Continuous Monitoring of Environmental Loading of Production Plant with New Software Tool

One day, it could be possible to regulate a paper machine, for instance, based on its carbon footprint. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is creating a software tool for online life cycle assessment that provides information related to the production equipment or a full plant to the workers in relation to the effects of operational procedures on product-based environmental loading.

Climate change and growing deficits of natural resources are motivating business enterprises to check how their products and services are inconveniencing the environment throughout their whole life cycle. Approaches include the calculation of carbon footprints, use of fossil raw materials and rare minerals, acidification or eutrophication of waterways, and nitrogen and sulfur emissions. However, the means to comprehend the environmental effects of emissions caused during manufacture on a real-time basis are still deficient.

There are a number of benefits to checking production-based environmental influences in real time. Not only can processes be enhanced more specifically, but all employees involved in the control process can also see the impacts on the environment resulting from their choices. For instance, a paper machine operator can see, in real time, how the working of the machine affects its carbon footprint.

VTT is creating an online LCA software tool that offers data to the operators of production gear, a process section, or a full plant regarding the effects of procedures on production- and product-based environmental loading. The system responds to variations made during manufacture and offers its users with information on environmental loading linked to these variations.

The system also considers the procurement of raw materials in the life cycle assessment.

VTT’s research scientists have tried out the modeling tool by linking it to a distillation column control system at the Tampere University of Technology. The test showed that the technique is technically viable. Adding the modeling tool to the data transfer chain of the whole plant as well as to its historical materials data still entails cooperation with the automation suppliers and process facilities.

Funding for the project came from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 723661.