Title Database Preparation for EcoDesign: Life Cycle Database of Rotary Compressor

Title Database Preparation for EcoDesign: Life Cycle Database of Rotary Compressor

Institution National Metal and Materials Technology Center

Source of Funds MTEC National Science and Technology Development Agency

Coverage 2003-07-21 to 2005-01-21

Abstract A specific tool or methodology called Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has been developed over the past 20 years for assessing environmental burdens throughout the life cycle of products or production processes or services. Results from LCA study can be used as guidelines for designing more environmental friendly products or processes or services. To do Life Cycle Assessment of a product, one needs to have databases of resources used and emissions released to the environment. Many countries in the world have studied and developed life cycle inventory (LCI) of several products and services. However, it is still quite a new subject for Thailand, and only a few databases have been developed. This research focuses on developing a life cycle database for EcoDesign of a rotary compressor. It is an important part of an air conditioner, and consumes a lot of non-renewable resources. The main raw materials and energy for a rotary compressor production are steel, copper, cast iron, natural gas, LPG, electricity, and fuel, which are the main non-renewable resources in Thailand. The purposes of this research are as follows: To collect inventory data of the resources used and emissions released from the manufacturing of a rotary compressor; To use LCA to analyze and assess environmental impacts of a rotary compressor from manufacturing, transportation, use, and end-of-life stages; To recommend on development and improvement of rotary compressor manufacturing based on the EcoDesign concept. The boundary system is set for four stages that are manufacturing, transportation, use and end-of-life stages. The functional unit to be studied is one rotary compressor with 18,000 Btu/h. Consequently, an output of this project is a life cycle database of a rotary compressor that will be invaluable information for improving production efficiency of this product, which will in turn increase the efficiency of energy and resource usage in Thailand. Furthermore, its strategy and methodology can be used as a guideline for implementing LCA to other products.






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