LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT (LCA) TO IMPROVE THE PRODUCT ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

摘要

From historic data analysis it was found that light duty vehicles alone contributes up to 10% of the global CO_2 emission. Current Type approval emissions tests (BS III, BS IV) covers only the tailpipe emissions, however the Emissions produced in other upstream and downstream processes (Eg Raw material Sourcing, Manufacturing, Usage, Recycle Phases) are not considered in the evaluation. Eventually the overall emissions produced in different phases of product lifecycle of vehicle remains unexplored. To measure overall impact, a cradle to grave approach was used to assess entire life cycle impact throughout various stages. Life-cycle assessment (LCA), is a technique to assess environmental impacts associated with all the stages of a product's life from raw material extraction through materials processing, manufacture, distribution, use, repair & maintenance, disposal or recycling. LCAs can help avoid environmental concerns by having overall perspective on emissions in different phases. In our exercise a detailed study using life cycle assessment tool was conducted to measure the environmental impacts during various stages. This technique evaluates impact of all the stages in manufacturing a vehicle till vehicle reached its end of life. This analysis helps conduct environmental cost benefit analysis and comparison between various choices for given product and processes. A study was conducted on Bolero Maxi Truck for life cycle assessment. In total analysis it was found that the material composition share are; Metal (84.92%) is the major constituent material for BMT, followed by Plastics (8.18%), Glass (1.06%), and the rest (5.83%). This study gave a comparative analysis of various material choices & processes available to make same components and assemblies. maximum impacts occur during the use phase followed by raw material and part manufacturing phase and Manufacturing phase. This study gave exact values of various environmental impact like global warming potential, water consumption or acidification potential etc. with only soft data without making actual parts or vehicles. During the use phase, tail pipe emissions majorly contribute to acidification potential (50.9%), Eutrophication potential (80.68%), Global warming potential (85.17%), and photochemical ozone creation potential (57.79%). However during ELV disposal phase due to material recovery it shows credits of acidification potential (-0.98%), Eutrophication potential (-0.71%), Global warming potential (-0.71%), and photochemical ozone creation potential (-0.75%)