Articles
"As An Industry, We Must Become More Transparent about Our Environmental Impact"
Heidi Hammarsten
Sustainable Process Industry with Process Model-Based LCA
European Union has challenging environmental targets, like climate neutrality, by 2050. The process industry is key to these targets because it produces raw materials for the manufacturing industry.
The process industry covers energy-intensive sectors like chemicals, metallurgy, steel, minerals, cement, ceramics, engineering, pulp and paper, refining, and water. The process industry also has a key role in recycling because the same chemical and metallurgical processes and infrastructure, which have been developed for the primary ores and raw materials, may also be utilized to recycle waste materials from the consumption of the manufacturing industry products.
The Sustainable Process Industry with Process Model-Based LCA program supports the EU’s sustainable products initiative to make products placed on the EU market more sustainable. It provides product designers with knowledge and tools to understand how they can adjust existing material cycles and design new processes to optimize the environmental performance of batteries while maintaining their functional quality. Applications include electronic equipment such as computers, phones, and tablets, the automotive and aeronautic sectors, and sustainable energy-related technologies.
The program is designed and developed by Aalto University, Metso, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, University of Bordeaux, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. VTT and Aalto University Executive Education.
Learning Outcomes
After the completion of this program, you will
- understand the basic benefits of Process Model Based LCA
- create flowsheet simulation models based on elemental distributions (pyro, etc.), chemical reactions (hydro, etc.), and particles (mineral processing, etc.)
- link process models to LCA calculations and convert sustainability into physics-based and process engineering economic reality
- analyze LCA, energetic, and exergy of production chains by the utilization of HSC Chemistry®, OpenLCA, and ecoinvent
- create sustainability analyses of processing and recycling of end-of-life products in the context of battery metals production and battery recycling.
Program Structure
This program is divided into two parts. The participant may choose to join the core module only or also complete the voluntary add-on simulation module that focuses on real HSC Sim LCA cases and calculation exercises.
1. Core module
The core module consists of a 2-day kick-off and 10 live online sessions. In addition, participants will work on assignments in between sessions.
| September 25–26, 2024 | Kick-off Industrial Camp |
|---|---|
| October 4, 2024 12.00-15.30 (EEST) |
HSC Chemistry Introduction Metso |
| October 8, 2024 13.00–15.30 (EEST) |
HSC Sim Basic – Process Modeling Software Metso |
| October 9, 2024 12.15–14.45 (EEST) |
Life Cycle Assessment (Environmental Impacts and Modelling) |
| October 10, 2024 13-15.30 (EEST) |
Sustainable Processes with HSC Process Models Metso |
| October 15, 2024 13.00–15.30 (EET) |
HSC Sim Element Distribution-Based Models with LCA (PYRO) Metso |
| October 22, 2024 13.00-15.30 (EET) |
Sim-LCA Homework Results - Iron Process Metso |
| October 29, 2024 13–15.30 (EET) |
HSC Sim Chemical Reactions-Based Models with LCA (HYDRO) Metso |
| November 5, 2024 13-15.30 (EET) |
Sim-LCA Homework Results - EW Process Metso |
| November 12, 2024 13-15.30 (EET) |
HSC Sim Particle-Based Models with LCA (MINPRO) Metso |
| November 19, 2024 13.00–15.30 (EET) |
Sim-LCA Homework Results - Concentrator Plant Metso |
2. Add-on simulation module
The optional extension module focuses on hands-on modeling and simulation of hydro- and pyrometallurgical processes. This module is organized by Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg and it provides a unique opportunity to increase knowledge of the HCS Sim tool. The module includes discussions on topics like the Circular Economy, Critical Raw Materials Act, Design for recycling, and Exergy.
During the extension module, participants will join live online sessions and develop a case study on a topic of their choice.
| December 2–6, 2024 Mon–Fri 10:00–18:00 (EET) |
Lectures and demonstrations |
|---|---|
| Dec 9–13, 2024 Mon–Fri 10:00–18:00 (EET) |
Supervised case studies |
For
The program is suitable for people with an educational background in chemistry, metallurgy, mineral processing, process modeling, or sustainability technology.
We recommend that participants have prior experience in chemistry, metallurgy, mineral processing, modeling, or LCA.
This program is particularly relevant for
- Process engineers
- Process designers
- Technology marketing experts
- Environmental protection experts and
- Experts who work in process plants, technology companies, power plants, pulp and paper industry
- Authorities