Integrating Green Chemistry Metrics with ISO-Compliant Life Cycle Assessment: A Dual-Framework Approach to Sustainable Chemical Manufacturing
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61978/catalyx.v2i1.1268Keywords:
Life Cycle Assessment, Green Chemistry, Waste Minimization, E-factor, Atom Economy, Process Mass Intensity, Chemical Process SustainabilityAbstract
Integrating waste minimization metrics with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) enhances sustainability evaluations in chemical manufacturing. This study proposes a hybrid framework combining ISO 14040/14044-compliant LCA with green chemistry indicators such as E-factor, Process Mass Intensity (PMI), and Atom Economy to assess the environmental performance of a chemical process. The methodology employs a cradle-to-gate system boundary and utilizes both primary inventory data and secondary sources including Ecoinvent and EF 3.1 databases. Waste metrics are derived from life cycle inventory data, and environmental impacts are assessed using TRACI 2.1 and EF 3.1 methods. The results demonstrate that integrating waste metrics with LCA offers deeper insights into process sustainability. A process characterized by an E-factor of 2.20, PMI of 5.80, and Atom Economy of 78.0% showed significant material efficiency but also revealed trade-offs between solvent recovery and energy demand. The Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) reported a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 2.45 kg CO₂-eq and a water footprint of 2.50 m³ per kg of product, indicating the influence of upstream inputs and energy sources. This dual-framework approach improves decision-making in process design by aligning operational efficiency with environmental outcomes. It facilitates the identification of hotspots, supports targeted optimization, and enhances transparency in sustainability reporting. The findings underscore the value of integrating LCA and green chemistry metrics to advance environmentally responsible chemical manufacturing.
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