Integration of Process Modelling and Life Cycle Inventory. Case Study: i-Pentane Purification Process from Naphtha

摘要

A framework for the assessment of the environmental damage generated by a process chain and based on a life cycle approach is proposed. To implement it, a methodology based on the integration of process modelling and environmental damage assessment that considers all the processes of the life cycle was developed. This integration is achieved through an eco-matrix formed by eco-vectors containing the most relevant environmental loads. To verify the methodology, a case study on the deisopentaniser plant of REPSOL-YPF (Tarragona, Spain) has been carried out. The environmental profile of the alternative scenarios is improved when co-generation and heat recovery are considered.