Life cycle optimisation (LCO) of product systems with consideration of occupational fatalities

College

Gokongwei College of Engineering

Department/Unit

Center for Engineering and Sustainable Development Research

Document Type

Article

Source Title

Process Safety and Environmental Protection

Volume

92

Issue

5

First Page

390

Last Page

405

Publication Date

1-1-2014

Abstract

With the increasing pressures imposed upon industries on the environmental impacts of the manufacturing industry and chemical processes, numerous methodologies have been developed for the quantification, assessment and minimisation of waste and emissions. Meanwhile, methods for the simultaneous maximisation of economic performance within a product life cycle have also been developed. Similarly, various methodologies for screening of process alternatives based on the above factors have also been developed. However, the human lives put at risk in a supply chain constituting a life cycle tend to be overlooked as a factor of assessment, selection and optimisation of the process. Despite having life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies for environmental assessment, no methodology has been developed for the minimisation of work-related casualties due to the unpredictable nature of workplace accidents. To address this problem, this paper develops a multi-objective optimisation model that utilises realistic statistical data for estimating the best possible pathway. The model results in the least potential fatality directly involved within the product life cycle while simultaneously minimising operating costs throughout the entire life cycle. A case study involving the utilisation of palm-based biomass formed for the production of value-added green products in Malaysia is used to demonstrate the model. © 2013 The Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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Digitial Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1016/j.psep.2014.04.003

Disciplines

Chemical Engineering

Keywords

Product life cycle; Industrial safety

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