![Sample our Environment & Sustainability journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5935/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Environment-Sustainability.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
This paper presents the environmental impacts of reciprocating engine component (REC) made of cast iron and low-alloy steel in Finland using life cycle assessment (LCA). The study uses primary data provided by a machining shop in Finland covering cradle-to-gate with a functional unit of 1 tonne of REC. The assessment was carried out using CML-baseline, resulting in eleven impact categories emphasising global warming potential (GWP). The results show that the upstream process, including forging and foundry, to manufacture the material inputs contributes the highest among all impact categories, making up about 52–97% of the total impacts. For GWP, the total emission to manufacture 1 tonne REC is about 2926 kg CO2 eq. Sensitivity analysis indicates that material inputs of cast iron and low-alloy steel are the most critical parameters making process efficiency and technological advance prominent. This study highlights the importance of selecting suppliers, energy sources, and transportation modes.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Author’s contributions
The research concept was designed by the author, who has also done the LCA calculation, analysis, discussion, and drafting of the manuscript. The manuscript has been approved by the machining company adhering to the confidentiality issues.