Overordnede kursusmål:

Waste management is an important part of everyday life. The environmental impacts from waste management also carry a significant load if not carried out properly, and it is important to be able to quantify how big the impact from this sector is. Waste life cycle assessment is considered as one of the most effective tools for getting a better understanding of the environmental aspects originating from the waste management sector.

The aim of the course is to provide to the participant necessary skills and expertise to perform a Life Cycle Assessment of a waste management system. This will include an analysis of the technical system, its impact assessment and overall evaluation. The aim of this course is also to demonstrate the importance of sensitivity analysis and communication of results within the framework of the EASETECH model.

Læringsmål:

En studerende, der fuldt ud har opfyldt kursets mål, vil kunne:

• Be familiar with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
• Apply knowledge in the definition and assumptions of waste LCA
• Use the EASETECH model
• Examine the aspects of Life Cycle Impact Assessment
• Understand the importance of waste physical and chemical composition
• Recognise the importance of energy flows in waste management
• Analyze individual waste technologies as well as integrated waste management systems with the EASETECH LCA model software
• Clarify the importance of sensitivity analysis
• Determine uncertainty, transparency and reporting
• Interpret and communicate LCA results

Kursusindhold:

The course is targeted to PhD students who aim to apply life cycle assessment to specific waste technologies or waste management systems for systematic evaluation of their environmental performances. The course includes an introduction to LCA modelling of waste technologies and energy systems as well as exercises involving building and assessing an integrated waste management system with the LCA-software EASETECH. Introductory lectures are provided in relation to: LCA principles, waste generation and composition, source-segregation, collection, material recovery/recycling, bio-treatments (composting, digestion), landfilling, thermal treatment, management of residuals (e.g. use-on-land, combustion), material/​substance/​energy flow analysis, life cycle inventory data, data uncertainties, and interpretation of results. Students apply the introduced concepts in a range of exercises leading to a full LCA scenario of an integrated waste management system. An understanding of the importance of sensitivity and uncertainty assessment will also be a part of the course. After the course, an extended abstract is submitted summarizing the LCA modelling of a selected system or technology.

Litteraturhenvisninger:

Kirkeby,J.T., Hansen,T.L., Birgisdóttir,H., Bhander,G.S., Hauschild,M.Z. & Christensen,T.H. (2006): Environmental assessment of solid waste systems and technologies: EASEWASTE. Waste Management and Research, 24, 3-15.
Kirkeby,J.T., Bhander,G.S., Birgisdóttir,H., Hansen,T.L., Hauschild,M.Z. & Christensen,T.H. (2006): Evaluation of environmental impacts from municipal solid waste management in the Municipality of Århus. Waste Management and Research, 24, 16- 26.

Mulighed for GRØN DYST deltagelse:

Kontakt underviseren for information om hvorvidt dette kursus giver den studerende mulighed for at lave eller forberede et projekt som kan deltage i DTUs studenterkonference om bæredygtighed, klimateknologi og miljø (GRØN DYST). Se mere på http://www.groendyst.dtu.dk

Kursusansvarlig:

Anders Damgaard , Lyngby Campus, Bygning 115, Tlf. (+45) 4525 1612 , adam@env.dtu.dk