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© IDRIC 2022 | Website: Tangent & Duncan Weddell & Co
Principal Investigator
Centre for Sustainable and Circular Technologies, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Bath
Centre for Sustainable and Circular Technologies, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Bath:
Prof Linda Newnes
Dr Ariane S. S. Pinto
Dr Lewis J. McDonald
Dr Sam Cooper
This project focuses on the use of LCA to identify and reduce carbon impact, and maximise potential for carbon capture, utilisation and storage, and providing an initial framework to enable the assessment of current and emerging technologies.
To create and evaluate the framework we will partner with two other IDRIC projects (based in the South Wales Cluster): VFA factory and Bio-Balance for the test cases as each propose differing ways to meet net zero. Partnering will achieve value for money and enable life cycle system analysis of both projects. From the outset, our insights will aid decisions made within those systems in order to optimise GHG reduction for the VFA factory and bio-balance.
In parallel, we will begin to build case studies of nascent decarbonisation technologies and systems, from which we can learn more widely. Synergies and differences in the two case study projects will enable creative dynamic life cycle modelling, providing clear indicators of how much carbon can be stored in bio-based materials, crops and soils. Pulling on the information from these case study systems we will begin to build a framework for life cycle assessment and optimisation of industrial decarbonisation in bio-based systems. This will be further developed in collaboration with other IDRIC partners.
Indeed, fast decarbonisationrequires innovative and novel technologies. Additionally, the evaluation of Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and Techno-economic Assessment (TEA) of emerging technologies are essential to evaluate the potential feasibility of different production systems.
However, the availability of environmental impacts and their uncertainty are limited by the combination of different factors (e.g. technology, market maturity and the speed and location at which the decarbonisation can occur).
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Jones, R. J., J. Massanet-Nicolau, R. Fernandez-Feito, R. M. Dinsdale and A. J. Guwy (2021). “Recovery and enhanced yields of volatile fatty acids from a grass fermentation via in-situ solids separation and electrodialysis.” Journal of Cleaner Production296: 126430.
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