Tool for the environmental assessment of cranes based on parameterization

PurposeInformation constitutes one of the main barriers for applying life cycle assessment (LCA) due to complexity and need for great amounts of it. However, most of the parameters that determine the data are defined early in the product development process. Knuckle boom cranes constitute a complex product which poses a particularly pressing need for simplification. This paper models the LCA inventory information out of design parameters. The paper also presents a tool implementing this.Materials and methodsTo develop the parametric model, a three-step approach is followed. In the first step, knuckle boom crane designers of an international manufacturer are asked to point out key design parameters. An LCA is then conducted for a representative crane of the same manufacturer. Interdependencies between design parameters and inventories are analyzed. Design parameters influencing the LCA results are defined as primary parameters. Parameters through which it is possible to calculate the LCA inventory are defined as secondary parameters. The relation between primary and secondary parameters is analyzed. Indicators are developed for comparison, and the validity of this parametric model is checked by analyzing six more cranes, different in size and performance.Results and discussionThe parametric model presented in this paper contains 13 primary parameters. Their link to secondary parameters and inventory data is through formulas derived from existing documentation, physical interdependencies, or statistical data. To integrate this model in the design workflow, it is embedded into a software tool. Designers input the primary parameters, and the tool allows visualization and benchmarking of environmental impact results. Three indicators related to weight and environmental performance are defined, as well as the means to benchmark in relative terms. The model diverges in never more than 4% for six additional cranes analyzed.ConclusionsThrough the parametric model, a rigorous estimation of the environmental profile of a crane can already be assessed in an early point of the product development process. Results can be used to define targets for design decisions based on the best-performing products.Recommendations and perspectivesThe statistics-based estimations carried out by the tool can be further improved, getting a wider range of cranes involved. Differences between these products can increase the understanding of the effect of technology choices in the final environmental impact of the product. This may become particularly useful in early design decisions. The potentials of this parametric approach can also be extended to other types of products.

[1]  David Hunkeler,et al.  EcoDesign and LCA survey of current uses of environmental attributes in product and process development , 2000 .

[2]  Michael Zwicky Hauschild,et al.  EcoDesign and future environmental impacts , 2005 .

[3]  Wolfgang Wimmer,et al.  ECODESIGN Pilot: Product Investigation, Learning and Optimization Tool for Sustainable Product Development with CD-ROM , 2001 .

[4]  Wolfgang Wimmer,et al.  Towards Integrating LCA into CAD , 2009 .

[5]  G. Psacharopoulos.  Overview and methodology , 1991 .

[6]  Sebastian Leibrecht,et al.  Fundamental Principles for CAD-based Ecological Assessments (9 pp) , 2005 .

[7]  Jessica Lagerstedt,et al.  EcoDesign and The Ten Golden Rules: generic advice for merging environmental aspects into product development , 2006 .

[8]  Victor I. Chang,et al.  How Blockchain can impact financial services – The overview, challenges and recommendations from expert interviewees , 2020, Technological Forecasting and Social Change.

[9]  H. Birkhofer,et al.  ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT IN DESIGN OR IS IT WORTH IT TO CARRY OUT AN LCA , 2003 .

[10]  David Wallace,et al.  Product classification to support approximate life-cycle assessment of design concepts , 2006 .

[11]  Wolfgang Wimmer,et al.  From environmental assessment results to Design for Environment product changes: An evaluation of quantitative and qualitative methods , 2002 .

[12]  Herbert Birkhofer,et al.  ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT IN DESIGN OR IS IT WORTH IT TO CARRY OUT A FULL LCA? , 2003 .

[13]  Marc-Andree Wolf,et al.  Overcoming barriers to the broader implementation of life cycle thinking in business and public administration , 2007 .

[14]  Dominique Millet,et al.  Does the potential of the use of LCA match the design team needs , 2007 .

[15]  David Wallace,et al.  Approximate Life‐Cycle Assessment of Product Concepts Using Learning Systems , 2000 .

[16]  Wolfgang Wimmer,et al.  ECODESIGN DECISION BOXES - A SYSTEMATIC TOOL FOR INTEGRATING ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS INTO PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT , 2006 .

[17]  Daniel Collado-Ruiz,et al.  Comparing LCA results out of competing products: developing reference ranges from a product family approach , 2010 .

[18]  Hans-Jürgen Dr. Klüppel,et al.  The Revision of ISO Standards 14040-3 - ISO 14040: Environmental management – Life cycle assessment – Principles and framework - ISO 14044: Environmental management – Life cycle assessment – Requirements and guidelines , 2005 .

[19]  T.A. Bhamra,et al.  Integrating environmental decisions into the product development process. I. The early stages , 1999, Proceedings First International Symposium on Environmentally Conscious Design and Inverse Manufacturing.

[20]  Herbert Birkhofer,et al.  Implementation of DFE in the Daily Design Work: An Approach Derived From Surveys , 2002 .

[21]  Daniel Collado-Ruiz,et al.  Fuon theory: Standardizing functional units for product design , 2010 .

[22]  M. Goedkoop,et al.  The Eco-indicator 99, A damage oriented method for Life Cycle Impact Assessment , 1999 .

[23]  Niki Bey,et al.  PARAMETRIC ECODESIGN – AN INTEGRATIVE APPROACH FOR IMPLEMENTING ECODESIGN INTO DECISIVE EARLY DESIGN STAGES , 2008 .

[24]  Pranshu Singhal,et al.  Key Environmental Performance Indicators (KEPIs): A new approach to environmental assessment , 2004 .

[25]  J. Browne,et al.  Development of a CAD integrated DFE workbench tool , 2001, Proceedings of the 2001 IEEE International Symposium on Electronics and the Environment. 2001 IEEE ISEE (Cat. No.01CH37190).

[26]  Mattias Lindahl.  Engineering Designers' Requirements on Design for Environment Methods and Tools , 2005 .