Search

Your search keyword '"Iribarren , Diego"' showing total 175 results
Start Over Author "Iribarren , Diego" Search Limiters Peer Reviewed
175 results on '"Iribarren , Diego"'

37. Social Life Cycle Assessment of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell stack

Author

Bargiacchi Eleonora, Campos-Carriedo Felipe, Iribarren Diego, and Dufour Javier

Subjects
Environmental sciences, GE1-350
Abstract

Hydrogen systems are gaining importance in view of a progressive decarbonisation of societies, and becoming more and more cost-competitive alternatives in many sectors (e.g., mobility). However, the sustainability of these technologies must be carefully assessed following a holistic approach which embraces not only environmental but also social aspects. Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) is an insightful methodology to evaluate potential social impacts of products along their life cycle. In the frame of the project eGHOST, social risks of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stack were assessed through an S-LCA. The functional unit was defined as one 48 kW stack (balance of plant excluded), targeted for mobility applications. The supply chain was defined assuming Spain as the manufacturing country and involving from the material/energy production plants to the stack manufacturing. Beyond conventional life cycle inventory data, trade information and additional inventory data were retrieved from the UN Comtrade and PSILCA databases, respectively. Besides, working hours for the manufacturing plants of the stack and its subcomponents were calculated based on literature data. Social life cycle inventories were modelled and evaluated using openLCA and the PSILCA method. Two stakeholder categories, workers and society, were considered through the following social indicators: child labour, contribution to economic development, fair salary, forced labour, gender wage gap, and health expenditure. The choice of these indicators is in line with the eGHOST project purpose. Despite the relatively small amount contained in the product, platinum clearly arose as the main social hotspot under each of the selected indicators. At the level of component plants, the manufacturing of bipolar and end plates was also found to be relevant under some indicators. On the other hand, electricity consumption generally accounted for a minor contribution. Overall, in order to avoid burden shifting from environmental to social issues, a careful design of technologies is needed.

Published
2022
Full Text
View/download PDF

43. Life cycle sustainability assessment of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell technology for ecodesign purposes.

Author

Mori, Mitja, Iribarren, Diego, Cren, Julie, Cor, Emmanuelle, Lotrič, Andrej, Gramc, Jure, Drobnič, Boštjan, Rey, Laurent, Campos-Carriedo, Felipe, Puig-Samper, Gonzalo, Bargiacchi, Eleonora, Dufour, Javier, and Stropnik, Rok

Subjects
*PROTON exchange membrane fuel cells, *FUEL cells, *PRODUCT life cycle assessment, *ECOLOGICAL impact
Abstract

The EU-funded project eGHOST supports the fuel cells and hydrogen (FCH) industry in shaping the eco (re)design of hydrogen-related products such as proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stacks. Within this framework, a life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) of a PEMFC stack was conducted to evaluate its potential environmental, economic, and social impacts. The climate change indicator for one 48 kW el PEMFC stack is 1160 kg CO 2 eq., with platinum accounting for 63.5% of the total value. The cost depends mainly on the production rate, and it is 2233 €/stack for an annual production of 50,000 stacks. Social hotspots are mainly associated with platinum production in South Africa. Illustrative ecodesign actions allow a reduction in climate change of 31% and 46% in the realistic (short-term) and optimistic (long-term) concept, respectively. A further reduction in climate change (54% in the optimistic concept) is achieved if 95% recycled Pt is used. • A life cycle sustainability assessment of PEMFC stack manufacture is conducted. • The carbon footprint of the 48 kWe PEMFC stack is estimated to be 1160 kg CO2 equivalent. • The cost, for a production rate of 50,000 PEMFC stacks/year, is 2233 €/stack. • Platinum production in South Africa arises as a sustainability hotspot. • Ecodesign actions on Pt loading and recycling lead to high carbon footprint reductions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2023
Full Text
View/download PDF

Catalog

Books, media, physical & digital resources
See catalog results