A comparative analysis of environmental and economic impacts of new and remanufactured industrial equipment
Amiri-Moghal, Naheed (2024)
2024
Master's Programme in Environmental Engineering
Tekniikan ja luonnontieteiden tiedekunta - Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2024-11-13
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-2024111110097
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-2024111110097
Tiivistelmä
Manufacturing and disposal of industrial equipment contribute to considerable environmental degradation due to high energy consumption, resource depletion, and emissions. The growing pressure to reduce the environmental footprint, and increasingly strict environmental legislation, make remanufacturing a good alternative for industries. Remanufacturing extends product lifespan, reducing the demand for raw material, and making it a more resource-efficient alternative than conventional manufacturing processes.
This study compared the environmental and economic impacts of new and remanufactured Stainless Steel storage tanks. The research used a cradle-to-gate LCA to assess the environmental impacts, including energy, resource use, emissions, and water consumption. Economic analysis was done to compare the cost of new and remanufactured tanks, while a questionnaire-based survey was carried out to explore market perceptions of remanufactured equipment across industries. The results from LCA demonstrated that the remanufactured tank accounted for 95% lower climate change emissions compared to the new one, with the new tank emitting 261 000 kg CO2 eq and the remanufactured tank emitting only 13 200 kg CO2 eq. Energy consumption for the remanufactured tank was 94% lower, resource use showed a 97% reduction, and water consumption was reduced by 99% compared to the new tank. Similarly, economic analysis showed that remanufacturing saves 32% in costs compared to manufacturing a new tank. The results of the questionnaires underlined mixed perspectives from the market, with various participants concerned about its performance and reliability.
The findings indicate that remanufacturing can be an efficient way to improve industrial sustainability by substantially reducing emissions, energy, and resource usage. Remanufacturing can assist industries to meet environmental legislation without compromising economic performance. This makes remanufacturing an important strategy for industries, particularly relevant in Europe, where compliance with environmental legislation is gradually becoming compulsory across industries. If remanufacturing increases, it could be of more help in reducing the global environmental burden of heavy industries.
This study compared the environmental and economic impacts of new and remanufactured Stainless Steel storage tanks. The research used a cradle-to-gate LCA to assess the environmental impacts, including energy, resource use, emissions, and water consumption. Economic analysis was done to compare the cost of new and remanufactured tanks, while a questionnaire-based survey was carried out to explore market perceptions of remanufactured equipment across industries. The results from LCA demonstrated that the remanufactured tank accounted for 95% lower climate change emissions compared to the new one, with the new tank emitting 261 000 kg CO2 eq and the remanufactured tank emitting only 13 200 kg CO2 eq. Energy consumption for the remanufactured tank was 94% lower, resource use showed a 97% reduction, and water consumption was reduced by 99% compared to the new tank. Similarly, economic analysis showed that remanufacturing saves 32% in costs compared to manufacturing a new tank. The results of the questionnaires underlined mixed perspectives from the market, with various participants concerned about its performance and reliability.
The findings indicate that remanufacturing can be an efficient way to improve industrial sustainability by substantially reducing emissions, energy, and resource usage. Remanufacturing can assist industries to meet environmental legislation without compromising economic performance. This makes remanufacturing an important strategy for industries, particularly relevant in Europe, where compliance with environmental legislation is gradually becoming compulsory across industries. If remanufacturing increases, it could be of more help in reducing the global environmental burden of heavy industries.