A process systems framework for rapid generation of life cycle inventories for pollution control and sustainability evaluation

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a tool that aids in sustainable decision-making among product and process alternatives. When implementing LCA, the efficient and accurate modeling of chemical processes for life cycle inventory (LCI) generation is still challenging. Challenges include a lack of systematic design and simulation tools and approaches to develop chemical process models for obtaining and analyzing more realistic LCI results. In this contribution, a novel process systems framework is proposed for estimating LCI results when implementing pollution control technologies. This framework involves the development and incorporation of pollution control unit (PCU) modules into process simulation and generation of LCI data associated with the PCUs for use in a sustainability evaluation. Different pollution control modules are designed for rapid LCI estimation and applied to obtain emissions, utility consumption, material, and land footprint results related to waste streams of a process simulation. Then, the LCI results are analyzed with the objectives of minimizing the environmental impact and utility consumption. The proposed framework is illustrated via a biomass/coal gasification process for syngas production with the end goal of acetic acid manufacturing. Results associated with this case study show that the developed framework can provide guidelines for sustainable decision-making based on generated LCI results.     

A novel approach to include sustainability concepts in classical DFMA methodology for sheet metal enclosure devices

Nowadays sustainable design is a mandatory requirement in the product development process. For this reason, design methodologies are addressed to establish a close relationship between environmental, social and economic impact indicators and product features from early design stages, especially in those features related to its manufacturing. In this paper, the design for manufacturing and assembly—DFMA methodology is adapted to sheet metal enclosure devices, integrating functional and component relationships to minimize particular sustainability indicators such as energy consumption, carbon footprint, number of parts, required amount of material, assembly time and manufacturing costs. Savings with the proposed method are achieved following specific sub-tasks oriented to define new simplified product components, considering changes in manufacturing processes and re-defining mechanical connections between parts. Traditional DFMA approaches consider manufacturing and assembly issues related to a reduction of product complexity and economic savings. The proposed method aims to examine the benefits in life cycle stages such as raw material consumption, service, maintenance, upgrading and end of life—EOL. The methodology is validated through a redesign of a sheet metal industrial clock, in which the sustainability impacts are calculated from a comparison of an existent product vs. a new product development. The implementation of the method in the case study demonstrate reductions of more than 25% in product mass, consumed energy and CO₂ footprint, and more than 50% in theoretical assembly time and product complexity. Sustainability indicators of the proposed method are selected from literature analysis and taking into account attributes of sheet metal enclosure devices.     

Energy and material flow modelling of additive manufacturing processes

Additive manufacturing (AM) processes allow fabrication of three-dimensional complex parts. Due to the exact amount of material used during the manufacturing step, these new manufacturing processes offer great opportunities for sustainable manufacturing. However, existing studies on these processes focus mainly on energy consumption and information about resources consumptions and waste flows are still lacking. This study aims to quantify with accuracy inventory data of AM processes during the manufacturing step of the life cycle of products. In order to accurately assess the environmental impact of a product, a generic method for acquisitions and characterisation of inventory data for parts made by AM processes is proposed. This methodology focuses not only on the electrical energy consumption but also on material consumption. This paper also describes the development of a parametric process model, which provides to an operator, an accurate estimation of the environmental performances of the fused deposition modelling process.     

Integrated eco-design decision-making for sustainable product development

This paper presents an integrated eco-design decision-making (IEDM) methodology that is formed using three stages: life cycle assessment, an eco-design process (Eco-Process) model and an enhanced eco-design quality function deployment process. All product sustainability considerations are conducted within a special eco-design house of quality. This brings together the analysis of factors relating to manufacturing processes, product usage and end-of-life strategy. The concentration of environmental considerations in one place insures that product sustainability is central to any design development and that the implications of change are fully identified and justified. The IEDM methodology utilises of a set of Eco-Process parameters and their associated relationships to allow users with complementary knowledge to enter and access information in a timely and controlled manner. They are then able to contribute their expertise to support decisions with the aim of providing more sustainable products. An application of the approach is presented in the context of a case study considering the redesign of a single-use medical forceps. The materials and production methods used are investigated with a view to quantifying their environmental impact. The resulting IEDM methodology can be seen to be widely and easily applicable.     

Development and integration of new processes consuming carbon dioxide in multi-plant chemical production complexes

Fourteen new energy-efficient and environmentally acceptable catalytic processes have been identified that can use excess high-purity carbon dioxide as a raw material available in a chemical production complex. The complex in the lower Mississippi River Corridor was used to show how these new plants could be integrated into this existing infrastructure using the chemical complex analysis system. Eighty-six published articles of laboratory and pilot plant experiments were reviewed that describe new methods and catalysts to use carbon dioxide for producing commercially important products. A methodology for selecting the new energy-efficient processes was developed based on process operating conditions, energy requirements, catalysts, product demand and revenue, market penetration and economic, environmental and sustainable costs. Based on the methodology for selecting new processes, 20 were identified as candidates for new energy efficient and environmentally acceptable plants. These processes were simulated using HYSYS, and a value-added economic analysis was evaluated for each process. From these, 14 of the most promising were integrated in a superstructure that included plants in the existing chemical production complex in the lower Mississippi River corridor (base case). The optimum configuration of plants was determined based on the triple bottom line that includes sales, economic, environmental and sustainable costs using the chemical complex analysis system. From 18 new processes in the superstructure, the optimum structure had seven new processes including acetic acid, graphite, formic acid, methylamines, propylene and synthesis gas production. With the additional plants in the optimal structure the triple bottom line increased from $343 million per year to $506 million per year and energy use increased from 2,150 TJ/year to 5,791 TJ/year. Multicriteria optimization has been used with Monte Carlo simulation to determine the sensitivity of prices, costs, and sustainability credits/cost to the optimal structure of a chemical production complex. In essence, for each Pareto optimal solution, there is a cumulative probability distribution function that is the probability as a function of the triple bottom line. This information provides a quantitative assessment of the optimum profit versus sustainable credits/cost, and the risk (probability) that the triple bottom line will meet expectations. The capabilities of the chemical complex analysis system have been demonstrated, and this methodology could be applied to other chemical complexes in the world for reduced emissions and energy savings. The system was developed by industry–university collaboration, and the program with users manual and tutorial can be downloaded at no cost from the LSU Mineral Processing Research Institutes website .     

Evaluating the life cycle environmental performance of chlorine disinfection and ultraviolet technologies

With increasing emphasis on promoting a sustainable ecological future and concern over introducing a toxic chemical in the water, the design of the disinfection process is increasingly leaning toward technologies that destroy the pathogens while balancing the effects of this disinfected wastewater on the population of aquatic biota or a drinking water supply. Since ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is not a chemical additive, it does not leave or produce any by-product toxic compounds in the wastewater, like traditional chlorination and de-chlorination processes do. Therefore, the use of UV does not affect a drinking water supply or the aquatic biota in receiving waters. Life cycle assessment or analysis (LCA) is used to quantify the environmental benefits of using UV disinfection technology (as well as better protecting public health), instead of chlorination and de-chlorination methods. LCA tools are being used to evaluate the short and long term environmental effects of both processes, and to select the best sustainable process. The approach here combines environmental LCA with these disinfection processes incorporating economic criteria and all aspects of the environment: chemical use, electricity use, and releases to water, air, and land. The environmental, health, and economic benefits and other effects show the greater sustainability of UV technology (a "clean" ecological disinfection process) in comparison to that of traditional disinfection with chlorine. Electronic Publication     

Comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of bio-modified binder and conventional asphalt binder

This study is a life cycle assessment (LCA) of conventional asphalt binder versus bio-modified binder that is produced by mixing asphalt binder with bio-binder obtained from swine manure. Both processes were evaluated and compared in terms of their contribution to global warming, using a global warming potential index and energy consumption. This LCA study uses a cradle-to-gate approach for the binder and includes a comparison between the environmental impacts of swine manure in lagoons and the production of bio-binder. The results show the energy consumption and global warming potential improvements after using bio-binder as a sustainable additive.     

应用于冷链运输相变蓄冷技术研究进展

目的 研究化妆品销售包装盒的环境影响,优选包装材料、优化包装设计及其生产系统,达到绿色生产的目的。方法 基于生命周期评价(LCA)方法论,采用eFootprint软件及数据库量化分析由白纸板和聚丙烯2种不同材料设计生产的化妆品销售包装盒。以规定尺寸(长57 mm、宽52 mm、高60 mm)和结构的单个化妆品销售包装盒盒坯为功能单位,设定系统边界包括该包装盒生产加工过程的主要工序和各物料运输环节。分析清单后进行生命周期影响评价。结果 评价对象产生的9类环境影响中,全球变暖潜值(GWP)、初级能源消耗(PED)和水资源消耗(WU)贡献值较大,白纸板化妆品销售包装盒结果分别为17.8 g,185 kJ,57.8 g,聚丙烯化妆品销售包装盒结果分别为45.3 g,1.16 MJ,147 g。聚丙烯化妆品销售包装盒在生产过程中消耗的能量和对环境产生的影响均大于白纸板化妆品销售包装盒,故两者中首选材料是白纸板。结论 材料种类和生产过程能源消耗是影响环境的主要原因,可通过LCA优选包装材料、控制包装印刷设计和改善生产系统等方式,提高包装的环境效益。     

Sustainability considerations of biodiesel based on supply chain analysis

Developing clean and renewable energy resources ranks as one of the greatest challenges facing mankind in the medium to long term. The issues associated with developing non-fossil energy are intimately connected with economic development and prosperity, quality of life and global stability, and require smart strategies for sustainable development. This study presents a relative sustainability assessment of biodiesel, taking into account its full life cycle with the main goal of comparing alternative feedstocks, either currently used or promising for future use such as microalgae. A set of sustainability metrics relevant for biodiesel is identified using only the data available in the literature and taking into account all the three dimensions of sustainability: environmental, societal, and economic. Although this study does not attempt to identify which feedstock or process is the best, its procedural suggestions may be valuable to practitioners and policy makers seeking to identify the best alternatives. The conclusions, however, are limited by the availability and the quality of the data used in the analyses.     

A four-phase AHP–QFD approach for supplier assessment: a sustainability perspective

Recently, companies have become increasingly aware of the need to evaluate suppliers from a sustainability perspective. Introducing the triple bottom line (economic, social, and environmental performance) into supplier assessment and selection decisions embeds a new set of trade-offs, complicating the decision-making process. Although many tools have been developed to help purchasing managers make more effective decisions, decision support tools, and methodologies which integrate sustainability (triple bottom line) into supplier assessment and selection are still sparse in the literature. Moreover, most approaches have not taken into consideration the impact of business objectives and requirements of company stakeholders on the supplier evaluation criteria. To help advance this area of research and further integrate sustainability into the supplier selection modelling area, we develop an integrated analytical approach, combining Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) with Quality Function Deployment (QFD), to enable the ‘voice’ of company stakeholders in the process. Drawing on the sustainable purchasing strategy development process, our AHP–QFD approach comprises four hierarchical phases: linking customer requirements with the company's sustainability strategy, determining the sustainable purchasing competitive priority, developing sustainable supplier assessment criteria, and lastly assessing the suppliers. An illustrative example is provided to demonstrate the application of the proposed approach.     

Framework for the environmental damage assessment of an industrial process chain

On the basis of the life cycle approach, a framework for the assessment of the environmental damages generated by an industrial process chain is established. In order to consider all the processes of the life cycle, a methodology is developed based on an eco-matrix formed by chemical process eco-vectors containing all their environmental loads. To perform the impact assessment, environmental damage indicators are estimated in the most accurate way possible for each process. For this, site-specific evaluation is carried out applying damage functions and, hence, for each damage indicator, a damage matrix is obtained. In order to make the methodology more practical, options like dominance analysis are presented. Because of the large number of environmental loads, the focus is on the priority pollutants and then the final estimations are done with one indicator per safeguard subject. The damage indicators selected in this paper are damage costs, ecological damage parameter (both site-specific) and global damage estimates. As for the verification of the methodology, a study has been carried out based on the life cycle of the electricity produced by a municipal waste incinerator.     

Integrated sustainability assessment for chemical processes

Policies on sustainable development have resulted in the wide concern about economic, safety, and environmental-friendly chemical production. This work focuses on the development of a holistic methodology that enables the evaluation and comparison of process sustainability in an integrated system. This methodology is proposed based on material and energy flows, process parameters, and process configuration. It uses a set of criteria, including inherent safety, potential environmental impact, and economic aspects. These criteria as the basis for determining the integrated index can be used to perform sustainability assessment for process alternatives under investigation. The multi-criteria decision analysis procedure is presented to conduct the integrated assessment based on qualitative and quantitative analysis. As a case study, ethanol production process, i.e., ethylene-derived feedstock process (A1) and straw cellulose-derived feedstock process (A2) are used to illustrate the proposed methodology. Results showed that A1 had advantage over A2 for the economic aspect while A2 had better performance in the environmental and safety aspects. A2 is the prior option from the point of view of comprehensive evaluation.     

Incorporating linear programing and life cycle thinking into environmental sustainability decision-making: a case study on anchovy canning industry

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a powerful tool to support environmental informed decisions among product and process alternatives. LCA results reflect the process stage contributions to several environmental impacts, which should be made mutually comparable to help in the decision-making process. Aggregated environmental indexes enable the translation of this set of metrics into a one final score, by defining the attached weights to impacts. Weighting values reflect the corresponding relevance assigned to each environmental impact. Current weighing schemes are based on pre-articulation of preferences, without considering the specific features of the system under study. This paper presents a methodology that combines LCA methodology and linear programming optimisation to determine the environmental improvement actions that conduct to a more sustainable production. LCA was applied using the environmental sustainability assessment methodology to obtain two main indexes: natural resources (NR) and environmental burdens (EB). Normalised indexes were optimised to determine the optimal joint of weighting factors that lead to an optimised global Environmental Sustainability Index. The proposed methodology was applied to a food sector, in particular, to the anchovy canning industry in Cantabria Region (Northern Spain). By maximising the objective function composed of NR and EB variables, it is possible to find the optimal joint of weights that identify the best environmental sustainable options. This study proves that LCA can be applied in combination with linear programing tools as a part of the decision-making process in the development of more sustainable processes and products.     

Examining the role of green IT/IS innovation in collaborative enterprise-implications in an emerging economy

Sustainability is a significant field in both research and practice as such Collaborative Enterprise (CE) are adopting sustainable initiatives to achieve efficient resource usage, CO2 emissions reduction, energy utilization reduction, moderate cost incurred, ethical waste management and natural resources conservation. Therefore, this research develops a model based on diffusion of innovation theory and sustainable life cycle process identified through literature review after which survey method was employed. The survey questionnaire was distributed targeting IT practitioners and IT managers of CE based in Malaysia. With 133 valid questionnaires in hand, the collected data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Results reveal that the internal and external characteristics influences enterprise sustainability innovativeness. Furthermore, results confirm the identified sustainable life cycle process derived from the literature. Findings from this study support policy makers in CE understand and develop process towards sustainability attainment. By applying the developed model, CE can strategize their current process towards improving the sustainability of their enterprise.     

Quantifying technological aspects of process sustainability: a thermodynamic approach

Thermodynamic analysis has greatly helped to compare and to improve the energy efficiency of all kinds of technological processes, and recently we have also attempted to analyse some important biochemical processes under intracellular conditions. This work has pointed to some key strategies on sustainable process operation, such as the exceptionally high thermodynamic efficiencies of chemical and solar energy conversion in living cells.From this it was expected that the sustainability strategies of specific biochemical processes and those of the ecosphere as a whole could be of guidance to current technological processes, especially now that there is a growing demand from government and industry to effectively deal with sustainability aspects in process analysis. Our focus on this issue has led to methodologies to quantify technological aspects of sustainability by making use of thermodynamic principles. Three indicators were constructed to express three technological aspects of process sustainability. First, an indicator for the sustainability of resource utilization considers the thermodynamic input and the availability the resources used in the process. Secondly, an efficiency indicator focuses on the conversion and loss of thermodynamic quantities in the process itself. Thirdly, an indicator for environmental compatibility takes into account the thermodynamic input required to prevent possible negative side effects of the process, such as global warming or water pollution. The three indicators are used to reflect on (un)sustainable characteristics of current technological processes compared to biochemical processes. Finally, we address the drawbacks of combining indicator values to express overall sustainability.     

Evaluating the sustainability impacts of packaging: the plastic carry bag dilemma

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is used by practitioners and policy‐makers to help them understand the sustainability impacts of packaging. LCA is useful because it quantifies the impact of a product throughout its life cycle, from raw materials extraction through to disposal or recovery. However, it can only ever be one input to decisions about the design or procurement of packaging. LCA has limitations as a tool to measure environmental impact and it does not currently evaluate social or financial impact. This paper provides a critical review of the role of LCA in evaluating packaging sustainability. It does this by evaluating the results of LCA studies that compare different types of carry bags and their implications for policy and practice. The benefits and limitations of this type of analysis are discussed. The case study of plastic carry bags demonstrates that while a scientific understanding of life cycle impacts is essential to support informed decision‐making, a broader sustainability analysis is required to ensure that all relevant issues are considered. These include the functionality of alternative bags, their relative cost, convenience for consumers and retailers, and the availability of reuse and recovery systems. An alternative approach, which evaluates packaging design within a broader sustainability framework, is presented and discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Assessing the sustainability of energy technological systems in Southern Africa: A review and way forward

The field of technology assessment is not new, but it continues to be relevant today more than ever, especially in the energy sector. Issues related to climate change, energy security and sustainability in general are at the core of all energy policies and strategies. The development of new and more sustainable energy technologies are needed to address these challenges. As part of this, energy technology assessment tools can help decision-makers with the identification of sustainable energy solutions, in order to integrate them in long-term energy policies and strategies. The concept and practice of sustainable development has subsequently manifested in the technology assessment field. This implies the re-classification of technology assessment into ecological, economic and social (and other) goals. In the Southern African context, specifically, there is no formal and coherent approach to energy technology assessment from a sustainability perspective. Governments in the region are finding it challenging to establish national policies concerning energy technology assessment. Indeed, the review reveals the limited use of the term “technology assessment” in energy evaluation studies in Southern Africa. Energy sustainability assessments may be reported, but certainly not from the perspectives of the technology management community, and, although a number of studies have discussed the issues of sustainability in technology assessment, none account for technology sustainability assessment from a holistic perspective. The paper argues that it is in this area that further research is needed.     

Sustainable consumption and production as a system: experience in Lithuania

Activities in the area of sustainable consumption and production in Lithuania started in 1993 when the first cleaner production projects were implemented. The capacity in the area of cleaner production enabled further development and implementation of preventive environmental initiatives. Cleaner production activities have been followed by establishment of a system for development, financing and implementation of preventive innovations, implementation of environmental management systems (including development of new approaches for implementation, particularly in small and medium-sized enterprises), product-oriented measures such as life cycle assessment, eco-design, and sustainability reporting. A very important role in building the basic capacity level and implementing the sustainable consumption and production initiatives in Lithuania has been played by the Institute of Environmental Engineering (APINI) at Kaunas University of Technology. This article presents an overview of activities in the area of sustainable consumption and production in Lithuania since 1992 as well as results/lessons learnt from these activities. To overcome barriers and to ensure progress in the area of sustainable consumption and production, a model of a system of sustainable consumption and production has been developed. The objective of the system is to minimise energy and material use as well as waste output, and to eliminate the “rebound” effect.     

An integrated sustainability performance assessment and benchmarking of breweries

Breweries are responding to some sustainability challenges but many of them find sustainability assessment and reporting to be very complex, difficult, and time-consuming tasks. Despite several existing frameworks for the sustainability assessment of companies, none of them specifically addresses breweries. They do not provide them with a transparent, comprehensive, and integrated approach to sustainability assessment, adjusted to the particular circumstances of traditional beer production. In view of these requirements by the brewing industry, this article aims to support breweries in sustainability assessment activities by proposing a methodology for integrated performance assessment. This methodology proposes environmental, societal, economic, and integrated indicators reflecting the characteristics of the brewing industry, compatible with those general indicators proposed by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). Although it is important to assess sustainability using several indicators, it may sometimes be difficult to make decisions based on a wide number of performance measurements. Thus, the proposed methodology gradually aggregates sustainable development indicators into sustainability sub-indices and, finally, to a composite sustainability index that tracks integrated information on the economic, environmental, and societal performances of a brewery over time. They can be used both internally, for the identification of “hot spots” and externally, for sustainability reporting and stakeholder engagement. Since breweries strive to outperform their competitors, the proposed methodology enables the benchmarking of a brewery against best performance practices, as a catalyst for improvement and innovation, by providing benchmark values for each indicator. The case study presented in this article illustrates how the proposed methodology could be easily applied in practice, and stimulates breweries to test their effectiveness themselves.