Environmental impact assessment of different design schemes of an industrial ecosystem

Industrial ecosystem is an important approach for sustainable development. In an industrial ecosystem, a group of industries are inter-connected through mass and energy exchanges for mutual benefits. However, some mass and energy exchange activities may cause unexpected environmental impacts. Theref...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Resources, conservation and recycling conservation and recycling, 2007-08, Vol.51 (2), p.294-313
Main Authors: Singh, Aditi, Lou, Helen H., Yaws, Carl L., Hopper, Jack R., Pike, Ralph W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Continental surface waters
Environmental impact assessment
Exact sciences and technology
Global environmental pollution
Industrial ecosystems
Natural water pollution
Pollution
Process design
Water treatment and pollution
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Summary:Industrial ecosystem is an important approach for sustainable development. In an industrial ecosystem, a group of industries are inter-connected through mass and energy exchanges for mutual benefits. However, some mass and energy exchange activities may cause unexpected environmental impacts. Therefore, it is vital to evaluate the environmental impacts of the symbiosis in order to provide a clear guidance for the decision-makers and stakeholders. The agro-chemical complex in the Lower Mississippi River Corridor with thirteen chemical and petrochemical industries emits huge amount of carbon dioxide. A bi-level design methodology is used to reconfigure this complex for utilizing surplus carbon dioxide. By using a superstructure-based approach, a new design scheme for this industrial ecosystem is proposed. In this paper, an LCA-type environmental impact assessment of different design schemes for this complex is conducted using the software TRACI, a tool developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). This analysis compares various environmental impacts of different designs and identifies the potential trade-offs in different environmental impact categories. This information provides deep insight about the environmental sustainability of industrial ecosystems and facilitates the development of the most eco-effective symbiosis for recycle, reuse and resource conservation.
ISSN:0921-3449
1879-0658
DOI:10.1016/j.resconrec.2006.10.002