88387 - Environmental Impact, LCA and Urban Mining

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to learn, understand and employ assessment tools with regard to the cycles of chemical substances and material (MFA, Material Flow Analysis) in the ecosphere and technosphere; to interpret and use sustainability indicators; to know methodologies for the evaluation of the territorial environmental impacts generated by industrial plants, from preliminary study to monitoring; to learn and apply LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) methodology to estimate the environmental effects associated to products, manufacturing systems and services, with a specific focus on chemical processes; to be acquainted with the technologies for the recovery of inorganic and metallic resources and secondary raw materials, and with systems and processes for the optimization of critical raw-materials cycle closure.

Course contents

Main contents of the course

Introduction to the international policy context concerning environmental impact assessment and prevention. Definition of Environmental Management System and Environmental Policy. Procedures and types of environmental certification: ISO 14001 and EMAS, analogies and differences. Other Environmental Claims (e.g., EU Ecolabel, EPD). IPPC and IED approaches to industrial emission control. Definition of Best Available Techniques/Technologies. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). Risk Assessment applied to environmental pollution.

Introduction to life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology and its main elements. LCA application to selected case studies concerning processes and system-products. Introduction to nexus analysis of resources. Practical modelling and software simulation with LCA. Introduction to Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) and Organisation Environmental Footprint (OEF), developed by the European Commission. International footprint schemes with the example of carbon footprint and water footprint.

Definition of fundamental principles and accounting methodology to identify and quantify flows and reserves of material and energy by means of material flow analysis (MFA). Data sources and processing, distinction between static and dynamic MFA approaches. Practical modelling and software simulation of MFA applied to the analysis of anthropogenic material cycles. Examples of integration of MFA with LCA.

 

Pre-requisites

Proficiency in basic mathematical functions (e.g., powers, squares, exponentials, logarithms) and descriptive statistics (e.g., mean, standard deviation, frequency, correlation, probability distribution functions). Basic knowledge of Microsoft Excel software.

Readings/Bibliography

• O. Jolliet, M. Saadé-Sbeih, S. Shaked, A. Jolliet, P. Crettaz, "Environmental Life Cycle Assessment", CRC Press, 2016.
• Paul H. Brunner and Helmut Rechberger, "Practical Handbook of Material Flow Analysis", CRC Press, 2004.
• Thomas E. Graedel and Matthew J. Eckelman, "Industrial Ecology and Sustainability", World Scientific Pub Co Inc, 2023.
• S. Maranghi, C. Brondi, “Life Cycle Assessment in the Chemical Product Chain: Challenges, Methodological Approaches and Applications», Springer, 2020.
• M. Z. Hauschild, R. K. Rosenbaum, S. Irving Olsen (Eds.), "Life Cycle Assessment. Theory and Practice", Springer, 2018.

Teaching methods

The course will be held with theoretical lectures, exercises and presentation of case studies. Furthermore, seminars by experts on specific fields will possibly be held. Laboratory experiences will be performed using ICT tools for learning practical expertise with querying databases, calculation and software simulation: it is recommended to bring own laptop at lessons for modules relating to LCA and MFA.

As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students must attend online Module 1 and Module 2 on Health and Safety [https://www.unibo.it/en/services-and-opportunities/health-and-assistance/health-and-safety/online-course-on-health-and-safety-in-study-and-internship-areas]

Assessment methods

The acquisition of the expected knowledge and transferred skills is assessed through a final exam. The exam consists of a written test, which may include open-ended questions, multiple choice questions and exercises. The exam is passed with a minimum score of 18/30. Honors (i.e., “cum laude”) may be awarded in the case of particularly meritorious evidence.

To take the exam, registration via " Almaesami" is required, in compliance with the established deadlines. Those who are unable to register by the scheduled date are required to promptly communicate the issue to the lecturers, before the official closing of the registration lists. The lecturers have the right to admit or deny the student to take the test.

Teaching tools

The course will be taught with the aid of computer support for the projection of text and images. The slides will be left available to the students, usually uploaded on the Unibo platform https://virtuale.unibo.it/. ICT tools will be employed to introduce the use of calculation software and database.

Students with disabilities and specific learning disorders (SLD) that may require special needs are invited to contact the lecturers for individual support.

Office hours

See the website of Luca Ciacci

See the website of Daniele Cespi