An Approach for Life Cycle Assessment of Electricity Generation at Gas-HFO Internal Combustion Engines in a Central Station

摘要

This paper applies the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as an assessment tool to quantify the environmental impacts associated with electricity generation by internal combustion engines. Steps, resources and/or supplies that have the greatest impacts during the life cycle of electricity generation are identified to contribute with measures of cleaner production in companies with similar power generation. The goal of this study is to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with the production of 1552 kWh of electricity by gas-HFO internal combustion engines, considering a scenario that responds to use of lubricating oil, oily water treatment, collection and transportation of sludge. The study of additives and contaminants from lubricating oil is included, taking into account that it is a complex task for life cycle inventory considering limitations to get data. Arising from the use of the program SimaPro we get that the greatest impact are the lubricating oil use and transport on respiration of inorganic products and the use of fossil fuels. Most environmental impacts are concentrated in the use of lubricating oil and transportation.