Life Cycle Analysis Principles Research Articles

Study on the benefit analysis based on whole life cycle carbon emission calculation after the construction of photovoltaic systems in macau's construction waste landfills

This study seeks to assess both environmental and economic effects associated with installing photovoltaic systems within construction waste landfills in Macau by employing an effective carbon emissions calculation methodology and benefit analysis method. Beginning by outlining characteristics and challenges associated with construction waste landfills, as well as photovoltaic systems used for this application in this paper. Here, we present a detailed outline of our methodology design, outlining its principles of life cycle analysis, data collection processes and the creation of carbon emissions calculation models. Subsequently, we examine photovoltaic systems within Macau's construction waste landfills by studying system design, component selection and operational strategies as well as carbon emission data collection during their operational time period. Under life cycle carbon emissions calculations, we assess the carbon emissions generated from photovoltaic systems as well as conduct an environmental and economic benefit analysis for carbon reduction benefit analysis purposes. This research incorporates sensitivity analysis and uncertainty consideration in order to conduct an extensive benefit analysis. The research results offer strong support for sustainable photovoltaic systems within Macau waste landfills as well as insights to inform planning and policy formation for similar future projects.

Development and application of indicators for visual landscape quality to include in life cycle sustainability assessment of Swiss agricultural farms

Abstract Agricultural life cycle analysis (LCA) provides information about the environmental footprint of farming. Life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) includes social and economic indicators. As a contribution to LCSA, we developed an indicator measuring the impact of individual farms on visual landscape quality based on state-of-the-art theory for landscape aesthetic assessment and conforming to general LCA principles. The indicator is a composite consisting of two independent sub-indicators, the aggregated diversity indicator (ADI) and the area-weighted preference value (AWPV). Both sub-indicators are based on the preference values of the Swiss population for the most frequent crop types and farmland features. The two sub-indicators were calculated when the land-use types with an available preference value represented 75% of a farms’ utilised agricultural area. Following this rule, we were able to evaluate 91% of Swiss farms. The ADI measures a farm’s contribution to land-use diversity and to seasonal diversity, while the AWPV measures a farm’s contribution to perceived naturalness. The two sub-indicators are combined to form the composite landscape indicator (CLI). The two sub-indicators were computed from Swiss farm structure data for 2015 without additional data collection. Two scenarios were defined to test the independence of the two sub-indicators from each other and the response of the CLI against landscape changes. The first scenario enriched the crop diversity of the farms to test the response of the ADI. The second scenario increased the number of standard trees on farms to test the AWPV. The results showed that the two sub-indicators complement one another by responding to different changes in landscape quality. In both cases, the CLI showed on average increasing values after enriching crop diversity or increasing the number of standard trees on selected farms. The solid conceptual grounding of the two sub-indicators in landscape aesthetic theory combined with LCA principles renders them reproducible and independent of the observer.

Green design of a paper test card for urinary iodine analysis.

When young children do not receive adequate amounts of the micronutrient iodine in their diet, their growth and cognitive development can be impaired. Nearly every country in the world has programs in place to track iodine intake and provide supplemental iodine if needed, usually in the form of fortified salt. The iodine nutrition status of a population can be tracked by monitoring iodine levels in urine samples to see if the median value falls in the range of 100–300 micrograms of iodine per liter of urine (μg I/L), which indicates adequate or more than adequate iodine nutrition. Many low and middle-income countries (LMIC) do not have a laboratory capable of carrying out this challenging assay, so samples must be sent out for assay in external labs, which is expensive and time-consuming. In most LMIC, population iodine surveys are carried out every 5–10 years, which limits the utility of the data for program monitoring and evaluation. To solve this problem, we developed a field-friendly paper test card that uses the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction to measure urinary iodine levels. A blind internal validation study showed that 93% of samples (n = 60) of iodide in an artificial urine matrix were categorized correctly by visual analysis as deficient, adequate, or excessive for levels set forth by the World Health Organization. Quantitative measurements based on computer image analysis had an error of 40 ± 20 μg I/L (n = 35 for samples in the calibration range) and these results categorized 88% of the samples (n = 60) correctly. We employed lifecycle analysis principles to address the known toxicity of arsenic, which is an obligatory reagent in the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction. Disposal of the cards in a landfill (their most likely destination after use) could let arsenic leach into groundwater; toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) tests showed that the level of arsenic leached from the cards was 28.78 ppm, which is above the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s limit of 5 parts per million for solid waste. We integrated a remediation module into the card. This module contains oxone, to oxidize As(III) to As(V) oxyacids, and the iron oxide goethite. TCLP testing showed that the leachable amount of arsenic was reduced by at least 97.6%—from 28.8 ppm to lower than 0.7 ± 0.7 ppm (n = 20). This upstream intervention rendered the test card suitable for landfilling while retaining its functionality to perform a critical public health evaluation.

An environmental and economic evaluation of the lignite power generation system by using the life cycle analysis principles

An environmental and economic evaluation of the lignite power generation system by using the life cycle analysis principles

An environmental and economic evaluation of the lignite power generation system by using the life cycle analysis principles

The present study aims to evaluate the power generation system based on the lignite fuel in environmental and economic terms. Three alternative firing cases are examined: 1) raw lignite firing; 2) 30% pre-dried lignite co-firing; 3) 6% biomass co-firing case. The implementation of the life cycle analysis (LCA) methodology proves that the overall environmental footprint can be decreased by as much as 4.5% in the case of pre-dried lignite co-firing, while the lignite mining activities represent about 32% of the total. The implementation of the life cycle costing (LCC) methodology indicates that the total electricity generation cost is decreased by about 0.92 €/MWhe in the case of pre-dried lignite co-firing and about 1.22 €/MWhe in the case of biomass co-firing. A sensitivity analysis based on the total net electric efficiency, the raw lignite composition, the CAPEX-OPEX of the power plant, the biomass direct fuel cost and the external cost of CO2 was carried out, in order to identify the range of the results depending on the impact of each parameter.

Comparison of Waste-to-Energy Processes by Means of Life Cycle Analysis Principles regarding the Global Warming Potential Impact: Applied Case Studies in Greece, France and Germany

This paper focuses on the comparison of waste-to-energy processes in terms of life cycle analysis. The processes compared are the municipal solid waste (MSW) direct combustion (known as mass burning) and the combustion of refused derived fuel (RDF) produced after separation of recyclable materials in a mechanical–biological treatment (MBT) facility. The basis of comparison for the two processes in this paper is their global warming potential (GWP). In specific, three European countries (Greece, Germany and France) were chosen as case studies. Their selection was based on their electricity mix characteristics and the general population culture toward waste management practices, as depicted in the waste composition. The waste composition applied for each country is the average estimated by local statistics and Eurostat data. The comparison between the two methods of incineration leads to the conclusion that the incineration of RDF has less impact on the greenhouse effect than the incineration of MSW. A sensitivity analysis based on different setup configurations for paper and plastic separation in the MBT plant was carried out. The results validate the priorities of waste management hierarchy, since the scenarios with high separation of valuable materials, such as paper and plastics, were environmentally friendlier in terms of GWP impact. The sensitivity analysis based on the change of the recovering rate shows an approximately linear relation of inverse proportion between recovering rate and total environmental impact. Furthermore, the increase in electricity efficiency plays a significant role in the greenhouse effect for the Greek scenario, while its respective effectiveness for the French scenario is lower. Since the final choice between the two processes relies solely upon the needs that should be met on specific occasions, the modeling has been carried out through life cycle analysis principles, in order to provide a decision-making tool for the selection of the most appropriate waste-to-energy technology according to the criteria that be set.

Evaluating energy benefit of Pistacia chinensis based biodiesel in China

To be an alternative to fossil fuel, biodiesel should provide a positive energy benefit and a sustainable energy income. Based on the principles of Life Cycle Analysis and using the energy benefits of exploiting Pistacia chinensis in China as a case study, this paper presents a quantitative evaluation of the energy consumed throughout the six-phase life cycle process, which includes planting, fruit transport, oil production, biodiesel production, biodiesel transport and biodiesel combustion. The results show that during the life cycle process, the total energy consumption of the biodiesel production and transformation phase is the greatest and that energy consumption during the plantation phase second greatest. The results indicated that the potential maximum gross annual production is approximately 162.19 billion MJ per year for suitable land and 117.20 billion MJ per year for lands classified as fairly suitable, which could produce 6.35 million t of biodiesel. Considering the net energy production and output potential for P. chinensis based biodiesel at the provincial level, Yunnan Province has the most amount of production potential, while Beijing City has the least amount of production potential. The annual output value created by P. chinensis based bio-fuel is 3007.83 million Yuan in China.

Better D&D decision making through life cycle analysis

Given the enormous scope of the decontamination and decommissioning (D&D) work that government and industry face, there is a tremendous opportunity to save money and avoid further insults to the environment and to human health by applying the principles of life cycle analysis (LCA). An LCA approach is presented that is especially valuable in D&D decision making because it provides a systematic, comprehensive, defensible decision‐aiding process to find solutions that reduce costs and risks of D&D projects. Our approach to LCA differs from other approaches by taking into consideration all the factors important to owners and stakeholders – life cycle cost, health and safety, the environment, programmatic impacts, and other factors. Stakeholder participation is also a key part of the process. The result is robust, durable solutions for even the most complex D&D project. A specific demonstration of this approach to aid D&D at two US Department of Energy sites is presented.

The use of life cycle analysis within the U.S. department of energy

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) decisions regarding D&D, waste management, and the selection of technologies for R, D&D are extremely complex. Historically, DOE decisions were based primarily on meeting near-term goals. There is evidence that some of those decisions were not optimal in terms of minimizing costs or in terms of minimizing overall environmental and health impacts. Fortunately, DOE is currently embracing the principles of life cycle analysis (LCA) in its decision-making. The results indicate that DOE is making better decisions since implementing the principles of LCA. This paper discusses LCA from the perspective of DOE and reviews several specific examples of the use of LCA by DOE.

Minimizing the environmental impact of process Plants: A process systems methodology

A Methodology for Environmental Impact Minimization (MEIM) is presented in this paper. The methodology, which embeds Life Cycle Analysis principles within a process optimization framework, involves proper definition of a consistent boundary around the process of interest, identification of the emissions inventory, quantification of environmental impact via proper metries (for air and water pollution, solid waste, global warming and ozone depletion) and inclusion of environmental criteria within process modelling and optimization tools. A case study, the production of VCM from ethylene, is presented to illustrate the basic features of MEIM.

Cleaner Technology Life Cycle Methods: European Research and Development 1992-1994

Cleaner manufacturing is an increasing goal for industry in Europe for both existing and new facilities. The central issue is, how does one quantify cleaner? Toward that end, many university and industry groups in Europe are applying the principles of life cycle analysis (LCA). They also seek to develop new methods for use in the life cycle analysis process. These efforts fit in three categories 1) life cycle inventory or characterization, 2) the simplification algorithms to reduce the complexity of life cycle inventory to a single environmental factor, and 3) the policy or process utilization of these information. The review of activities in the field of determining what are cleaner manufacturing alternatives was conducted in five European countries and the European Union (EU) and for the period spanning 1992-1994. The purpose was to summarize and to establish mechanisms for U.S. engineers and scientists to begin collaboration with these research programs. Finally, some observations are made which compare the U.S. pollution prevention thrust with the European system for life cycle analysis and ecolabelling as a means to achieve environmental improvements.