Equipment suppliers integration to the redesign for emissions reuse in industrial processes

Abstract

© 2017 Elsevier B.V. It is a fact that industrial equipment is the main consumer of natural resources, impacting considerably on companies’ sustainability. In this context, the sustainable redesign of production processes is one of the main companies’ challenges seeking to gain competitive advantage in an increasing sustainable environment. This research paper proposes a methodology for industrial application for the redesign of production processes in collaboration with equipment suppliers through resource efficiency based on Circular Economy (CE) closing loops. The redesign for emissions reuse (R4ER) methodology is a practical guidance on how manufacturing companies could address the challenges posed by the large amount of resources consumed during the operational stage of equipment's life cycle involved in production processes. The main results of this implementation are based on a real case study in a Catalan manufacturing company showing a reduction of 38% of water and 26% of electricity during the operational stage of a sterilization process in a year.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Approaches to energy-efficient activities of business entities in industrial sectors of the economy in Russia and European countries

“…The advantages of this mechanism are obvious. The most significant arguments for the benefit of ESCs are low customer risks and the lack of initial investment costs [9][10][11]. The problem of the proliferation of an ESC mechanism for industry can be solved if the following recommendations are implemented: -it is required to renew the mandatory energy inspections in terms of energy-intensive industrial enterprises and to form an algorithm for its conduct with the restoration of the corresponding position in the Federal Law; -according to the results of energy audits, it is necessary to oblige the managers of industrial enterprises to implement energy-saving measures included in the energy passport application; -the ESC mechanism should be recommended for the implementation of energy saving measures for selected types of economic activity; -it is necessary to continue work on exploring opportunities and forming an ESC insurance fund.…”

A Conceptual Tool for the Implementation of the Circular Economy Emissions Reuse Closed Loops through Process Equipment

“…It considers the relationship of an equipment with other equipment or a set of equipment throughout its life cycle. Taking into consideration that equipment is the principal consumer of resources and a generator of emissions in production processes [14], the authors recognize the opportunity to explore the implementation of the CE reuse emissions closed loops through an analysis of the relations of coexistence during the use phase (operative process) of equipment's life cycle involved in a production processes.…”

“…There is a constant conclusion in the LCA that is performed for different equipment. The most important stage within the life cycle of an industrial equipment is the operation phase (operative process), since the function for which the equipment has been designed takes place [45] and in which the majority of resources during the equipment life cycle are consumed [14]. Equipment in production processes are used directly and predominantly for handling, storage, or conveyance materials and to act upon or effect a change in material to form a product and its subsequent packaging [46].…”

“…The ARC allows for understanding the coexistence relationship of an equipment with other equipment or with a set of equipment which interacts in a production process [13] in the search for innovation opportunities. Taking into consideration that equipment is the principal consumer of resources and a generator of emissions in production processes [14], the extension of the field of application of the ARC towards environmental issues (EARC) has proven to be a good option for the reduction of the resources consumption in production processes.…”

“…This research paper presents a conceptual tool for the implementation of the CE closed loops in production processes. In the previous paper [14], a new systematic methodology for the redesign of production processes has been presented. The EARC tool had an essential role as the principal redesign methodological step, however it was not explained extensively.…”