Author(s)

A. Pehlken & G. Roy

Abstract

Scrap tire recycling is presented in this paper with LCA-elements identified for further investigation. Life cycle thinking is applied to the life cycle of scrap tires because not much data is available for the recycling of scrap tires. The scrap tires discussed in this paper are provided as raw material input, and the output is shown as different products, such as retreaded tires, crumb rubber, artificial turf energy recovery and many others. The environmental impacts are focussed on the climate change, in particular on CO2-emissions. The potential to reduce the emissions that support environment-friendly recycling techniques will also be presented. Thermodynamic fundamentals are introduced to set the path for the next phase of the study, where analytical and numerical models based on finite element method (FEM) computer calculations can be performed. Keywords: LCA, Life cycle thinking, scrap tires, climate change, CO2-emissions, environment, thermodynamics 1 Introduction Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a methodological framework for estimating and assessing the environmental impacts attributable to the life cycle of a product, such as climate change, eutrophication, acidification, depletion of resources, water use, and others. An LCA practitioner tabulates the emissions and the consumption of resources, as well as other environmental exchanges at a very relevant stage (phase) in a product’s life cycle, from \“cradle to grave”, including raw material extractions, energy acquisition, material production, manufacturing, use, recycling and ultimate disposal. The processes within the life cycle and the

Keywords

LCA, Life cycle thinking, scrap tires, climate change, CO2-emissions, environment, thermodynamics