Lifecycle optimization in the refrigeration industry: a Decision-Support Simulation Toolbox (DSST)

AbstractThis paper presents a set of intermediate results related to the ELICiT project, whose purpose is the application of magnetic cooling technology within domestic refrigeration appliances. An innovative Simulation Toolbox, able to offer a better support to designers during the design process, was implemented. This way, a real time comparison of both economic and environmental variables related to magnetic cooling systems will be available. After the implementation phase, the Simulation Toolbox was directly tested in a real industrial context. Finally, gathered data were compared with conventional refrigeration solutions

Life Cycle Assessment Tool Implemented in Household Refrigeration Industry: A Magnetic Cooling Prototype Development

The continuous development of innovative technologies should improve the resources efficiency and pollution reduction awareness. Sometimes, innovative technologies can improve the environmental aspects from one hand increasing other aspects for the other. For this reason, Life Cycle Assessment can guide the development of these innovative technologies in the right direction, taking into account all the environmental aspects during the whole lifecycle. Designers and engineers should consider many indicators during the prototype phase of new products. For this reason, a Decision Support Toolbox has been implemented. In this paper, the results of the test phase, using a real industrial case

Circular lean product-service systems design: A literature review, framework proposal and case studies

In recent years, the Service Sector has received an increasing attention from both academics and practitioners. The transition from traditional manufacturing to service-oriented integrated systems has given rise to the such called: “Servitisation Revolution”, which today is a relevant revenue generator. The definition of “Product-Service Systems (PSS)” calls for an expanded value creation system through the addition of competitive advantages based on value-added services to previous companies\u27 pure product offerings. These product-services bundled solutions have been recognized as being one of the most efficient techniques towards the achievement of resource-efficient and sustainable economies. PSS paradigm has grown beyond expectations, becoming a common term among publications of the most recognized academic journals and international conferences, and a highly discussed topic across a broad range of industrial sectors. However, recent trends based on scientific and grey literature suggest analysing the compatibility of PSS with other principles, methods and tools such as “circular” and “lean” thinking, which may help to enhance the intrinsic environmentally sustainability advantage that is refer at the first PSS definitions, but that has, unfortunately, faded through time. This paper analyses how the PSS paradigm can benefit from the “circular economy” and “lean” principles. The followed research methodology included a literature review, which aims to identify those principles, methods and tools which can help to modify each stage of a traditional PSS towards a Circular Lean PSS. Furthermore, a first Circular Lean PSS Design Framework is proposed and described. This framework is validated empirically through two case studies supported by two vessel-building companies. Further research is suggested to validate the proposed framework in different industries

Life Cycle Assessment Tool in Product Development: Environmental Requirements in Decision Making Process

In recent years, sustainable development has acquired a relevant position in our society. In this context, the design of modern products must consider these issues when creating eco-friendly and socially acceptable solutions, seeing sustainability as a matter of optimization in the use of available resources along the entire product lifecycle. This research aims to propose a dedicated Environmental Assessment Framework, using LCA methodology allowing designers to make environmental sustainability as an achievable and measurable requirement for developing new products. The case study presented is adapting the Life Cycle Assessment framework in the household refrigerator sector, of comparison between conventional gas-compression refrigeration and magnetic cooling system. The critical point of magnetic refrigerator is the presence of rare earths, and for this reasons a Life Cycle Assessment toll is needed to investigate the whole lifecycle

Environmental Impact and Cost Evaluation in Remanufacturing Business Decision Support

The research implements a business decision support system to evaluate envi-ronmental and economic implications for different end of life alternatives strat-egies. The case study described in the paper is the evaluation of end of life au-tomotive engine. In detail, the analysis consists of the evaluation of environ-mental impacts and economic costs of engine remanufacturing process. In par-ticular, will be compared three different alternatives: remanufacturing, reuse and recycling (material recovery). Thanks to remanufacturing, it is possible an-yway to increase end-of-life benefits, compared with recycling, avoiding, from a life cycle perspective, the manufacturing process of new products through re-furbishing or reuse, preventing at the same time certain generation of waste. Results will be shown in a bi-dimensional graph displaying the three alterna-tives with their economic revenue and environmental gain

Il sistema produttivo verso la Green Growth

La Commissione Europea ha individuato nella Resource Efficiency uno degli elementi chiave dell’agenda politica europea, e le ha dedicato una specifica iniziativa – Flagship initiative for a resource efficient Europe – che interessa in maniera trasversale più aree. Il contributo definisce e traccia le tendenze relative alla resource efficiency nel sistema industriale europeo, nelle strategie di management delle imprese e nell’ottica del green e smart manufacturing

Training Advanced Skills for Sustainable Manufacturing: A Digital Serious Game

With the rapid development of manufacturing towards the vision of Industry 4.0, considerable efforts should be done in order to improve the manufacturing skills of young generations and to prepare them to the challenges of the new industrial world. For this reason, the paper first analyzes the learning requirements for the education and training about advanced manufacturing topics and the most suitable educational approaches to satisfy them, identifying digital game-based learning (DGBL) as one of the most promising. On this basis, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Game, a digital game (DG) aiming at supporting the comprehension of LCA for sustainable manufacturing, is presented. Thanks to its high scalability and focus on the practical implications of the use of LCA in an industrial context, the suitability of LCA Game for both universities and companies is shown. Finally, the potentialities of digital game-based learning applications for manufacturing are discussed

Lean Innovative Connected Vessels (LINCOLN)

The European vessel industry is traditionally leader in the sector. In the last decades, to stay competitive worldwide, it has repositioned on the high-end market, characterized by specialized design and production with high complexity and technological content. This implies new challenges in complex product creation with reduced costs, fast design and optimal production time. This is more valid for SMEs and for emerging maritime sectors, where traditional vessels can’t comply with their requirements. A comprehensive approach starting from early vessels design stages can help to overcome those issues. In this paper is proposed an integrated solution based on lean design methodology, IoT (Internet of Things) tools, HPC (High Performance Computing) simulation and sustainability methods, such as LCA (Life cycle Cost Analysis) and LCC (Life Cycle Cost). This is validated towards three specific industrial cases, related to small and medium vessels and mainly coastal activities. The adoption of this approach along the maritime value chain can also foster the introduction of new business models