bossche ◽  
Joost Van Aelst ◽  
Sander Van den Bosch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Economic Analysis ◽  
Gas Phase ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Bioethanol Production ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Printing Ink ◽  
Lower Carbon

The profitability and sustainability of future biorefineries are dependent on efficient feedstock use. Therefore, it is essential to valorize lignin when using wood. We have developed an integrated biorefinery that converts 78 weight % (wt %) of birch into xylochemicals. Reductive catalytic fractionation of the wood produces a carbohydrate pulp amenable to bioethanol production and a lignin oil. After extraction of the lignin oil, the crude, unseparated mixture of phenolic monomers is catalytically funneled into 20 wt % of phenol and 9 wt % of propylene (on the basis of lignin weight) by gas-phase hydroprocessing and dealkylation; the residual phenolic oligomers (30 wt %) are used in printing ink as replacements for controversial para-nonylphenol. A techno-economic analysis predicts an economically competitive production process, and a life-cycle assessment estimates a lower carbon dioxide footprint relative to that of fossil-based production.

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