End-of-life Vehicles Research Articles

A game-theoretic approach for decision analysis in end-of-life vehicle reverse supply chain regarding government subsidy

The presence of end-of-life vehicles (ELV) in the cities creates irreparable damage in environmental and economic terms. Thus, governments have been searching for ways to collect ELVs. An effective way to address ELVs is subsidies' policy. In this study, a supply chain including an ELV take-back center, an inspection center, and a repair center are considered. The decision variables are the purchase price of the ELVs, the sale price of the repaired vehicle, and the level of vehicle repair. In this supply chain, the government pays a subsidy to take-back centers that deliver their used vehicles. A Stackelberg game structure is considered with the government as the leader, the inspection center as the primary follower, and the collection and repair centers as the second followers. Using the game theory approach, the effects of government subsidies on equilibrium values of the decision-making variables of the centers in the ELV supply chain have been investigated in three scenarios. The scenarios comprise profit sharing, revenue sharing, and a centralized (cooperative) scenario. The results indicate that the centralized scenario has the most significant advantage compared to the two contracts of profit sharing and cost sharing. For example, the repair level of the ELVs, the amount of repaired vehicles demand, consumer surplus, and the whole supply chain's profit are at their maximum. The most significant impact of subsidy payment is related to the take-back center's profit and the ELV supply. On the other hand, the subsidy does not affect the profit of the repair center.

END-OF-LIFE VEHICLES MANAGEMENT AND INITIAL ESTIMATION OF THE MATERIAL FLOW FROM ELV IN VIETNAM

End-of-life vehicles (ELV) can be considered as a specific scrap source in Vietnam that is out of the Government control. This research is the initial research in Vietnam for the estimation of ELV flow and the determination of material flow from an ELV. For the estimation of ELV in Vietnam, a combination tool using the population balance model, logistic function and Weibull distribution is applied. It is estimated that the owner rate of car in household is quickly increased, and thus, increases the number of car and the ELV. By the 2030, the owner rate in household reach 0.13 unit per household, double it is in 2022 and 10 times higher in 2012. Up to 2030, nearly 190.000 passenger cars will be discarded, equals with the accumulated outdated automobiles up to 2019. In the case of a common passenger car, it is found that more than a half of an ELV (57%, in weight) can be reused in Vietnam, including mostly engine parts, wheels, air bag, speaker, chassis or mirror. About one third (32%) can be recycled as secondary material resources, including mostly metal parts, some types of plastic and rubber. The rest (11%) that cannot be reused or recycled is dumped without control around the dismantling site, causes many harmful impacts to environment and public health.While ELV is classified into groups of equipment that are needed to retrieve and treat by the producers under Decision 16/2015/QĐ-TTg, Vietnam do not have any proper legislation to control this waste flow, as well as any formal facility to treat it. Thus, it is still hanging for Vietnamese Government to improve the legislation and management infrastructure for the application of Extended Producer Responsibility system to manage this type of waste.

Operation parameters optimization of a separating system for non-ferrous metal scraps from end-of-life vehicles based on coupled simulation

End-of-life vehicles (ELVs) provide a particularly potent source of non-ferrous metal scraps. At presents, conveyor belt and air-jet nozzle are widely used in the existing separation system for non-ferrous metal scraps. Parameters such as shape of the scraps, conveyor belt speed (v), nozzle air pressure (P) and nozzle angle (α) have a significant influences on the separating accuracy and efficiency. To investigate the interaction between these parameters and their influences on the separation distance, a coupled simulation model of (Discrete Element Method) DEM and (Finite Element Method) FEM was employed to simulate the motion of the scraps and the separation process, the trajectory of the scraps under different circumstances was recorded and analyzed, the simulation model was verified using a separation platform. The results indicated that block shaped scraps have the largest separation distance followed by rod and slice shaped scraps. The separation distance of rod and slice shaped scraps increases when each of the three parameters increases, and the speed of conveyor belt (v) plays a dominant role. For blocks shaped scraps, when nozzle pressure is high, the separation distance increase with the increase of conveyor belt speed, when nozzle pressure is low, the separation distance decrease with the increase of conveyor belt speed. The nozzle pressure (P) was found to have the most noticeable impact on separation distance for block shaped scraps. For the platform in this study, the optimal operation parameters obtained were v = 1.9 m/s, P = 0.53 MPa, and α = 42°.

A Systematic Literature Review of Reverse Logistics of End-of-Life Vehicles: Bibliometric Analysis and Research Trend

Under the background of the prompt development of the global economy and continuous improvement of environmental protection awareness, end-of-life vehicles (ELVs), as an essential part of “urban mineral”, have the substantial economic, resource, and environmental value. The research on reverse logistics of ELVs has developed rapidly, but the existing relevant reviews are based on unique research perspectives and do not fully understand the whole field. This work aims to help comprehend the research status of reverse logistics of ELVs, excavate and understand the critical publications, and reveal the main research topics in the past 20 years. Based on 299 articles published in ISI Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) database from 2000 to 2019, this paper uses the methodologies of literature bibliometrics and content analysis, combined with VOS viewer, CiteSpace, and Bibexcel software. Besides, the literature quantity and cited situation, core journals, distribution of countries and regions, institutions, core authors, subject categories, and keywords information are analyzed to determine the primary trends and future research hot spots focus on reverse logistics of ELVs.

Energy Recovery through End-of-Life Vehicles Recycling in Developing Countries

End-of-life vehicle (ELV) recycling is a process that spends energy and could be an energy source as well. This part of energy recovering depends on many different factors related to the broad and local aspects of ELV recycling. The ELV recycling process is consuming energy from different energy sources (electrical, fossil), however, this consumption is lower in relation to energy consumption during the production of new vehicle parts from the very beginning. This article attempts to promote an integrated approach in the analysis of the problem of energy recovery through ELV recycling. Authors aim to analyze the ELV recycling process as an energy generator and to present possibilities for its energy recovery. The research analyses are based on the empirical investigation of ELV recycling in the Republic of Serbia, as a developing country, and on defined statistical model presenting the impact of ELV recycling on energy generation, spending, and conservation during one-year intervals. Research results showed that the higher ELV generation rates may led to a higher energy recovery, and environmental and socio-economic sustainability.

Extended Producer Responsibility for Waste Oil, E-Waste and End-of-Life Vehicles

This paper aims to explore the relationships of the performance of producer responsibility organizations (PROs) for waste oil, waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), and end-of-life vehicles (ELV). The methodology consists in estimating the cointegration equations between the variables of lubricating oil production (SIG), electric and electronic equipment (EEE), and vehicle production (VP) using dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS). Subsequently, elasticities are got based on estimates for Spain over the period 2007-2019 using quarterly data. The main results were that SIG and EEE were cointegrated variables. The elasticity of the SIG variable up to EEE was positive at 2, 4166. Additionally, the elasticity of the SIG variable up to VP was 2, 4050. However, SIG and VP are not cointegrated variables; subsequently, it was not a stable relationship between these variables. Results suggest it was because EPR was applied in WEEE PRO join with a deposit refund system (DRS); meanwhile, EPR in ELV PRO had been applied without subsidies to purchase cars.

Separation of auto shredder residue materials using an air table to achieve highly efficient recycling rate

ABSTRACT End-of-life vehicles (ELVs) contain valuable materials such as ferrous metal 75%. The dismantling ELVs typically requires the manual separation for removing the most hazardous materials and the mechanical recovery for recycling recyclable materials. After this process, the remaining materials are referred to as automotive shredder residue (ASR). For recycling ASR, wet treatments used in most of the plants require additional processing which increases the overall operating costs and decreases throughput. Therefore, to address these problems, a newly designed air table was applied. We then analyzed the quality and recovery rate of various materials. By using this method, we achieved ELVs recycling rate of 95%.

Life-cycle greenhouse gas and value chain of end-of-life vehicle management in Thailand

The management of many products during their end-of-life stage has not been addressed fully in Thailand. Today, the owners of dismantling facilities and car repair shops are managing end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) increasingly. This ELV market system involves recovering ELVs’ valuable materials and components. At present, information on ELVs’ current status is limited, and this lack of information will lead eventually to managing ELVs improperly. This paper presents an overview of the current status of ELV management in Thailand and proposes an appropriate way to improve it. The objectives of this study are to: (1) estimate the number and distribution of passenger cars (four wheels, but less than seven seats); (2) understand ELV stakeholders’ geographic locations to show the scarcity of ELV hotspots, dismantlers, and recycling industry facilities;(3) study the life cycle of greenhouse gas emissions (LCA GHGs) and the value chain in ELV management; and (4) provide recommendations for an ELV management policy. Field data were collected from key stakeholders in the supply chain. The results showed that a significant number of ELVs are discarded annually, and very few ELVs were sent to recycling facilities. ELVs’ LCA GHGs were estimated to be 540.9–1344 kg CO2e/car. In addition, the value added in ELV management could be in the range of 58–92 million THB million a year (USD 1.7–2.8 million) if these ELV parts are recycled, and recycling ELVs could reduce CO2e emissions by 92,767–159,952 tons.

Validation and setting up quality control for characterization of aluminum alloys in non-ferrous fraction of auto-shredders

The improvement of recycling rates of metal waste, namely those of end-of life vehicles, is nowadays becoming imperative. Aluminum and its alloys are the main metal components in non-ferrous fraction of auto-shredders separated out after sampling. Silicon, Mg, Cu, Zn, Mn, Ti, Fe and Cr are alloying elements, which allowed the identification and differentiation of Al alloys. Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry was used for quantification after HCl-HNO3 digestion, with the exception of Si, where HCl–HNO3–HF–H3BO3 digestion was used. Performance characteristics of measurement procedures, namely analytical dynamic ranges, limits of detection and quantification, precision and trueness were evaluated and measurement uncertainty estimated by applying an approach based on precision and trueness validation studies and quality control data. Target values, for repeatability, intermediate precision, trueness (recovery) and measurement uncertainty, were specified to differentiate Al alloys based on their own fit-for-purpose. Metrological traceability of the measurements results of the alloying elements was established by using certified values of British Chemical Standard (BCS) of Al alloys, BCS no 181/1, BCS No 268. BCS No 300 and Standard Reference Material of Al-base alloy, SRM 87. The quantification of Si, Mg, Cu, Zn, Mn, Ti, Fe and Cr in aluminum alloys from the non-ferrous fraction of automatic crushers was determined successfully through the validated procedures.

Sensitivity Analysis as a Tool in Environmental Policy for Sustainability: The Case of Waste Recycling Projects in the Republic of Serbia

Modern consumer society uses an increasing number of products to meet its needs, which become waste after use, thus posing a serious problem that threatens sustainable development. Investment in waste recycling, due to a high level of non-financial benefits, is considered sustainable, especially in the End-of-life Vehicles (ELV) and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) recycling areas. The research objective of this paper is to test the sensitivity of the model for sustainable management of recycling projects by applying a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) to investment projects of car and refrigerator recycling in the Republic of Serbia. By testing the key risk factors of the above investment projects within the sensitivity analysis, the main aim is to determine the critical value of these variables in terms of the financial and social acceptability of these investment alternatives. The results obtained indicate that state subsidies have the greatest influence on defining the model of sustainable investment, especially in the field of e-waste recycling. The impact of other factors, the price of secondary raw materials and the social cost of CO2 emissions, is significantly smaller, but should certainly be taken into account when defining the optimal model of sustainable investment.

Contamination Status and Emission Sources of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Settled Dust from End-of-life Vehicle Processing and Urban Areas, Northern Vietnam

Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) including 43 congeners of 10 homologs were determined in settled dust samples collected from urban houses and end-of-life vehicle (ELV) processing workshops in northern Vietnam. Concentrations of total 43 PCBs (ΣPCBs), 7 indicator PCBs (IN-PCBs), and 12 dioxin-like PCBs (DL-PCBs) in the ELV workshop dusts were significantly higher than those measured in the urban house dusts, suggesting ELV processing activities as potential sources of PCBs. However, concentrations of PCB-11 (3,3’-dichlorobiphenyl) in the urban house dusts (mean 4.5; range 1.2–8.7 ng/g) were markedly higher than levels found in the ELV workshop dusts (1.6; 0.46–5.4 ng/g). PCB-11 is a novel congener because it is only a trace component of technical PCB mixtures but identified as a major impurity of many organic pigments, especially diarylide yellow pigments. PCB patterns of the ELV workshop dusts were dominated by penta- and hexa-PCBs with major congeners as PCB-118, -138, -153, -110, and -101, which were also principal components of technical formulations such as Aroclor 1254, Kanechlor 500, and Sovol. Meanwhile, PCB-11 served as the most predominant congener detected in the urban house dusts, implying current emissions from paints and pigmented products; however, this point should be confirmed by further studies on the occurrence of PCBs in Vietnamese commercial products. Apart from PCB-11, the urban house dusts also contained elevated proportions of penta- and hexa-PCBs, suggesting residues from electrical equipment application in the past. Our results indicate that even though PCBs are legacy and banned chemicals, their presence has been observed in indoor environments due to their persistent nature and novel emission sources. Further studies on the occurrence and emission behavior of these pollutants should be conducted, including not only congeners in technical mixtures but also unintentionally produced compounds.

Collaborative approach for environmental and economic optimization based on life cycle assessment of end-of-life vehicles’ dismantling in China

China has the highest automobile ownership and lowest recycling rates of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) in the world. Due to the incompatibility that exists between environmental and economic objectives, the non-standardization of the dismantling industry has seriously affected its development. Therefore, from three aspects of scale, technology, and depth, we conducted a life cycle assessment (LCA) and established a cost-profit model to assess the potential environmental burden and economic benefits of the dismantling process, including equipment and plant factors. Targeted policy development suggestions for the government and ELV dismantling industry were proposed. The results show that three aspects all significantly impact metal and fossil-fuel depletion and climate change. The large-scale and mechanical80% modes yield the greatest environmental benefits. Power consumption during the fine disassembly and crushing steps, acetylene used in manual80% dismantling factory, and internal and external ELV parts are important factors influencing the environmental burden. The large-scale and manual80% modes and the reuse of internal and external parts are the main sources of profit. Both environmental and economic benefits can be significantly improved by optimizing the efficiency of fine disassembly, crushing, and purification equipment, by undertaking non-destructive dismantling of internal and external parts and by abandoning gas cutting. This study provides clear and comprehensive future directions for the Chinese ELV dismantling industry.

Development of thermal insulation sandwich panels containing end-of-life vehicle (ELV) headlamp and seat waste

Recycling automotive waste has increasingly become an alternative solution towards producing sustainable materials given the rising issue of raw material shortages and waste management challenges at global level. The improper end-of-life vehicle (ELV) waste management poses detrimental impacts on the environment. This paper proposes a novel method to develop thermal insulation sandwich panels using ELV waste, motivated by the critical needs of creating high-performance thermal insulation for buildings. Six sandwich panels (P1-P6) of different weight and ratio of shredded ELV particles were manufactured. The sandwich panels structure was made of three layers: a core, and a glass face sheet bonded to each side. The core structure composed of Polycarbonate (PC) from headlamp lenses and polyurethane (PU) from seat, bonded using resin casting approach. Thermal conductivity of the samples was measured using guarded hot-plate apparatus. Results corroborated that thermal conductivity of ELV-based sandwich panels reduced remarkably compared to panel without ELVs, recorded at 15.51% reduction. Composition gives the best thermal performance was made of mixed ELV core materials of ratio 50%PC:50%PU, it has a thermal conductivity value of 0.1776 W/mK. The transparency data were obtained using Haze-gard plus haze meter. The best luminous transmittance value was exhibited by P2 (100% PC), 67.47%. The best clarity value and haze value were shown by P6 (25% PC: 75% PU), 55.13% and 52.6% respectively. ELV waste can be recycled to develop useful sustainable thermal insulation to improve thermal and optical transparency performance of buildings as a substitute for conventional materials which have a relevance for future façade concepts.

Modeling oligopsony market for end-of-life vehicle recycling

Abstract End-of-life vehicle (ELV) recycling markets in emerging economies are characterized by the existence of plenty of informal dismantlers and a few formal dismantlers. The nature of these markets can be characterized as oligopsony markets, where few buyers (dismantlers) compete to purchase ELVs from a large number of sellers (ELV owners). High initial investment creates a barrier to entry and exit for formal dismantlers, whereas the perfectly competitive nature of the informal dismantling market enables free entry and exit of informal dismantlers. In this paper, we consider a market with one formal dismantler and few homogeneous informal dismantlers, and the dismantlers compete by offering a higher price for ELVs. We develop a system dynamics model to capture the feedback effects of competition in the ELV recycling market where the increase in the price of ELV reduces the profitability of dismantlers, which affects the future price increase of ELV and leads to the exit of informal dismantlers. This, in turn, creates fluctuations in dismantling quantities and scrap supplies leading to fluctuations in scrap prices. Using Indian data, the simulation results show that the competition leads to the higher market price for ELV, but a lower profit for dismantlers and reduced aggregate dismantling capacity due to the exit of informal dismantlers. The market price of ELV will rise by more than 200% in 10 years, whereas the existing informal dismantling capacity reduces to less than 50% during the same period. The higher capacities of the formal dismantler lead to the rapid exit of informal dismantlers thereby diminishing the effects of competition resulting in the lower market price for ELV. From our analysis, we recommend that establishing formal dismantling units with high capacities and vertical integration of vehicle manufacturers and end-of-life management systems aligned with suitable policy instruments will ensure more environmentally sound recycling.

End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) in Malaysia: Time for Action to Guarantee Vehicle Safety


 
 
 
 It is envisaged that by the end of 2020, the number of passenger cars ever registered will reach 9.97 million with further projection to 12.64 million by 2040. While most new cars sold in Malaysia have reached ASEAN NCAP's 4- or 5-star rating by improving their safety standards, we can still see aged cars on the road. If the ELV policy were to be enacted in Malaysia, not only the country's economy will flourish but also ASEAN NCAP's endeavours would surely be more fruitful. Nonetheless, the question remains; will there be any policies or regulations regarding old cars in Malaysia such as those implemented in developed countries? In the end, the public must be convinced that an old car with inferior safety features on the road can ultimately lead to a tragedy and should fundamentally outweigh the economic implications to the consumers.
 
 
 

Analysis of the impact of vehicle lightweighting on recycling benefits considering life cycle energy reductions

This study evaluates the reductions in energy consumption of vehicle lightweighting, considering the effects of the end of life vehicles (ELV) recycling. For this propose, changes in the material composition of the body in white are assessed by an inventory analysis, including the entire life of the vehicle. The production phase is evaluated considering embodied energy values; the use phase through the mass induced energy consumption; and end of life vehicle recycling considers the part reusing, material recycling, and energy recovery as possible destinations. Moreover, the use of aluminum, advanced high strength steel (AHSS), and carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) as alternative materials are compared. The Japanese vehicle market has been taken as a case study. Furthermore, the user's cost comparison is addressed as an additional assessment variable. Our results show that the effects of vehicle lightweighting on the production and end of life phase are as essential to consider as the benefits generated in its use phase. Moreover, material lightweight must be analyzed jointly with its possible recycling destination, because when the first variable is considered individually, maximum life cycle energy reduction of 23.3 MJ per kg of part to be lightweight can be expected; however, an adequate combination of both variables could almost double those benefits to 51.0 MJ, but also incorrect combinations could be counterproductive guiding to an energy consumption increment of 92.7 MJ.

Development and characterization of hybrid coconut/glass fibers reinforced low density polyethylene composites for bumper application

The EU's End of Life Vehicles (ELV) regulations are forcing car manufacturers to consider the environmental impact of their production and possibly shift from the use of synthetic materials to the use of agro-based materials. However, poor mechanical properties and certain manufacturing limitations currently limit the use of agro-based materials to non-structural and semi-structural automotive components. This research is focused on a composite of hybrid coconut/glass fiber as reinforcement in recycled low density polyethylene matrix alone to enhance the desired mechanical properties for car bumper as automotive structural components. X-ray fluorescence analysis conducted on coconut fiber showed the presence of silica and alumina materials make coconut fibre a choice one. Morphology analysis was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which reveals that there are small discontinuities and reasonably uniform distribution of the reinforcement fibers and the reinforced low density polyethylene (RLDPE) binder resulting to better mechanical properties. Physic-chemical properties that directly affect developed composite such as variation of Density, Water Absorption, Tensile Strength, Bending strength, Modulus of rupture, Impact Strength and Hardness Values were investigated for both unhybridized and hybridized developed composite. The study shows the successful development of composites of coconut fiber (CF) hybridized with glass fiber (GF) and reinforced low density polyethylene (RLDPE) binder using a simple molding technique. Hybridized samples (CF-GF/RLDPE) showed higher strength when compared to un-hybridized (CF/RLDPE) composites. Better microstructural bonding exists with 25% and 30% wt CF-GF composite resulting in good mechanical properties for the hybridized composites. The grades of composites obtained in the course of this study are applicable in the production of low strength car bumpers.

Evolutionary game of end-of-life vehicle recycling groups under government regulation

This paper studies the competition between the illegal recycling group and the legitimate recycling group in the recycling market of end-of-life vehicles, and we built an evolutionary game model of the competition process between the two groups. By constructing an evolutionary game model between illegal recycling and legitimate recycling strategy for end-of-life (EOL) vehicle recyclers, we investigate the long-term evolutionary characteristics of illegal recycling and legal recycling group in EOL vehicle recycling in different contexts. When there is government involving in the evolution game process of EOL vehicle recycling groups, we build our model to find out how its policies on EOL vehicle recycling change the legal recyclers’ evolutionary stable state. Meanwhile, we explore how the government’s different regulation policies affect its revenue from recycling EOL vehicles. Then, through a numerical simulation method, the influence of government policy in the evolutionary game model on the strategy choices on EOL vehicle recycling is tested and verified. With the research results, we find that it is very difficult to improve the evolutionary stable state when the government uses penalty policy only on the illegal EOL vehicle recycling, though the revenue of government can be guaranteed. Moreover, when the subsidy and penalty amount on legal and illegal EOL vehicle recycling increase to a certain extent, the revenue of government will start to decrease.

Management of the waste originating from the end of life vehicles in the małopolskie and dolnośląskie voivodeships

Management of the waste originating from the end of life vehicles in the małopolskie and dolnośląskie voivodeships

A comparative study on end-of-life vehicles network design

This paper investigates the current research in the field of the end-of-life vehicles (ELV) recycling network. The optimisation of the location of a network facilities in forward logistics in the automotive industry has received a lot of attention for many years but the reverse logistics for ELVs has been a subject of investigations since the beginning of 21st century. ELV recycling network design gained in popularity after the European Union and other countries like Japan, South Korea and recently China introduced legal obligations to organize a collecting or recycling network for used vehicles. When regulations are introduced, there is a need for a systemic solution to the problem, especially since the obligation to create a collection network is often accompanied by requirements related to its accessibility for vehicle owners or efficiency of operation. With the growing scope of legal regulations, companies or organisations responsible for the network are forced to redesign the existing recycling infrastructure in a given area so that it meets specific requirements. Initially, the most important criterion was network availability. Currently, the same importance is attached to economic, environmental and social aspects in order to meet the sustainability criteria. In this paper, forty one peer-reviewed published studies focused on network design were classified. Its main purpose is to provide an extensive review of state-of-the-art research published in the period 2000-2019. The scope of the review is limited to network design problems including facility location and flow allocation problems. Only papers that present mathematical models are considered. Studies on the ELV network design are classified based on: type of supply chain, type of network, optimisation problem, type of facilities, modelling technique, single/multi objectivity, objective function, period of time, solution approach and scope of implementation. The final part of the paper includes discussion of the methodology of the reviewed studies and some recommendations for future research area.