Abstract
Used Lubricant Oil (ULO) is a hazardous waste resulting from lubricant oil used in motorized equipment to reduce friction between moving surfaces that, over time, wear outs and becomes contaminated. The purpose of this study is to compare the sustainability of two ULO management systems in Brazil: one designated in this study by the TTR scenario (which includes transportation, trans-shipment, and re-refining phases), the other designated by the TsTR scenario (without the trans-shipment phase) to evaluate which scenario is socially, economically, and environmentally more efficient. The study uses the life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) methodology. As a combination of life cycle assessment (LCA), life cycle cost (LCC), and social life cycle assessment (s-LCA), it integrates the three sustainability dimensions (environmental, social, and economic). The sustainability index was calculated by aggregating data from eight environmental indicators, five economic indicators, and five social indicators. The results showed that the TsTR scenario presented the best values for the sustainability assessment than the TTR scenario. The TsTR scenario had the best social and economic performance, and the TTR scenario had the best environmental performance. The differences observed in those scenarios’ performances were noted by the absence or presence of the trans-shipment center. The absence of this center improved the social and economic performance of the scenario. The social dimension was improved by the elimination of the stage that causes problems related to social and economic dimensions by reducing several costs that can be associated with it. The presence of the trans-shipment center improves the environmental performance scenario by reducing the number of hazards that could impact the re-refining phase. The LCSA methodology enables a comparative life cycle assessment of two alternative system evaluations of ULO management by the sustainability index of each scenario. This index helps to analyze the contributions of each of the 18 categories and subcategories in the perspective of the sustainability dimensions and, consequently, to carry out their integrated evaluation, aiming to define the best sustainability scenario.
Highlights
Used Lubricant Oil (ULO) is a product formed when lubricating oil is used in motorized equipment to reduce friction that, over time, wears out and becomes contaminated with metals from rubbed surfaces, organic materials, and other products, reducing its quality [1,2].When the amount of these contaminants is excessive, the lubricant loses its quality and needs be replaced
This research was based on the life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) methodology of management and technology processes applied to ULO re-refining
The fixed costs were allocated to the exchange process, considering generation centers have several
Summary
When the amount of these contaminants is excessive, the lubricant loses its quality and needs be replaced. At this stage, the lubricants become ULOs [3]. Sustainability 2021, 13, 13583 countries, ULO lacks a specific management system (collection and subsequent treatment) since in several urban centers, when generated, it is released directly into the environment (in water, sewage networks, and soil) and sometimes burns uncontrollably [4]. In 2015, lubricating oil consumption averaged 35 million tons a year [1]. Brazil became the world’s sixth largest consumer of lubricating oils, responsible for approximately 1.5 billion liters of lubricating oil consumption each year and becoming the sixth largest ULO producer [2,4]
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