Pigment & Resin Technology • 1980

The Paint Research Association reports that despite the good hygiene practised in most paint factories microbial contamination occasionally occurs. This can cause thinning, gassing or malodour in aqueous paints rendering them unsaleable. The cost of paint raw materials is rising faster than the general rate of inflation and the cost of a spoilt batch is a serious matter for paintmakers.

Michael Bobb

Issues in Science and Technology Librarianship • 2015

A list of websites about microbial ecology is presented including http://www.asm.org, http://aslo.org/ and www.esa.org/esa/.

庆彬 王

Advances in Analytical Chemistry • 2025

Coking wastewater is characterized by high concentrations, complex composition

Team Fudan iGEM

• 2022

Preparation of bacterial cell lysate for SDS-PAGE

The IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology • 2025

Citation: 'electrochemical cell' in the IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed.; International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. 10.1351/goldbook.09058 • License: The IUPAC Gold Book is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike CC BY-SA 4.0 International for individual terms. Requests for commercial usage of the compendium should be directed to IUPAC.

[object Object], [object Object], [object Object] et al.

Journal of Electrical Electronics Engineering • 2023

Electric Vehicles, especially electric vehicles with bidirectional Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) connectivity, can serve as electric energy storage assets. Following the dramatic increase in electric vehicle registrations in 2022 there can be little doubt that electric vehicles will become a major portion of the entire light duty personal transportation fleet. This paper endeavours to project the growing electric energy storage capability of this asset. It shows that the storage available from the EV fleet may grow to match the daily output of projected solar PV generation in the 2025-30 time period, and greatly exceed the requirements of the EV fleet itself. This presents the possibility of a massive renewable generation capability, levelled and controlled by an even more massive electric vehicle fleet energy storage capability which can offset its intermittent and uncontrolled nature, as a future zero emission energy grid.

T. Bansal, S. Sharma, J. Gaba et al.

ChemInform • 2015

Abstract A new method for the synthesis of alkenyl amides from acrylic acids (I) and amines is reported.

S. Nami Kartal, Yuji Imamura

ChemInform • 2004

Abstract For Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.

Advance in Environmental Waste Management & Recycling • 2020

In this work, the percentage of removal of organic matter and phosphates from municipal wastewater of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Puca Puca, Ayacucho Region, Peru was determined by applying the combined method of photochemical water treatment and biological, which consists of coupling the photolysis process and the microalgae culture technique using Chlorella sp. The experience was carried out at the laboratory level using a photoreactor with an ultraviolet (UV) lamp for the photolysis process and a set of bioreactors that were illuminated with a light emitting diode (LED) lamp and continuously injected with CO2 from the air and a pure gas system during the biological process. Finally, with the application of the integrated photochemical and biological method, it was possible to reduce the organic matter of the municipal wastewater of the Puca Puca WWTP from 226 to 102.6 mg/L (54.60%) and from 93 to 55.17 mg/L (40.68%) for chemical and biochemical oxygen demand respectively; and phosphates from 6.8 to 4.1 mg/L (33.82%). A similar performance was observed in the cultivation of microalgae with wastewater without prior treatment with Photolysis. In this case, the decrease in chemical and biochemical oxygen demand was from 226 to 90.9 mg/L (59.78%) and from 93 to 48.78 mg/L (47.55%) respectively, and phosphates from 6.8 to 4 mg/L (41.18%).

Cong Li

Water • 2023

Water is vital for all living organisms and many manufacturing industries [...]

Mark Beattie

Oxford Medicine Online • 2018

This chapter discusses the aetiology, clinical features, assessment, and management of bacterial overgrowth.

Gib Sorebo, Kelly Hazelton

Natural Gas & Electricity • 2017

Industrial networks are at risk of cyberattacks, and this risk is increasing for industries around the globe.

Jeff D. Makholm

Natural Gas & Electricity • 2017

It has not been a good few years for the advance of competition in electricity supply in a number of places in the world.

Electricity • 2023

High-quality academic publishing is built on rigorous peer review [...]

Electricity • 2022

Rigorous peer-reviews are the basis of high-quality academic publishing [...]

• 2023

Climate change is altering the planet and threatens humanity. Earth system models simulate the planet's physical, chemical, and biological processes to help scientists understand current environmental changes and make projections for Earth's future, which can inform society's responses to combat and mitigate climate change's negative effects. Climate change will fundamentally change life on Earth, including microorganisms. Microbes will also influence climate change by driving biogeochemical cycles through the consumption and production of greenhouse gasses. Thus, explicitly including microbial processes into Earth system models can improve model projections. However, fully understanding the feedbacks between climate change and microbes, and then including those processes into Earth systems models, is a major challenge. This report is based on the deliberations of experts who participated in a virtual colloquium on 6 and 8 December, 2022, organized by the American Academy of Microbiology, which is the honorific leadership group and think tank within the American Society for Microbiology. At the colloquium, these experts from the climate and microbial sciences attempted to clearly articulate current knowledge gaps of the two fields. As a result, the participants compiled a list of top ten challenges to better incorporate microbial processes into Earth system models. Solving these challenges requires new thinking and approaches. Transdisciplinary efforts have the potential to propel science—and society—towards combating climate change.

Daumantas Matulis, Lars Wadsö, Karim Fahmy

Microorganisms • 2023

In recent decades, the calorimetric monitoring of microbial metabolism, i [...]

Alberto Credi, Margherita Venturi

ChemInform • 2011

Abstract Review: 81 refs.

Benjamin C. Stark

Microorganisms • 2022

The year 2021 marked the thirty-fifth anniversary of the discovery of microbial hemoglobins by Dale Webster and his colleagues [...]

B. Logan, K. Rabaey

Science • 2012

Waste biomass is a cheap and relatively abundant source of electrons for microbes capable of producing electrical current outside the cell. Rapidly developing microbial electrochemical technologies, such as microbial fuel cells, are part of a diverse platform of future sustainable energy and chemical production technologies. We review the key advances that will enable the use of exoelectrogenic microorganisms to generate biofuels, hydrogen gas, methane, and other valuable inorganic and organic chemicals. Moreover, we examine the key challenges for implementing these systems and compare them to similar renewable energy technologies. Although commercial development is already underway in several different applications, ranging from wastewater treatment to industrial chemical production, further research is needed regarding efficiency, scalability, system lifetimes, and reliability.

KristinaL. Straub, Bernhard Schink

Archives of Microbiology • 2004

Biotechnology and Bioengineering • 2024

K L Straub, B E Buchholz-Cleven

International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology • 2001

Hyung-Sool Lee

Bioresource Technology • 2018

This review explores electron transfer kinetics from an electron donor to the anode in electrically conductive biofilm anodes. Intracellular electron transfer (IET) from the donor to the anode is well described with the Monod equation. In comparison, mechanisms of extracellular electron transfer (EET) conduction are unclear yet, complicating EET kinetics. However, in biofilm anodes where potential gradient to saturated current density is less than ∼300 mV, Ohmic conduction successfully describe conductive EET mainly with biofilm conductivity (K bio ) and biofilm thickness (L f ). High K bio essential for production of high current density is found in Geobacter pure or enriched biofilm anodes, but other exoelectrogens could make biofilms electrically conductive. IET is rate-limiting for current density in conductive biofilms, and biofilm density of active exoelectrogens and L f are operating parameters that can be optimized further to improve current density.

M.R. Tarasevich

Materials Science Forum • 1991

Lars J. C. Jeuken

Environmental Microbiology • 2022

Zumaira Nazeer, Eustace Y. Fernando

Enzyme and Microbial Technology • 2022

Falk Schneider, Sophie Parsons, Sally Clift et al.

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment • 2023

Purpose Derelict fishing gear (DFG) is one of the most abundant and harmful types of marine litter that gets increasingly retrieved from the ocean. However, for this novel waste stream recycling and recovery pathways are not yet commonly established. To identify the most suitable waste management system, this study assesses the potential environmental impacts of DFG waste treatment options in Europe. Methods This study applies an attributional life cycle assessment (LCA) to four DFG waste treatment scenarios, namely a mechanical recycling, syngas production, energy recovery and landfill disposal. The scope spans from the retrieval and transport processes to pre- and end-treatment steps until the outputs are sent to landfill or assumed to substitute products or energy. Primary data was collected from retrieval and waste treatment trials in Europe. Contribution, sensitivity and uncertainty analyses were conducted using the LCA software SimaPro and ReCiPe as the impact methodology. Results and discussion The results show that the mechanical recycling and energy recovery achieve the lowest potential environmental impacts. The syngas production and landfill disposal scenario are not environmentally competitive because they require too much electricity, or their avoided production credits were too small to offset their emissions. Unlike the pre-treatment and transport processes, the retrieval and end-treatment processes have a significant impact on the overall results. The transport distances, energy mix and market and technological assumptions are least sensitive, while changes to the waste composition significantly affect the results. Especially a reduced lead content benefits the human toxicity impact potential of the landfill disposal scenario. The uncertainty analysis showed that the results are very robust in nine of twelve impact categories. Conclusions This is the first LCA study that compares waste treatment options for marine litter. The results indicate that a disposal of DFG is hazardous and should be replaced with mechanical recycling or energy recovery. While this may be technologically possible and environmentally beneficial, economic and social factors should also be considered before a final decision is made. To further reduce environmental impacts, marine litter prevention should play a more important role. Graphical abstract

Javier Sáez-Guinoa, Enrique García-Franco, Eva Llera-Sastresa et al.

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment • 2023

Aluminium industry emits around 1–2% of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Up to one-third of those are linked to the thermal energy consumed during its initial process: the alumina refining (Bayer process). Previous studies consider the Bayer process a single stage despite its being made of several reaction stages. This work presents a disaggregated energy analysis of the Bayer process that facilitates to find relationships between the main variables in regular alumina production and the environmental impacts. Two different thermodynamic simulations of the Bayer process were carried out using Aspen V11 software. The results of these simulations were validated with referenced data, and afterwards, they were used to perform a life cycle assessment. ISO 14040 and 14,044 standards were followed during the analysis. LCA was implemented on SimaPro 9.0, and ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint (H) method was used to calculate environmental impacts. The influence of bauxite mineral form, type of fuel (energy input), and the distance from the mine to the plant was analysed throughout the study. As expected, the type of fuel was revealed as the most crucial factor in the environmental impact of alumina production, with potential savings of up to 75.5% of CO2-equivalent emissions. Nonetheless, the tendency is diverse for other indicators, such as marine eutrophication or terrestrial acidification. On the other hand, while bauxite transportation always has the same impact on the different environmental indicators, bauxite mineral form affects differently depending on the fuel, causing variations in the CO2-eq emissions from 7.7 to 51.3%. Results indicated that the electrification of heat-demanding processes and the use of renewable power is the most effective approach for reducing environmental impacts. This strategy, however, must be considered in combination with others, as interdependent effects exist on the type of mineral used. These results provide strong evidence of the potential for environmentally friendly strategies in the metal industry, including new processes, alternative fuels, or mineral switching to promote more sustainable aluminium production.

Minghui Wu, J. Sadhukhan, R. Murphy et al.

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment • 2023

Purpose Carbon fibre-reinforced composite materials offer superior mechanical properties and lower weight than conventional metal products. However, relatively, little is known about the environmental impacts and economic costs associated with composite products displacing conventional metal products. The purpose of this study is to develop an integrated life cycle assessment and life cycle costing framework for composite materials in the aviation industry. Methods An integrated life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) framework has been developed. The displacement of a conventional aluminium door for an aircraft by a composite door is presented as an example of the use of this framework. A graphical visualisation tool is proposed to model the integrated environmental and economic performances of this displacement. LCA and LCC models for composite applications are developed accordingly. The environmental hotspots are identified, and the sensitivity of the environmental impact results to the different composite waste treatment routes is performed. Subsequently, the research suggests a learning curve to analyse the unit price for competitive mass production. Sensitivity analysis and Monte Carlo simulation have been applied to demonstrate the cost result changes caused by data uncertainty. Results Energy consumption was the hotspot, and the choice of composite waste treatment routes had a negligible effect on the LCA outcomes. Concerning the costs, the most significant cost contribution for the unit door production was labour. The future door production cost was decreased by about 29% based on the learning curve theory. The uncertainties associated with the variables could lead to variations in the production cost of up to about 16%. The comparison between the two doors shows that the composite door had higher potential environmental impacts and cost compared to the conventional aluminium door during the production stage. However, the composite door would have better environmental and financial performance if a weight reduction of 47% was achieved in future designs. Conclusions The proposed framework and relevant analysis models were applied through a case study in the aerospace industry, creating a site-specific database for the community to support material selection and product development. The graphical tool was proved to be useful in representing a graphical visualisation comparison based on the integration of the LCA and LCC results of potential modifications to the composite door against the reference door, providing understandable information to the decision-makers.

Benedikte Wrålsen, R. O'Born

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment • 2023

Purpose The purpose of this study is to advance and illustrate how life cycle assessment (LCA) can assess circular economy business models for lithium-ion batteries to verify potential environmental benefits compared to linear business models. Scenarios for battery repurpose are assessed to support future decision-makers regarding the choice of new versus second life batteries for stationary energy storage. A procedure to determine the substitution coefficient for repurpose and reuse of batteries is proposed. Methods Two different circular economy business models are assessed by applying primary data from two Norwegian companies for the development of a new life cycle inventory. With this new data, the authors compare second life battery (from first life in electric vehicle) scenarios and avoided production potential by performing a complete consequential LCA. Building on earlier work, a procedure to identify the substitution coefficient (i.e., potential for avoided production) for battery life cycle assessments is proposed. Interviews during factory visits were performed to identify a technical and a market factor affecting the substitution coefficient. Results and discussion This study illustrates how life cycle assessment methodology can detect and thus enhance the potential environmental benefits and trade-offs of circular economy business models. Results show that the CBMs which use second life batteries correspond to 16% (for global warming potential) of manufacturing a new battery. This means that a second life battery must avoid > 16% production of a new battery to become the preferred alternative. Hence, circular economy business models with second life batteries can generate net environmental benefits while the remaining battery capacity and market price are identified factors that can alter the potential environmental benefits. The findings suggest that assumptions concerning the avoided production emissions are crucial for understanding the overall impacts of battery value chains. Conclusions Circular economy business models which enable second life batteries show lower environmental impacts compared to a new battery when it can partly avoid production of a new battery. Based on the identified technical and market factor affecting this potential, a key message to industry and other organizations is that second life batteries should be chosen over new batteries. This depends on the remaining capacity being satisfactory for the new application, and the investment is not performed because of a low price compared to a new battery. Consequential LCA practitioners adopting a market approach while evaluating battery reuse and repurpose should model and account for the avoided production potential.

N. Alaux, H. Vašatko, D. Maierhofer et al.

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment • 2023

Purpose Bio-based insulation materials are one of the most promising solutions for reducing the environmental impacts of building envelopes. Among these materials, the environmental benefits of mycelium-based materials have merely been investigated, despite their promising technical and thermal properties. In this paper, we perform a first prospective cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) of mycelium-based composite blocks. Methods An attributional cradle-to-gate LCA of the laboratory production of mycelium-based composites was first performed, including 11 environmental impact indicators. Then, scenarios were defined to scale up the technology to the level of industrial production, including the remaining life cycle modules to perform a cradle-to-grave analysis. Biogenic and metabolic carbon were considered by applying the static −1/+1 approach and following the current LCA standards. Future-oriented energy and transport mixes were also included as an additional scenario, systematically modifying both the foreground and background data. Finally, the industrially scaled-up technology and alternative insulation materials were compared with these future conditions (as applied to both materials). Results and discussion Considering climate change, the results are encouraging in comparison to those for traditional plastic insulation, but do not necessarily surpass those for other existing materials such as rock wool. However, trade-offs are observed in other indicators, for which mycelium-based composites tend to perform worse than traditional insulation materials. The industrial scale-up reduced impacts for most indicators, but a considerable trade-off was observed with regard to terrestrial ecotoxicity. The main driver for the remaining greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions was found to be the electricity use during the manufacturing phase. We consider the inclusion of the other life cycle stages as relevant, as this increased the GHG emissions by 10%. Limitations of the current LCA standards, however, are noted and discussed, especially regarding the cascading use of biogenic materials, and highlight the relevance of this case study. Conclusions Mycelium-based composites show a potential for future development, but careful attention should be paid to reducing electricity needs in their manufacturing process. Further improvements could also be made by using fast-growing biogenic materials as a substrate. In particular, we encourage researchers to include all of the life cycle stages in future studies, especially if biogenic emissions are considered.

Tom Bradley, M. Rajaeifar, A. Kenny et al.

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment • 2023

Purpose Microalgae-derived biofuels are considered a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels. Nevertheless, as with all biofuels, there is still uncertainty around their sustainability. Most life cycle assessments (LCA) of microalgae biofuels so far used lab-based, scaled-up lab experimental data or data from the scientific literature. This article, provides evidence and analysis, undertaking an LCA using real-world data from an industrial facility that uses a combination of photobioreactor and fermenter systems. Methods The current well-to-wheel LCA study aimed to compare the environmental impacts of microalgae biodiesel production—under different energy regimes—and with petroleum-derived diesel. The functional unit was considered as “combustion of 1 MJ (Lower Heating Value) of algal biodiesel in an internal combustion engine (as B100)”. This LCA study considers the environmental and energy impacts from the construction of the facility, as well as those impacts from the operation of the facility. The foreground LCI data was collected from a real-world one-hectare microalgae production pilot facility. ReCiPe, IPCC AR5 (GWP100 and GWP20) and Global Temperature Potential (GTP) were implemented to assess the life cycle environmental impacts. Results and discussion The assessment shows that when infrastructure is included, microalgae-derived biofuels are not yet favourable over petroleum-derived fuels on GWP100, and this becomes worse over shorter timescales. In terms of climate change (GWP100), whilst 1 MJ (LHV) of fossil-derived diesel would emit 8.84 × 10^−2 kg CO_2eq, 1 MJ of microalgae-derived biodiesel from a solar photovoltaic powered facility would emit 1.48 × 10^−1 kg CO_2eq. To be equal to petroleum-derived diesel in terms of GWP100, or perform better, productivity of the microalgae production system needs to be improved as the most effective solution. The results also showed that electricity and infrastructure were major sources of environmental impacts, as well as the yeast used within the fermenter. Moreover, it takes 0.99 MJ of direct energy per 1 MJ of microalgae biofuel produced, similar to the fossil fuel industry for 1 MJ of diesel. Conclusions Using infrastructure and operational models, the study shows that the facility does not compare well with petroleum-derived diesel unless productivity can be increased. Productivity improvements, be it through improvements to microalgae strains or improved photobioreactor designs, should be a priority to ensure microalgae become a sustainable fuel feedstock. Electricity use should be reduced as well, again, through improved cultivation system designs. In terms of the current system, the high impacts of yeast should be addressed, either through co-locating yeast production or through ensuring specific sources with lower impacts. Extracting lipids will effectively waste some high-value products, whilst the waste can be expected to be a mixture of unextracted lipids, polysaccharides or fibre, some proteins and minerals. It is also shown that harmonisations of the assessments are needed for future studies and real-world operation facilities to conclusively decide if microalgae should be used as fuel or if they would be better used for other products, such as feed or high-value products.

Berfin Bayram, K. Greiff

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment • 2023

Purpose Life cycle assessment (LCA) is increasingly being applied to construction and demolition waste (CDW) recycling. But what is the current state of LCA studies on CDW recycling? In the context of circular economy, several aspects become important in LCA, such as avoided impacts and consideration of the quality of recycled materials. The aim of this study is to identify inconsistencies and best practices, and then provide recommendations for future LCA studies focusing on CDW recycling. Methods We conducted a systematic literature review on 76 journal articles. First, a general mapping of the selected studies was performed including the temporal and geographical distribution, and a bibliometric analysis to capture the linkages between the studies. Within the LCA content-based analysis, an in-depth assessment of three important quality aspects: (1) quality of the study based on the applied LCA methodology, (2) inclusion of material quality in LCA, and (3) data quality considering sensitivity and uncertainty analyses, was carried out. Major LCA components such as functional unit (FU), software, database, system approach (attributional or consequential), allocation method, life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation were evaluated. A special emphasis was placed on avoided impacts and the inclusion of recycled material quality in the LCA. Results and discussion In this review, it was found that many essential elements of LCA were missing or not implemented correctly. For example, in the definition of FU, some studies did not mention any FU, others defined an invalid FU, and most of the studies defined a uniform FU, which was most likely confused with the reference flow. The main problem observed is the lack of transparent reporting on the different elements of LCA. Regarding avoided impacts, for instance, only 13 studies reported the avoided materials and their substitution coefficients. Also, 6 studies used the term “virgin material” for avoided impacts without further information, which is a very broad term and difficult to interpret. Furthermore, only 12 studies included the quality of recycled material in the LCA. Conclusion To obtain reliable LCA results, the practitioners should follow the principal LCA methodology and peer-reviewers should ensure the proper implementation. In CDW recycling, the differentiation between downcycling and recycling is essential; therefore, the quality of recycled materials should be included in the LCA. Considering inconsistent implementation of avoided impacts, a standardized and well-defined avoided impact framework is suggested to be developed to improve the quality and reliability of future LCA studies.

Rickard Arvidsson, Magdalena Svanström, Björn A. Sandén et al.

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment • 2023

Some future-oriented life cycle assessment (LCA) terms, particularly prospective and ex-ante, show notable increase in use in publications over the last decade. However, scholars have pointed out that it is currently unclear exactly what these terms mean and how they are related. This paper aims to explain defining differences between future-oriented LCA terms and provide terminology recommendations. Existing definitions of future-oriented LCA terms were reviewed and analyzed. Workshops were held where defining differences of future-oriented LCA terms were discussed. Temporal positionality and technology maturity appear to be two critical aspects of future-oriented LCA. Prospective and ex-ante LCA are similar, with the possible difference that ex-ante LCA always involves an increase in technology maturity in the future. Considering the notable similarities, it seems reasonable to converge terms to mitigate field fragmentation and avoid terminology confusion. To denote LCA studies with a future temporal positionality, we recommend using the term prospective LCA, defined as “LCA that models the product system at a future point in time relative to the time at which the study is conducted”. Furthermore, since technology maturity is clearly a critical aspect for prospective LCA, we recommend prospective LCA studies to clearly define the maturity of the technologies modeled in the production system.

P. Holzapfel, Vanessa Bach, M. Finkbeiner

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment • 2023

Purpose In grid electricity consumption models, the location-based method uses regional average emission factors to account for environmental impacts. The market-based method is based on contractual agreements, verifying the exclusive claim on electricity from specific energy sources. An inconsistent application of these methods in life cycle assessment (LCA) and GHG accounting can lead to double counting. Especially, double counting electricity associated with rather low environmental impacts, such as renewable energy, might lead to impact underestimations. The aim of this paper is to identify, describe and propose solutions to double counting challenges. Methods A four-step procedure is carried out. First, the specifications on grid electricity mix selection in frequently applied standards for LCA and GHG accounting are analysed. Besides the ISO norms for LCA (14040/44) and carbon footprinting (14064/67), the GHG Protocol and the Product and Organizational Environmental Footprint (PEF/OEF) are considered. Based on this analysis, challenges of double counting electricity from specific sources are identified. In the third step, potential solutions for avoiding double counting are proposed. The last research step consists of an illustrative case study to demonstrate the calculation of market-based electricity mixes and identify potential adjustments necessities for LCA application. Results and discussion A parallel application of the location-based and the market-based method poses the main double-counting challenge. Thus, avoiding double counting demands consistent method application throughout the whole life cycle. Whereas this is relatively straightforward for the location-based method, consistent market-based method application is more challenging. LCAs rely on average life cycle inventory processes, which mostly include location-based electricity mixes. However, for consistent market-based method application throughout the life cycle, electricity-related environmental impacts in the inventory system also need to be market-based. This would demand a partial recalculation of LCI datasets using market-based residual electricity mixes. Besides illustrating the calculation of market-based electricity mixes, the case study is used to identify and propose solutions for two main challenges for residual mix application in LCA: countries without residual mix and electricity under a double marketing ban. Conclusion Double counting of electricity from specific energy sources is a challenge, since it can lead to under- or overestimations of environmental impacts. Both the location-based and market-based method can avoid double counting. However, parallel or inconsistent applications of both methods lead to double counting. In order to avoid double counting, there is a need to enable and use consistent electricity accounting rules in LCA and GHG accounting.

Pelle Sinke, Elliot W Swartz, Hermes Sanctorum et al.

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment • 2023

Purpose Cultivated meat (CM) is attracting increased attention as an environmentally sustainable and animal-friendly alternative to conventional meat. As the technology matures, more data are becoming available and uncertainties decline. The goal of this ex-ante life cycle assessment (LCA) was to provide an outlook of the environmental performance of commercial-scale CM production in 2030 and to compare this to conventional animal production in 2030, using recent and often primary data, combined with scenario analysis. Methods This comparative attributional ex-ante LCA used the ReCiPe Midpoint impact assessment method. System boundaries were cradle-to-gate, and the functional unit was 1 kg of meat. Data were collected from over 15 companies active in CM production and its supply chain. Source data include lab-scale primary data from five CM producers, full-scale primary data from processes in comparable manufacturing fields, data from computational models, and data from published literature. Important data have been cross-checked with additional experts. Scenarios were used to represent the variation in data and to assess the influence of important choices such as energy mix. Ambitious benchmarks were made for conventional beef, pork, and chicken production systems, which include efficient intensive European animal agriculture and incorporate potential improvements for 2030. Results and discussion CM is almost three times more efficient in turning crops into meat than chicken, the most efficient animal, and therefore agricultural land use is low. Nitrogen-related and air pollution emissions of CM are also lower because of this efficiency and because CM is produced in a contained system without manure. CM production is energy-intensive, and therefore the energy mix used for production and in its supply chain is important. Using renewable energy, the carbon footprint is lower than beef and pork and comparable to the ambitious benchmark of chicken. Greenhouse gas profiles are different, being mostly CO_2 for CM and more CH_4 and N_2O for conventional meats. Climate hotspots are energy used for maintaining temperature in reactors and for biotechnological production of culture medium ingredients. Conclusions CM has the potential to have a lower environmental impact than ambitious conventional meat benchmarks, for most environmental indicators, most clearly agricultural land use, air pollution, and nitrogen-related emissions. The carbon footprint is substantially lower than that of beef. How it compares to chicken and pork depends on energy mixes. While CM production and its upstream supply chain are energy-intensive, using renewable energy can ensure that it is a sustainable alternative to all conventional meats. Recommendations CM producers should optimize energy efficiency and source additional renewable energy, leverage supply chain collaborations to ensure sustainable feedstocks, and search for the environmental optimum of culture medium through combining low-impact ingredients and high-performance medium formulation. Governments should consider this emerging industry’s increased renewable energy demand and the sustainability potential of freed-up agricultural land. Consumers should consider CM not as an extra option on the menu, but as a substitute to higher-impact products.

Irini Barbero, Y. Rezgui, T. Beach et al.

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment • 2024

While social aspects are considered as part of Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA), the concept of Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) is relatively new in the construction sector, and more research is needed to comprehend its full potential and inform practice to deliver socially sustainable interventions. The paper aims to provide an account of current work in the field of S-LCA in the construction sector and presents an overview of the methodologies and frameworks that are currently used, with a focus on the critical analysis of impact categories applied to the construction sector. The paper adopts a systematic review of the literature with the objective to (a) provide a holistic and cross-disciplinary overview of the S-LCA methodologies and frameworks in the construction sector, (b) explore existing gaps, and (c) frame directions for future research. Several gaps have been identified in relation to the S-LCA research landscape applied to the construction sector, which have, in turn, informed the formulation of recommendations for future research. The paper emphasises the importance and the need to intensify efforts to develop and reach consensus on the categories and criteria to deliver an S-LCA framework for Social Life Cycle Assessment of built environments. The framework, underpinned by a methodology, should involve an adaptable weighting system that considers the nature of the building as well as the type and profile of occupants. It should also factor in dynamic data to inform real-time adaptations to continuously deliver socially sustainable built environment interventions.

A. Shabib, M. Abdallah, A. Shanableh et al.

International Journal of Environmental Science and Development • 2021

Bio-electrochemical anaerobic digestion (AD) is one of the most recent advancement in anaerobic treatment processes. Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) are used for bio-electrochemical treatment, where the supplied external power is used to enhance the performance of AD. Multiple studies have investigated the viability of MECs under various operating parameters and for different organic wastes. The present paper aims at reviewing the latest literature regarding bio-electrochemical enhanced AD through MECs. It was concluded that MEC reactors significantly enhance AD performance under different supplied voltages, temperatures, electrodes configuration, as well as other operating parameters. Based on the compiled literature, further comprehensive life cycle assessment of MECs is recommended prior to any full-scale implementation.

J. Streeck, Christoph Hank, M. Neuner et al.

Green Chemistry • 2018

Herein, a techno-economic and environmental performance evaluation (i.e. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)) of a 45 kW Microbial Electrolysis Cell (MEC) system is presented in the context of industrial wastewater remediation. This system produces H2 and CO2 – suitable for downstream CH3OH synthesis – based on the bio-electrochemical conversion of chemical industry wastewater with an organic content of 3.9 g(COD) L−1. A cost–benefit analysis indicates that the MEC system hardware costs, share of CO2 captured from the MEC and MEC operating current density (i.e. 1.0 mA cm−2) are crucial parameters influencing the total cost and represent areas for potential cost reductions. It was established based on the present study that MEC system operation with renewable electricity leads to H2 production costs of 4–5.7€ kg(H2)−1 (comparable to H2O electrolysis) and CH3OH production costs of 900€ t(CH3OH)−1. At the current CH3OH market prices, however, the production is currently not profitable. In turn, the cost-efficient construction of the MEC system and the use of less expensive materials could lead to improved CH3OH production economics based on this route. Our results indicate that the use of low-cost materials has greater potential with regard to cost reduction compared to reducing the internal resistance and polarization losses via the use of expensive high-performance materials in MEC construction. A complementary LCA of the proposed system, based on a “cradle-to-gate” definition, indicates that waste-based is superior to fossil-based CH3OH production with respect to global warming potential and cumulated fossil energy demand, provided the system is operated with 100% renewable electricity and CO2 sourced only from the MEC. However, with regard to the impact categories Metal Depletion and Freshwater Eutrophication Potential, the system was found to perform less satisfactorily (i.e. in comparison with fossil-based CH3OH production).