DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1065/lca2000.03.022 --- 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, thermoreactor)
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
(NEB N ), Ecological Yield Efficiency (lgEYE), Net Present
Value (NPV), and Ecological-Economic Efficiency (EEE). |
