Technologies and sustainable development are interrelated from a thermodynamic perspective, with industrial ecology (IE) as a major point of access for studying the relationship in the Anthropocene... Show moreTechnologies and sustainable development are interrelated from a thermodynamic perspective, with industrial ecology (IE) as a major point of access for studying the relationship in the Anthropocene. To offer insights into the potential offered by thermodynamics in the environmental sustainability analysis of technologies, this thesis develops a hierarchical framework which defines techno-systems at four levels, viz. the ecosphere, the anthroposphere, and individual technologies, the latter being further subdivided into a foreground system and a supply chain. The role and applications of thermodynamic analysis in IE and broader human-environment systems is reviewed. The production of US bioethanol, global biofuels, and Chinese titania is studied by applying a series of thermodynamic sustainability indicators, combining thermodynamic analysis with material flow analysis (MFA), and combing thermodynamic analysis with life cycle assessment (LCA), respectively, in the framework. The outcomes of the review and case studies show that taking account of thermodynamics is a necessity when analyzing the environmental sustainability of technologies, and integrating energy analysis, exergy analysis, and emergy analysis with LCA and MFA is both feasible and useful. The thesis then discusses the limitations and challenges of the developed framework and ends with three recommendations for the further development of thermodynamic analysis for sustainability. Show less
To understand the contribution of biomass refining to sustainable development, the technical, environmental and economic aspects are summarized in this thesis. This work begins from life cycle... Show moreTo understand the contribution of biomass refining to sustainable development, the technical, environmental and economic aspects are summarized in this thesis. This work begins from life cycle assessment (LCA) of bioethanol from lignocellulosic feedstocks such as corn stover, sugarcane and bagasse, and switchgrass. The findings from these studies present a clear example of problem shifting – solving the problems of oil depletion and ozone layer depletion at the expenses of increasing agricultural related emissions. Then this work continues with energy analyses of bioethanol from lignocellulosic feedstocks in comparison with selected literature studies. The results indicate that a single-product (ethanol) system can be optimized only to a certain extent due to the fixed process options and relatively low price of ethanol. Therefore, the last part of this thesis focuses on design and system analysis of a lignocellulosic feedstock biorefinery producing fuel, chemicals and power in one plant, and analyzes the environmental and economic potential of such a refinery. The outcomes demonstrate that multi-product biorefining is indeed more feasible and profitable than single-output productions such as ethanol plant. Social aspects are beyond the scope of this study. Show less
