Life cycle assessment of colored grout for ceramic tile : a case study in a small-scale company in Thailand | |
| Author | Pilaisamorn Sukasame |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.EV-01-28 |
| Subject(s) | Product life cycle Tiles--Thailand |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | As Asian counhi.es are becoming aware of the environmental deterioration which has been accompanying their development, especially their industrial development. Attention has turned to finding ways of significantly improving environmental quality. This thesis supp01is a strategy of integrating treatment actions, implementation of cleaner technologies and eco-design of products throughout their life cycles. Here colored grout for ceramic tile (CGCT) is the focus. CGCT, an architectural material, is called a "cement admixture". The objective of this study is to minimize resource consumption, energy consumption and impact assessment categories resulting from one ton of CGCT that normally has a lifecycle spanning ten years. Effo1i is centered on analysis to reduce effects during its production and on redesign of the product in te1ms of greater environmental friendliness. The methodology for analysis was the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool equipped with SimaPro 4 software. Data on significant materials and processes in the whole life cycle of CGCT was collected and entered into the computer model for interpretation. The impact assessment categories were global warming potential, acidification, nutrient enrichment, photochemical ozone formation, ecotoxicity and solid waste generation. Energy consumption was also identified. The interpretation showed that major source of contribution is from white cement, which accounts for a high percentage of CGCT's composition, on average 40-60%. White cement alone accounts for overall impact in all categories of about 30-65% and energy consumption in production of white cement is more than 50% of the total energy used in CGCT life cycle. Various experiments toward redesign of products and end of pipe treatment to reduce PM10 and Total Suspended Particulate matter (TSP) in the CGCT factory were conducted. One of the critical point is redesign of CGCT formulation focusing on replacement of white cement by binder and pozzolonic material of Rice Husk Ash (RHA). The experiment showed achievement of 10% binder and 10% Rice Husk Ash (RHA) replacement. Alternative data based on result of those experiments together with various improvement data of cleaner production options were combined in the computer model. Combination of CP- redesign of products interpretation showed improvements of up to 10% of the overall impact assessment and energy consumption reduction. Additional data on recovering heat from Rice Husk (RH) combustion in producing Rice Husk Ash (RHA) instead of using heat energy from burning heavy fuel oil (HFO) in the clinker process of White Portland Cement brings about achievement of reduction impact assessment to levels as high as 30- 60% while energy consumption is equal but with savings in coal resource extraction. |
| Year | 2001 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering and Management (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Nielsen, Per H. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Oanh, N.T. Kim;Visvanathan, C.; Pichai Nimityongskul |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Partial Scholarship |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2001 |