Life Cycle Analysis
Life Cycle Analysis of a Car
ENGR101 Assignment 1
Ben Foster
University of Canterbury
5 March 2012
Table of Contents 1. Summary 2 2. Introduction 2 3. Technical Information 3 1 Roles of Engineers 3 2 Life cycle in regards to emissions 4 4. Conclusions 5 5. References 6 * * 1. Summary
This report will consider the life cycle of a motor vehicle in regards to the emissions, while discussing the roles of engineers. This report finds that CO₂ emissions are continuing to rise and no step of the life cycle is exempt of pollution.
* 2. Introduction
Globally both professional and non professional engineers are involved throughout the life cycle of a motor vehicle, from the steel production, to disposal and decommissioning. With a growing global population which is increasing at a rate of 3% per annum (about.com geography, 2011). The current population is estimated to be 6,928,198,253; the use of motor vehicles is steady increasing and the reliance on fossil fuels, with 43.4% of the world’s energy consumption coming from fossil fuels (environmental literacy council, 2008).With the use of fossil fuels such as petroleum in cars, the emissions and subsequent pollution to the environment is increasing. Car exhaust is a large contributor to the emissions along with the mining or harvesting of the raw materials. Petroleum is involved in the construction of rubber, plastics and nylon. It involves the hydrocarbon burning of fossil fuels, significantly contributing to the problem. This report considers the roles of professional and non professional engineers in all steps of cycle, as well as the impacts of emissions.
* 3. Technical Information
3.1 Roles of Engineers
Both professional and non professional engineers are involved in a cars life cycle. Mining and harvesting raw materials, such as ore for steel and aluminium involves Civil engineers. They
ENGR101 Assignment 1
Ben Foster
University of Canterbury
5 March 2012
Table of Contents 1. Summary 2 2. Introduction 2 3. Technical Information 3 1 Roles of Engineers 3 2 Life cycle in regards to emissions 4 4. Conclusions 5 5. References 6 * * 1. Summary
This report will consider the life cycle of a motor vehicle in regards to the emissions, while discussing the roles of engineers. This report finds that CO₂ emissions are continuing to rise and no step of the life cycle is exempt of pollution.
* 2. Introduction
Globally both professional and non professional engineers are involved throughout the life cycle of a motor vehicle, from the steel production, to disposal and decommissioning. With a growing global population which is increasing at a rate of 3% per annum (about.com geography, 2011). The current population is estimated to be 6,928,198,253; the use of motor vehicles is steady increasing and the reliance on fossil fuels, with 43.4% of the world’s energy consumption coming from fossil fuels (environmental literacy council, 2008).With the use of fossil fuels such as petroleum in cars, the emissions and subsequent pollution to the environment is increasing. Car exhaust is a large contributor to the emissions along with the mining or harvesting of the raw materials. Petroleum is involved in the construction of rubber, plastics and nylon. It involves the hydrocarbon burning of fossil fuels, significantly contributing to the problem. This report considers the roles of professional and non professional engineers in all steps of cycle, as well as the impacts of emissions.
* 3. Technical Information
3.1 Roles of Engineers
Both professional and non professional engineers are involved in a cars life cycle. Mining and harvesting raw materials, such as ore for steel and aluminium involves Civil engineers. They
References: About.com Geography (2011): Current world population. Retrieved on Thursday 1st March from http://geography.about.com/od/obtainpopulationdata/a/worldpopulation.htm Buzzle.com (updated 2011): Average car life expectancy Retrieved on Friday 2nd March: Green Engineering (2002): environmentally conscious design of chemical processes, by David T. Allen and David R. Shonnard: Roles and responsibilities of chemical engineers. Located on Level 3, EPS library, Christchurch. Retrieved on Friday 2nd March: New Zealand energy greenhouse gas emissions (1994), author New Zealand, Ministry of Commerce, Energy Modelling and statistics unit: New Zealand emission and greenhouse gases. Located level 1, EPS library, Canterbury. United States Environmental Protection Agency (2000): Table on passenger car emissions. Retrieved on Sunday 4th March from http://www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/f00013.htm Word Count: 847 (excluding diagrams, headings, subtitles and references)