Reviewing life cycle assessments of carbon capture and utilisation
Thursday 23rd March 2023, 12.30-13.30 (UK time), Evelina Nyqvist – Chalmers University of Technology
Abstract:
Carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) is the technology of conversion of captured carbon dioxide into products. It can be a strategy for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and replacing fossil feedstock in industry. Life cycle assessment is often used to evaluate the environmental impacts of the technology and it is an important tool to assess the carbon reduction capability of CCU. The ongoing work that will be presented aims to understand the logics of the CCU modelling in LCA. LCA studies of CCU processes were reviewed to analyse the methodological choices made (e.g. goal, system boundaries, impact assessment). One thing that was found is that different types of studies exist, with different “cradle” of the system boundaries, even though most of them make comparisons to the conventional processes. It was also found that the goal of the LCA (as in goal and scope definition) is often not stated in the study and thus understanding assessments of CCU becomes confusing.
Speaker’s bio:
Evelina is a PhD student at the division of Environmental Systems Analysis at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden. Her research focuses on environmental assessment methods, and she is working in a carbon capture and utilisation project. She is an industrial ecologist by training, with a background in mechanical engineering.
The Imperial Life Cycle Network’s Journal Club brings together researchers (staff and students) working with, and/or interested in, life cycle approaches to discuss relevant topics, facilitate knowledge sharing, network and build collaborations. The Journal Club is open to all academics. To register for the Journal club please email the Network using your university email address. You will then receive further information, including the link for the online meeting, shortly before the date of the Journal Club.