Green Assessment Method for Industrial Technology: A Case Study of the Saline Lake Industry

Abstract

The sustainable utilization of the resources of the saline lake requires green technology applications, but now, the comprehensive evaluation methods to assess the sustainability of technology in the saline lake industry field are scarce. In this study, a model for assessing green technologies, reflecting elements of techno-economic evaluation, material flow analysis, life cycle assessment, eco-efficiency, circular economy, etc., is developed for assessing technology on technical, economic, and environmental aspects, comparing the technology of bischofite, a by-product of potash production, to fused MgO (target case) and magnesite to fused MgO (reference case) as the target to design three cases, namely, the target case, reference case, and blank case. The results show that in terms of comprehensive technology evaluation, the score of the target case is 70, slightly better than the reference case technology, which is reflected in better energy, water output rate, general industrial solid waste comprehensive utilization rate, etc. With regards to the environmental impact, the eco-efficiency value of the target case is 15.79 and the reference case is 4.03 owing to less SO 2 , CO 2 , and NO X emissions through the life cycle of the utilization of bischofite to fused MgO despite the fact that the net present value (NPV) of the target case (117 $/t pro.) is lower than that of the reference case (315 $/t pro.). Therefore, we conclude that the target case is superior to the reference case according to our multiple evaluation perspectives of economic, environmental, and technological considerations. The evaluation method can be more widely applied to the comparison of different technologies, especially in resource extraction, environmental protection, waste utilization, etc.

Emerging Engineered Wood for Building Applications

“…The goal and scope definition phase usually includes main questions, intended uses, limitations, audiences of the analysis, system boundary, indicator selection, analysis methods, and other elements . Typical TEA indicators include technical indicators (e.g., energy demand, energy efficiency, conversion rate, material demand, technological maturity, and technological advancement), economic indicators (e.g., capital expenditure, operating expenditure, net present value, internal rate of return, profit, minimum selling price, and life cycle cost), and techno-economic indicators (e.g., technology readiness level). ,,,− For instance, as shown in Figure C, Lan et al used the average delivered cost (minimum selling price plus transportation cost) of CLT as the indicator to explore the impacts of varied plant capacities and CLT demanding levels on the economic performance …”

Integrated optimization modelling framework for low-carbon and green regional transitions through resource-based industrial symbiosis

“…According to the RRIEDOM simulation, the paths of the different scenarios are minimal environmental impact and resource consumption under the corresponding development goals. Therefore, highly efficient technologies will be given top priority by RRIEDOM until the potential of such technologies is exhausted, and then subefficient technologies will be chosen 25 . Notably, there will be synergistic effects between high-efficiency technologies and subefficient technologies if subefficient technologies provide the necessary materials needed by high-efficiency technologies.…”

“…Quantitative planning usually involves two or more resource optimizations, such as water 16,17 , energy, carbon, materials 18,19 , and a combination of these methods via energy and mass balance approaches [20][21][22] . Although analyzing the metabolism of key sources can provide valid information on energy, element, and resource use efficiency, it is still difficult to simultaneously cover and optimize the multiplicity of resource categories and account for their interactions [23][24][25][26] . Systematic planning is based on the construction of IS networks (ISNs), and some studies have evaluated the industrial symbiosis system of parks through social network and ecological network approaches using indicators such as resilience and centrality [27][28][29] .…”

Optimizing Industrial Structure to Achieve Sustainable and Low-carbon Goals for Resource Development

“…Therefore, highly e cient technologies will be given top priority by RRIEDOM until the potential of such technologies runs out, and then sub-e cient technologies will be chosen. 29 Notably, there will be synergistic effects between highe ciency and sub-e cient technologies if the necessary materials needed by the high-e ciency technologies can be provided by sub-e cient technologies. Such synergistic effects can be visualized by analyzing industrial networks.…”