Industrial Ecology

Recommended Prerequisites

A basic knowledge in Thermodynamics is required. Basic knowledge of Environmental Management and/or Circular Economy is recommended.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical lectures (T): oral exposition of the defined topics.

Practical lectures (PL): Resolution of exercices, presentations of paper and of the topics under discussion. Development of a project using comuptational tools. Presentation and discussion of the proposal and results of the LCA project. The participation of each student in the class is graded.

Grading without final exam, based on a written test (32.5%) a LCA project (60%) and presentations in class (7.5%). 

Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes aim to enable students to understand the potential of Industrial Ecology and its main tools, especially the preparation of a proposal of an Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study, including a critical review of similar studies. Learning outcomes aim also to enable students to develop a life cycle model and implement a LCA study on a selected product, process or system, including a critical interpretation of results and main simplifications.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

- Industrial Ecology and Sustainability. Introduction to Industrial Ecology tools.

- Environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Extensions to the classic format of LCA, including Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment.

- Preparation of an LCA proposal and implementation of an LCA project. Developing a life-cycle model and implementing the LCA project using software.

Head Lecturer(s)

Fausto Miguel Cereja Seixas Freire

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Other: 7.5%
Mini Tests: 32.5%
Project: 60.0%

Bibliography

Brunner, P and Rechberger, H (2003) Practical Handbook of Material Flow Analysis. Lewis Publishers

Clift, R & Druckman, A. (eds) (2016). Taking Stock of Industrial Ecology.

Ferrão, P. (1998) Introdução à Gestão Ambiental. A avaliação do ciclo de vida de produtos. IST Press

Ferrão, P. (2009) Ecologia Industrial. Princípios e ferramentas. Instituto Superior Técnico (ed)

Freire, F. (2019). Industrial Ecology: course Guidelines. FCTUC. Universidade de Coimbra.

Graedel, T. and Allenby, B. (2010) Industrial Ecology and Sustainable Engineering. Prentice Hall

Guinée, J. et al. (2001) Life cycle assessment: an operational guide to the ISO standards, Centre of Env. Science, Univ. of Leiden, Kluwer

Heijungs, R. and Suh, S. (2002) The computational structure of life cycle assessment. Kluwer Academic Pub.