Life Cycle Cost Analysis Research Articles

Life Cycle Economic and Environmental Assessment of Producing Synthetic Jet Fuel Using CO2/Biomass Feedstocks.

The aviation industry is responsible for over 2% of global CO2 emissions. Synthetic jet fuels generated from biogenic feedstocks could help reduce life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to petroleum-based fuels. This study assesses three processes for producing synthetic jet fuel via the synthesis of methanol using water and atmospheric CO2 or biomass. A life cycle assessment and cost analysis are conducted to determine GHG emissions, energy demand, land occupation, water depletion, and the cost of producing synthetic jet fuel in Switzerland. The results reveal that the pathway that directly hydrogenates CO2 to methanol exhibits the largest reductions in terms of GHG emission (almost 50%) compared to conventional jet fuel and the lowest production cost (7.86 EUR kgJF-1); however, its production cost is currently around 7 times higher than the petroleum-based counterpart. Electrical energy was found to be crucial in capturing CO2 and converting water into hydrogen, with the sourcing and processing of the feedstocks contributing to 79% of the electric energy demand. Furthermore, significant variations in synthetic jet fuel cost and GHG emissions were shown when the electricity source varies, such as utilizing grid electricity pertaining to different countries with distinct electricity mixes. Thus, upscaling synthetic jet fuels requires energy-efficient supply chains, sufficient feedstock, large amounts of additional (very) low-carbon energy capacity, suitable climate policy, and comprehensive environmental analyses.

Life cycle cost analysis comparison between structural steel and light gauge steel structures

Life cycle cost analysis comparison between structural steel and light gauge steel structures

Life cycle assessment and life cycle cost analysis for airfield pavement: a review article

Life cycle assessment and life cycle cost analysis for airfield pavement: a review article

Revolutionary Design and Optimization of Railway Electrification Overhead Equipment in High-Altitude Tunnels: A Case Study of the Magnificent T-80 Tunnel

Railway electrification systems are critical for modernizing railway infrastructure, enhancing efficiency, and reducing environmental impact to obtain zero emissions targets. In high-altitude regions, such as mountainous terrains, unique challenges arise due to extreme weather conditions, terrain complexities, and operational requirements. This case study focuses on the innovative and optimized design of overhead equipment (OHE) for railway electrification in high-altitude tunnels, presenting a comprehensive analysis of the planning, design, and implementation process for 25kV AC Overhead equipment. The study begins with an overview of significant considerations in designing 25kV AC OHE systems for high-altitude tunnels, including altitude effects on electrical performance, weather effects, structural safety checks, fire scenarios, vibration effects, and tunnel bolt drilling for OHE equipment installation. It also covers aspects such as the selection of auto tensioning devices, electrical clearances, and earthing & bonding according to railway/EN/IEC standards. Also, the paper examines the monetary feasibility and environmental sustainability of the proposed OHE design, emphasizing the importance of life-cycle cost analysis and environmental impact valuation. It underscores the significance of adopting a holistic approach that balances technical requirements, operational efficiency, and environmental stewardship in railway electrification projects.

A comparative life cycle assessment (LCA), life cycle cost analysis (LCCA), mechanical and long-term leaching evaluation of road pavement structures containing multiple secondary materials

Oil-Based Drill Cuttings (OBDC) are one of the hazardous wastes of the oil and gas industry. In this study, Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP), OBDC and Fly Ash (FA) geopolymer were used in Cold Central Plant Recycling (CCPR) mixtures. The dynamic modulus test was used to appraise the viscoelastic properties of CCPR mixtures. The Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) test was also utilized to investigate the long-term contaminants leaching. In addition, a cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) were conducted to evaluate the potential environmental burdens and economic costs of pavement structures containing CCPR mixtures. Moreover, Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) analysis using four different methods was performed to determine the optimal sample. The results revealed that the recycling of OBDC and RAP in stabilized CCPR mixtures with FA geopolymer can improve the viscoelastic properties and prevent the leaching of contaminants from these waste materials. Furthermore, recycling of the mentioned waste materials in CCPR mixtures has caused a significant reduction in global warming, acidification, eutrophication, smog, respiratory effects, Human toxicity, ecotoxicity, and cumulative energy demand up to 41%, 36.6%, 73%, 43%, 47%, 34%, 73%, and 13%, respectively. Additionally, using CCPR mixtures containing the OBCD, RAP, and FA geopolymer in the pavement structure has led to economic benefits of up to 31% compared to the conventional pavement system.

Assessment of demand consumptions and potential viability of installation of biogas digester in melani village Eastern Cape, South Africa

AbstractAfrica relies heavily on traditional fossil fuel sources, especially coal. To solve the energy problem in rural areas, the country initiated the production and distribution of several renewable energy technologies. Biogas has been proven viable and has begun as a promising technology among several promising technologies. It has been one of the most successful models for producing clean, environmentally friendly, cost-effective energy sources and has multiple benefits. A financial analysis will be conducted, including an estimation of the total investment, the present value of the annual investment, the present value of the investment, and a simple payback period. To determine the demand, onset CTA-A hobo current transducers were installed in three families to measure everyday use in summer and winter. The Data acquisition system has shown that each home consumes an average of 140 kWh of electricity per month. Finally, the biogas digester's analytical life cycle cost analysis shows that the simple payback period would be approximately two years.

A logical retrofit strategy optimization framework for resiliency bridge infrastructure management considering life-cycle cost

Bridges play an important role in providing essential services to communities as one of the most critical components of transportation infrastructure. In this regard, selecting reliable, robust, and efficient indicators is necessary to prepare a disaster management strategy. This study presents a multi-objective optimization framework for decision-makers to find the most optimal retrofit strategies that satisfy a given threshold of functionality/Resilience (R) while minimizing a structure's Life-Cycle Cost (LCC). Accordingly, various retrofit strategies include different materials (steel, Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP), and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP)), thicknesses, arrangements, and timing of retrofitting actions. In each scenario, the fragility curves are derived through nonlinear time-history Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA) to evaluate the LCC and resilience. In the subsequent step, the LCC analysis is conducted, considering the proposed formulation of multiple occurrences of seismic events, which incorporates the effects of complete/incomplete repair actions of damage conditions induced by previous seismic events. This study employs an elitist Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) to identify the optimal set of solutions. The various aspects of the optimal retrofit strategies are thoroughly investigated and discussed for a bridge as a case study infrastructure. Results show that the considered objectives lead to reasonable and sense-making retrofit strategies.

Perovskite photovoltaics for aerospace applications − life cycle assessment and cost analysis

In the past few years, we have witnessed a rapid evolution of perovskite solar cells. In this study, we employ life cycle assessment (LCA) to identify the potential environmental impacts of perovskite solar cells (PSC) optimised for aerospace applications but could be used in conventional terrestrial applications too. One PSC module is manufactured by spin coating equipped with ITO glass and gold cathode. The other PSC module is manufactured by slot-die coating with a PET layer and carbon cathode and gold cathode respectively. Life cycle assessment is employed to compare potential environmental impact of two manufacture methods by impact method of Recipe(H), as well as the fabrication cost of PSC module. The primary data of material and energy used for fabricating PSCs are collected from spin coating with lab scale and slot-die coating with pilot scale. The life cycle impact assessment of the PSC module in the pilot scale shows much lower in all the assessed 18 impact categories than in the lab scale thanks to the material use efficiency and reducing energy consumption. Gold as a conduct electrode has the highest impacts in both spin coating and slot-die coating modules. Calculating with a two-year lifetime (typical of aerospace applications), the impact of global warming potential from the PSC module with carbon electrode with pilot scale used in a terrestrial application is calculated to be 12 g/kWh.

Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Cost Analysis of Repurposing Decommissioned Wind Turbine Blades as High-Voltage Transmission Poles

Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Cost Analysis of Repurposing Decommissioned Wind Turbine Blades as High-Voltage Transmission Poles

An appraisal of statistical and probabilistic models in highway pavements

Accurate performance prediction is crucial for safe and efficient travel on highway pavements. Within pavement engineering, statistical models play a pivotal role in understanding pavement behavior and durability. This comprehensive study critically evaluates a spectrum of statistical models utilized in pavement engineering, encompassing mechanistic-empirical, Weibull distribution, Markov chain, regression, Bayesian networks, Monte Carlo simulation, artificial neural networks, support vector machines, random forest, decision tree, fuzzy logic, time series analysis, stochastic differential equations, copula, hidden semi-Markov, generalized linear, survival analysis, response surface methodology and extreme value theory models. The assessment meticulously examines equations, parameters, data prerequisites, advantages, limitations, and applicability of each model. Detailed discussions delve into the significance of equations and parameters, evaluating model performance in predicting pavement distress, performance assessment, design optimization, and life-cycle cost analysis. Key findings emphasize the critical aspects of accurate input parameters, calibration, validation, data availability, and model complexity. Strengths, limitations, and applicability across various pavement types, materials, and climate conditions are meticulously highlighted for each model. Recommendations are outlined to enhance the effectiveness of statistical models in pavement engineering. These suggestions encompass further research and development, standardized data collection, calibration and validation protocols, model integration, decision-making frameworks, collaborative efforts, and ongoing model evaluation. Implementing these recommendations is anticipated to enhance prediction accuracy and enable informed decision-making throughout highway pavement design, construction, maintenance, and management. This study is anticipated to serve as a valuable resource, providing guidance and insights for researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders engaged in asphalt engineering, facilitating the effective utilization of statistical models in real-world pavement projects.

Environmental and Economic Life Cycle Assessment of Enzymatic Hydrolysis-Based Fish Protein and Oil Extraction

As global fish consumption rises, a large amount of waste is generated that is generally neglected. Considering the value embedded in these resources, sustainable methods become more important in extracting valuable ingredients from fish processing residues. Enzymatic hydrolysis is a fast and easily reproducible method for recovering protein ingredients and obtaining valuable by-products. To confirm its advantages, an environmental and economic impact assessment is essential. This study overviewed the sustainability and economic viability of extracting protein compounds and oil from Atlantic mackerel processing residues using enzymatic hydrolysis. Life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) methods were employed. It was found that the climate change impact of the whole process was 0.073 kg CO2-eq per 1 g of fish protein hydrolysate (FPH). As the process produces FPH as the main product and fish oil as the by-product, economic allocation was used to distribute the impacts of FPH and fish oil. The findings of the LCCA showed that producing 1 g of FPH costs EUR 3.68. The contribution analysis indicated the crucial role of electricity and fish in environmental impacts. To ensure the accuracy of the calculation, the results of an LCA study published previously were recalculated. The sensitivity analysis showed that the results were susceptible to the region and source of electricity production. This research provides valuable insights into the sustainability and economic aspects of using enzymatic hydrolysis for extracting protein ingredients and oils from Atlantic mackerel. This can inform future investigations of environmentally friendly and economically viable solutions for extracting fish ingredients.

Effective removal of nitrate and phosphate using graphene nanosheets synthesized from waste plastics

In this work, waste plastics have been used with bentonite clay to produce silica-containing graphene nanosheets (GNs) for adsorption of nitrate and phosphate from synthetic water. The GNs were obtained by the two steps process, namely (1) pyrolysis at 750 °C and (2) ball milling. Then, GNs were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, FESEM, HRTEM and EDX spectroscopy, which provided the details of material's morphology, surface properties, and composition. From Raman spectroscopy, D and G bands were found at 1342 cm−1 and 1594 cm−1, respectively, which confirmed the presence of nanosheets on the graphene surface. Furthermore, the layers of nanosheets were confirmed by the HRTEM analysis and XRD peaks. In analytical study, the batch experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of operational parameters such as pH (03–12), contact time (05–120 min), adsorbent dosage (0.01–0.06 g), and initial concentrations of adsorbates (10–50 mg/L for nitrate and 03–15 mg/L for phosphate) on adsorption process. The removal percentage of nitrate and phosphate at optimum dosage = 0.05 g, pH = 6.5, contact time = 60 min, nitrate concentration = 30 mg/L, and phosphate concentration = 09 mg/L were found to be 85 and 91, respectively. The highest adsorption capacity of nitrate and phosphate was found to be 53 mg/g and 16.4 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption behaviour of both nitrate and phosphate showed chemisorption as the experimental data were well fitted by the pseudo-2nd-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm model. Life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) of the synthesis process was conducted to evaluate the cost-benefit analysis for commercial feasibility. The estimated price for the synthesis of GNs using 1 kg of waste plastics and bentonite clay as precursor was $4.21, suggesting commercialization.

Investigating the potential of geothermal energy as a sustainable replacement for fossil fuels in commercial buildings

Commercial Buildings release large volumes of greenhouse gases, expediting global warming. The commercial building industry accounts for 37% of global CO2 emissions. Geothermal energy technologies are an intriguing solution that provides a low-impact, emission-free, and cost-effective thermal fuel source for baseload energy production. Geothermal energy systems offer a potential solution to dramatically halt global warming and facilitate the transition to a carbon-neutral civilization. This study develops a framework for assessing the geothermal power capabilities of innovative house and district heating systems. The energy requirements are first assessed, and then the spatial evaluation of district heating infrastructure is carried out using a Python-based program. Economic comparisons between geothermal energy and fossil fuels are made using LCC analysis. Environmental impacts are measured by Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). This study compares geothermal energy to fossil fuels, and the LCA results show that geothermal energy has a low environmental impact. With a Net Present Value (NPV) of 34.81 USD, it displays economic viability as well as a satisfactory financial return. The study's findings show that geothermal energy has the ability to compete with fossil fuels in commercial heating applications while still being environmentally beneficial.

Impacts of climate change on environmental and economic sustainability of flexible pavements across China

Pavements are susceptible to accelerated deterioration due to changing climate conditions, leading to increased maintenance and excess fuel consumption through pavement-vehicle interaction. China's diverse climates raise concerns about the environmental and economic sustainability of flexible pavements amid climate change and the effectiveness of preventative maintenance strategies. This study examines climate change's potential impacts on long-term pavement performance, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and costs, employing the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide method. The calibrated World Bank's Highway Development and Management Model 4 assesses the impacts of surface characteristics on vehicle fuel consumption. Life cycle assessment and life cycle cost analysis quantify GHG emissions and costs. Results reveal significant pavement deterioration in Southeast and Central China. Preventative maintenance strategies reduce fuel consumption, with GHG emissions and cost savings from smoother driving conditions outweighing those from maintenance. These insights stress the importance of proactive maintenance strategies for mitigating climate-induced deterioration and enhancing sustainability.

Experimental and economic evaluation on the performance improvement of a solar photovoltaic thermal system with skeleton-shaped fins

At elevated ambient temperatures, the production and efficiency of solar panels are degraded due to the overheating of the cells. Cooling photovoltaic cells at elevated ambient temperatures can prevent overheating, extend their life, and enhance overall efficiency, particularly in areas exposed to strong sunlight and elevated temperatures. In this study, an attempt was made experimentally to increase the performance of solar photovoltaic thermal systems with a novel cooling technique. The proposed system has an absorber plate coupled with novel skeleton-shaped fins used to create double-pass ambient air channels below the solar module for natural heat dissipation. Performance of the proposed photovoltaic thermal system with skeleton-shaped fins was designed, evaluated, and evaluated, under different climatic conditions of the southern Algeria city of Ghardaïa from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Theoretical analysis was also developed relying on the energy and exergy balance equations for the system components. An economic analysis is also performed by the life cycle cost analysis to evaluate the feasibility, annual performance, and payback period of the proposed solar system compared with that of the conventional system. Results showed that the proposed photovoltaic thermal generates an average daily production of 2.02 kWh, which is 55.1 % more than the conventional system. The energy and exergy efficiency of the proposed system are higher than the conventional system by 8.61 and 8.98 %, respectively. The levelized costs of energy associated with the proposed system (0.17 $/kWh) is lower than that of the conventional system by 11.76 %. The payback period of the proposed system (6.21 years) is lower than that of the conventional solar systems by 34.7 %. This means that the additional power generation obtained by the proposed system with skeleton-shaped fins was sufficient to offset the total life cycle costs.

A life cycle cost analysis of different shore power incentive policies on both shore and ship sides based on system dynamics and a Chinese port case.

Shore power (SP) is widely recognized as an efficient strategy for reducing air pollution in port areas. Unfortunately, the adoption of SP has been relatively low, resulting in limited emission reductions and financial losses. To address these challenges, this paper focuses on enhancing the utilization rate of SP, which is meaningful for emission control and environmental protection. This paper combines system dynamics with a study of the benefits of SP, which bridges the research gap to some extent. We propose a system dynamics model that assesses the impact of various incentive policies on the economic and environmental benefits of SP. The model considers the life cycle cost and comprises four subsystems. By conducting a case study on Nansha Port, we find that price subsidies are more effective than construction subsidies in overcoming economic barriers. Furthermore, we observe that the overall economic benefits only increase when the electricity price decreases. This is because lowering the electricity price enhances the profitability of ships without negatively affecting port revenue. Additionally, it is the proportion of the electricity price and service price that determines the overall economic benefits, rather than the SP price itself. Hence, it is recommended to provide preferential subsidies for the electricity price.

Modeling life expectancy and cost effectiveness for UHPC bridge retrofitting techniques

Bridge components are subject to both structural loads and environmental stressors, rendering them susceptible to accelerated deterioration and potential collapse in the absence of effective maintenance and rehabilitation strategies. Moreover, the phenomenon of wet-dry cycling, coupled with elevated chloride concentrations prevalent in coastal regions, further expedites the degradation process of bridges, thereby escalating maintenance frequency and repair costs. In response to this challenge, the integration of innovative materials such as Ultra High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) is being explored for the development and implementation of maintenance and rehabilitation strategies. This study presents a comparative analysis between conventional methods and UHPC applications for bridge repairs, utilizing Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) to encompass both agency and user costs, and applies Monte Carlo simulation to account for the variability of the modeling factors. A practical case study illustrates the applicability of the LCCA methodology, revealing that the utilization of UHPC contributes to a reduction in the total life cycle cost for bridge maintenance and rehabilitation. Life expectancy, Average Daily Traffic (ADT), and the duration of construction activities during rehabilitation emerge as the most influential factors affecting life cycle costs. The main contributions of the study are the development of the life-expectancy model and step-by-step Life-Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) methodology. Findings from this study aim to identify cost-effective retrofitting techniques for maintaining bridges in a “State of Good Repair.”

Optimizing roads for sustainability: Inverted pavement design with life cycle cost analysis and carbon footprint estimation

Inverted pavements have proven performance across the world and there is a need to optimize the layer thickness and material properties of the pavement addressing the critical failures in the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design. The present study is made on bituminous concrete pavement with traffic up to 50 MSA and studying the critical factors affecting the pavement performance. The Minitab’s Response Surface Methodology − Box Behnken method was used for the Design of Experiments which includes critical factors and responses obtained from ANSYS finite element modeling of the inverted pavement. The critical factors and responses are normally distributed and indicate a linear relationship with the least error. The composite desirability for minimum stress and strains in the pavement layers was found to be 0.89. The optimized pavement thickness and layer material properties were validated with two pavement field cross sections of different Indian National Highways and it is observed that the optimized cross-section is safe. Further, this research paper carried out Life Cycle Cost Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment of inverted pavement with optimized pavement cross-section obtained including the carbon footprint during the vehicle operation phase. The study demonstrated the benefits of inverted pavement with reduced costs and carbon emissions. Thus, this approach paves the way towards sustainable and long-lasting pavements.

A comparative life cycle cost analysis of uterine manipulators for hysterectomy

A comparative life cycle cost analysis of uterine manipulators for hysterectomy

Mobilizing railway track stability with nonionic cement asphalt mortar for floating sleeper mitigation – 2D/3D numerical investigation and full-scale testing verification

This study addresses the mitigation of the floating sleeper phenomenon in ballasted railway tracks through the implementation of Nonionic Cement Asphalt Mortar (CAM). Full-scale testing experiments evaluate track performance with and without CAM stabilization, revealing its efficacy in forming a robust membrane between ballast particles to reinforce the track-bed structure. Wheel load modeling, including static and dynamic, train movement modeling, roadbed pressure analysis, distribution of load, and track rigidity analysis. Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) establishes CAM's cost-effectiveness by significantly reducing settlement and ensuring long-term durability. Numerical simulations using ABAQUS demonstrate CAM's effectiveness in stabilizing deteriorated ballast. Furthermore, the simulations prove capable of detecting the floating sleeper phenomenon in the full-scale test bed, offering valuable insights into real-world applications. Both 2D and 3D modeling consistently show a more than 30% reduction in initial settlement and a 0.5 mm displacement in CAM-reinforced ballast compared to controls. Plastic displacement in new ballast is consistently 50% less in the initial 50,000 cycles, with ultimate plastic settlement reduced by 40%, indicating the robustness of CAM across different modeling dimensions. The dataset analysis identifies a floating sleeper issue, evidenced by pressure variations in deteriorated ballast. In the control and simulation sections, there is a pressure drop from 65 kPa to 28 kPa, while the reinforced section maintains stable pressures (50 kPa, 36.5 kPa, 10 kPa) with closely aligned predicted values. Despite pressure reduction in simulated zones, the dataset strongly supports concerns about the substantial pressure decrease due to the floating sleeper phenomenon. LCCA substantiates CAM's economic advantage, showcasing a 79.7% cost reduction over 60 years, endorsing CAM as a sustainable maintenance strategy. In conclusion, CAM stabilization effectively mitigates the floating sleeper effect, ensuring long-term track durability, and providing valuable contributions to sustainable railway infrastructure design and maintenance practices.