Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Life Cycle AssessmentThe application'

The aim of this thesis is to undertake a life cycle analysis to identify the environmental impact of using graphene to manufacture supercapacitors. It was part of a larger project to develop supercapacitors using graphene in place of activated carbon. The first part of this work focuses on production of graphene in the laboratory. Data were directly measured in different laboratories to perform a comparative life cycle analysis in order to evaluate the environmental performance of several graphene synthesis methods including graphite electrochemical exfoliation, graphite chemical oxidation with subsequent chemical or thermal reduction and chemical vapour deposition. One electrochemical exfoliation technique, one chemical oxidation followed by two different reduction routes were selected on the base of their environmental performance and their measured specific capacitance and used as electrode materials for supercapacitors. The second part of the thesis is a comparative life cycle assessment involving three supercapacitors having the electrodes made of graphene synthesised via the three shortlisted production routes and one state of the art activated carbon based supercapacitor commercially available. A commercial-scale graphene production process is simulated using a process simulation tool in order to minimise the process inefficiencies inherent to laboratory processes and to compare it with a commercial-scale activated carbon production process. The results showed a large reduction of the graphene environmental impact of around 50% in most of the environmental impact categories analysed but also proved that the activated carbon supercapacitor is currently the technology with the lowest impact for all categories. They also showed that graphene production needs more research to improve its efficiency and efficacy as it is the operation with the highest environmental impact in the supercapacitor manufacturing for most of the analysed impact categories. In the third part of this study the use-phase and end-of-life of supercapacitors is evaluated in which the supercapacitors are used to power a car door mirror and are finally recycled. The results showed that over the lifetime of a vehicle (150,000 km), the graphene based supercapacitors have a lower impact (10% less) during the use-phase as they are lighter. The recycling process is also simulated to be scaled up to a commercial-scale with minimised heat losses for both graphene and activated carbon based supercapacitors. Recycling proved to be the key to reduce the environmental impact of the graphene supercapacitor. As graphene proved to be the most problematic material for the environment and the recycled graphene proved to be of a quality similar to pristine material, its recovery generates an environmental credit that is 90% of the production burden for all categories by displacing the production of new graphene for polymer reinforcement applications. Sensitivity analysis is performed and various scenarios generated to evaluate potential variations in specific capacitance of all active materials and subsequently the impact of these variations on the manufacture of supercapacitors. The results are normalised and weighted according to the latest EU requirements. Aggregating the weighted results proved that the activated carbon and the graphene based supercapacitors could have similar impacts. This is a very encouraging result considering that the graphene synthesis process is still at its infancy while the activated carbon production is a well-established industrial process. When a more efficient graphene production can be industrialised, graphene supercapacitors will have the potential to become the future technology with the lowest environmental impact.

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 1996.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 115-116).
In this study, we have examined the application of Lee analysis method to the construction and renovation stages of a building project. The application of the Lee analysis is currently limited to the very early stages of a project life, namely at the concept and design stages. We propose application of the Lee method, with several modifications, to the construction and renovation stages. The simplified Lee method is proposed and examined in the first two case studies. The simplified method limits the range and complexity of data inputs, and is intended to be an Lee used by engineers practicing in the construction industry. In the third case study, the "Lee per square-foot", which implements the concept of the "square-foot" cost estimating, is proposed. This method is intended to be used to assess the residual value and to estimate running costs of an existing building. Necessary modifications of the Lee, as well as the accuracy and limits of these new methods are examined through three case studies.
by Makoto Taneda.
M.S.

Steel is one of the most important engineering and construction material. It is used everywhere around us from making tiny nuts and bolts to massive cargo ships. It is a basic component in building societies and the development of mankind. The demand of steel is influenced by the population of the world and the per-capita consumption.

Software development life cycle models were believed to play a critical role in improving software quality by guiding tasks in the software development processes since being formally introduced and embraced in the 1970s. Many organizations attempted to deploy software development life cycle methodologies with the intent to improve the software development process from conception through implementation to delivery. Numerous established software development models exist, including the classic waterfall life cycle model, Spiral model, Prototyping, Evolutionary, (e.g., Staged, Phased, and Timebox models), object-oriented design (OOD) (e.g., Rational Unified Process), and agile processes (e.g., eXtreme Programming [XP]). The design and development of web-based applications introduced new problems and requirements that did not exist when traditional software development life-cycle models were being put into practice. This research presents empirical software development practice data pertaining to web-based application development. The goal of this project was to answer the question, "What is the general paradigm of an SDLC model for web-based application development?" The focus of the project was to derive an empirical SDLC model for web-based application development. Data from current practices was collected via a web-based application. Study participants used the web-based application to input data concerning the SDLC model of their web-based application development process. The empirical model was derived from the data provided by participants on current professional web-based application development practices. The results of this research showed that although web-based application development life-cycle does parallel traditional SDLCs in some phases, there were enough differences that an exact fit to an existing model does not exist. A modified version of the Classic Waterfall with some repetitiveness of the Spiral model with the addition of optional phases best met the situational requirements of web-based application development.

Throughout the course of this thesis, we give an introduction to optimal control theory and its necessary conditions, prove Pontryagin's Maximum Principle, and present the life-cycle saving under uncertain lifetime optimal control problem. We present a very involved sensitivity analysis that determines how a change in the initial wealth, discount factor, or relative risk aversion coefficient may affect the model the terminal depletion of wealth time, optimal consumption path, and optimal accumulation of wealth path. Through simulation of the life-cycle saving under uncertain lifetime model, we are not only able to present the model dynamics through time, but also to demonstrate the feasibility of the model.

The purpose of this report is to make a contribution to the South African Post Office Technology division. This is achieved by starting with a number of fundamental theoretical principles in related disciplines. Risk management is proposed to the management in an attempt to increase the success rate of information technology projects. Concentrating on methodology is not the only answer. Management should accept that risks are part of the development process and should be managed. Even though risks appear throughout the development life cycle, management should realise that the starting phase of any systems development life cycle is one of the most crucial events. There is a saying in Afrikaans: "Goed begin is half gewin". Meaning that if a project starts on a healthy basis, the rest should be clean sailing. This report should provide a useful starting point for further empirical analysis since it provides an overall theoretical framework for the systems development life cycle.
Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2011.
Graduate School of Management
unrestricted

The market shift towards high performance buildings is posing a major challenge to decision- makers, designers and developers. They need to know what constitutes high performance design and practice, what the environmental consequences of decisions are, and how buildings are performing relative to anchored benchmarks. This doctoral dissertation provides building designers and operators methods on how to use life-cycle approaches to inform design and track performance. The research focuses on a case-study of the lifecycle impacts of advanced buildings at UBC, built to various standards of performance including the current best-practices (LEED standards) and the currently emerging ‘regenerative’ standard. Life-cycle approaches are used to explore simulated impact over time in terms of quantified financial and environmental metrics. The research novelty is in the integration of life-cycle models; the aggregation of compatible separate studies to provide a larger overview of building performance. Additionally, the analysis leverages the benchmarking capabilities of the UBC Life-cycle Analysis database - a high-resolution survey of 30 UBC buildings – to show that the contribution of rapid churn building products, such as information technology, contributes a disproportionally high amount to embodied impacts. The study also analyses operational impacts based on utility consumption data for 70 conventional buildings versus 10 best practices (LEED Gold) buildings at UBC with respect to building age and building type. The results show that, in contrast to previous studies, older buildings often outperform new buildings. The dissertation concludes that benchmarking and multi-stakeholder modeling life-cycle approaches are critical for informing expert opinion during decision-making. Attention to modeling construction, and ensuring broad participation is key to ‘useful’ modeling. The process of creating a life-cycle model is often more informative than modeled final results; collective understanding and communication – the basis of good decision-making – improve through participation and stakeholder interaction.

Dans le domaine du « Supply Chain Management » la source principale d’incertitude est la demande future. L’impact de l’incertitude de lademande sur les performances de la « Supply Chain » est important: par exemple, le taux mondial de rupture de stock, dans l’industrie dedistribution était en 2007 de 8. 3%. De l’autre côté, le taux mondial de produits invendus, dans la grande distribution, était en 2003 de 1%. Ces deux types de coûts, qui sont dus essentiellement à l’incertitude de la demande, représentent des pertes significatives pour lesdifférents acteurs de la « Supply Chain ». Dans cette thèse, on s’intéresse au développement de modèles mathématiques de planification de production et de gestion de stock, quiprennent en compte ce phénomène d’incertitude sur la demande, essentiellement pour de produits à court cycle de vie. On proposeplusieurs modèles de planification de production, à petit horizon de planification, qui prennent en compte les différents aspects de notreproblématique, telles que la remise à jour des prévisions de la demande et les options de retour « Payback » des produits. On souligne,dans ces modèles, un aspect important qui prend de l’ampleur à cause de la mondialisation, et qui est lié à la différence entre les coûtsde production des différents fournisseurs. . On propose à la fin de la thèse, un modèle généralisé qui pourrait être appliqué à des produitsà long cycle de vie, et qui exploite quelques résultats obtenus pour les produits à court cycle de vie. Tous ces modèles sont résolusanalytiquement ou bien numériquement en utilisant la programmation dynamique stochastique
In the Supply Chain Management domain, the main source of randomness is the future demand. The influence of this demand variabilityon the performance of the Supply Chain is very important: for example, in 2007 the global inventory shortage rate in the retail industrywere around 8. 3%. On the other hand, in 2003 the global Unsaleable products cost around 1% in the grocery industry. These two types ofcosts, which are mainly caused by the uncertainty of the future demand, represent important lost for the whole Supply Chain actors. This Ph. D. Dissertation aims at developing mathematical production planning and inventory management models, which take intoconsideration the randomness of the future demand in order to reduce its economic negative impact, essentially for short life cycleproducts. We provide many planning models that consider the main issues of the planning problems, such as the production capacities,the information updating processes, the supply contracts and the advanced capacity reservation in a total costs minimization context. Weconsider in these models some aspects that are not considered in the literature, such as the “Payback” or the return options. Weemphasize also on an important issue that characterize the globalization of the industry, which may be resumed in the difference betweenthe procurement costs of the different suppliers. This issue is considered in the most chapters presenting models for short life cycleproducts and in the last chapter it is generalized to a long life cycle products setting. All the presented models are solved eitheranalytically or numerically using the dynamic stochastic programming

This EngD portfolio considers two important applications of Life Cycle Thinking to industrial processes. These are the use of Life Cycle Assessment in process selection, and the application of Life Cycle Thinking to process improvement. The portfolio can be broken down into two distinct parts: that associated with the most recent two years spent with The BOC Group and that related to the initial two years with Borax Consolidated. The work at The BOC Group shows how the environmental management tool of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can be used at the process selection stage (specifically in industrial applications). This is demonstrated by applying LCA to the production of liquid carbon dioxide (and its downstream use), and through a comparative LCA of the oxygen-based Vitox technology with alternative mechanical aeration techniques in the activated sludge process for waste water treatment. The work further includes a comparative assessment of alternative production methods for the generation of liquid oxygen. The work carried out at Borax Consolidated focuses on fluidisation as a novel method of dehydrating boric acid, and shows how life cycle thinking can be applied during process improvement and selection. It includes a comparative assessment of the impact associated with fluidisation and current technology

Thesis (M.S.)--Missouri University of Science and Technology, 2010.
Vita. The entire thesis text is included in file. Title from title screen of thesis/dissertation PDF file (viewed July 15, 2010) Includes bibliographical references (p. 136-152).

Thesis (M.S. in Management)--Naval Postgraduate School, June 1990.
Thesis Advisor(s): Sovereign, Michael G. ; Hart, Neil E. "June 1990." Description based on signature page as viewed on October 19, 2009. DTIC Identifier(s): Life cycle costs, cost analysis, military forces (foreign), accounting, direct costs, theses. Author(s) subject terms: Life cycle cost, operating and support cost, life support cost, Australian Defense Forces, total cost of ownership. Includes bibliographical references (p. 102-105). Also available online.

The transport sector stands for a significant share of society’s energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In planning of new road infrastructure it is mainly direct emissions from traffic on the road that is taken into account. However, construction, operation and maintenance of the road infrastructure can stand for an important part of a road’s environmental load. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a methodology that can be used for quantification of a product’s environmental impacts, from extraction of raw materials to waste treatment. An LCA-model for assessment of life cycle GHG-emissions and energy use of road infrastructure is under development in the project LICCER (Life Cycle Considerations in EIA of Road Infrastructure). The model is for use in early planning of road infrastructure, i.e. in choice of road corridor and construction type (road, bridge, and tunnel). This thesis is contributing to the LICCER-project by evaluating the possibilities of the LICCER-model to show differences between road corridors and by analysing how other road LCA-models can complement the LICCER-model. The LICCER-model is applied to a case study for choice of road corridors in early planning. Three road corridors are analysed based on data available in the feasibility study and compared to the reference alternative. Results show that production of bitumen, explosives and aggregates and earthworks in the construction phase contribute most to greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. A sensitivity analysis is performed in order to analyse how quantitative output and ranking of alternative can vary depending on changes in input parameters. Big changes are seen for changes in excavated volumes of rock, fuel use for excavation work, assumption on mass balance, share of fuels for operation of vehicles, soil stabilisation measure and choice of emission factors for aggregates and bitumen. The ranking can change for assumptions regarding estimated volumes of rock in the different road corridors. The LICCER-model and EFFEKT are relatively similar, but there are big differences between JOULESAVE and the LICCER-model. Consequentially, the outcome of studies made with JOULESAVE and the LICCER-model is significantly different, even when the same road corridors are analysed. The LICCER-model could be complemented with additional construction activities from JOULESAVE but other models may in fact complement the LICCER-model better at this stage of the model development, by providing background data or methods to account for uncertainties. Results from this thesis contribute with additional knowledge on GHG-emissions and energy consumption from road infrastructure. Results show that it is possible to use LCA-methodology and LCA-models such as the LICCER-model in early planning of road infrastructure for choice of road corridor and/or construction type and that data from the road’s feasibility study can be used to evaluate a road corridor from a life cycle perspective. Results can be useful also outside of the LICCER-project for planners and for development of LCA-methodology for early planning of road infrastructure.
Transportsektorn står för en betydande del av samhällets energiförbrukning och utsläpp av växthusgaser. Vid planering av nya vägar är det främst direkta trafikrelaterade utsläpp som beaktas. Det har dock visats att byggande, drift och underhåll av väginfrastruktur kan stå för en viktig del av en vägs miljöbelastning. Livscykelanalys (LCA) är en metod för kvantifiering av en produkts miljöpåverkan, från utvinning av råvaror till avfallshantering. En LCA-modell för bedömning av växthusgasutsläpp och energianvändning under en vägs livscykel är under utveckling i projektet LICCER (Life Cycle Considerations in EIA of Road Infrastrucutre - Livscykelbedömning i MKB för väginfrastruktur). Modellen är avsedd att användas i tidiga planeringsstadier, i val av vägkorridor och konstruktionstyp (väg, bro eller tunnel). Detta examensarbete bidrar till LICCER-projektet genom att utvärdera LICCER-modellens möjligheter att visa skillnader mellan vägkorridorer och genom att analysera hur andra LCA-modeller för väg kan komplettera LICCER-modellen. LICCER-modellen tillämpas på en fallstudie för utvärdering av tre vägkorridorer baserat på data tillgänglig i förstudien. Resultatet visar att produktion av bitumen, sprängämnen och aggregat, samt schaktning av jord och berg bidrar mest till utsläpp av växthusgaser och energianvändning. En känslighetsanalys utförs för att analysera hur resultatet från fallstudien kan komma att ändras då förändringar görs i de indata som används. Stora förändringar kan ses för ändringar i volym utgrävt berg, bränsleförbrukning för schaktning, antagande om massbalans och framtida andel av bränslen och val av emissionsfaktorer för aggregat och bitumen. Rankningen mellan alternativ kan komma att ändras för andra antaganden om utgrävda volymer berg i de olika vägkorridorerna. LICCER-modellen och EFFEKT är relativt lika, men stora skillnader kan ses mellan JOULESAVE och LICCER-modellen. Det är därför en väsentlig skillnad mellan resultat av studier utförda med JOULESAVE och LICCER-modellen, även om samma vägkorridorer analyseras. LICCER-modellen kan kompletteras med ytterligare konstruktionsaktiviteter från JOULESAVE men andra modeller skulle kunna komplettera LICCER-modellen bättre under detta stadie av modellutvecklingen, t.ex. genom att tillhandahålla emissions- och energifaktorer, eller metoder för att uppskatta osäkerheten i resultatet. Studien visar att det är möjligt att använda LCA-metodik och LCA-modeller såsom LICCER-modellen i början av planeringen av väginfrastruktur för val av vägkorridor och/eller konstruktionstyp och att data tillgänglig i förstudien kan användas för att utvärdera en vägkorridor även ur ett livscykelperspektiv. Studien visar möjligheter och begränsningar med att utföra LCA i tidiga planeringsstadier för väginfrastruktur och kan som sådan ge användbar information inte bara till LICCER-projektet, utan också för de som bygger och planerar väg, och för utvecklandet av LCA-metodologi för väginfrastruktur.

The steps of computer-aided design system application at conceptual stage of unmanned air vehicle life cycle are considered. Sequential and iterative approach to an aircraft design process are compared.

L’augment en la generació de residus sòlids municipals (RSM), principalment degut al creixement de la població i als nous patrons de consum, és un assumpte important per a la Unió Europea (UE) i per la majoria de països d’arreu del món. Polítiques sostenibles per a la gestió dels RSM han estat components claus en les directives de la UE (Directives 1999/31/EC and 2008/98/EC). Aquesta tesis doctoral te com a objectiu estudiar les tecnologies per al tractament dels RSM i avaluar els impactes ambientals derivats de l’ús de la matèria orgànica (compost) com a fertilitzant en cultius. Els estudis s’han basat en la anàlisis del cicle de vida utilitzant les metodologies CML i ReCipe. El capítol 2, fa referencia a l’avaluació ambiental de l’autoclavatge de residus, tecnologia que fins al moment ha estat principalment utilitzada per a l’esterilització de residus sanitaris. Els resultats de l’avaluació ambiental dels processos autoclave, separació i tractament biològic varen ser comparats amb els escenaris d’incineració i abocador. Els resultats mostraren, que els sistemes que consideraven la digestió anaeròbica, tenien els menors impactes per les categories d’eutrofització i escalfament global. En canvi, la incineració obtingué els millors resultats per la resta de categories d’impacte ambiental estudiades. Per altra banda, l’abocador obtingué els majors valors en totes les categories d’impacte. El capítol 3, correspon al segon cas d’estudi que es va dur a terme per comparar els resultats ambientals i agronòmics de dos compost (industrial i casolà) amb fertilitzant mineral. Els fertilitzants varen ser aplicats a cultius de coliflor. Els resultats varen mostrar un major rendiment agronòmic (fruita·ha-1) per cultius abonats amb fertilitzant mineral; en canvi, el millor perfil ambiental va ser pels cultius fertilitzats amb compost casolà. El capítol 4, correspon al tercer cas d’estudi en el qual dos composts procedents d’auto-compostatge van ser produïts mitjançant dos sistemes de gestió diferents, la diferent gestió va donar lloc a diferències significatives en termes d’emissions. Les emissions de metà, òxid nitrós i amoníac van ser experimentalment mesurades en ambdós composts. Els resultats mostraren que les emissions d’òxid nitrós i metà contribuïren considerablement a la categoria d’impacte d’escalfament global. En canvi, les emissions d’amoníac contribuïren a les categories d’acidificació, eutrofització i oxidació fotoquímica. Es va observar que aquestes emissions gasoses depenien considerablement de les pràctiques de gestió durant la producció del compost, tals com: qualitat i tipus de residus, freqüència de barreja del compost, control rigorós d’algunes característiques fotoquímiques (humitat, pH, temperatura), entre d’altres. El Capítol 6, correspon al quart cas d’estudi en el qual es va comparar la idoneïtat ambiental de fertilitzants orgànics i minerals en una seqüència de cultius de coliflor i tomàquet. A més a més, es compararen dos procediments per l’assignació del compost als cultius. El primer basat en el temps de duració del cultiu i el segon en el grau de mineralització del nitrogen al sòl. En general, el cultiu de coliflor mostrà un millor perfil ambiental que el del tomàquet en totes les categories d’impacte estudiades. Per altra banda, els impactes totals de la seqüència de cultius (suma d’impactes de la coliflor i tomàquet) varen ser menors que els impactes individuals (coliflor i tomàquet) pels tres tractaments de fertilització. Finalment, la Tesis conclou recomanacions per la gestió dels residus orgànics (Capítol 5). Aquestes recomanacions varen ser enfocades a la producció de compost domèstic i la seva aplicació hortícola. S’inclou un model V2V “vegetals a vegetals”. Aquest és un model de bucle tancat que comença des de els residus de cultius (hortalisses, vegetals i fruites) fins la transformació d’aquests novament en fertilitzants orgànics per ser aplicats a cultius. Les recomanacions van dirigides als agricultors i qualsevol persona interessada en la producció de compost domèstic.
El aumento en la generación de residuos sólidos municipales (RSM) debido al crecimiento de la población y nuevos patrones de consumo es un asunto importante en la Unión Europea (UE) y para la mayoría de países alrededor del mundo. Políticas para la gestión de los RSM de una manera sostenible han sido componentes claves en las directivas de la UE (Directives 1999/31/EC and 2008/98/EC). Esta tesis doctoral tiene como objetivo estudiar tecnologías para el tratamiento de los RSM y evaluar los impactos ambientales originados por usar la materia orgánica como fertilizante en cultivos. Los estudios están basado en el análisis del ciclo de vida usando las metodologías de CML and ReCipe. Capítulo 2, se refiere a la evaluación ambiental de la autoclave, la cual es una tecnología normalmente utilizada para la esterilización de residuos farmacéuticos. Esta tecnología ofrece la posibilidad de recuperar una parte importante de los RSM mezclados tales como: la fibra orgánica (OF) y los reciclables. Los resultados de la evaluación ambiental de los sistemas (autoclave + separación + tratamiento biológico) fueron comparados con incineración y vertedero. Los resultados indicaron que los sistemas que consideraron la digestión anaeróbica tuvieron los menores impactos para las categorías de eutrofización y calentamiento global. Mientras que, incineración tuvo los mejores resultados para el resto de las categorías estudiadas. Capítulo 3 corresponde al segundo caso de estudio el cual se llevó a cabo para comparar los resultados ambientales y agronómicos de dos composts (industrial y casero) con fertilizantes minerales. Los fertilizantes fueron aplicados a cultivos de coliflor. Los resultados mostraron un mejor rendimiento agronómico (fruta· ha-1) para los cultivos fertilizados con fertilizante mineral pero el mejor desempeño ambiental fue para los cultivos fertilizados con el compost casero. Capítulo 4, corresponde al tercer caso de estudio, en el cual dos composts caseros fueron producidos por dos sistemas de gestión de producción diferentes en los cuales se observaron diferencias significativas en términos de emisiones. Emisiones de metano, óxido nitroso y amoniaco fueron experimentalmente medidos para ambos composts. Los resultados mostraron que las emisiones de óxido nitroso, y metano contribuyeron considerablemente en la categoría de calentamiento global. Mientras que las emisiones de amoniaco contribuyeron en las categorías de acidificación, eutrofización y oxidación fotoquímica. Se observó que esas emisiones gaseosas dependen considerablemente de las prácticas de gestión cuando se produce el compost, tales como: calidad y tipo de residuos, frecuencia de mezclado del material, control riguroso de algunas características físico-químicas tales como: humedad, pH, y temperatura, entre otras. Capítulo 6, corresponde al cuarto caso de estudio en el cual se comparó el desempeño ambiental de fertilizantes orgánicos y minerales en una secuencia de cultivos de coliflor y tomate. Además se compararon dos procedimientos para la asignación del compost a los cultivos. El primero estuvo basado en el tiempo de duración del cultivo y el otro en el grado de mineralización del nitrógeno en el suelo. En general, el cultivo de coliflor mostró un mejor desempeño ambiental que el del tomate en todas las categorías de impacto estudiadas. Por otro lado, en ambos cultivos, el tratamiento de fertilización realizado con compost casero mostró un menor impacto ambiental que el compost industrial y el fertilizante mineral en la mayoría de las categorías estudiadas. Por otro lado, los impactos totales de la secuencia de cultivos (suma de impactos de la coliflor y el tomate) fueron menores que los impactos individuales (coliflor y tomate) para los tres tratamientos de fertilización. Finalmente, la tesis incluye recomendaciones para la producción y gestión de los residuos orgánicos (Capítulo 5). Estas recomendaciones se enfocaron en la producción de compost doméstico y su aplicación en horticultura. Se incluye el modelo V2V “vegetables to vegetables” que es un modelo de bucle cerrado empezando desde la generación de residuos de cultivos (hortalizas, vegetales y frutas) hasta que los mismos son transformados nuevamente en fertilizantes orgánicos para ser aplicados en cultivos.
The increased generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) due to population growth and new patterns of consumption is an important issue for European Union (EU) and countries around the world. Policies for managing MSW in a sustainable manner have been key components of EU directives (Directives 1999/31/EC and 2008/98/EC). This doctoral thesis aims to study technologies for the treatment of MSW and assess the environmental impacts of using organic waste to fertilize crop in order to optimize resources and reduce waste. The studies are based on life cycle analysis using CML and ReCipe methodologies. Chapter 2 is dedicated to the assessment of autoclaving a technology normally used for the sterilization of pharmaceutical waste. This technology offers the possibility of recovering the valuable portion of mixed MSW such as the organic fiber (OF). The processes of autoclaving, sorting and biological treatment were compared to two known technologies: incineration and landfill. The results showed that the systems which considered the anaerobic digestion had the lowest impacts in eutrophication potential and global warming potential. Meanwhile, incineration had the best results for the remainder five impact categories studied. On the other hand, landfill had the highest impact in all studied categories. Chapter 3, the second case study was carried out to compare the environmental and agronomical results of two composts (industrial and home) with mineral fertilizers. Fertilizers were applied to horticultural cauliflower crops. The results showed a better yield (fruit · ha-1) for the crops fertilized with mineral fertilizers but the best environmental performance was for the crops fertilized with home compost. Chapter 4, the third case study, two home composts were produced by two different methods (i.e. production management), resulting in significant differences in terms of emissions. Emissions of methane, nitrous oxides and ammonia were experimentally measured for both composts. The results showed that nitrous oxides and methane emissions contributed considerably the category of global warming potential. While ammonia emissions contributed to the categories of acidification potential, eutrophication and photochemical oxidation. It was observed that these gaseous emissions depend on the management practices employed when producing the compost such as: quality and type of waste stream, frequency mixing of the composting material, rigorous control of some physico-chemical characteristics (humidity, pH, temperature, etc.), among others. Chapter 6, the fourth case study was carried out to compare the environmental performance of organic and mineral fertilizer in a crop sequence of cauliflower and tomato. Furthermore, two procedures for allocating life cycle impacts to crops were also studied. The first one was based on time allocation and the other one in the mineralization N degree in soil. In general, the results showed a better environmental performance for cauliflower crop than tomato in all impact categories considered. Meanwhile, in both crops, the fertilization treatment with home compost showed the lowest impacts than industrial compost and mineral fertilizers in the most impact categories studied. Additionally, the total impacts for the crop sequence (sum of impacts of cauliflower and tomato) were lower than single (i.e. cauliflower and tomato) impacts for the three fertilization treatments. Finally, the dissertation also includes guidelines for organic waste management (Chapter 5). These guidelines focused on domestic compost production and its application in horticulture. The guidelines show the V2V “vegetables to vegetables” model, a closed loop model starting from food waste (e.g. vegetables and fruits) compost until it is again transformed in organic fertilizer to be applied to crops. The guidelines are targeted towards farmers and anyone interested in domestic compost production.

Dairy production systems are an important global contributor to anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions including methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Due to the role GHG play in climate change, it is important to investigate ways to minimise their global warming potential (GWP) and to maximise the efficiency of dairy production systems. Finding a balance between improving productivity and suppressing the range and quantity of GHG produced in dairy production is crucial in order to maintain sustainability in the future. The Langhill herd is part of a long term genetic x feeding systems study, representative of a range of dairy production systems which may be found in the UK. Two feeding regimes (low forage (LF) and high forage (HF)) were applied to each of two genetic lines (control (C) and select (S) genetic merit for milk fat plus protein) giving four contrasting dairy production systems (LFC, LFS, HFC, HFS). Biological efficiency (production and energetic) and environmental efficiency (GWP) were assessed by way of life cycle analysis (LCA), accounting for dairy system inputs and outputs from off-farm production of imported feeds and fertilisers to raw milk leaving the farm gate over a period of seven years. Calculations were conducted using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) methods, with system specific data implemented where possible. Select genetic line under low forage regime (LFS) had the highest gross production and energetic efficiencies (p<0.001). In LFS, milk yields were 56% higher per cow than the lowest ranked HFC system, representing a difference of around 3500kg per cow. Milk solids yield per kg dry matter intake was 18% higher in LFS compared to HFC. High forage with control genetic line required 17% more net energy intake than LFS to produce each kg of milk solids. LFS allocated the highest proportion of net energy to lactating after accounting for body maintenance (p<0.001). Rate of change in efficiency throughout lactation varied significantly (p<0.001) amongst systems, with loss of efficiency minimised in LFS and greatest in HFC. However, LFS involuntary culling rate was significantly higher than other systems (p<0.001). LFS was the most environmentally efficient system and HFC the least (p<0.001), both per unit productivity and per unit total land use. Implementing low forage regime with select genetic line lowered GWP per kg energy corrected milk (ECM) by 24% compared to HFC (p<0.001). GWP of LFC was around 8% lower per kg ECM than HFS (p<0.001). Methane from enteric fermentation contributed the greatest proportion of overall GWP (46-49%) in all systems. However, key factors in the differences amongst systems were higher off-farm CO2 equivalent emissions under low forage, and higher on-farm N2O emissions under high forage regime. HFC produced 91% more nitrous oxide per kg ECM from animal manures compared to LFS, and 65% more N2O from applied manufactured fertilisers (p<0.001). Conversely GWP associated with off-farm production of imported feeds in LFS was 11% higher than in HFC (p<0.001). In low forage systems high gross emissions were offset by high productivity but this was not the case for the high forage systems. Cows of high genetic merit managed under a Low Forage feeding regime had improved production, energetic and environmental efficiencies. However, issues with animal health and fertility raise questions about long term sustainability of the LFS dairy production system, emphasising the importance of examining trade offs between systems.

Over the last decade, the use of BIM methodology, both in terms of technology and process, has experienced a rapid growth in the construction industry, there is a worldwide increase trend on the use and investment in this new technologies. Although, the benefits associated with the use of BIM in the construction industry, the literature has been demonstrated that BIM as a digital collaborative environment between construction stakeholders is here to stay. However, some aspects of the technology are still unfamiliar within the industry, several problems associated with BIM application and adaptation has been surfaced. Unsurprisingly when new technologies are used, such of these problems will appear, this is because BIM approaches represent new concepts and untested in construction industry. Therefore the challenge to overcome problems facing a using BIM, and identify the key risk factors becomes tangible more than any time before. From this perspective, the aim of this study is to identify the emerging risk that influence BIM use in the projects, investigate these risks based on the perception of academics and professionals from the Western world. In this research was to identify 128 of the risk factors based on a review of previous literature, these factors have been categorized into five key clusters (contractual, legal, technical, managerial, application and security). The study employs an online survey, which was sent to 426 respondents. The respondents were drawn from websites and professional networks. The statistical techniques of descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, ANOVA analysis, and analysis of variance were used for data analysis. The analysis findings show that four contractual risks were assessed to be important: LC2 "Trades on site may not be working from the model", LC1"Unclear how to deal with BIM documents’ precedence", and LC5 “Misplaced assumptions that the design team, with a “push of a button” is able to produce a perfectly coordinated series of documents through BIM”. In the legal risk cluster, the respondents agreed on the importance of L.IPR1 "Lack of clarity of the ownership of the BIM objects"; LD4 "Lack of knowledge of the missing data" and likewise, LP1 “Modelling participant does not meet the standard of care required” risk factors. The research findings also indicate that four technical risks will have an influence on BIM usage: TC1 “Complexity of transferring modelling data between programs from one program to another", TI2 "Lack of understanding of BIM for the different software platforms", TI3 "Interoperability shortcomings", TQ9 "Failure to discover errors in the model", and TI1 "Risks of different software platforms”. The results appear to show that the respondents thought ten managerial risk factors are of relevance: MX5 "Lack of understanding of the expectations from BIM modelling"; MX4 "Lack of experience and skilled personnel”; MC4 "Lack of clarity on integration BIM with the current business practice"; MS1 "Conflict due to dissimilar expectations from BIM"; MS4 "Lack of collaborative work processes and standards"; MX7 "Lack of understanding of BIM processes"; MX6 "Lack of understanding of modelling behaviors"; MX8 "Lack of expertise within the project team"; MX9 "Lack of expertise within the organizations"; and MS3 "Lack of criteria for BIM project implementation". Only three application risks were deemed important: PS6 "Implications of amendments are unclear or not defined"; PT10 "Lack of updating the designed model to incorporate the BIM changes made during construction"; and PT11 "Model not updated along with progress reviews" risk factors. The results showed that the respondents strongly agreed that eight out of ten BIM security risks are relevant in BIM application and are very likely to emerge: S9 "Disclosure of confidential information that need to integrate with BIM programs"; S6 "Lack of understanding or ignoring security policies"; S3 "Disclosure of BIM data"; S10 "Unauthorised access and remote access"; S5 "Weakness in technical controls"; S4 "Weakness in security procedures"; S8 "Corporate surveillance"; and S7 "Opening non-trusted e-mail" risk factors. The ANOVA analysis results revealed a variety of interrelationships between the identified risks based on respondents’ profiles, affect in adapting with application and the use of BIM, this requires to be considered by BIM stakeholders, and developing an international standard for BIM risk management, finding optimal solutions for such these identified factors, in addition to further studies and researches in this field. This thesis investigates the emerging risks from BIM application and delivers an original contribution to knowledge in the form of identifying and classifying BIM application risks, which will enhance the level of stakeholder awareness and avoid any risks associated with usage of BIM in the future projects and assist in the maturity of BIM usage.

The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology can be applied in various stages - especially conceptual design and IS0 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) implementation - in order to add value and incorporate environmental concerns in the chemical industry to improve the overall environmental performance. The LCA methodology was successful in identifying the environmental issues of the conceptual design case study for future environmental focus in the conceptual project, taking into accol-~nth e limited detail data available so early in the project life cycle. The LCA was even more successful in identifying the major environmental impacts and aspects of different process units relative to each other in the implementation of an IS0 14001 Environmental Management System due to the availability of more detail data from actual analyses and measurements. Only environmental problem identification, focus and priorities are given by the LCA, while the severity of the potential impacts is not determined.
Thesis (MSc)--PU for CHE, 1999.

The goal in this study was the design and prototype implementation of procedures, programs, views, schema, and data (toolset) for the management of Web applications. This toolset pertained to all phases of the Web application's life including design, construction, deployment, operation, and change. The toolset built upon key functional perspectives including accounting, administration, automation, availability, business, capacity, change, configuration, fault, operations, performance, problem, security, service level, and software distribution. The main problems addressed by the researcher through the toolset were the lack of support in a number of key areas such as keeping applications available and performing well, making applications easy to fix when they fail, making applications easier to change and maintain, and ensuring that applications are secure. The toolset addressed these challenges and at the same time reduced the impact of application complexity, the labor needed, and the skill required to achieve Web application manageability. Joint application design techniques were used for requirements and design activities. A rapid application design approach was used for toolset implementation, planning, and construction. Evaluation was done using a five-question survey that focused on input about the toolset's software attributes and technology, level of satisfaction with the toolset, and perceived contribution of the toolset to the organization. It is expected that this research project will be used as input for future service-based offerings for IBM's e-Business Hosting line of business.

Xanthate salts are commonly used as collectors in the mineral processing of sulphide ores. In more recent studies, xanthate has also been used in the environmental desulphurisation flotation of sulphidic mine tailings and coal waste, with a view to mitigating acid rock drainage (ARD) risks through the pre-disposal removal of sulphide minerals. In South Africa, xanthate salts are produced by Senmin® International (Pty Ltd) via the conversion of carbon disulphide at its facility in Sasolburg. In 2010, Senmin® commissioned a new state-of-the art plant for the production of carbon disulphide using methane rather than charcoal as a carbon source. Although this process has many advantages over the old process, no attempt has been made to date to quantify the environmental benefits. Similarly, whilst the technical feasibility of using xanthate salts in the desulphurisation flotation to reduce the ARD generating potential of mine tailings has been demonstrated in a number of case studies, little attention has been given to the broader environmental implications of this tailings treatment option. The life cycle assessment (LCA) approach proves to be a valuable tool to study the environmental aspects and potential impacts throughout the life cycle of a product or process. In this study, LCA was used as a tool to assess the implications of the new carbon disulphide production process on the environmental performance of subsequent xanthate salt production, as well as the environmental consequences of using these salts in the downstream desulphurisation of base metal sulphide tailings. The objectives of the study were achieved by conducting two inter-related LCA studies: LCA of xanthate production (LCA 1) and LCA of ARD mitigation (LCA 2). These LCA studies followed the protocol set out in the ISO 14040 standards using the Simapro software package (version 7.3.3). The first LCA study was a cradle-to-gate comparison of current and previous carbon disulphide production processes for the production of xanthate. Data was collected in two ways: the foreground data was sourced at the plant in Sasolburg, whilst ecoinvent database was used for background data for the production of 1 tonne of carbon disulphide. To quantify the identified environmental impacts, namely climate change, terrestrial acidification, human toxicity, freshwater ecotoxicity and fossil depletion, ReCiPe, a midpoint life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) method was chosen. Study results confirmed that the new carbon disulphide production facility has a significantly lower environmental foot print than the old charcoal-based process, based on the studied environmental impacts. This improvement reflected positively on the environmental performance of the subsequent xanthate production process

This research has developed a novel sustainability assessment framework for electricity technologies and scenarios, taking into account techno-economic, environmental and social aspects. The methodology uses a life cycle approach and considers relevant sustainability impacts along the supply chain. The framework is generic and applicable to a range of electricity technologies and scenarios. To test the methodology, sustainability assessments have been carried out first for different technologies and then for a range of possible future electricity scenarios for the UK. The electricity options considered either contribute significantly to the current UK electricity mix or will play a greater role in the future; these are nuclear power (PWR), natural gas (CCGT), wind (offshore), solar (residential PV) and coal power (subcritical pulverised). The results show that no one technology is superior and that certain tradeoffs must be made. For example, nuclear and offshore wind power have the lowest life cycle environmental impacts, except for freshwater eco-toxicity for which gas is the best option; coal and gas are the cheapest options, but both have high global warming potential; PV has relatively low global warming potential but high cost, ozone layer and resource depletion. Nuclear, wind and PV increase certain aspects of energy security but introduce potential grid management problems; nuclear also poses complex risk and intergenerational questions. Five potential future electricity mixes have also been examined within three overarching scenarios, spanning 2020 to 2070, and compared to the present-day UK grid. The scenarios have been guided by three different approaches to climate change: one future in which little action is taken to reduce CO2 emissions (‘65%’), one in which electricity decarbonises by 80% by 2050 in line with the UK’s CO2 reduction target (‘80%’), and one in which electricity is virtually decarbonised (at the point of generation) by 2050, in line with current policy (‘100%’).In order to examine the sustainability implications of these scenarios, the assessment results from the present-day comparison were projected forward to describe each technology in future time periods. Additional data were compiled so that coal with carbon capture and storage (CCS) – a potentially key future technology – could be included. The results of the scenario analyses show that the cost of generating electricity is likely to increase and become more capital-intensive. However, the lower-carbon scenarios are also at least 87% less sensitive to fuel price volatility. Higher penetration of nuclear and renewables generally leads to better environmental performance and more employment, but creates unknown energy storage costs and, in the case of nuclear power and coal CCS, the production of long-lived waste places a burden of management and risk on future generations. Therefore, the choice of the ‘most sustainable’ electricity options now and in the future will depend crucially on the importance placed on different sustainability impacts; this should be acknowledged in future policy and decision making. A good compromise requires strategic government action; to provide guidance, specific recommendations are made for future government policy.

In this thesis, a framework is constructed for a life cycle assessment within a civilengineering project. There are various methods available on how to conduct lifecycle assessments and this thesis explores one method related to civil engineeringworks. The assessment follows the structure based in related standards such asEN 15804 which describes how to declare construction products. A working copyof a possible upcoming European level standard for sustainability assessment ofcivil engineering works is also used in the process. The object of assessment arethe materials, concrete and steel, in the retaining walls that are constructed alongthe channel near Södertälje Harbour. This is a part of a larger project, called theMälar Project.The life cycle of these type of constructions often stretches over long periodsof time which leaves a lot of uncertainties while estimating the impacts during thelater life stages. The research problem is much about how to handle the differentmodules of the life cycle regarding civil engineering works.Example data were collected and presented for each module of the life stage.The results of the example data showed that most of the impact came from theproduct stage. The conclusions are that the collection of data should be an integratedpart in the operating procedures for the company for a more efficientprocess, Environmental Product Declarations are a good source of data and standardson European level gives good guidelines on how to conduct a life cycleassessment for civil engineering projects.
I detta examensarbete konstrueras ett ramverk för hur en livscykelanalys kan utförasinom väg- och vattenbyggnad. Det finns många olika riktlinjer för hur enlivscykelanalys kan utföras och i detta examensarbete utforskas en metod för projektinom väg- och vattenbyggnad. Arbetet följer strukturen ur EN 15804 sombeskriver hur man bedömer byggprodukter. Ett arbetsexemplar av en ny, möjligstandard på Europanivå för miljöbedömning av projekt inom väg- och vatten användsockså i processen. Det som bedöms via livscykelanalys i denna studie är deingående materialen, stål och betong, i hållväggarna som byggs längs med kanalenvid Södertälje Hamn. Detta är en del av ett större projekt, kallat Mälarprojektet.Livscyklerna för denna typ av projekt är oftast väldigt långa vilket skapar enosäkerhet i data då påverkan för senare delar av livscykeln behöver uppskattas.Problematiken som presenteras handlar mycket om hur modulerna för livscykelnska behandlas för denna typ av projekt.Exempeldata samlades in för de olika modulerna och presenterades i tabellersom täcker alla relevanta delar av livscykeln. Resultatet av exempeldatan visadeatt den mesta påverkan kom från produktstadiet. De slutsatser som dras är attinsamlingen av data bör vara en integrerad del av företagets arbetsmetod fören effektiv process, miljödeklarationer är en bra källa till data och standards påEuropanivå ger bra guidelinjer för hur en livscykelanalys kan utföras för liknandeprojekt.

Tererotechnology evolved between 1970 and 1975. In 1968 PA Management Consultants Ltd., was commissioned by the then Minister of Technology of the UK to carry out a study of engineering maintenance in British manufacturing industry. It reported that:- a) the total direct cost of engineering maintenance was approximately 1, 100 Million Pounds per annum (circa 1968) b) improved productivity of maintenance staff could have led to a reduction in maintenance expenditure of around 250 Million Pounds per annum. c) better maintenance could have saved about 300 Million Pounds per annum of lost production caused by unavailability. Using this and other information a UK Ministry of Technology working party reporting in 1970 emphasised among other things, the importance of the link between maintenance costs and the feedback of information to the designers of the plant. A steering committee ( The Committee for Terotechnology) was then set up to examine the broader findings of this report and in 1972 published their conclusions, central to which was the statement - "the nature of the maintenance activity was determined by the manner in which plant and equipment was designed, selected, installed, commissioned, operated, removed and replaced. Major benefits could come to British Industry from the adoption of a broadly based technology which embraces all these areas, and because no suitable word exited to describe such a multidisciplinary concept, the name "terotechnology" (based on the Greek word "terin" - to look after) was adopted." In 1975 the Committee for Terotechnology defined terotechnology as follows:- " a combination of management, financial, engineering and other practices applied to physical assets in pursuit of economic life cycle costs." The following was then added: " .... its practice is concerned with the specification and design for reliability and maintainability of plant , machinery equipment, buildings and structures, with their installation and replacement, and with the feedback of information on design, performance and costs." (1) The definition was subsequently utilised in BS.3811 1984. The concept ofterotechnology is therefore, a total concept, colloquially called whom to tomb. The Australian underground coal mining industry is a. two billion dollar a year industry, contributing greatly to the Australian economy, particularly the export economy. Appendix CI-1 gives an overview of the industry. (2) Having spent over 30 years in the industry, most of which was in engineering and maintenance, I was acutely aware that the industry committed many millions of dollars maintaining its plant and equipment. I was also aware that the equipment design was, in the main, maintenance unfriendly. Also, equipment failures were responsible for many lengthy and expensive delays resulting in interruptions to the production process and loss of production. Whilst many endeavours were made to improve the situation, I became persuaded that a much deeper problem existed, the results of which were being addressed but little effort seemed to be spent on addressing the fundamental causes of the problems resulting in equipment downtime and its consequences. Having been exposed to the discipline of terotechnology through studies for a Graduate Diploma in Maintenance Management (Terotechnology), I sought to study the industry's perception of itself in the terotechnological perspective. This resulted in my initial industry survey in 1985, of its maintenance and its management. The results identified that indeed a problem did exist but needed a more indepth and expanded industry analysis for the real details to be quantified. To my knowledge, no previous research has been conducted into the terotechnological aspects of the coal mining industry. Consequently, the research was commenced through QUT for a Master of Engineering Degree. This Thesis is the results of that research. The research sought to address the fundamental issues addressed in the UK study and to determine if indeed similar savings could be achieved in the Australian coal industry. That is a) to determine the cost of engineering maintenance b) to detennine the maintenance cost savings achievable if maintenance could be improved. c) to determine the costs of lost production costs through maintenance causes. The research commenced by issuing a survey document in 1989 and followed this up with detailed analysis of coal industry records. Two visits to the USA in 1991 and 1992, to discuss equipment performance and design with designers and users also contributed to the research. The underground coal mining industry uses two basic methods of mining to mine the coal in Australia. One is Bord and Pillar extraction method using continuous miner systems and the other is Longwall extraction methods. The research concentrated heavily on continuous miners as they were identified as having the greatest impact on maintenance and productivity in the immediate future. Longwall is the technology of the future analysed but to a lesser extent than continuous miners, as a detailed industry analysis was being conducted by the coal industry of this technology during my research of continuous miners. The Australian underground coal mining industry is being forced to become more world wide competitive than at any time in its history. It follows therefore, that whatever the technology used to produce the coal, the four elements of:- a) Fit for purpose equipment b) Competent people c) Safe work procedures d) Controlled work environment must be addressed. This is consistent with the terotechnological approach of this research. Results of the research follow in this document.

El objetivo de la tesis es contribuir a la aceptación del Análisis de Ciclo de Vida (ACV) como herramienta metodológica para la evaluación medioambiental de procesos químicos diseñados siguiendo las pautas de la Química Verde. Se pretende asimismo complementar e integrar la evaluación ambiental con la correspondiente evaluación económica, también desde una perspectiva de ciclo de vida. Con el objetivo de mostrar la potencial utilidad del ACV en este ámbito, se llevan a cabo dos casos de estudio en los cuales se evalúan diferentes Procesos Avanzados de Oxidación (PAOs) para el tratamiento de aguas residuales de la industria conteniendo contaminantes orgánicos persistentes. Las tecnologías evaluadas son: fotocatálisis en fase heterogénea, fotocatálisis en fase homogénea mediante procesos foto-Fenton, y ozonización. El primer caso de estudio se lleva a cabo a partir de datos a escala de laboratorio, mientras que el segundo caso de estudio, de carácter más detallado, se lleva a cabo mediante datos de planta piloto e industrial. Ambos estudios complementan la dimensión ambiental con la dimensión económica, utilizando la herramienta Coste del Ciclo de Vida (CCV). A continuación, se lleva a cabo una discusión sobre la utilidad del ACV en el ámbito de los procesos químicos, dependiendo de la escala de análisis: desde el laboratorio hasta la aplicación comercial. Finalmente, se presentan las conclusiones globales de la tesis, que pueden resumirse del siguiente modo:
- La cuantificación de los avances alcanzados mediante la aplicación de los principios de la Química Verde requiere herramientas, habiéndose mostrado la potencial utilidad del ACV en este ámbito mediante dos casos de estudio sobre PAOs.
- Se ha mostrado la posibilidad de aplicar el ACV tanto al nivel más básico de la Química Verde (laboratorio) hasta el más avanzado (aplicación comercial). Sin embargo los resultados obtenidos mediante ACVs basados en datos de laboratorio no necesariamente coinciden con los obtenidos en un estudio detallado, debido a: 1) falta de optimización de los procesos en laboratorio y 2) exclusión de procesos o fases del ciclo de vida que pueden ser relevantes, debido a la falta de datos. Por ello, tales estudios deben ser utilizados únicamente como evaluaciones preliminares.
- El ACV despliega su potencialidad en estudios detallados, utilizando datos originados a escala piloto o industrial. Asimismo, el CCV se presenta como un complemento muy apropiado para el ACV, principalmente también en el caso de estudios detallados.
The goal of the thesis is to contribute to the acceptance of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as a methodological tool for environmental evaluation of chemical processes designed by following the guidelines of Green Chemistry. This work also intends to complement and to integrate in the same framework the environmental assessment with the respective economic assessment, taking into account a life cycle perspective as well. In order to demonstrate the potential suitability of the LCA tool in this context, two case studies are carried out on the subject of Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) for treating industrial wastewaters containing persistent organic pollutants. In particular, the evaluated AOP technologies are: heterogeneous photocatalysis, homogeneous photo-Fenton, and ozonation. The first case study is carried out by exclusively using data derived from laboratory experiments, while the second case study is more detailed, and carried out by using data from pilot plants and industrial plants. Both studies include, along with the environmental assessment, the corresponding economic assessment, based on Life Cycle Costing (LCC). Following these studies, a discussion is made on the suitability of LCA in the context of chemical processes depending on the scale of analysis. Finally, the overall conclusions of the thesis are outlined, which can be summarised as follows:
- In order to assess the advances derived from applying Green Chemistry principles in the design of chemicals and chemical processes, methodological tools are needed. This thesis supports that LCA can be used for such a purpose, as has been shown by means of two case studies on AOPs.
- Application of LCA can be carried out at several stages: from the most basic, namely the laboratory scale, to the most advanced, namely commercial application. However, results obtained by means LCA studies based exclusively on laboratory-derived data do not necessarily match the results obtained in a detailed LCAs, mainly due to: 1) lack of optimization of the conditions in which the chemical process takes place in laboratory tests, and 2) excluding relevant operations or life cycle phases which are hardly quantifiable when evaluated from laboratory tests. For this reason, it is suggested that laboratory-derived LCAs should be used only as a means of obtaining preliminary environmental information.
- The potential of LCA as a tool is displayed when detailed studies, based on large-scale application data, are carried out. The LCC tool, on the other hand, presents itself as a very suitable complement, mainly when performing detailed studies.

The goal of this thesis is to provide the means for discussion of overall benefits of alternative offshore drilling technologies. Life-cycle assessment is used to assess environmental impact of alternative drilling technologies. Life-cycle assessment is well-suited for relative comparison and it offers the broad perspective necessary to evaluate overall performance.

Several methodological developments are made within the framework of life-cycle assessment to support the evaluation of offshore drilling fluid technology.

Offshore discharges to the marine environment during drilling operations are pulse emissions. The relative marine aquatic ecotoxic impact of pulse emissions compared to continuous emission processes is investigated by transient dispersion modeling.

Occupational health is an important decision objective for offshore operations. Crane-lifts are an important cause of accidents with human health damages on drilling rigs. A characterization factor for offshore crane-lifts is developed to include occupational health in life-cycle assessment.

Long-term release of metals from solid wastes is important for the ecotoxicity of drilling wastes. A review is presented that considers the current and possible solutions to address long-term leaching processes in life-cycle assessment.

An overall evaluation of offshore drilling fluid technology is performed. The study assesses the relative life-cycle performance of alternatives for density control in drilling fluids (ilmenite versus barite), offshore loading systems (crane-lifts versus a hydraulic system), base drilling fluids (water-base versus oil-base), and waste treatment of cuttings drilled with water-based drilling fluid (offshore discharge versus onshore treatment). A well located in the Barents Sea is used as reference.

Results are interpreted using Monte Carlo simulation. Preferred alternatives from an overall evaluation are proposed.

This thesis illustrates the challenges of life-cycle assessment. Most product systems require adaptation and development of methods for proper evaluation of impacts and results that meet requirements for decision objective attributes.

Platinum group elements (PGEs) are increasingly being used in a variety of environmentally-related technologies such as catalysts and catalytic converters which have strong expected growth to meet environmental and technological challenges this century. The platinum industry is actively seeking to progress its commitment to sustainability principles by reducing the negative impacts of their mining and mineral processing operations. Technical innovation to improve future plant designs, as well as the development of management policies, guidelines and protocols for efficient operation of process plants has therefore become a strategic priority for the South African platinum industry. The industry has also made an effort to understand the environmental impacts of its products from mine to metal, using life cycle methods. However, very limited research has been done to investigate what environmental value could be created if strategic and design decisions in minerals processing were life cycle based, particularly in the context of PGMs. Seminal work by Stewart (1999) investigating the environmental life cycle consideration for design-related decision making in the minerals industry has not led to significant adoption. Forbes et al. (2000) analysed metal processing using LCA and were able to identify opportunities for improved environmental performance. They however did not explore how it would be incorporated into the decision making cycle. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to determine whether life cycle assessment could help inform design decision making in the minerals industry. In the years 2002-2008 several PGM-producing companies commissioned new SO₂ scrubbing technologies to meet the regulations that had been set to prevent the release of excessive amounts of sulphur dioxide from smelters in the Rustenburg area, a mining town located in the North West Province of South Africa. Using these cleanup process retrofits as case studies, this dissertation aims to determine whether the introduction of LCA as an environmental analysis tool would have provided additional value to the decision makers. The case study approach that was chosen compared and assessed the performance of SO₂ abatement technologies and the effect of efficiencies chosen on environmental performance by using life cycle assessment modelling. By doing the life cycle assessment on the different options that the companies had, it was possible to evaluate the indirect environmental impacts that could have been overlooked during the design decision making process. In addition , experts who were involved in the design processes of the SO₂ abatement retrofits were interviewed to establish: i) how the design decisions were made and ii) whether the life cycle based insights into technology performance would have been of use in the design work. The goal of the life cycle assessment was to identify whether there were design decisions that induced environmental burden shifting when platinum smelters in the Rustenburg area added SO₂ abatement technologies to their processes, which could have been avoided had the LCA perspective been taken into account. The assessments considered two key variables, namely extent of recovery and technology choice.

With the rapid increase of renewable energy in the electricity grids, the need for energy storage continues to grow. One of the technologies that are gaining interest for utility-scale energy storage is lithium-ion battery energy storage systems. However, their environmental impact is inevitably put into question against lead-acid battery storage systems. Therefore, this study aims to conduct a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) to contrast the environmental impact of utilizing lithium-ion batteries and lead-acid batteries for stationary applications, specifically grid storage. The main tools in this study include Microsoft Excel for the life cycle inventory and OpenLCA for life cycle modelling and sensitivity analysis. In this research, a cradle-to-grave LCA for three lithium-ion battery chemistries (i.e. lithium iron phosphate, nickel cobalt manganese, and nickel cobalt aluminium) is conducted. The impact categories are aligned with the Environmental Footprint impact assessment methodology described by the European Commission. The standby grid operation scenario is considered for estimating the environmental impacts, where the batteries would deliver 4,800 kWh of electric energy throughout 20 years. Consequently, the functional unit will be in per kWh energy delivered. The lead-acid battery system has the following environmental impact values (in per kWh energy delivered): 2 kg CO2-eq. for climate change, 33 MJ for fossil resource use, 0.02 mol H+-eq. for acidification, 10-7 disease incidence for particulate emission, and 8x10-4 kg Sb-eq. for minerals resource use. Going back to the lithium-ion batteries systems, for the climate change and fossil resource use impact categories, the best performer is found to be the nickel cobalt aluminium (NCA) lithium-ion battery, with 46% and 45% less impact than lead-acid for the respective categories. On the other hand, the nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) was the best for the acidification and particulate emission impact categories with respective 65% and 51% better performance compared to lead-acid batteries. Finally, for the minerals and metals resource use category, the lithium iron phosphate battery (LFP) is estimated to be the best performer, which is 94% less than lead-acid. To conclude, the life cycle stage determined to have the largest contribution for most of the impact categories was the use stage, which then becomes the subject to a sensitivity analysis. The sensitivity analysis was done by varying the renewable contribution of the electricity grids in the use phase. Overall, the lithium-ion batteries systems have less environmental impact than lead-acid batteries systems, for the observed impact categories. The findings of this thesis can be used as a reference to decide whether to replace lead-acid batteries with lithium-ion batteries for grid energy storage from an environmental impact perspective.
Med den snabba ökningen av förnybar energi i elnäten, fortsätter behovet av energilagring att växa. En av de tekniker som växer intresse för energilagring på nyttan är litiumjon batteriets energilagringssystem. Emellertid, deras miljöpåverkan ifrågasätts oundvikligen mot blysyrabatteri lagringssystem. Därför syftar denna studie till att göra en komparativ livscykelanalys (LCA) för att komparera miljöpåverkan av att använda litiumjonbatterier och blybatterier för stationära applikationer, särskilt för nätlagring. I denna forskning genomfördes en vagga-till-grav-LCA (eller cradle-to-grave i engelska) för tre litiumjonbatterikemi (litium järn fosfat, nickel kobolt mangan, och nickel cobalt aluminium). Effektkategorier anpassades till miljökonsekvensbedömning metoden som beskrivs av Europeiska kommissionen. Det användningsfall scenariot för batterierna var standby läget, där batterierna leverera 4800 kWh elektrisk energi för 20 år. Följaktligen den funktionella unit är i ‘per kWh levererad energi’. Blysyrabatteriet hade följande ungefärliga miljöpåverkansvärden (i per kWh levererad energi): 2 kg CO2-eq. för climate change, 33 MJ för fossil resource use, 0.02 mol H+-eq. för acidification, 10-7 disease incidence för particulate emission, and 8x10-4 kg Sb-eq. för minerals resource use. Tillbaka till litiumjonbatterierna, för climate change och fossil resource use resursanvändnings kategorier, den bäst presterande var litiumjonbatteriet nickel kobolt aluminium (NCA). Det hade 46% och 45% mindre påverkan än blysyrabatteriet för respektive kategori. Å andra sidan, var nickel mangan kobolt (NMC) bäst för acidifcation och particulate emission kategorier. De är 65% och 51% bättre än blysyra för kategorierna. Slutligen, litium järn fosfat batteriet (LFP) är det bäst presterande för resource use of minerals and metals kategoriet, vilket det är 94% mindre än blysyra. Avslutningsvis, det livscykelstadier som var bestämt att ha det största bidraget för de flesta av påverkningskategorierna är användningsstadiet, som sedan blir föremål för en känslighetsanalys. I slutändan, litiumjonbatterierna ha mindre miljöpåverkan än blybatterier i detta projekt, för de observerade slagkategorierna. Resultaten av denna avhandling kan sedan användas som referens för att avgöra om bly-syrabatterier ska ersättas med litiumjonbatterier för energilagring ur ett miljöeffektperspektiv.

Le véhicule électrique est aujourd'hui présenté comme l'une des solutions alternatives sérieuses au véhicule à moteur à combustion interne, visant à limiter la consommation d'énergies fossiles, ainsi que les émissions de polluants locaux et de gaz à effet de serre. L'évaluation des forces et faiblesses de cette technologie au regard de l'environnement est aujourd'hui limitée, compte tenu notamment du peu de retour d'expérience sur ce type de véhicules.L'objectif de ce travail de recherche est de proposer une approche combinant une connaissance fine du véhicule étudié (obtenu notamment par des essais expérimentaux et l'utilisation de modèles de consommation) et de la méthode d'évaluation environnementale Analyse de Cycle de Vie (ACV), pour identifier les paramètres clefs du bilan environnemental, et par différentes analyses de sensibilité, d'en proposer une analyse détaillée. Pour y parvenir, des essais expérimentaux ont été réalisés sur un véhicule électrique à usage essentiellement urbain et son équivalent thermique. Un modèle permet d'estimer les consommations de véhicules selon leurs spécificités (chimie et capacité de batterie, rendement de la chaîne de traction) et leurs conditions d'utilisation (trafic, usages d'auxiliaires). Des hypothèses et scénarios sont également établis sur la durée de vie des batteries qui équipent le véhicule. Les jeux de données obtenus sont mis en œuvre dans l'ACV d'un véhicule électrique, et les résultats obtenus interprétés puis comparés à ceux du véhicule thermique équivalent. Enfin, analyses de sensibilité et test de divers scénarios permettent l'identification des paramètres clefs du bilan environnemental.

Worldwide, the electrical energy consumed by artificial lighting is second only to the amount consumed by electric machinery. Of the energy usage attributed to lighting in North America, approximately fifteen percent is consumed by those lighting products that are classified as High-Intensity Discharge (HID). These lighting products, which are dominated by Metal-Halide and High-Pressure Sodium technologies, range in power levels from 35 to 2000 watts and are used in both indoor and outdoor lighting applications, one category of which is the illumination of industrial facilities. This dissertation reviews HID industrial lighting design techniques and presents two luminaire layout algorithms which were developed to provide acceptable lighting performance based upon the minimum number of required luminaires as determined by the lumen method, regardless of the aspect ratio of the target area. Through the development of lighting design software tools based upon the Zonal Cavity Method and these layout algorithms, models for the quantification of energy requirements, lighting project life-cycle costs, and environmental impacts associated with conventional industrial lighting installations are presented. The software tools, which were created to perform indoor HID lighting designs for the often encountered application of illuminating general rectangular areas with non-sloped ceilings utilizing either High-Bay or Low-Bay luminaires, provide projections of minimal lighting system costs, energy consumption, and environmental impact based upon lamp selection, ballast selection, luminaire selection and lighting system maintenance practices. Based upon several industrial lighting application scenarios, lighting designs are presented using both the new software tools and a commercially available lighting design software package. For the purpose of validating this research, analyses of both designs for each scenario are presented complete with results of illuminance simulations performed using the commercially available software.
Ph. D.

Thesis (MScEng (Department of Electrical Engineering))--University of Cape Town, 2008.
Energy drives technological societies. Developing countries such as South Africa are caught between the desperate need for economic growth and the emerging obligations to the environment. Efficient technologies can be used to mitigate the impact of these seemingly conflicting requirements in urban and rural environments. In this thesis the commercially available white light-emitting diode (LED) with its inherent efficiency, longevity and mechanical strength, is used to show, that success in energy efficiency can be obtained. Two cases are used to illustrate the need for efficient demand-side technology: the electricity shortages of the Western Cape Province in South Africa and a white LED pilot project in Namulonge, Uganda. The Namulonge Solar-Home System (SHS) is analyzed with the intention of creating a more acceptable general lighting solution. The concept of appropriateness through self-determination is discussed within the context of location-specific information integrated into a design procedure. The major thrust and contribution of this thesis, however, is the design of an interior luminaire for Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS). This is in part based on the hypothesis that application-specific information will lead to implementation and human-needs success, and is researched, designed, fabricated and then laboratory tested. The biggest challenge to be overcome was the spatial light distribution of the LED array. Thus non-imaging optical lens design became the main focus of this project as it held the key to utilizing available light while conserving the light-systems energy. Circular Fresnel and Linear Fresnel (an adaptation of the concentric design) lenses were designed. Electrical, mechanical and thermal aspects of design are also detailed. Far-field, horizontal plane detection over the specified area is used to best gain the uniformity of distribution. The four criteria namely luminance, illuminance, intensity and étendue (collection efficiency), against which each design and focal length iv configuration is compared to, are extensively explored and eventually lead to a final design. In the first designs, the area of the spatial distribution between 50% and 80% of its relative intensity is collimated. The Hybrid Circular Fresnel and Hybrid Linear Fresnel lenses now redirects the relative intensity in two areas, from 50% to 70% (creating parallel rays) and then from 70% to 100% (away from the central axis), renders a distinct difference is spatial uniformity and a reduction in the peak and offaxis located intensity. All four criteria are met, with a minor adjustment of configuration within the bus internal luminaire spacing, with the hybrid designs. It is proposed that GABS employ polished designs of the Hybrid Circular Fresnel, in any of the configurations, which have collection efficiencies ranging between 64.8% and 78.3%.
Sponsored by the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies, Stellenbosch University

La méthode de l’Analyse du Cycle de Vie (ACV) est devenue ces dernières années un outil d’aide à la décision « environnementale » pour évaluer l’impact des produits et des processus associés. La pratique de l’ACV est documentée comme un outil pour l’évaluation d’impacts, la comparaison et la prise de décisions « orientée produit ». L’exploitation d’une telle méthode pour les procédés de l’industrie bio-physico-chimique a gagné récemment en popularité. Il existe de nombreux faisceaux d’amélioration et d’expansion pour sa mise en oeuvre pour l’évaluation des procédés industriels. L’étude s’attache à la production de biocarburant à partir de la plante Jatropha curcas L. selon une approche « attributionelle ». Cette étude présente l’évaluation environnementale d’un agro-procédé et discute de l’opportunité de coupler les concepts, les méthodes et les outils de l’ACV et de l’IPAO (Ingénierie des Procédés Assistés par Ordinateur). Une première partie présente l’ACV appliquée à l’agrochimie. L’état de la littérature apporte des enseignements sur les diverses études qui mettent en évidence le rôle et l’importance de l’ACV pour les produits et les différents agro-procédés. La substitution des carburants classiques par les biocarburants est considérée comme une voie potentielle de substitution aux énergies fossiles. Leur processus se doit d’être évalué au regard de l’impact environnemental et du paradigme du développement durable, en complément des critères classiques, économiques et politiques. La deuxième partie aborde notre étude ACV de la production du biocarburant à partir de la plante Jatropha. Cette évaluation englobe la culture et la récolte en Afrique, l’extraction de l’huile et la phase de production de biocarburants, jusqu’à son utilisation par un moteur à explosion. À cet effet, les normes ISO 14040 et 14044 sont respectées. Basée sur une perspective « midpoint » avec les méthodes de calcul d’impacts, Impact 2002+ et CML, nous fournissons les premiers résultats de la phase d’interprétation (GES, appauvrissement des ressources, la couche d’ozone, l’eutrophisation et l’acidification). Cette étude démontre le potentiel de production de biocarburants de deuxième génération à réduire l’impact environnemental. Dans le même temps, elle révèle que l’unité de transesterification est le plus impactant. Nous identifions les limites de notre application selon une approche ACV « pure ». Dans la troisième partie, nous discutons des bénéfices attendus du couplage de l’ACV et des méthodes de modélisation et de simulation de l’ingénierie des procédés. Nous suggérons alors une amélioration de l’approche environnementale des systèmes de production. Nous fournissons un cadre de travail intégrant les différents points de vue, système, processus et procédé afin d’évaluer les performances environnementales du produit. Un outil logiciel, SimLCA, est développé sur la base de l’environnement Excel et est validé par l’utilisation de la solution ACV SimaPro et du simulateur de procédés Prosim Plus. SimLCA permet un couplage ACV-simulation pour l’évaluation environnementale du système complet de production de biocarburant. Cette intégration multi-niveaux permet une interaction dynamique des données, paramètres et résultats de simulation. Différentes configurations et scénarios sont discutés afin d’étudier l’influence de l’unité fonctionnelle et d’un paramètre de procédé. La quatrième partie établit la conclusion générale et trace les perspectives
With the rise of global warming issues due to the increase of the greenhouse gas emission and more generally with growing importance granted to sustainable development, process system engineering (PSE) has turned to think more and more environmentally. Indeed, the chemical engineer has now taken into account not only the economic criteria of the process, but also its environmental and social performances. On the other hand LCA is a method used to evaluate the potential impacts on the environment of a product, process, or activity throughout its life cycle. The research here focused on coupling of PSE domain with the environmental analysis of agricultural and chemical activities and abatement strategies for agro-processes with the help of computer aided tools and models. Among many approaches, the coupling of PSE and LCA is investigated here because it is viewed as a good instrument to evaluate the environmental performance of different unitary processes and whole process. The coupling can be of different nature depending on the focus of the study. The main objective is to define an innovative LCA based on approach for a deep integration of product, process and system perspectives. We selected a PSE embedded LCA and proposed a framework that would lead to an improved eco-analysis, eco-design and eco-decision of business processes and resulted products for researchers and engineers. In the first place we evaluate biodiesel for environmental analysis with the help of field data, background data and impact methodologies. Through this environmental evaluation, we identify the hotspot in the whole production system. To complement the experimental data this hotspot (i.e. transesterification) is selected for further modeling and simulation. For results validation, we also implement LCA in a dedicated tool (SimaPro) and simulation in a PSE simulation tool (Prosim Plus). Finally we develop a tool (SimLCA) dedicated to the LCA by using PSE tools and methodologies. This development of SimLCA framework can serve as a step forward for determination of sustainability and eco-efficient designing

Aujourd’hui, la compétition croissante, l'expansion des marchés et les progrès de la technologie engendrent un raccourcissement du cycle de vie des processus de développement des produits afin d’en améliorer les performances en termes de délai, coût et qualité. Ce raccourcissement du cycle de vie a engendré un accroissement des volumes de déchet généré et des conséquences que cela peut avoir sur l’environnement. Au niveau de l’Union européenne, des directives ont été introduites, tels que la gestion des déchets d'équipements électriques et électroniques (WEEE), la restriction de l'utilisation de certaines substances dangereuses dans les équipements électriques et électroniques (RoHS) et les directives pour le traitement des batteries usagées (Battery); ces directives permettent de limiter l'utilisation et le recyclage des substances dangereuses nocives pour la santé et pour l'environnement.Ces nouvelles réglementations et normes, permettant de gérer de manière efficace les retours et la fin de vie des produits (recovery process), ont été mises en place afin d'obliger les entreprises à assumer leurs responsabilités en termes de gestion des produits en fin de vie. Certaines entreprises ont montré que les produits recyclés ou réutilisés peuvent être une source supplémentaire de revenu (recyclage des matériaux, ou réutilisation des composants après démontage) dans le processus de fabrication.Ces connaissances liées à la performance environnementale (au niveau des processus de conception, de production, de transport, d’entreposage, de récupération…) devraient êtres saisies, évaluées et capitalisées dans des bases de connaissances afin d’être prisent en compte durant les différents phases du cycle de vie des produits.Nos travaux de recherche proposent donc de développer une architecture de gestion des connaissances (Knowledge Management Architecture) basée sur un Système Multi-Agents. L’objectif est de proposer un système qui met l'accent sur les concepts de « durabilité des produits et des cycles de vie », en établissant des liens entre des Agents Logiciels détenteurs de connaissances liées à la réglementation environnementale et les Systèmes d’Information de type PLM. Ces interconnexions permettront aux décideurs de prendre en compte les impacts environnementaux dans leurs décisions et ceci à chaque phase du cycle de vie des produits
The increasing of competition, expanding markets and advanced technology create shorten lifecycle and the development process to improve product performance in terms of time, cost and quality. These shorten products lifecycle have led to increase volumes of waste generation and consequence impact to environment. EU directives have been introduced, such as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS) and guidelines for the treatment of waste batteries (Battery), these directives are used to handle the hazardous substances which are harmful to human health and the environment.These regulations and standards have been put in place to force companies take their responsibilities on managing their products when reach to the end of life. Some companies have found that the returned product can be recycled or reused as an additional source of income (material recycling, or reuse of components after disassembly) in the manufacturing process.Knowledge related to the environmental performance (in terms of process design, production, transportation, storage, etc.) should be captured, evaluated and stored in knowledge base in order to share between users in different phases of the product lifecycle.Therefore, this research proposes a Knowledge Management Architecture based on a Multi-Agent System approach. The objective of this work is to propose a system that focuses on the concept of "sustainability” of products lifecycle by establishing the link between agents, who hold knowledge related to the environmental performances, and PLM system. The connection encourages companies considering the environmental impacts in their decision making at every stage of product lifecycle

Cette thèse vise à contribuer à la compréhension des cycle de vie d’une opération humanitaire (HOLC). Gestion de la chaîne d'approvisionnement humanitaire (HSCM) dans un contexte de mise en perspective et dans l’objectif de proposer un modèle décisionnel qui s'applique aux phases de HOLC lors d’une situation réelle. Cela inclut la mise en oeuvre du modèle proposé pour concevoir et développer un outil d'aide à la décision afin d'améliorer les performances de la logistique humanitaire tant dans les opérations de secours nationaux qu’internationaux.Cette recherche est divisée en trois phases. La première partie vise à présenter le sens de l'étude ; la zone de recherche prise en compte pour la gestion de la chaîne d'approvisionnement (SCM) doit être clairement définie. La première phase consiste à clarifier et définir le HSCM HL, la gestion de la chaîne d'approvisionnement commerciale (CSCM) et le SCM, ainsi que la relation entre ces différents éléments. La gestion du cycle de vie du projet (PLCM) et les différentes approches sont également présentés. La compréhension de la différence entre la gestion du cycle de vie du projet (PLM) et la PLCM est également nécessaire, cela ne peut être abordé dans la phase de cycle de vie de l'opération humanitaire. De plus, les modèles Multiple-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) et l’aide à la décision concernant le HL sont analysés pour établir le fossé existant en matière de recherche. Les approches MCDM qui mettent en oeuvre le système d'aide à la décision (DSS) et la manière dont le MAS a été utilisé dans le contexte HSCM sont étudiées.La deuxième phase consiste en la proposition d’un modèle décisionnel fondé sur l’approche MCDM à l'appui de la décision du décideur avant qu'il/elle prenne des mesures. Ce modèle prévoit le classement des alternatives concernant l'entrepôt, le fournisseur et le transport au cours des phases de HOLC. Le modèle décisionnel proposé est réalisée en 3 scénarios. I. La décision en 4phases HOLC – opération de secours internationale de la Croix-Rouge Française (CRF). II. La décision en3phases HOLC – opération nationale dela Croix-Rouge thaïlandaise (TRC). III. La décision au niveau de la phase de réponse HOLC – opération internationale du TRC dans quatre pays. Dans cette phase, le scénario I et II sont réalisés étape par étape au travers de calculs numériques et formules mathématiques. Le scénario III sera présenté dans la troisième phase. Pour établir trois scénarios, les données internes recueillies lors des entretiens avec le chef de la logistique de la Croix-Rouge Française, et le vice-président de la fondation de la Coix-Rouge thaïlandaise, seront utilisées. Les données externes proviennent de chercheurs qui sont des experts dans le domaine HL ou le champ du HSCM, de la littérature, et de sources issues des organismes humanitaires (documents d’ateliers, rapports, informations publiées sur leurs sites officiels).Dans la troisième phase, une application Internet multi-critères (decision support system MCDSS WB) mettant en oeuvre le modèle proposé est élaborée. Afin d'atteindre une décision appropriée en temps réel, le WB-MCDSS est développé sur la base d’un protocole client-serveur et est simple à utiliser. Le dernier mais non le moindre ; une application de validation du modèle est réalisée à l'aide de l'approche de l'analyse de sensibilité
This thesis aims to contribute to the understanding of HOLC in context of the HSCM and to propose a decision model which applies to the phases of HOLC the decision making regarding a real situation . This include the implementation of the proposed model to design and develop a decision support tool in order to improve the performance of humanitarian logistics in both national and international relief operations.This research is divided into three phases; the first phase is to clarify and define HL among HSCM, commercial supply chain management (CSCM) and SCM and their relationship. Project Life Cycle Management (PLCM) approaches are also presented. The difference between project life cycle management (PLM) and PLCM is also required to distinguish a clear understanding which can be addressed in the phase of humanitarian operation life cycle. Additionally, the literature of Multiple-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) models and existing decision aid system for HL are analyzed to establish the research gap. The MCDM approaches which implement the decision support system (DSS) and lastly how DSS has been used in the HSCM context.The second phase is to propose a decision model based on MCDM approaches to support the decision of the decision maker before he/she takes action. This model provides the ranking alternatives to warehouse, supplier and transportation over the phases of HOLC. The proposed decision model is conducted in 3 scenarios; I. The decision in 4-phase HOLC, international relief operation of French Red Cross (FRC). II. The decision on 3-phase HOLC, national operation by the Thai Red Cross (TRC). III. The decision on response phase HOLC, international operation by the FRC in four countries. In this phase, the scenario I and II are performed step by step though numerical calculation and mathematical formulas. The scenario III will be presented in the third phase.In the third phase, an application of web-based multi-criteria decision support system (WB-MCDSS) which implement the proposed model is developed. The web-based multi-criteria decision support system is developed based on the integration of analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and TOPSIS approaches. In order to achieve an appropriate decision in a real time response, the WB-MCDSS is developed based on server-client protocol and is simple to operate. Last but not least, a validation application of the model is performed using the sensitivity analysis approach