Environmental Life Cycle Analysis Research Articles

Environmental and social life cycle analysis of hydrogen-powered railway locomotives in Canadian context

Hydrogen locomotives offer a promising cleaner alternative to conventional diesel locomotives. However, hydrogen production methods and energy sources may introduce additional emissions. This paper evaluates the environmental and potential social impacts of hydrogen locomotives in Canada from a life cycle perspective, encompassing the locomotive's retrofitting components and the fuel life cycle. Results show varying emissions across different hydrogen production pathways and regions. Electrolysis has the highest emission reduction potential in provinces with cleaner electricity sources, such as Manitoba, Quebec and British Columbia, resulting in up to 47% reduction in life cycle emissions. Conversely, in Alberta and Saskatchewan, emissions are approximately three times higher than diesel due to reliance on fossil fuel-derived electricity. The social assessment underscores the imperative of considering emissions, costs, and technical implications to address potential social impacts. This positions hydrogen locomotives with significant challenges that necessitate resolution before they can be considered a superior alternative to diesel.

Environmental life cycle analysis of manufacturing options for humanitarian supplies: drinking water containers

Environmental life cycle analysis of manufacturing options for humanitarian supplies: drinking water containers

Perspectives on cultivation and harvesting technologies of microalgae, towards environmental sustainability and life cycle analysis

The development of algae is seen as a potential and ecologically sound approach to address the increasing demands in multiple sectors. However, successful implementation of processes is highly dependent on effective growing and harvesting methods. The present study provides a complete examination of contemporary techniques employed in the production and harvesting of algae, with a particular emphasis on their sustainability. The review begins by examining several culture strategies, encompassing open ponds, closed photobioreactors, and raceway ponds. The analysis of each method is conducted in a systematic manner, with a particular focus on highlighting their advantages, limitations, and potential for expansion. This approach ensures that the conversation is in line with the objectives of sustainability. Moreover, this study explores essential elements of algae harvesting, including the processes of cell separation, dewatering, and biomass extraction. Traditional methods such as centrifugation, filtration, and sedimentation are examined in conjunction with novel, environmentally concerned strategies including flocculation, electro-coagulation, and membrane filtration. It evaluates the impacts on the environment that are caused by the cultivation process, including the usage of water and land, the use of energy, the production of carbon dioxide, and the runoff of nutrients. Furthermore, this study presents a thorough examination of the current body of research pertaining to Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) studies, presenting a perspective that emphasizes sustainability in the context of algae harvesting systems. In conclusion, the analysis ends up with an examination ahead at potential areas for future study in the cultivation and harvesting of algae. This review is an essential guide for scientists, policymakers, and industry experts associated with the advancement and implementation of algae-based technologies.

Life cycle cost and life cycle environmental analysis of the different waste-to-renewable natural gas pathways: An effort to identify an optimal pathway under different Multi-criteria decision-based scenarios

Currently, due to the insufficient resources of renewable natural gas, the development of renewable pathways to integrate into the natural gas-industry portfolio can reduce many concerns about the reserves depletion and the environmental crises. In the present article a structure-oriented framework for gas networks is developed to compare and prioritize different investment scenarios for renewable natural gas production projects. In this regard, different pathways to produce renewable natural gas through the waste-to-natural gas process were discussed and compared based on different waste feedstocks. To discuss and compare different pathways, a decision-making structure and framework under life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) and life cycle environmental analysis (LCEA) is employed to choose the appropriate pathway for the waste-to-natural gas process. The optimal pathway is identified through different multi-variable decision-making scenarios (under different geographical conditions, access to different feedstocks, and different interests of stakeholders). From the outcomes, under the neutral and Pro-economic scenarios, the renewable natural gas production pathway driven by landfill gas integrated with the pressure swing adsorption- biogas upgrading unit is the optimal and desirable option. While under an Eco-friendly scenario, the pathway driven by animal manure integrated with the pressure swing adsorption-upgrading unit is an optimal and desirable pathway.

Importance of Strategic Environmental Assessment (Sea) Process and Environmental Health Impact Assessment (Ehia) Process Towards Sustainable Climate Change And Control

Importance of Strategic Environmental Assessment (Sea) Process and Environmental Health Impact Assessment (Ehia) Process Towards Sustainable Climate Change And Control

Iron(III) based Metal-Organic Frameworks in cellulose acetate film preservation: Fundamental aspects and first application

Low-temperature storage to slow down degradation is accepted by the film conservation community. Still, this solution prohibits public access, is price-sensitive, has high energy costs, and there are concerns about their effects on the physical stability and material lifetime. In this research, a smart solution is developed based on the selective capture of acetic acid produced by the cellulose acetate polymer. This innovative approach is based on Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for acetic acid adsorption, specifically a highly selective porous iron(III) based MOF, MIL-100(Fe), which was synthesized using a green approach. The stability of MIL-100(Fe), under acetic acid exposure, was demonstrated by accelerated aging experiments, with no noticeable changes in crystallinity and/or porosity as deduced from powder X-ray diffraction analysis, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, nitrogen porosimetry, and electron microscopy. Compatibility tests with the artefacts were performed to prove the safety of the MIL-100(Fe) to the artefacts. A field application in a demonstration prototype (smart box) was performed at Institut Valencià de Cultura. A recently developed hybrid model provided recommendations on the quantity of adsorbents to use in the smart box. Good agreement was observed between the model predictions and the in-field experimental results, which validated the model application. The model predicted that the new adsorbent (5% of the film's weight, replaced every 10 years, at 16°C or 22°C) extends the film's lifetime equivalently to cold storage (5°C). Finally, environmental impact assessment and life cycle analysis were performed to compare the two preservation approaches. The new approach based on this Fe-MOF yielded an average reduction of carbon footprint related to movie film preservation of about 50% considering the current European Union (EU) energy mix and about 40% considering the 2030 EU energy mix (where a transition towards renewable energy is expected). The proposed innovative technology represents a robust solution towards efficient and more sustainable film preservation while significantly contributing to moving toward climate transition objectives in the culture heritage sector.

A design stage, multi-objective assessment: material selection with environmental life-cycle analysis, labor, and material health considerations for building structure

During the schematic design stage of a building, assessing trade-offs of lifecycle impact of building elements and materials is crucial for the decision-making process when aiming to reduce negative impacts holistically. A multi-objective assessment is proposed, for environmental, labour exploitation risk (LER), and material health lifecycle impact of the structure and foundation elements in the schematic design stage. Using a real, mid-size, mass timber, educational building in Philadelphia, United States as a case study, we deployed multi-objective optimization (MOO) to consider the range of global warming potential (GWP), LER rating, and material health impact of nine product types over 1602 structure and foundation elements. The parametric workflow paired with Building Information Modelling (BIM) objects aims to provide designers a holistic overview on the cumulative, per material, and per building element impact upstream in the supply chain. The Pareto front solutions reveal that concrete floor with metal deck, hollow structural section framing, and concrete foundation slab, footing, and column pose the greatest risk overall for the case study building, and warrant design consideration to substitute with less impactful alternatives.

Assessment of the sustainability and producibility of adobe constructions reinforced with Ca-based binders: Environmental life cycle analysis (LCA) and 3D printability

This study investigated the usability of adobe samples reinforced with calcium-based binders in a 3D-printed technique. These adobe samples' physical, mechanical, durability and microstructure characteristics were investigated and their 3D printability characteristics experimentally. In the case of adobe production by 3D-printing method, the compressive strength decreased by 9–33 % compared to mold casting. While the thermal conductivity coefficient of adobe samples varied between 0.833 and 1.421 W/mK, the thermal conductivity was reduced by 43 % thanks to the preference for gypsum. Within the scope of the LCA analysis, the slightest effect in terms of environmental damage was observed in mixtures containing gypsum compared to cement and slaked lime mixtures. As a result, it was determined that adobe's physical and mechanical characteristics could be improved by using gypsum, lime and cement, and these mixtures can be used in 3D-printing. It was determined that more sustainable adobe production is possible with gypsum and lime.

Environmental Life Cycle Analysis and Energy Payback Period Evaluation of Solar PV Systems: The Case of Pakistan

This study employs a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach to investigate the environmental burden of photovoltaic power generation systems that use multi-crystalline silicon (multi-Si) modules in Pakistan. This study evaluates the energy payback time (EPBT) of this class of systems, and considers various environmental impacts, including climate change, acidification, and eutrophication. The assessment accounts for upstream, midstream, and downstream processes, including cell as well as module production. The critical stages in the production cycle were identified, including the metallic silicon transformation into solar silicon and the assembly of the panels, which involve energy-intensive materials such as aluminum frames and glass roofing. Despite using the most efficient conversion technology, the former stage consumes a significant amount of electricity. This study reveals that multi-Si PV systems in Pakistan have an EPBT that is considerably less than their lifespan, ranging from 2.5 to 3.5 years. These findings suggest that the development of PV systems in Pakistan is a very interesting option for energy production. Additionally, this study compares solar PV and wind power generation systems in various regions of Pakistan. The study outcomes can facilitate evidence-based decision-making processes in the renewable energy sector and contribute significantly to Pakistan’s endeavor to transition toward a sustainable energy system.

Cleaning Up without Messing Up: Maximizing the Benefits of Plastic Clean-Up Technologies through New Regulatory Approaches.

As the global plastics crisis grows, numerous technologies have been invented and implemented to recover plastic pollution from the environment. Although laudable, unregulated clean-up technologies may be inefficient and have unintended negative consequences on ecosystems, for example, through bycatch or removal of organic matter important for ecosystem functions. Despite these concerns, plastic clean-up technologies can play an important role in reducing litter in the environment. As the United Nations Environment Assembly is moving toward an international, legally binding treaty to address plastic pollution by 2024, the implementation of plastic clean-up technologies should be regulated to secure their net benefits and avoid unintended damages. Regulation can require environmental impact assessments and life cycle analysis to be conducted predeployment on a case-by-case basis to determine their effectiveness and impact and secure environmentally sound management. During operations catch-efficiency and bycatch of nonlitter items, as well as waste management of recovered litter, should be documented. Data collection for monitoring, research, and outreach to mitigate plastic pollution is recommended as added value of implementation of clean-up technologies.

Paper Bags vis-à-vis LDPE Bags: Gleanings from Peer-reviewed E-LCA Publications

Fossil-plastics or paper? Or for that matter, bio-plastics and paper? This is a well-entrenched question in academic research, industrial, social and policy-making circles. As environmental life-cycle analyses (or more appropriately, sustainability analyses) show time and again, no single product or process or mode of operation is a ‘total villain’. There are goods and bads, and at times, more of the one than the other. This paper, which is based on a course-report written by the first author at Karlstad University (Sweden), restricts itself to a review of publications which have opted to compare paper bags with low density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic bags, on the basis of their environmental impacts. Environmental impact categories include the global warming potential, energy demand, fossil fuel depletion, water usage, acidification, eutrophication, and a range of toxicities – human, terrestrial, freshwater-aquatic and marine-aquatic. The articles were obtained through Google Scholar, read and reviewed to glean the results presented therein. The ‘What’, ‘How’ and ‘Where’, so to say were studied carefully to understand the reasons behind any differences or similarities detected. On the basis of this focused review, even though no new knowledge is being added, the common belief that the paper bag is environmentally superior to the LDPE alternative is further consolidated. However, if one focuses on water usage and would assign a high weightage to that environmental impact, LDPE perhaps may score a few ‘brownie points’ over paper. One must also not forget that plastics (LDPE in this instance) can be recycled without significant deterioration in its functional properties. In a circular economy (the bioeconomy part of which gradually will expand over time), while introducing more and more bio-based products into the technosphere by way of trans-materialization is recommended, plastics will still continue to exist – albeit in much smaller amounts – and it would be perfectly fine if the degree of recycling is augmented significantly. Speaking of a holistic sustainability analysis, the socio-economic aspects of a choice between LDPE and paper bags must also be factored in, and studied. Much-desired change happens when the top-down meets the bottom-up somewhere midway.

Environmental Life Cycle Analysis of Açaí (Euterpe oleracea) Powders Obtained via Two Drying Methods

Açaí is a fruit native to Brazil that is found in Colombia, and it is recognized for containing more than 90 compounds with anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and other biological activities. In this study, a cradle-to-gate life cycle analysis (LCA) was conducted for the production of açaí powder, following the methodology outlined in the ISO 14040 standard. The investigation focused on examining the impact of utilizing or not utilizing the residues generated during the pulp extraction step as fertilizers. Four scenarios were analyzed and compared: (i) production of açaí powder via vacuum drying, (ii) via spray drying, and via the same two types of drying but using residues from the pulping operation as fertilizer (Scenarios 3 and 4). It was found that to produce 1 kg of açaí in a crop cycle, 1.17 kg of CO2 eq is produced. The drying stage in Scenarios 1 and 2 generated 8.04 and 7.93 kg of CO2 eq, respectively. Similarly, when solid waste is used as fertilizer, CO2 emissions barely increased for Scenarios 3 and 4, respectively. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first carbon footprint study of the production of açaí powder whit these scenarios.

Carbon footprint and sustainability assessment of wood utilisation in Hungary

AbstractForest management allows the sustained removal of significant amounts of carbon from the atmosphere. Within different activities in the forest, wood utilisation has the most significant man-made environmental impact which affects the carbon balance, which is important to know, to be able to accurately identify its role in climate change. This study aims to determine the carbon footprint of logging during utilisation based on scenario analysis in national default and theoretical assortment structures (11 additional scenarios for each forest stand) within the entire life cycle of raw wood products. Based on a common functional unit (100 m3 of cut wood), a comparative environmental life cycle analysis (LCA) for intermediate and final cutting was performed in shortwood forestry work systems in beech (Fagus spp.), oak (Quercus spp.), spruce (Picea spp.), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), and hybrid poplar (Populus x euramericana) stands in Hungary. After obtaining the results, the present study calculated the carbon footprint order for the utilisation life cycle phases and the entire tree utilisation life cycle. The distribution of absolute carbon footprint (ACF: considered emitted CO2 from fossil and biotic origins together) by final cutting exhibited the following order: hybrid poplar (6%)—spruce (8%)—beech (26%)—oak (27%)—black locust (33%). The ACF ranking for the whole technological life cycle (intermediate and final cutting, 400 m3 of cut wood) was hybrid poplar– spruce—oak—beech–black locust. The carbon footprint rankings of the studied stands were expanded to the national level.

Integrated energy, cost, and environmental life cycle analysis of electricity generation and supply in Tehran, Iran

This paper conducts a joint life-cycle costing and life-cycle assessment to address the cradle-to-gate energy, cost, and midpoint/endpoint environmental impacts of Tehran's electricity generation/supply industry. According to the ReCiPe model, photovoltaic and biogas combined heat and power (CHP) technologies have the highest ecotoxicity, eutrophication, human toxicity, ionizing radiation, and mineral resource scarcity impacts. In comparison, fossil technologies, particularly gas turbines, have the highest midpoint global warming and particular matter and ozone formation impacts and endpoint damages to ecosystems, human health, and resources. As per the cumulative energy demand method, gas-turbine has the highest energy demand (16.08 MJ/kWh), while biogas-CHP has the lowest (1.38 MJ/kWh). In contrast, the biogas CHP has the highest electricity supply costs (1.07 USD/kWh), while hydropower has the lowest cost (0.39 USD/kWh) and midpoint/endpoint environmental impacts. The electricity industry's damages to ecosystems (1.99E-09 species.year/kWh) and human health (7.71E-07 DALY/kWh) majorly arise from power plants' global warming effects (0.603 kg-CO2/kWh), while resource damages (0.101 USD/kWh) primarily originate from their high nonrenewable energy demands (12.36 MJ/kWh). Despite small contributions to energy/environmental impacts, transmission/distribution networks account for 48.3% of overall electricity supply costs (1.44 USD/kWh). Findings suggest that displacing diesel from Tehran's electricity mix can significantly augment electricity supply sustainability.

Thermodynamics, environmental damage cost, exergoeconomic, life cycle, and exergoenvironmental analyses of a JP-8 fueled turbodiesel aviation engine at take-off phase

The objective of this study is to evaluate the energetic, exergetic, sustainability, economic and environmental performances of a 4-cylinder turbodiesel aviation engine (TdAE) used on unmanned aerial vehicles for the take-off operation mode to assess the system with large aspects. Energy efficiency of the system is found as 43.158%, while exergy efficiency 40.655%. Thermoeconomic analysis gives information about the costs of the inlet and outlet energy and exergy flows of the engine. Hourly levelized total cost flow of the TdAE is found as 21.036 $/h, when the hourly fuel cost flow of the engine is found as 30.328 $/h. The waste exergy cost parameter is determined as 0.0144 MJ/h/$ from exergy cost-energy-mass (EXCEM) analysis, while it is estimated as 14.043 MJ/$ from modified-EXCEM analysis. Environmental damage cost analysis evaluates the cost formation of the exhaust emissions. The total environmental damage cost of the TdAE is computed as 12.895 $/h whilst specific environmental damage cost is determined as 0.054 $/MJ for 494.145 MJ/h TdAE power production. It is assessed that the main contributors to the environmental impact rate of the TdAE are the fuel consumption and the formation pollutants of combustion reaction.

Total Quality Management (Tqm) As a Prerequisite For Improving The Competitiveness In Waste Management And Waste Reprocessing Micro, Small And Medium Enterprises To Achieve Business Excellence

Total Quality Management (Tqm) As a Prerequisite For Improving The Competitiveness In Waste Management And Waste Reprocessing Micro, Small And Medium Enterprises To Achieve Business Excellence

Environmental Impact Comparison of Geothermal Alternatives for Conventional Boiler Replacement

In the transition towards a sustainable world with a “green horizon” (something that is also of great importance to the policy of energy self-sufficiency in housing and self-consumption), geothermal energy is seen as quite a feasible alternative for single-family homes. This article focuses on a comparison between the environmental impact and life cycle analysis of three alternatives and provides a base case for the replacement of a conventional type of boiler with a geothermal one for a typical house located in a Mediterranean climate. The first alternative (A) consists of a horizontal catchment system through a field of geothermal probes. The second alternative (B) is a shallow water catchment system, open type, with the return of water to a nearby river. The third option studied (C) is also a shallow water catchment system but with the water, return injected into a well downstream to the underground water flow. The study shows that alternatives A and B have the least environmental impact in most of the categories studied. The total amortization periods for the three alternatives and the base case differ by almost two years, with alternative A taking 6.99 years and alternative C costing 8.82 years.

Environmental life cycle analysis of a modern commercial-scale fibreglass composite-based biogas scrubbing system

There are progressive trends in biogas scrubbing technologies. These technologies are mainly aimed at supplying cleaner biomethane by removing CO2. With increasing progress in the field, their environmental assessment is also becoming important. This study is focused on the life cycle analysis (LCA) of a modern commercial-scale biogas scrubbing-filtration system, exclusively made of fibreglass reinforced composite material. This system can effectively scrub CO2, sulphides, siloxanes, the water content of the biogas and provide up to 85% pure biomethane. The environmental sustainability of the scrubbing system is deliberated in terms of LCA scores for four feedstock ratios of cow/buffalo manure (CBM) and potato waste (PW) depicted as CBM100:PW0, CBM75:PW25, CBM50:PW50 and CBM0:PW100. A functional unit of 100 m3 of biogas and six LCA categories (climate change, terrestrial acidification, freshwater ecotoxicity, water consumption, fossil depletion and human toxicity) were selected. The significant impacts are determined in the categories of climate change (kg of CO2 eq.) as −1.20, 1.11, 1.07, −1.16, and fossil depletion (kg of oil eq.) as −9.50, 8.27, 8.01 and −9.91 for the four respective feedstock variants, CBM100:PW0, CBM75:PW25, CBM50:PW50 and CBM0:PW100. The feedstock CBM100:PW0 posed the least climate change impact and for the fossil depletion category, CBM0:PW100 is the least burdensome.

Rankıng value-creatıng green approach practıces and choosıng ıdeal green marketıng strategy for logıstıcs companıes

The deterioration of environmental factors, economic and technological development, the formation of complexity in societies, the rise of complex structures have made the environment and green management practices more important. Especially value-creating green approaches are considered as critical components in both public and private sector applications and defined as indicators of success in terms of sustainability. On the other hand, green marketing strategies are also important practices that have a positive impact on the environment and should be carefully emphasized for the inheritance of nature to future generations. Recently, it has been on the agenda quite a lot and it is understood for all sectors.In this study, it is aimed to determine the criteria for value-creating green approach practices in logistics companies operating in the TR A1 region due to the above mentioned importance and to choose the most ideal green marketing strategy. In solving this problem, Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods, which are a complex decision-making method, have been used. According to the results of the research, it was determined that the most important criterion in value creating green approach applications as Environmental Focused Strategic Decisions (C3), and the least important criterion as Environmental Life Cycle Analysis (C2). It has been determined that the most ideal green marketing strategy is Green Innovation (A1). Accordingly the importance of the environmental based strategic decisions is revealed in terms of creating green marketing strategy for companies.

Sustainable production of cellulose nanofiber from sugarcane trash: A quality and life cycle assessment

Developing green processes in the chemistry and engineering domains is one of the most significant challenges for sustainable production. Sugarcane trash (ST) generated during the sugar extraction process is an excellent feedstock for the production of cellulose nanofibers (CNF). Four distinct routes for CNF production from ST has been designed. The OTH procedure included an Organosolv pretreatment, TEMPO oxidation, and High-pressure homogenization; the OLH procedure included an Organosolv pretreatment followed by Lime juice hydrolysis. Alkaline pretreatment, TEMPO oxidation and High-pressure homogenization comprised the ATH. The ALH consisted of Alkaline pretreatment, lime juice hydrolysis, and High-pressure homogenization. The characterization of the CNF samples revealed excellent purity and crystallinity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to characterize the synthesized CNF. X-ray diffractograms (XRD) showed a crystallinity value of 64.28 %, 69.52 %, 60.54 %, and 68.81 % for OTH, OLH, ATH, and ALH, respectively. The OTH route produced the highest yield of cellulose (0.98 g/g ST) while the OTH and OLH routes produced high yields of CNF (0.34 g/g ST). Environmental parameters associated with the processes used to obtain CNF from ST were evaluated to achieve sustainable production and asses the environmental impact, including EcoScale (ES) and Life Cycle Analyses (LCA). EcoScale analysis assigned the OTH method a score of 84 and OLH, ALH, and ATH methods 74, 67, and 74, respectively. The life cycle assessment results indicated that the ATH method had a relatively low environmental impact across all impact categories. Finally, comparing CNF value to other carbon nanomaterials, the CNF derived from biomass was found to have a low environmental impact.