Life cycle assessment of nanopowder, cerium oxide

• Main Author: Teo, Hong Wei.
• Other Authors: Zhong Zhaowei
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Nanotechnology
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/17114
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Since the new century, nanotechnology has been the most sought after technology and target for research. This is due to their immerse potential in application into many fields and their small size which make many impossible into possible. At the same time, many environmentalists and engineers are concerned about how this new technology may have an impact on the environment. As such, a life cycle assessment (LCA) is used to assess the impact. The LCA make use of the concept of calculating the test subject from its cradle to death. This will make sure that all aspects of production and processes are covered. This report investigates the environmental impact in the synthesis of cerium oxide which is a common catalyst for many chemical reaction and products in the market. The related parameters were inputted into a LCA program to calculate its environmental impact using three different methods, Eco-indicator 99_E, Eco-indicator 99_H and Eco-indicator 99_I. The results are then analyzed and compared among the three different methods. It is discovered that under the consideration of LCA, it has a small environmental impact with its release of nitrate oxide which is a harmful green house pollutant. The results also show that the impact is the greatest in the far future due to it being the heaviest under eco-indicator 99_E. however in general, the environmental impact can still be considered to be minimal as the figures are relatively small.