Recycle and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Products and Processes
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
Main objective is to give a wide scenario on the most important processes of the worldwide industrial chemistry, covering both inorganic and organic industrial chemistry. There is also a small part of the economy to introduce students to the key concepts related to the cost of a product and the costs of managing a chemical plant.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will become familiar with the basic processes of organic and inorganic industrial chemistry. They will gain also a bacis knowledge of economics and management of a plant.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course has two main goals: 1) to promote a deep understanding of the computational structure of the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) methodology; 2) to apply this methodology to evaluate the sustainability of materials and processes. In pursuing these goals, special attention will be paid to the definition and construction of systems of environmental impact indicators to be used in the assessment procedure. A consistent portion of the course will be devoted to the application of the LCA methodology to representative real life cases. Exercise sessions will be mainly quantitative; no specific numerical skills are required.
Course content
1. Life Cycle Analysis and Life Cycle Thinking: historical background, regulation, procedures, applications. Calculation methodology, databases and technical software. Sustainability assessment: introductory concepts.
2. Ecoindicators: pollutant diffusions in the environment, measurement methods, environmental and damage impact category, impact quantification, energetic approach.
3. Industrial processes for materials productions: case studies (i.e. cement, polymeric materials, metallic materials and ceramic materials).
4. Materials End-of-Life: open and closed-loop recycling, re-use, waste-to-energy process, waste management processes.
Course content
1. Life Cycle Analysis and Life Cycle Thinking: historical background, regulation, procedures, applications. Calculation methodology, databases and technical software. Sustainability assessment: introductory concepts.
2. Ecoindicators: pollutant diffusions in the environment, measurement methods, environmental and damage impact category, impact quantification, energetic approach.
3. Industrial processes for materials productions: case studies (i.e. cement, polymeric materials, metallic materials and ceramic materials).
4. Materials End-of-Life: open and closed-loop recycling, re-use, waste-to-energy process, waste management processes.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of mass and energy balances.
Good skill with the use of a computer.
Good skill with the use of a computer.
Teaching methods
Frontal lectures in the classroom/on Teams with projection of PPT slides present on Ariel.
Exercises on the use of the SimaPro software.
Exercises on the use of the SimaPro software.
Teaching Resources
· W. Klöpffer and B. Grahl, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) - A Guide to Best Practice, Wiley-VCH, 2014
· M.F. Ashby, Materials and the Environment - Eco-informed materials choice, Elsevier, 2013
· Life Cycle Assessment Handbook: A Guide for Environmentally Sustainable Products, Editor(s):Mary Ann Curran, 2012, Print ISBN:9781118099728, DOI:10.1002/9781118528372
· M.F. Ashby, Materials and the Environment - Eco-informed materials choice, Elsevier, 2013
· Life Cycle Assessment Handbook: A Guide for Environmentally Sustainable Products, Editor(s):Mary Ann Curran, 2012, Print ISBN:9781118099728, DOI:10.1002/9781118528372
Assessment methods and Criteria
Preparation of a free theme project through the use of the SimaPro software given to the student for the duration of the course.
CHIM/04 - INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
Bianchi Claudia Letizia Maddalena
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