A life cycle assessment data analysis toolkit for the design of novel processes – A case study for a thermal cracking process for mixed plastic waste. (10th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gear, Matthew; Sadhukhan, Jhuma; Thorpe, Rex; Clift, Roland; Seville, Jonathan; Keast, Mike
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 180(2018)
• Page Start: 735
• Page End: 747
• Publication Date: 2018-04-10
• Subjects: Life Cycle Assessment -- Process design -- Pyrolysis -- Plastic waste -- Thermal cracking; ADP (elements) Abiotic Depletion Potential based on the use of Elements -- ADP (fossil) Abiotic Depletion Potential based on the use of Fossil resources -- AP Acidification Potential -- EP Eutrophication Potential -- FAETP Freshwater Aquatic Eco-toxicity Potential -- GCV Gross Calorific Value -- GWP Global Warming Potential -- HTP Human Toxicity Potential -- LCA Life Cycle Assessment -- MAETP Marine Aquatic Eco-toxicity Potential -- NCV Net Calorific Value -- ODP Ozone Layer Depletion Potential -- POCP Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential -- RT700 The 1/10 scale pilot plant under construction by Recycling Technologies Ltd -- RT7000 The commercial scale plant under construction by Recycling Technologies Ltd -- SCR Selective catalytic reduction -- SME Small and Medium sized Enterprise -- TETP Terrestrial Eco-toxicity Potential; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.01.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: The earlier in the development of a process a design change is made, the lower the cost and the higher the impact on the final performance. This applies equally to environmental and technical performance, but in practice the environmental aspects often receive less attention. To maximise sustainability, it is important to review all of these aspects through each stage, not just after the design. Tools that integrate environmental goals into the design process would enable the design of more environmentally friendly processes at a lower cost. This paper brings together approaches based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) including comparisons of design changes, hotspot analysis, identification of key impact categories, environmental break-even analysis, and decision analysis using ternary diagrams that give detailed guidance for design while not requiring high quality data. The tools include hotspot analysis to reveal which unit operations dominate the impacts and therefore should be the focus of further detailed process development. This approach enables the best variants to be identified so that the basic design can be improved to reduce all significant environmental impacts. The tools are illustrated by a case study on the development of a novel process with several variants: thermal cracking of mixed plastic waste to produce a heavy hydrocarbon product that can displace crude oil, naphtha, or refinery wax or be used as a fuel. The results justified continuing with the development by confirming that the novel process is likely to be a better environmental option than landfill or incineration. The general approach embodied in the toolkit should be applicable in the development of any new process, particularly one producing multiple products. Highlights: A simple LCA toolkit has been developed for application to process design. The toolkit was applied to a case study: thermal cracking of plastic waste. The improved process has a better environmental performance than the alternatives. The toolkit can be applied generally in the development of new processes.