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Uncertainty Analysis and Toxicity Classification in Life-Cycle Assessment Using the Case-study of Gas Purification Systems

Meier, Markus ; Hungerbühler, Konrad

In: The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2000, vol. 5, no. 2, p. 75-77

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    Titre
    • Uncertainty Analysis and Toxicity Classification in Life-Cycle Assessment Using the Case-study of Gas Purification Systems
    Auteur
    • Meier, Markus. Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc., K-147.4.39, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland
    • Hungerbühler, Konrad. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Safety and Environmental Technology Group, ETH-Zentrum UNK, CH-8092, Zurich, Switzerland
    Type de document
    • Postprint
    Langue
    • Inglese
    Publié dans
    • The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2000, vol. 5, no. 2, p. 75-77. Ecomed
    Autre version électronique
    Identifiant OAI-PMH
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:312909
    Summary
    This comprehensive thesis structures the decision-making process for making a choice of the most adequate gas purification system (GasPS). Various gas purification technologies (biofilter, activated carbon filter, catalytic oxidation, thermo-reactor) have been evaluated based on an industrial case-study for waste gas streams. The ecological performance was quantified using the life-cycle impact assessment methods Eco-Indicator 95 and Swiss Ecopoints (environmental scarcities). Both life-cycle impact assessment methods have been improved by a new classification method for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which considers the environmental fate and exposure as well as the toxicity of these compounds. For life-cycle assessment, a detailed quantitative uncertainty analysis was carried out using Monte Carlo simulation. Based on the uncertainty analysis, developing statements about the significance of the results and of relative differences between various GasPS alternatives has been possible. The eco-efficiency of the investigated GasPSs was finally characterised based on four indicators: Net Ecological Benefit (NEBN), Ecological Yield Efficiency (lgEYE), Net Present Value (NPV), and Ecological-Economic Efficiency (EEE)