Comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment Research Articles

Negative-carbon recycling of copper from waste as secondary resources using deep eutectic solvents

Copper plays a crucial role in the low-carbon transformation of global communities with prevalent use of electric vehicles. This study proposed an environmentally friendly approach that utilizes a deep eutectic solvent (DES), choline chloride-ethylene glycol (ChCl-EG), as green solvent for the selective extraction of copper from scrap materials. With hydrogen peroxide as an oxidizing agent, the copper species from the printed circuit boards (PCBs) scraps were efficiently leached by the DES through oxidation-complexation reactions (conditions: 25 min, 20 °C, and 5 wt% H2O2). Molecular dynamics and density functional theory were performed to simulate the intricate cascade of interactions between copper species and hydrogen bond donors/acceptors of DES, providing insights into the mechanistic processes involved. Copper was selectively recovered from the DES leachate containing impurities (e.g., Pb2+, Sn2+, and Al3+) through electrodeposition via a diffusion-controlled reaction under a constant potential mode. A comprehensive life cycle assessment of the process demonstrated that the utilisation of DES in the extraction of copper from waste PCBs could result in significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions (−93.6 kg CO2 eq of 1000 kg waste PCBs), thus mitigating the carbon footprint of global copper use through the proposed solvometallurgical recycling process of secondary resources.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Integration: Automotive, Residential Power Generation & Portable Devices

Hydrogen fuel has emerged as a promising element in the quest for sustainable energy solutions across diverse sectors. This abstract distils the findings and insights from extensive research into hydrogen fuel integration, focusing on its applications in the automotive industry, residential power generation, and portable devices. In the automotive sector, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) offer a zero-emission alternative with extended driving ranges and rapid refuelling times, addressing some of the limitations of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). However, the successful integration of hydrogen as a transportation fuel hinges on the development of a robust refuelling infrastructure, cost reductions in fuel cell technology, and the optimization of energy-intensive hydrogen production processes. In residential power generation, hydrogen shows promise as a versatile energy carrier, capable of powering homes through fuel cells or combined heat and power (CHP) systems. To ensure sustainable residential hydrogen power, research efforts should continue to focus on efficient hydrogen production methods, such as advanced electrolysis powered by renewable energy sources. Furthermore, the integration of hydrogen in portable devices, including backup power systems and mobile electronics, is being explored. Overcoming challenges related to safe hydrogen storage, efficient energy conversion, and addressing energy density limitations are critical for expanding the utility of hydrogen in this domain. To drive further advancements, key research directions include the development of lightweight and high-capacity hydrogen storage materials, improvements in energy conversion efficiency, and enhanced safety measures for hydrogen-powered portable devices. Moreover, cross-sector collaboration between automotive, residential, and portable device applications is vital to optimize hydrogen production and utilization. Regulatory support and incentives play a pivotal role in promoting the adoption of hydrogen technologies, along with comprehensive life-cycle assessments to quantify their environmental impact.

Environmental Impact Assessment of Building Materials Using Life Cycle Assessment

In pursuit of environmental sustainability in the construction sector, this study employs a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) approach to evaluate the environmental impact of widely used building materials in Iran, with a particular focus on energy consumption and carbon footprint. The investigation encompasses 22 widely used building materials, utilizing the Ecoinvent v3 database and Simapro8 software to assess critical environmental variables, including carbon dioxide (CO2) emission, required primary energy, water consumption, and thermal conductivity. The findings unveil the diverse environmental profiles of these materials, with thermal conductivity typically hovering around zero to 2 W/m.K for most, but with exceptions such as lime, aluminum, rebar, and steel exhibiting significantly higher values. Moreover, aluminum, ceramics, PVC pipe, and expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam are identified as higher energy consumers during their life cycle, in contrast to concrete and cement mortar characterized by lower primary energy demands. The materials identified as high-carbon building materials are steel, stone, plaster, rebar, bitumen, concrete, glass, cement, gravel, and EPS foam. On the other hand, the materials identified as low-carbon building materials are masonry blocks, wood, tiles, bricks, drywall, MDF, and cement mortar. This research provides valuable insights for material selection and sustainable construction practices, emphasizing low-carbon materials to reduce environmental impact and contribute to the global effort to mitigate climate change through responsible construction choices.

Environmental impact assessment of a novel third-generation biorefinery approach for astaxanthin and biofuel production

A novel third-generation biorefinery approach, including two paths of Ethanol/methane production pathway (EMP) and the direct methane production pathway (DMP), for astaxanthin and ethanol and biogas production from the freshwater microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis was developed previously. To ensure its environmental sustainability, a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) study was conducted based on 1-GJ energy generation from biomethane as the functional unit. Results indicate that the EMP pathway had higher environmental impacts on all categories due to more stages and chemicals/energy consumption (at least five times greater effect). Results showed that while the enzymatic hydrolysis step followed by the fermentation stage was the main contributor to all environmental categories in the EMP route, astaxanthin induction dominated all environmental categories in the DMP route. The results showed that sodium nitrate, phosphate salts, inoculum sludge, acetone, and electricity had considerable environmental impacts. Moreover, despite low enzyme usage in enzymatic hydrolysis, these proteins significantly impacted all environmental categories in this stage. The baseline analysis concluded that to produce 1 GJ energy from methane, about 88 kg and 13 kg CO2 were generated from the EMP and DMP pathways, respectively. A sensitivity analysis was also conducted to compare various ratios of chemicals, such as phosphate salts, with high contributions to enzymatic hydrolysis and astaxanthin induction stages in the EMP and DMP routes, respectively. Finally, the LCA results revealed that the DMP pathway is more environmentally friendly with the same economic value of biomethane and astaxanthin production. This LCA study updated the data related to the environmental assessment of processes to utilize H. pluvialis to produce biofuels and astaxanthin simultaneously.

The role of life cycle thinking-based methodologies in the development of waste management plans

The aim of this article is to examine how Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) contributes to the development of Waste Management Plans (WMPs). The case of Italy has been deeply investigated. The article first analyses whether and how the LCT methodologies were applied to the 21 regional WMPs; then, it draws indications for using LCT in the preparation of a WMP. Moreover, it outlines why the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology could be used as a powerful tool for regional planning in the waste field, analysing the indications for preparing a WMP that already exist at the European level and in the Italian National WM Programme. Results reveal that only four of the 21 regional WMPs include comprehensive and site-specific LCA studies. Building on these case study results, insights into the opportunities and benefits associated with incorporating LCT methodologies into WMP development and implementation are provided. This study underscores the critical importance of LCT and LCA in promoting sustainable waste management practices, ensuring compliance with European directives, and offering a foundation for more informed regional planning strategies.

Using a data driven approach for comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment and effective eco design of the Internet of Things: taking LoRa-based IoT systems as examples

As we reach the limits of our current technologies and the number of connected devices grows, scientists put more efforts to estimate and reduce the ecological damage of the Internet of Things. Unfortunately, recent literature related to Life Cycle Assessment and eco design of IoT systems suffers from a major inconvenience so far: it does not put sensor data in the focus of attention. This paper aims to point out explicitly the essential role of this aspect for modeling reference flows, and demonstrate its relevance for appropriate environmental assessment and practical eco design. Also, it aims to illustrate that such modeling process must happen in a comprehensive way. For this, our work relies on a case study addressing smart metering, and we proceed as follows: based on available documentation and inspired by certain aspects of different technologies, we deduce the maximal capacities of key electronic components and construct an unfavorable data flow scenario, to get a rough idea of the reference flow and the long-term impact of our system during its use phase. Results from this procedure are later contrasted with results obtained from a packet traffic analysis, in which local and internet data flow are examined carefully. At the end, we verify the importance of sensor data theoretically and empirically, and we conclude that the reference flow and the impact contributors of a system could be affected not only by the local data transit but also by the complex interactions between edge devices and cloud resources. All our findings are discussed to nourish the state-of-the-art around the environmental impact of using full IoT systems and their sustainable design.

Life Cycle Assessment of Polyol Production from Lignin via Organosolv and Liquefaction Treatments

This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of lignin-based polyol production through organosolv fractionation of cardoon stalks and subsequent lignin liquefaction. The LCA employed a cradle-to-gate approach, encompassing cardoon cultivation and all processing steps leading to polyol production. The research involved laboratory-scale optimization of the organosolv and liquefaction processes, followed by industrial-scale implementation. The analysis revealed that all stages of the production chain, including crop cultivation, organosolv, and liquefaction, significantly influenced overall environmental impacts. Specific materials and processes played pivotal roles, such as harvesting machinery and fertilizers in crop production, γ-Valerolactone (GVL) as the primary contributor (72–100%) to environmental impacts in the organosolv phase, and materials like polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400) and glycerin in the liquefaction phase, accounting for the majority (96–100%) of environmental impacts in this stage. When considering endpoint damage categories, it became evident that this production chain had a notable impact on human health, primarily due to emissions in air, water, and soil from agricultural processes. Lignin-based polyols demonstrated a moderate improvement compared to their petroleum-based counterparts, with an approximate reduction of 3–16% in environmental impact.

Sustainable strategies for reducing environmental impact in concrete block manufacturing: a comprehensive life cycle assessment

ABSTRACT This study delves into the environmental impact of concrete block manufacturing, focusing on embodied energy, CO2 emissions, and water consumption. The research addresses the pressing need to understand the ecological implications of concrete block production for sustainable development. We use a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology to assess embodied energy, CO2 emissions, and water consumption throughout the concrete block production lifecycle. The study draws upon primary data from industry sources and secondary data from research studies to ensure accuracy and reliability. Findings reveal that concrete block manufacturing demands significant energy, primarily attributed to cement and aggregate production and transportation. The process generates substantial CO2 emissions from limestone calcination during cement production. Water consumption is a critical concern during the curing and washing stages. The study explores diverse strategies and technologies aimed at mitigating the environmental impact. Implications of this research highlight the importance of adopting sustainable practices within the concrete block industry to address environmental impact. This study emphasizes the concrete block industry's potential to contribute to a greener and more sustainable future by implementing environmentally friendly measures. This study's comprehensive analysis and actionable recommendations aim to attract readers and stakeholders, encouraging further interest and investment in sustainable practices.

Environmental footprint performance improvement of black tea using the life cycle assessment approach

The cultivation and production of black tea are associated with significant energy consumption and adverse environmental concerns, largely stemming from inefficient practices, equipment incompatibility, and suboptimal cultivation methods. In response, this study employs a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) to address these issues and identify potential environmental improvements across the entire black tea system, encompassing both the cultivation and production phases. The primary focus of this analysis is the evaluation of key environmental metrics, including global warming potential (GWP), primary energy demand (PED), and water usage (WU). The study's findings highlight that a reduction in the use of chemical fertilizers during the black tea cultivation stage can effectively mitigate GWP, PED, and WU. A sustainable approach involves shifting towards a fertilization scenario that incorporates 70% organic fertilizers and 30% chemical fertilizers. This adjustment makes the cultivation stage more environmentally friendly, resulting in reduced resource depletion and water consumption. Furthermore, the analysis reveals that the application of artificial grass covering, as opposed to herbicides, has a significantly more negative impact on GWP, PED, and WU. Similarly, the use of insecticides during black tea cultivation leads to higher values for GWP, PED, and WU in comparison to employing solar pest control lamps. Additionally, the LCA analysis underscores the effectiveness of integrating solar pest control lamps and herbicide treatments during the black tea cultivation stage to achieve lower GWP and reduced resource consumption. On the other hand, the black tea production stage makes a substantial contribution to the system's GWP, PED, and WU, primarily due to the heated withering and natural fermentation processes. However, transitioning to frozen withering and aerobic fermentation processes presents a more environmentally friendly approach, resulting in a black tea production method that is lower in carbon emissions and energy-efficient, with minimal adverse environmental impact.

A comparative life cycle assessment of tyre recycling using pyrolysis compared to conventional end-of-life pathways

End-of-life tyres (ELTs) are difficult to recycle due to their complex composition. Although there are several possible pathways to manage ELTs, in Germany roughly 50 % of the ELTs are still incinerated. One emerging technology that promises recycling of ELTs is the thermochemical processing through pyrolysis. This technology enables to recover carbon black and pyrolysis oil that can be reused for new tyres. Therefore, this study presents a comprehensive life cycle assessment to compare the environmental impacts from pyrolysis of ELTs against current dominant alternative end-of-life treatment pathways. The investigated alternative end-of-life pathways are (i) incineration in a cement plant, (ii) incineration in a dedicated incineration plant, and (iii) production of infills for artificial turfs. The results show that the recycling of ELTs for material recovery has lower environmental impacts in the categories global warming, particulate matter and resource use compared to end-of-life pathways that target energy recovery.

A Neutrosophic Multi-Criteria Model for Evaluating Sustainable Soil Enhancement Methods and their Cost Implications in Construction

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the application of life cycle assessment (LCA) to promote sustainable soil practices in construction foundation projects. The aim is to evaluate the environmental impact and long-term sustainability of soil-related activities in construction through the lens of LCA. This assessment encompasses a wide array of factors, including soil quality, erosion control, contaminant remediation, soil stability, conservation, drainage management, and compliance with regulatory standards. To address this multifaceted evaluation, we employ a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model, specifically introducing the Multi-Attributive Border Approximation Area Comparison (MABAC) method. This MCDM technique is utilized to appraise the sustainability of soil practices and is integrated with a neutrosophic set to handle imprecise information. Our study incorporates nine criteria and eight alternative methods. Through the application of LCA, construction professionals can uncover strategies to minimize the carbon footprint of their projects, optimize soil utilization, and enhance the long-term resilience of their structures. Achieving a comprehensive LCA tailored to the specific requirements of each project and local regulations necessitates close collaboration between soil engineers, environmental experts, and construction practitioners.

Comparison of onshore/offshore wind power hydrogen production through water electrolysis by life cycle assessment

A comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted to evaluate three prominent water electrolysis technologies: alkaline electrolysis technology (AEL), polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysis technology (PEM), and solid oxide electrolysis technology (SOEC). These technologies were analyzed in conjunction with both onshore and offshore wind power sources. The assessment encompassed four environmental factors: global warming potential, acidification potential, ozone depletion potential, and eutrophication potential. By quantitatively comparing all six methods while considering their environmental impacts, it has been concluded that the combination of onshore wind power and polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysis technology for hydrogen production demonstrates the lowest global warming potential with a value of 0.0936 kg CO2-eq. This method offers significant advantages in terms of its environmental impact on the entire ecosystem.

A life cycle analysis approach to evaluate sustainable strategies in the furniture manufacturing industry

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) plays a crucial role in sustainability evaluations and impact assessments, especially in the realm of eco-design and environmentally friendly manufacturing in the furniture sector. However, the existing research tends to focus on specific stages of the furniture life cycle and leaves a substantial portion of the environmental impact unaddressed, including resource consumption, waste generation, and emissions throughout the entire value chain. This research presents a comprehensive LCA of the production and distribution process of a Pinewood Table, aiming to evaluate and improve its environmental sustainability. Six different production and distribution models were analyzed, including a base model strategy and five alternative strategies incorporating various sustainable policies. The study assessed the environmental impacts at each stage, considering resource consumption, emissions, and waste generation. Additionally, a cost analysis was conducted to identify the most economically viable sustainable option among the alternative strategies. Among the six production and distribution models studied, Alternative Strategy 5 demonstrates the lowest Climate Change CO2 equivalent emissions, with Alternative Strategy 2 following closely. This outcome underscores the importance of reducing forklift usage and transitioning to photovoltaic cells, resulting in a 50 % reduction in carbon emissions during CNC machining processes. Results also indicated that the collaborated strategy exhibited the highest reduction in Climate Change CO2 eq which is 65.4 %, highlighting the significance of reducing forklift usage and transitioning to photovoltaic cells for electricity generation. Finally, a sustainable option where all the strategies were collaborated is recommended for practitioners, emphasizing the significance of implementing eco-friendly practices to enhance the overall sustainability of pinewood table production and distribution. This research contributes to literature by providing essential information and guidance for industry stakeholders and policymakers to make informed decision-making and promote sustainable practices within the furniture manufacturing sector.

Co-utilization of iron ore tailings and coal fly ash for porous ceramsite preparation: Optimization, mechanism, and assessment

Maximizing the utilization of industrial by-products, such as iron ore tailings (IOTs) and coal fly ash (CFA), is crucial toward sustainable development. This study provides a meticulous insight into the optimization, mechanism, and assessment of the co-utilization of IOTs and CFA for the preparation of porous ceramsite. Micro-CT results revealed that the prepared ceramsite exhibited an exceptional porosity, peaking at 56.98%, with a wide range of pore diameters (3.55–959.10 μm) under optimal conditions (IOTs content at 76%, preheating at 550 °C for 15 min, and sintering at 1177 °C for 14 min), while maintaining good mechanical properties (water adsorption of 1.28%, comprehensive strength of 8.75 MPa, apparent density of 1.37 g/cm3, and bulk density of 0.62 g/cm3). The primary parameters affecting the porosity were identified and ranked as follows: sintering temperature > IOTs content > sintering time. The formation and growth of pores could be attributed to the equilibrium relationship between the liquid-phase surface tension and the gas expansion force, accompanied by pore wall thinning and pore merging. Notably, the prepared ceramsite is both ecologically feasible and economically rewarding, boasting a profit margin of 9.47 $/ton. The comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) conducted further highlights the potential of its large-scale implementation for promoting sustainable development. This study provides an innovative strategy for the co-utilization of IOTs and CFA, with advantages such as cost-effectiveness, ecological feasibility and scalability of production.

Life Cycle Assessment of Bacterial, Algal, and Synthetic Approaches for Astaxanthin Production at a Laboratory Scale: Comparative Environmental Analysis and Sensitivity of Energy Sources

Astaxanthin, a highly valuable natural pigment with potent antioxidant properties, is widely used in various industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. The demand for astaxanthin has led to the development of multiple production methods, including algal, bacterial, and synthetic approaches. Understanding the environmental implications of these production processes is crucial for sustainable decision-making in the astaxanthin industry. This research paper presents a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) comparing the environmental impacts of algal, bacterial, and synthetic astaxanthin production methods. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis is conducted, focusing on the source of energy used during production, and the shift from conventional to renewable energy sources is explored. The environmental importance of natural astaxanthin production is highlighted, considering the potential benefits of reducing dependence on synthetic production methods that rely on non-renewable resources. The results of the LCA, for the production of 1 g astaxanthin, reveal the relative environmental performance of each production process, identifying hotspots and potential areas for improvement. On average, the environmental impacts indicate that chemical synthesis is the best solution for the production of the pigment, followed by the bacterial extraction process and lastly by algae extraction. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis demonstrates the significant influence of energy sources on the overall environmental footprint. Shifting towards renewable energy sources presents an opportunity for mitigating environmental impacts and enhancing the sustainability of astaxanthin production.

A study on carbon dioxide emissions of high-polymer road maintenance technology based on life cycle assessment evaluation

Road repair and maintenance is the foundation for maintaining the health of roads. High-polymer grouting technology is an advanced non-excavation road repair and reinforcement technique. However, there is limited existing research focusing on this material and technique's carbon dioxide emissions and influencing factors. This study aims to elucidate the carbon dioxide emissions in the life cycle assessment of high-polymer grouting repair technology, using the example of maintenance work on semi-rigid asphalt pavement. The solidification reaction of each kilogram of high-polymer grouting material will release approximately 11.82 g of carbon dioxide. Comparative analysis was conducted by juxtaposing the carbon dioxide emissions at various stages of high-polymer grouting technology with those of cement grouting techniques and traditional excavation-based repair methods, encompassing conventional assessment (CA) on fuel combustion of engineering equipment and comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) on the materials production, fuel production, traffic delay, and engineering equipment. The results indicate a substantial reduction in carbon dioxide emissions for highway maintenance projects employing high-polymer grouting repair technology. The carbon dioxide emissions were reduced by 76.1% and 87.3% respectively per kilometer. The primary contribution to carbon dioxide reduction is observed during the construction phase and in terms of alleviating traffic delays. An indirect relationship is established between the carbon dioxide emissions of high high-polymer grouting materials and their strength, providing a reference for dynamically selecting material density in maintenance projects. The analysis of potential strategies to reduce CO2 emission in the transport sector and other industrial sectors suggests that the LCA model has the capability to accurately pinpoint the main contributing factors and CO2 emission levels stemming from specific maintenance processes within the intricate transportation system. The emphasis on enhancing the production technology of high-polymer materials is pivotal for further reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the context of high-polymer grouting repair technology.

Process Optimization and Environmental Analysis of Ultrasound-Assisted Biodiesel Production from Pangasius Fat Using CoFe2O4 Catalyst.

This study optimized biodiesel synthesis from Pangasius fat using a Box-Behnken experimental design. The manipulation of key variables included the CoFe2O4 catalyst dosage, the methanol-to-fat molar ratio, and the ultrasonic wave amplitude. We determined optimal conditions for biodiesel synthesis through the central runs, resulting in a remarkable 96.5% yield. The produced biodiesel exhibited diverse fatty acid compositions and met specifications for viscosity, specific gravity, acid value, and iodine value. Furthermore, we conducted a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) to shed light on the environmental implications of the process. The LCA revealed a minimal global warming potential of 0.21 kg CO2 per kg of biodiesel produced, demonstrating the environmental viability of the entire process. These significant findings highlight the promising potential of using Pangasius fat as a sustainable feedstock for biodiesel production. Additionally, they provide valuable insights into developing ecologically friendly energy sources.

ESCAPE simplified approach designed to evaluate materials sustainability: The case of new adsorbent materials for activated carbon substitution

This paper discusses a novel simplified approach for assessing the sustainability of new material, specifically focusing on the synthesis technology used. The material can be obtained through emerging technologies, even if they are in the early laboratory development stage. The evaluation is conducted by comparing it to a reference material, which could be a natural resource, for instance. This approach can be applied in situations where complete life cycle assessment (LCA) data is unavailable or a comprehensive LCA evaluation is not required. ESCAPE (standing for Evaluation of Sustainability of material substitution using CArbon footPrint by a simplifiEd approach) involves the calculation of two parameters, the embodied energy, and the CO2 footprint, for all steps of the material synthesis procedure. The manuscript discusses in detail for the first time the approach's applicability and potentialities with some examples, devoted to new proposed adsorbents, derived from wastes. For this aim, 50 literature papers are considered and analysed. Surprisingly, the results show that only 28% of the 50 selected materials are in accord with the introduced sustainability index, showing that most of the new proposed adsorbents appear to be not environmentally sustainable.This study's findings highlight the ESCAPE approach's potential in facilitating materials eco-design by identifying the most resource-intensive steps in synthesis procedures. Notably, this approach provides the flexibility to incorporate the energy mixes of different Countries where the new processes may be deployed, enabling sustainability evaluations based on specific locations. This capability opens possibilities for a more comprehensive and context-specific assessment of sustainability in materials development. In essence, ESCAPE serves as a preliminary screening method before conducting an LCA, enabling rapid evaluations. It serves as a valuable tool for researchers and industries aiming to develop sustainable materials, thereby expediting the transition toward a circular economy.

Comparative Life Cycle Assessment and Exergy Analysis of Coal‐ and Natural Gas‐Based Ammonia Production

AbstractA comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) analysis of ammonia production is presented, focusing on the comparison between natural gas‐based and coal‐based processes. Ammonia production is associated with high energy consumption and significant carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The objective of this research is to identify key processes and parameters within the ammonia synthesis industry and provide recommendations for cleaner and more sustainable development. Exergy analysis is performed to assess the efficiency of ammonia production technologies and determine optimal operating conditions. Natural gas‐based ammonia production has lower environmental impacts compared to coal‐based production in most categories, except for ionizing radiation. Natural gas, being a cleaner‐burning fossil fuel, produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants. However, it is essential to address the issue of ionizing radiation in natural gas‐based processes. The potential for more efficient technologies and the importance of removing sulfur and other impurities during the production process to optimize catalyst performance are highlighted.

Life-Cycle Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Calculation for Urban Rail Transit Systems: The Case of Pernambuco Metro

In recent years, the issue of climate change has gained significant attention and become a focal point of discussion in various sectors of civil society. Governments, individuals, and scientists worldwide are increasingly concerned about the observed changes in climate patterns, often attributed to the rising levels of greenhouse gases. In this context, the main objective of this study is to assess the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the railway system in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, and compare them with other national case studies, aiming to obtain greenhouse gas emission parameters specific to the railway system and propose mitigation models to address this environmental impact in the air. To achieve this goal, a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology was employed to examine the life cycle of the Pernambuco Metro. This involved conducting an inventory of resource inputs and emissions using actual observed data. Additionally, a comparative analysis of greenhouse gas emissions across different urban rail transport systems is presented to provide valuable contextual insights. The study findings reveal that the total greenhouse gas emissions from the Pernambuco rail system amount to 6170.54 t CO2e. Considering a projected total service life of 50 years, the estimated greenhouse gas emissions for the entire life cycle of the system’s operation and maintenance reach 308,550 t CO2e. The interdisciplinary nature of this research highlights the significance of studying the atmospheric effects of the Pernambuco railway system as a crucial parameter for designing strategies and technologies aimed at reducing air pollution within the region. Through quantifying and analyzing the greenhouse gas emissions of the Pernambuco rail system, this study provides valuable insights that contribute to addressing concerns related to climate change and promoting sustainable practices. It underscores the importance of developing effective strategies to mitigate air pollution and facilitates informed decision-making for the future of urban transportation systems.