AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF AN ORC-BASED EXHAUST HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEM FOR APPLICATION IN VEHICLES

Authors

  • Julius Thaddaeus Federal University Wukari, Wukari, Taraba State, NG Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6397-8573
  • Ikeokwu Innocent Ezeaku Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31272/jeasd.27.6.1

Keywords:

Environmental impact potential, Exhaust heat recovery, Life-cycle assessment, Long-haul trucks, Organic Rankine cycle

Abstract

The paper presents the study performed to assess the environmental consequences of a proposed organic Rankine cycle-based exhaust heat recovery system for application in vehicles. A life-cycle assessment of fifteen (15) midpoints and two (2) endpoint levels was performed using the SimaPro database to determine the potential environmental consequences of the main parts of the proposed system resulting from the various raw materials used in these parts. The performance results of the organic Rankine cycle-based exhaust heat recovery system show that it can generate up to 3.10 kW of net power output from the engine exhaust, which otherwise is released into the environment as waste heat, with a thermal efficiency of 6.36%. The life-cycle assessment results show that the presence of steel in these components is responsible for the majority of these environmental consequences. The evaporator showed the highest impact potential, with values ranging from 37% in marine eutrophication to 72% in ionizing radiation. From the two (2) endpoint impact assessments, it is clear that the pump has the maximum human health impact potential of 0.0138 DALY, with the condenser having the lowest contribution of 0.0005 DALY. The evaporator and condenser contribute 2297.25 PDF.m2.yr and 158.30 PDF.m2.yr ecosystem quality impact potentials, respectively, as the highest and lowest. Therefore, the organic Rankine cycle-based exhaust heat recovery system has relatively little impact potential on climate change threats, with a value of 1.37E-03 kgCO2.

Author Biography

  • Ikeokwu Innocent Ezeaku, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria

     

     

References

IEA (2014). Energy technology perspectives 2014 - harnessing electricity’s potential. France: International Energy Agency; 2014. [cited: 27-01-22] Available from: https://www.cleanenergysolutions.org/es/resources/energy-technology-perspectives-2014-harnessing- electricity-s-potential.

Pan, S.-Y., Chang, E. E., & Chiang, P.-C. (2012). CO2 Capture by Accelerated Carbonation of Alkaline Wastes: A Review on Its Principles and Applications. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 12(5), 770–791. https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2012.06.0149

Li, P., Pan, S.-Y., Pei, S., Lin, Y. J., & Chiang, P.-C. (2016). Challenges and Perspectives on Carbon Fixation and Utilization Technologies: An Overview. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 16(6), 1327–1344. https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2015.12.0698

IEA (2014). Tracking Clean Energy Progress 2014, IEA, Paris [cited: 27-01-22] Available from: https://www.iea.org/reports/tracking-clean-energy-progress-2014

IEA (2012). Energy technology perspectives 2012 - harnessing electricity’s potential. France: International Energy Agency; 2014. [cited: 27-01-22] Available from: https://www.cleanenergysolutions.org/es/resources/energy-technology-perspectives-2014-harnessing-electricity-s-potential.

Thaddaeus, J., Asukwo, E. O., Ibrahim, T. K., Iroka, J., & Iwokette, U. J. (2022). Quantifying energy-related CO2 emissions reduction potential of a proposed organic Rankine cycle system for exhaust heat recovery application in commercial trucks. Energy and Climate Change, 3, 100083. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egycc.2022.100083

Thaddaeus, J., Unachukwu, G. O., Mgbemene, C. A., Pesyridis, A., Usman, M., & Alshammari, F. A. (2021). Design, size estimation, and thermodynamic analysis of a realizable organic Rankine cycle system for waste heat recovery in commercial truck engines. Thermal Science and Engineering Progress, 22, 100849. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsep.2021.100849

Julius, T., Kogi Ibrahim, T., Ikeokwu Innocent, E., Pesyridis, A., Mohammed, A., & Aziz Alshammari, F. (2021). Steady State Testing of an Organic Rankine Cycle Designed for Exhaust Heat Recovery Applications in Truck Engines. International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy, 10(1), 7. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijrse.20211001.12

Julius, T., Ibrahim, T. K., Asukwo, E. O., & Innocent, E. I. (2021). Performance Assessment of a Heat Recovery Unit Utilizing Turbine with Variable Inlet Guide Vanes Configuration for Application in Passenger Vehicles. Journal of Power and Energy Engineering, 09(05), 120–133. https://doi.org/10.4236/jpee.2021.95008

Thaddaeus, J., Unachukwu, G., Mgbemene, C., Mohammed, A., & Pesyridis, A. (2020). Overview of recent developments and the future of organic Rankine cycle applications for exhaust energy recovery in highway truck engines. International Journal of Green Energy, 17(15), 1005–1021. https://doi.org/10.1080/15435075.2020.1818247

Thaddaeus J, Unachukwu GO, Mgbemene CA, Pesyridis A, Alshammari FA (2020). Exergy and economic assessments of an organic rankine cycle module designed for heat recovery in commercial truck engines. Indian Journal of Science and Technology 13(37): 3871-3883. https://doi.org/ 10.17485/IJST/v13i37.1299

J. Thaddaeus, A. Pesiridis, and A. Karvountzis-kontakiotis (2016). Design of variable geometry waste heat recovery turbine for high efficiency internal combustion engine. Int. J. Sci. Eng. Res., vol. 7, no. 10, pp. 1001–1017. oai:bura.brunel.ac.uk:2438/13960

Imran, M., Pili, R., Usman, M., & Haglind, F. (2020). Dynamic modeling and control strategies of organic Rankine cycle systems: Methods and challenges. Applied Energy, 276, 115537. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.115537

Bianchi, M., & De Pascale, A. (2011). Bottoming cycles for electric energy generation: Parametric investigation of available and innovative solutions for the exploitation of low and medium temperature heat sources. Applied Energy, 88(5), 1500–1509. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2010.11.013

Vélez, F., Segovia, J. J., Martín, M. C., Antolín, G., Chejne, F., & Quijano, A. (2012). A technical, economical and market review of organic Rankine cycles for the conversion of low-grade heat for power generation. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 16(6), 4175–4189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2012.03.022

Jungbluth, N., Bauer, C., Dones, R., & Frischknecht, R. (2004). Life Cycle Assessment for Emerging Technologies: Case Studies for Photovoltaic and Wind Power (11 pp). The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 10(1), 24–34. https://doi.org/10.1065/lca2004.11.181.3

Abeliotis, K., & Pactiti, D. (2014). Assessment of the environmental impacts of a wind farm in central Greece during its life cycle. International Journal of Renewable Energy Research, 4(3), 580-585.

Kannan, R., Leong, K. C., Osman, R., Ho, H. K., & Tso, C. P. (2006). Life cycle assessment study of solar PV systems: An example of a 2.7kWp distributed solar PV system in Singapore. Solar Energy, 80(5), 555–563. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2005.04.008.

Bhat, V. I. K., & Prakash, R. (2008). Life Cycle Analysis of Run-of River Small Hydro Power Plants in India. The Open Renewable Energy Journal, 1(1), 11–16. https://doi.org/10.2174/1876387100901010011.

Longo, S., Cellura, M., & Girardi, P. (2020). Life Cycle Assessment of electricity production from refuse derived fuel: A case study in Italy. Science of The Total Environment, 738, 139719. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139719.

Stoppato, A., & Benato, A. (2020). Life Cycle Assessment of a Commercially Available Organic Rankine Cycle Unit Coupled with a Biomass Boiler. Energies, 13(7), 1835. https://doi.org/10.3390/en13071835.

Kythavone, L., Lerdjaturanon, W., & Chaiyat, N. Life Cycle Assessment of Organic Rankine Cycle for Low-environmental Working Fluid.

Lin, Y.-P., Wang, W.-H., Pan, S.-Y., Ho, C.-C., Hou, C.-J., & Chiang, P.-C. (2016). Environmental impacts and benefits of organic Rankine cycle power generation technology and wood pellet fuel exemplified by electric arc furnace steel industry. Applied Energy, 183, 369–379. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.08.183.

Hickenbottom, K. L., Miller-Robbie, L., Vanneste, J., Marr, J. M., Heeley, M. B., & Cath, T. Y. (2018). Comparative life-cycle assessment of a novel osmotic heat engine and an organic Rankine cycle for energy production from low-grade heat. Journal of Cleaner Production, 191, 490–501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.04.106.

Kythavone, L., & Chaiyat, N. (2020). Life cycle assessment of a very small organic Rankine cycle and municipal solid waste incinerator for infectious medical waste. Thermal Science and Engineering Progress, 18, 100526. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsep.2020.10052.

Liu, C., He, C., Gao, H., Xie, H., Li, Y., Wu, S., & Xu, J. (2013). The environmental impact of organic Rankine cycle for waste heat recovery through life-cycle assessment. Energy, 56, 144–154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2013.04.045.

Bai, L. (2012). Life cycle assessment of electricity generation from low temperature waste heat: the influence of working fluid (Master's thesis, Institutt for energi-og prosessteknikk).

Yuchai YC6A280-30 Engine Specifications. [cited: 27-04-22]. Availabble from: http://en.yuchaidiesel.com/product/1680.htm

SimaPro, ‘SimaPro for Education (Release 9.4.0.2) FFL Wukari 001, 2021’, 2021.

RIVM Committed to health and sustainability. ReCiPe 2016: A harmonized life cycle impact assessment method at midpoint and endpoint level Report I: Characterization. [cited: 30 August, 2023] Available from: https://rivm.openrepository.com/handle/10029/620793.

Ferat Toscano, C., Martin-del-Campo, C., Moeller-Chavez, G., Leon de los Santos, G., François, J.-L., & Revollo Fernandez, D. (2019). Life Cycle Assessment of a Combined-Cycle Gas Turbine with a Focus on the Chemicals Used in Water Conditioning. Sustainability, 11(10), 2912. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11102912.

D. Standard and C. Ballot (2012). Life Cycle Impact Assessment Framework and Guidance for Establishing Public Declarations and Claims February 2012’, no. February, 2012.

Academia, L. (2012). Life Cycle Impact Assessment Framework and Guidance for Establishing Public Declarations and Claims.

WHO methods and data sources for global burden of disease estimates 2000-2019. [cited: 27-01-22] Available from: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/gho-documents/global-health-estimates/ghe2019_daly-methods.pdf?sfvrsn=31b25009_7

Kok, A., Oostvogels, V. J., de Olde, E. M., & Ripoll-Bosch, R. (2020). Balancing biodiversity and agriculture: Conservation scenarios for the Dutch dairy sector. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 302, 107103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2020.107103

Downloads

Key Dates

Published

2023-11-01

How to Cite

Thaddaeus, J., & Ezeaku, I. I. (2023). AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF AN ORC-BASED EXHAUST HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEM FOR APPLICATION IN VEHICLES. Journal of Engineering and Sustainable Development, 27(6), 671-687. https://doi.org/10.31272/jeasd.27.6.1

Similar Articles

1-10 of 534

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.