Environmental Sustainability in Processes and Products
Code: 43328 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Biological and Environmental Engineering | OB | 1 |
Contact
- Name:
- Laura Talens Peiro
- Email:
- laura.talens@uab.cat
Teaching groups languages
You can view this information at the end of this document.
Prerequisites
Students must have a solid foundation of the following subjects:
- Energy and material balances
- Knowledge of thermodynamics.
Objectives and Contextualisation
The main objective of the module is for students to have the knowledge and tools to know how to evaluate processes and products, to optimize resources (materials and energy) and also minimize environmental impacts. Methods, tools, and strategies to quantify environmental impacts will be studied from a life cycle perspective of products and processes. The principles of thermodynamics will also be applied as a tool to quantify the use of resources, as well as the efficiency in the transformation of raw materials into products. The concepts are explained and applied in a project that students develop in groups.
Learning Outcomes
- CA15 (Competence) Summarise, organise and plan projects related to improvements to the environmental sustainability of products, processes and services.
- KA10 (Knowledge) Identify the main elements of Industrial Ecology: systems theory, thermodynamics, material flow analysis, and resource and energy consumption.
- KA11 (Knowledge) Describe the existing methodologies for the assessment of industrial and environmental risk as a consequence of accidents.
- KA12 (Knowledge) Differentiate the calculation procedures and databases required to apply the risk assessment methodologies.
- SA03 (Skill) Plan the different activities related to the resolution of tasks assigned as part of a work group, while appropriately managing time and resources.
- SA09 (Skill) Use the most adequate IT instruments to complement knowledge in the field of biological engineering and environmental engineering.
- SA16 (Skill) Interpret and develop life cycle analysis for products and processes.
Content
Block I. Introduction to Sustainability
Concepts of environmental sustainability, the circular economy, and industrial ecology
Block II. Tools for Systems Analysis
1. Systems Theory
2. Principles and Laws of Thermodynamics
3. Application of Principles: Material Flow Analysis and Exergy Analysis
Block III. Tools for Product Analysis
1. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
a. Definition of Objectives and Functional Units
b. Generation of Inventories and Data Sources
c. Environmental Impact Assessment Methods
d. Case Studies and Programs
2. Other Tools: EC Environmental Footprint, Carbon Footprint, among others
Block IV. Environmental Risk Analysis
Analysis of Environmental Risk Indicators
Activities and Methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Exercices | 16 | 0.64 | KA11, KA12, SA09, SA16, KA11 |
| Theory lecture | 22 | 0.88 | CA15, KA10, KA11, KA12, SA03, SA09, SA16, CA15 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Supervised work in the classroom | 15 | 0.6 | KA11, KA12, SA09, SA16, KA11 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Group work | 64 | 2.56 | CA15, KA11, KA12, SA03, SA09, CA15 |
| Individual work | 20 | 0.8 | KA10, KA12, SA09, SA16, KA10 |
This course combines theory classes with practical classes in which the students apply in groups and also individually the different methodologies of the course. We focus on learning different sustainability analysis methods and the computer tools necessary to implement them. The classes combine:
- Content presentation
- Exercises in class
- Informatics practices with the Simapro and EpiSuite programs
- Debates and student presentations
- A group project that includes an oral presentation and a final report
Materials for the class and information about the course will be communicated in the Moodle platform.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Assessment
Continous Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group Project | 40% | 6 | 0.24 | CA15, KA11, KA12, SA03, SA09, SA16 |
| Individual Deliverables | 60% | 7 | 0.28 | CA15, KA10, KA11, KA12, SA09, SA16 |
This subject follows continuous assessment. The final grade is calculated as detailed below. Please see the syllabus to update this information.
Group work 40% (includes oral presentation and final report)
Individual assignments 60% (includes three individual reports)
Group work. The case study for the group work is chosen from a list of available cases related to the circular economy and industrial sustainability. The due date for the assignments will be announced on the first day of class.
Retake. The subject will be retaken with an individual in-depth assignment. The maximum grade that can be obtained with this assignment is 5.
Review. For each assessment activity, a place, date and time of review will be indicated in which the student can review the activity with the professor. In this context, inquiries may be made about the grade of the activity, which will be evaluated by the professor responsible for the subject. If the student does not attend this review, this activity will not be reviewed later.
Honors (MH). Awarding an honors grade is the decision of the teaching staff responsible for the subject. UAB regulations indicate that MHs may only be awarded to students who have obtained a final grade equal to or greater than 9.00. Up to 5% of MHs may be awarded to the total number of students enrolled.
Non-assessable. A student will be considered non-assessable (NA) if they have not presented the project (oral or written) and have not submitted any deliverables.
Without prejudice to other disciplinary measures deemed appropriate, irregularities committed by the student that may lead to a variation in the grade of an assessment act will be graded with a zero. Therefore, copying, plagiarism, cheating, allowing copying, etc. in any of the assessment activities will imply failing it with a zero.
SINGLE ASSESSMENT
This subject does not offer a single assessment
Bibliography
Textbooks
- Klöpffer, W., & Grahl, B. (Birgit). (2018). Life cycle assessment (LCA): a guide to best practice.
- Matthews, H.S., Hendrickson, C.T., Matthews, D.H., 2014. Life Cycle Assessment: Quantitative Approaches for Decisions that Matter.
- SRI (Stanford Research Institute). Chemical economics handbook. Menlo Park CA: SRI International, 1989. https://ihsmarkit.com/products/chemical-economics-handbooks.html
- Riegel’s Handbook of Industrial Chemistry, 2003. , Riegel’s Handbook of Industrial Chemistry. Springer US. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-23816-6
- John Wiley & Sons, Inc (Ed.), 2000. Kirk‐Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Kirk‐Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/0471238961
- Dincer, I., Rosen, M.A., 2007. Exergy: : energy, environment, and sustainable development. Elsevier Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-044529-8.X5001-0
- Brunner, P.H., Rechberger, H., 2016. Handbook of material flow analysis : for environmental, resource, and waste engineers. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315313450-4
- Miller, R.E., Blair, P.D., 2009. Input-Output Analysis: Foundations and Extensions, 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press.
Articles
Other references will be shared during the course and will be included with the classroom materials.
Software
Ecoinvent https://www.ecoinvent.org/
SimaPro https://simapro.com/
DoSE-LCACB https://lauratalens.eu.pythonanywhere.com
GaBi http://www.gabi-software.com/spain/index/
OpenLCA http://www.openlca.org/
EPISUITE https://www.epa.gov/tsca-screening-tools/epi-suitetm-estimation-program-interface
Groups and Languages
Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.
| Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TEm) Theory (master) | 1 | Spanish | second semester | morning-mixed |