**Sustainable Engineering and Eco Design**

#### Chaouki Ghenai

*Ocean and Mechanical Engineering Department, Florida Atlantic University USA* 

#### **1. Introduction**

Sustainable Development – 62 Energy, Engineering and Technologies – Manufacturing and Environment

Sen, A. (1993): Capability and Well-Being. In: Nussbaum, M.; Sen, A. (eds.): The Quality of

von Schomberg, R. (2002). The objective of Sustainable Development: Are we coming closer?

von Schomberg, R. (2005). The Precautionary Principle and its normative challenges. In: E.

von Weizsäcker, E.U., Lovins, A.B., Lovins, L.H. (1995). Faktor vier. Doppelter Wohlstand –

Voss, J.-P., Bauknecht, D. & Kemp, R. (2006, eds.). Reflexive Governance for Sustainable

WCED - World Commission on Environment and Development (1987). *Our common future,*

Weaver, P., Jansen, L., van Grootveld, G., van Spiegel, E. & Vergragt, P. (2000). Sustainable

Fisher, J. Jones, R. von Schomberg (Hg.): The precautionary principle and public

Sen, A. (1987): On Ethics and Economics. Oxford

EU Foresight Working Papers Series 1, Brussels

halbierter Naturverbrauch. München

Technology Development, Sheffield

Development*,* Cheltenham

Oxford

policy decision making, Cheltenham, UK, S. 161-175

Life. Oxford, S. 30–53

The material consumption in the United States of America now exceeds ten tones per person per year. The average level of global consumption is about eight times smaller than this but is growing twice as fast. The materials and the energy needed to make and shape them are drawn from natural resources: ore bodies, mineral deposits, and fossil hydrocarbons. The demand of natural resources throughout the 18th, 19th and early 20th century appeared infinitesimal (Ashby et al., 2007, Alonso et al., 2007, Chapman and Roberts, 1983, and Wolfe, 1984). There is also a link between the population growth and resource depletion (Ashby et al., 2007, Alonso et al., 2007, Chapman and Roberts, 1983, and Wolfe, 1984). The global resource depletion scales with the population and with per-capita consumption (Ashby et al., 2007, and Alonso et al., 2007). Per capita consumption is growing more quickly.

The first concern is the resource consumption. Speaking globally, we consume roughly 10 billion tones of engineering materials per year. We currently consume about 9 billion tones per year of hydrocarbon fuels (oil and coal). For metals, it appears that the consumption of steel is the number one (~ 0.8 billion tones per year) followed by aluminum (10 millions tones per year). The consumption of steel exceeds, by a factor of ten all other metals combined. Polymers come next: today the combined consumption of commodity polymers polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP) and polyethyleneterephthalate, (PET) begins to approach that of steel (see figure 1). The really big ones, though, are the materials of the construction industry. Steel is one of these, but the consumption of wood for construction exceeds that of steel even when measured in tones per year, and since it is a factor of 10 lighter, if measured in m3/year, wood totally eclipses steel. Bigger still is the consumption of concrete, which exceeds that of all other materials combined as shown in Figure 1. The other big ones are asphalt (roads) and glass.

The second concern is the energy and carbon release to atmosphere caused by the production of these materials as shown in Figure 2. This is calculated by multiplying the annual production by the embodied energy of the material (MJ/Kg – energy consumed to make 1 Kg of material). During the primary production of some materials such as metals, polymers, composites, and foams the embodied energy is more than 100 MJ/Kg and the CO2 foot print exceeds 10 Kg of CO2 per Kg of materials.

New tools are needed to analyze these problems (high resource consumption, energy use and CO2 emissions) best material based on the design requiment but also to reduce the environmental impacts.

Sustainable Engineering and Eco Design 65

discarded, recycled or (less commonly) refurbished and reused. Energy and materials are consumed in each phase (material, manufacturing, use, transportation and disposal) of life, generating waste heat and solid, liquid, and gaseous emissions (Ashby et al., 2007). The results of the eco audit or life cycle analyis is shown in Figure 4. The results of the life cycle analysis will reveal the dominant phase that is consuming more energy or producing high CO2 emission. The next step is to separate the contributions of the phases of life because subsequent action depends on which is the dominant one. If it is that a material production, then choosing a material with low embodied energy is the way forward. But if it is the use phase, then choosing a material to make use less energy-intensive is the right approach –

This chapter introduces the methods and tools that will guide in the design analysis of the role of materials and processes selection in terms of embodied energy, carbon foot print, recycle fraction, toxicity and sustainability criteria. A particular skills need to be used by engineer or designer to guide design decisions that minimize or eliminate adverse eco impacts. Methods and tools that will guide in the design analysis of the role of materials and processes selection in terms of embodied energy, carbon foot print, recycle fraction, toxicity and sustainability criteria need to be used during the design process. Topics covered in this chapter will include: resource consumption and its drivers, materials of engineering, material property charts, the material life cycle, eco data, eco-informed material selection, and eco audits or life cycle analysis. The Cambridge Engineering Selecor software (Granta Design Limited, 2009) is used in this study for better understanding of these issues, create

even if it has a higher embodied energy.

Fig. 3. Material Life Cycle (Ashby et al., 2007)

Fig. 1. Annual world production for principal materials

Fig. 2. Embodied Energy and CO2 footprint - primary production of principle materials

To select an eco friendly and sustainable material, one need to examine first the materials life cycle and consider how to apply life cycle analysis (Ashby et al., 2007). The materials life cycle is sketched in Figure 3. Ore and feedstock are mined and processed to yield materials. These materials are manufactured into products that are used and at the end of life, Sustainable Development – 64 Energy, Engineering and Technologies – Manufacturing and Environment

Annual world production (tonne/yr)

100000

Embodied energy, primary production (J/kg)

1e7

1e8

1e9

1e6

Limestone

Silicon carbide

Fig. 1. Annual world production for principal materials

Marble

Slate

Sandstone

Alumina Silicon

Brick

Plaster of Paris

Concrete

Cement

1e6

1e7

1e8

1e9

1e10

Ceramics and glasses Hybrids: composites, foams, natural materials Metals and alloys Polymers and elastomers

Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon, PTFE)

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK)

Nickel Natural rubber (NR)

Cement

CO2 footprint, primary production (kg/kg) 0.1 1 10

Fig. 2. Embodied Energy and CO2 footprint - primary production of principle materials

To select an eco friendly and sustainable material, one need to examine first the materials life cycle and consider how to apply life cycle analysis (Ashby et al., 2007). The materials life cycle is sketched in Figure 3. Ore and feedstock are mined and processed to yield materials. These materials are manufactured into products that are used and at the end of life,

CFRP, epoxy matrix (isotropic)

Soda-lime glass

Concrete

Bamboo

Softwood: pine, along grain Paper and cardboard

Softwood: pine, across grain

Tungsten alloys

Tin

Non age-hardening wrought Al-alloys

Stainless steel

Brass

Cast magnesium alloys

Commercially pure lead

Epoxies

Polyamides (Nylons, PA)

Commercially pure zinc

Cast magnesium alloys

Commercially pure titanium

Medium carbon steel

Polystyrene (PS) Polyester Polyethylene (PE) discarded, recycled or (less commonly) refurbished and reused. Energy and materials are consumed in each phase (material, manufacturing, use, transportation and disposal) of life, generating waste heat and solid, liquid, and gaseous emissions (Ashby et al., 2007). The results of the eco audit or life cycle analyis is shown in Figure 4. The results of the life cycle analysis will reveal the dominant phase that is consuming more energy or producing high CO2 emission. The next step is to separate the contributions of the phases of life because subsequent action depends on which is the dominant one. If it is that a material production, then choosing a material with low embodied energy is the way forward. But if it is the use phase, then choosing a material to make use less energy-intensive is the right approach – even if it has a higher embodied energy.

This chapter introduces the methods and tools that will guide in the design analysis of the role of materials and processes selection in terms of embodied energy, carbon foot print, recycle fraction, toxicity and sustainability criteria. A particular skills need to be used by engineer or designer to guide design decisions that minimize or eliminate adverse eco impacts. Methods and tools that will guide in the design analysis of the role of materials and processes selection in terms of embodied energy, carbon foot print, recycle fraction, toxicity and sustainability criteria need to be used during the design process. Topics covered in this chapter will include: resource consumption and its drivers, materials of engineering, material property charts, the material life cycle, eco data, eco-informed material selection, and eco audits or life cycle analysis. The Cambridge Engineering Selecor software (Granta Design Limited, 2009) is used in this study for better understanding of these issues, create

Fig. 3. Material Life Cycle (Ashby et al., 2007)

Sustainable Engineering and Eco Design 67

**Ceramics , glasses Hybrid, composites** 

**Primary Shaping Secondary Shaping** 

**Joining Surface Treatment** 

N o.8-C MYK-5/01

**Machinin**

Fig. 5. Materials Families

Heater Screw

Mould Granular Polymer Nozzle Cylinder

Fig. 6. Process Families

**Metals, alloys Polymers** 

Fig. 4. Eco Audit and Eco Design (Ashby et al., 2007)

material charts, perform materials and processes selection, and eco audit or life cycle analysis allowing alternative design choices to meet the engineering requirements and reduce the environmental burden. The results of two case studies (material selection of desalination plant heat exchanger and life cycle analysis of patio heater) will be presented in this chapter book.

### **2. Material and process families and eco data**

The common material properties are: general properties (cost and density), mechanical properties (strength, stiffness, toughness), thermal properties (conductivity, diffusivity, expansion, heat capacity), electrical properties (electrical conductivity, dielectric constant), optical (refraction, absorption), magnetic, and chemical properties (corrosion resistance). Materials properties determine the suitability of a material based on design requirements. A successful product, one that performs well, is good value for money and gives pleasure to the user uses the best materials for the job, and fully exploits its potential and characteristics. Materials selection is not about choosing a material, but a profile of properties that best meets the needs of the design (Ashby et al., 2007, and Alonso et al., 2007). Material and process are interdependent and grouped into families; each family has a characteristic profile (family likeness) which is useful to know when selecting which family to use for a design. In general, there are six families for materials (Ashby, 2005): metals (steels, cast irons, alloys…), ceramics (alumina, silicon carbides), polymers (polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene-terephthalate), glasses (soda glass, borosilicate glass), elastomers (isoprene, neoprene, butyl rubber, natural rubber) and hybrids (composites, foams) as shown in Figure 5.

Processes are also classified based on the design requirements (material, shape, dimensions, precision, and the number of parts to be made). The process families (Ashby, 2005) are: shaping (casting, molding, deformation, machining, heat treatment), joining (fastening, welding, adhesives) and surface treatments (polishing, painting) as shown in Figure 6.

Sustainable Development – 66 Energy, Engineering and Technologies – Manufacturing and Environment

material charts, perform materials and processes selection, and eco audit or life cycle analysis allowing alternative design choices to meet the engineering requirements and reduce the environmental burden. The results of two case studies (material selection of desalination plant heat exchanger and life cycle analysis of patio heater) will be presented in

The common material properties are: general properties (cost and density), mechanical properties (strength, stiffness, toughness), thermal properties (conductivity, diffusivity, expansion, heat capacity), electrical properties (electrical conductivity, dielectric constant), optical (refraction, absorption), magnetic, and chemical properties (corrosion resistance). Materials properties determine the suitability of a material based on design requirements. A successful product, one that performs well, is good value for money and gives pleasure to the user uses the best materials for the job, and fully exploits its potential and characteristics. Materials selection is not about choosing a material, but a profile of properties that best meets the needs of the design (Ashby et al., 2007, and Alonso et al., 2007). Material and process are interdependent and grouped into families; each family has a characteristic profile (family likeness) which is useful to know when selecting which family to use for a design. In general, there are six families for materials (Ashby, 2005): metals (steels, cast irons, alloys…), ceramics (alumina, silicon carbides), polymers (polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene-terephthalate), glasses (soda glass, borosilicate glass), elastomers (isoprene, neoprene, butyl rubber, natural rubber) and hybrids (composites,

Processes are also classified based on the design requirements (material, shape, dimensions, precision, and the number of parts to be made). The process families (Ashby, 2005) are: shaping (casting, molding, deformation, machining, heat treatment), joining (fastening, welding, adhesives) and surface treatments (polishing, painting) as shown in Figure 6.

Fig. 4. Eco Audit and Eco Design (Ashby et al., 2007)

**2. Material and process families and eco data** 

this chapter book.

foams) as shown in Figure 5.

Fig. 6. Process Families

Sustainable Engineering and Eco Design 69

The material life cycle is shown in Figure 3. Ore and feedstock, drawn from the earth's resources, are processed to give materials. These materials are manufactured into products that are used, and, at the end of their lives, discarded, a fraction perhaps entering a recycling loop, the rest committed to incineration or land-fill (Gabi, 2008, Graedel, 1998, and Kickel, 2009) Energy and materials are consumed at each point in this cycle (phases), with an associated penalty of CO2, SOx, NOx and other emissions, heat, and gaseous, liquid and solid waste. These are assessed by the technique of life-cycle analysis (LCA) (Ashby, 2007).

1. Define the goal and scope of the assessment: Why the assessment needs to be done?

2. Compile an inventory of relevant inputs and outputs: What resources are consumed?

4. Interpretation of the results of the inventory analysis and impact assessment phases in relation of the objectives of the study: What the result means? What needs to be done

The study examine the energy and material flows in raw material acquisition; processing and manufacturing; distribution and storage (transport, refrigeration…); use; maintenance

The first step is to develop a tool that is approximate but retains sufficient discrimination to differentiate between alternative choices. A spectrum of levels of analysis exist, ranging from a simple eco-screening against a list of banned or undesirable materials and processes

The second step is to select a single measure of eco-stress. On one point there is some international agreement: the Kyoto Protocol of 1997 committed the developed nations that signed it to progressively reduce carbon emissions, meaning CO2 (Kyoto Protocol, 1999). At the national level the focus is more on reducing energy consumption, but since the energy consumption and CO2 production are closely related, they are nearly equivalent. Thus there is certain logic in basing design decisions on energy consumption or CO2 generation; they carry more conviction than the use of a more obscure indicator. We shall follow this route,

The third step is to separate the contributions of the phases (material, manufacturing, use, transportation and disposal) of life because subsequent action depends on which is the dominant one with respect of energy consumption and CO2 emissions (see Figure 4).

For selection to minimize eco-impact we must first ask: which phase of the life cycle of the product under consideration makes the largest impact on the environment? The answer guides material selection. To carry out an eco-audit or life cycle analysis we need the bill of material, shaping or manufacturing process, transportation used of the parts of the final product, the duty cycle during the use of the product, and also the eco data for the energy

**3. Life cycle analysis and selection strategies** 

What is the subject and which part of its life are assessed?

3. Evaluate the potential impacts associated with those inputs and outputs

(bill of materials) What are the emissions generated?

to a full life cycle analysis, with overheads of time and cost.

and CO2 footprints of materials and manufacturing process.

**3.1 The steps for life cycle analysis are:** 

about them?

and repair; and recycling options.

using energy as our measure.

**3.2 The strategy for guiding design** 

The material and process selection based on some design requirements rely on the materials mechanical, thermal, electrical and chemical properties. Rational selection of materials to meet environmental objectives starts by identifying the phase of product-life that causes greatest concern: production, manufacture, use or disposal. Dealing with all of these requires data for the obvious eco-attributes such as energy, CO2 (Chapman, 1983) and other emissions, toxicity, ability to be recycled and the like (see table 1). Thus if material production is the phase of concern, selection is based on minimizing production energy or the associated emissions (CO2 production for example). But if it is the use-phase that is of concern, selection is based instead on light weight, excellence as a thermal insulator, or as an electrical conductor (while meeting other constraints on stiffness, strength, cost etc). Additional information such eco data (embodied energy and CO2 foot print as shown in Figure 2 and table 1) is needed for sustainable engineering and eco design.

#### **Geo-Economic Data for Principal Component**


#### **Material Production – Energy and Emissions**


#### **Indicators for Principal Component**


#### **End of life**


#### **Bio Data**


#### **Sustainability**


Table 1. Eco Data – Wrought Aluminium Pure

Sustainable Development – 68 Energy, Engineering and Technologies – Manufacturing and Environment

The material and process selection based on some design requirements rely on the materials mechanical, thermal, electrical and chemical properties. Rational selection of materials to meet environmental objectives starts by identifying the phase of product-life that causes greatest concern: production, manufacture, use or disposal. Dealing with all of these requires data for the obvious eco-attributes such as energy, CO2 (Chapman, 1983) and other emissions, toxicity, ability to be recycled and the like (see table 1). Thus if material production is the phase of concern, selection is based on minimizing production energy or the associated emissions (CO2 production for example). But if it is the use-phase that is of concern, selection is based instead on light weight, excellence as a thermal insulator, or as an electrical conductor (while meeting other constraints on stiffness, strength, cost etc). Additional information such eco data (embodied energy and CO2 foot print as shown in

Figure 2 and table 1) is needed for sustainable engineering and eco design.

Annual world production 21e6– 23e6 tonne/year Reserves 2e10 – 2.2e10 tonne Typical exploited ore grade 30 – 34 %

Production energy 190 – 210 MJ/Kg CO2 12-13 kg/kg NOX 72-79 g/kg SOX 120- 140 g/kg

Recycle as fraction 34 – 38 %

True

Eco indicator 740 – 820 mmillions points/kg

**Geo-Economic Data for Principal Component** 

**Material Production – Energy and Emissions** 

**Indicators for Principal Component** 

Recycle True Down cycle True Biodegrade False Incinerate False Landfill True

Toxicity rating Non toxic

Table 1. Eco Data – Wrought Aluminium Pure

Approve for skin and food

Sustainable material No

**End of life** 

**Bio Data** 

contact

**Sustainability** 

#### **3. Life cycle analysis and selection strategies**

The material life cycle is shown in Figure 3. Ore and feedstock, drawn from the earth's resources, are processed to give materials. These materials are manufactured into products that are used, and, at the end of their lives, discarded, a fraction perhaps entering a recycling loop, the rest committed to incineration or land-fill (Gabi, 2008, Graedel, 1998, and Kickel, 2009) Energy and materials are consumed at each point in this cycle (phases), with an associated penalty of CO2, SOx, NOx and other emissions, heat, and gaseous, liquid and solid waste. These are assessed by the technique of life-cycle analysis (LCA) (Ashby, 2007).

#### **3.1 The steps for life cycle analysis are:**


The study examine the energy and material flows in raw material acquisition; processing and manufacturing; distribution and storage (transport, refrigeration…); use; maintenance and repair; and recycling options.

#### **3.2 The strategy for guiding design**

The first step is to develop a tool that is approximate but retains sufficient discrimination to differentiate between alternative choices. A spectrum of levels of analysis exist, ranging from a simple eco-screening against a list of banned or undesirable materials and processes to a full life cycle analysis, with overheads of time and cost.

The second step is to select a single measure of eco-stress. On one point there is some international agreement: the Kyoto Protocol of 1997 committed the developed nations that signed it to progressively reduce carbon emissions, meaning CO2 (Kyoto Protocol, 1999). At the national level the focus is more on reducing energy consumption, but since the energy consumption and CO2 production are closely related, they are nearly equivalent. Thus there is certain logic in basing design decisions on energy consumption or CO2 generation; they carry more conviction than the use of a more obscure indicator. We shall follow this route, using energy as our measure.

The third step is to separate the contributions of the phases (material, manufacturing, use, transportation and disposal) of life because subsequent action depends on which is the dominant one with respect of energy consumption and CO2 emissions (see Figure 4).

For selection to minimize eco-impact we must first ask: which phase of the life cycle of the product under consideration makes the largest impact on the environment? The answer guides material selection. To carry out an eco-audit or life cycle analysis we need the bill of material, shaping or manufacturing process, transportation used of the parts of the final product, the duty cycle during the use of the product, and also the eco data for the energy and CO2 footprints of materials and manufacturing process.

Sustainable Engineering and Eco Design 71

Fig. 7. Desalination process and heat exchanger (condenser)

temperature TCW and exit at high temperature THW. A key element in all heat exchangers is the tube wall or membrane which separates the sea water and the steam. It is required to transmit heat and there is frequently a pressure difference across it p (pressure difference between the sea water and the steam pressures). The question is what are the best materials for making these condensers? What are the best condenser materials that can provide high thermal conductivity but at the same time can sustain this pressure difference? What is the performance index that can be use for heat exchanger or condensers? The heat transfer from the steam to the sea water through the membrane or the thin wall involves convective transfer from steam to outside surface of the condenser tubes, conduction through the tube

## **4. Results**

Two case studies of sustainable engineering and eco design are presented in this chapter book. The first case study deals with material selection for the condenser used in desalination plant (sustainable material). The question is what is the best material that can be used for the condenser based on some constraints and design objectives? The second case study is about the life cycle analysis of patio heater. The question is what the dominant phase of the life cycle of this product that is consuming more energy and producing more CO2 emissions?

#### **4.1 Case study 1: Material selection for desalination plant heat exchanger**

Desalination of seawater is one of the most promising techniques used to overcome water shortage problems (Nafey et al., 2004). The desalination techniques include thermal desalination processes (Multi Stage Flash - MSF, Multi Effect Distillation – MED) and membrane desalination processes (reverse osmosis – RO and Electro-Dialysis Reverse - EDR). Multi Stage Flash (MSF) is one of he most commonly distillation process used for large-scale desalination of seawater (Hassan, 2003). In the MSF process, the seawater enters the evaporation chamber resulting in flash boiling of a fraction of the seawater. The vapour produced by flashing is then conveyed to the heat recovery section where it is condensed. Heat exchanger (evaporator and condensers) tubes represent the largest item in an MSF plant and not surprisingly more than 70% of the corrosion failures in desalination plants are attributed to heat exchange tubes. Heat exchangers tubes handle two fluids of completely different properties (seawater and vapors). It is one of the severest environments from the point of view of corrosion (Anees et al., 1993, and Aness et al., 1992). This study focuses only on the desalination plant condensers. The condenser is a sea water-cooled shell and tube heat exchanger installed in the exhaust steam from the evaporator in thermal desalination plant. The condenser is a heat exchanger that converts the steam received from the evaporator to liquid using the sea water as the cooling fluid. The key properties of the desalination plant surface condenser are: (1) heat transfer properties (thermal conductivity, convective heat transfer coefficients for steam and sea water, and fouling coefficients); (2) the erosion resistance (to steam for the external surface of the tube, and to raw sea waters which may contain sand and show turbulences for the internal surface of the tube); (3) corrosion resistance (to raw sea waters, steam and condensate). The heat transfer performance of the condenser is linked to the material selection – thermal conductivity, thickness, and the erosion/corrosion resistance of the tubing materials.

A condenser with high tubing thermal conductivity, thin wall tubing, and tubing surface that do not corrode in the heat exchanger environment and remains relatively cleans during the desalination process will provide excellent heat transfer performance. The principal objective of this study is to select the best materials for the condenser tubing (sustainable material) that will provide excellent thermal heat transfer performance, low cost and low embodied energy (sustainable energy) and CO2 foot print (sustainable environment).

The condenser shown in Figure 7 takes heat from the steam and passes it to the sea cooling water. The steam enters the shell at temperature TV, changes its phase from gas to liquid during the heat transfer with the sea cooling water and exit the heat exchanger as condensate at temperature TC. The sea water cooling fluid enters the condenser tubes at Sustainable Development – 70 Energy, Engineering and Technologies – Manufacturing and Environment

Two case studies of sustainable engineering and eco design are presented in this chapter book. The first case study deals with material selection for the condenser used in desalination plant (sustainable material). The question is what is the best material that can be used for the condenser based on some constraints and design objectives? The second case study is about the life cycle analysis of patio heater. The question is what the dominant phase of the life cycle of this product that is consuming more energy and producing more

Desalination of seawater is one of the most promising techniques used to overcome water shortage problems (Nafey et al., 2004). The desalination techniques include thermal desalination processes (Multi Stage Flash - MSF, Multi Effect Distillation – MED) and membrane desalination processes (reverse osmosis – RO and Electro-Dialysis Reverse - EDR). Multi Stage Flash (MSF) is one of he most commonly distillation process used for large-scale desalination of seawater (Hassan, 2003). In the MSF process, the seawater enters the evaporation chamber resulting in flash boiling of a fraction of the seawater. The vapour produced by flashing is then conveyed to the heat recovery section where it is condensed. Heat exchanger (evaporator and condensers) tubes represent the largest item in an MSF plant and not surprisingly more than 70% of the corrosion failures in desalination plants are attributed to heat exchange tubes. Heat exchangers tubes handle two fluids of completely different properties (seawater and vapors). It is one of the severest environments from the point of view of corrosion (Anees et al., 1993, and Aness et al., 1992). This study focuses only on the desalination plant condensers. The condenser is a sea water-cooled shell and tube heat exchanger installed in the exhaust steam from the evaporator in thermal desalination plant. The condenser is a heat exchanger that converts the steam received from the evaporator to liquid using the sea water as the cooling fluid. The key properties of the desalination plant surface condenser are: (1) heat transfer properties (thermal conductivity, convective heat transfer coefficients for steam and sea water, and fouling coefficients); (2) the erosion resistance (to steam for the external surface of the tube, and to raw sea waters which may contain sand and show turbulences for the internal surface of the tube); (3) corrosion resistance (to raw sea waters, steam and condensate). The heat transfer performance of the condenser is linked to the material selection – thermal conductivity,

**4.1 Case study 1: Material selection for desalination plant heat exchanger** 

thickness, and the erosion/corrosion resistance of the tubing materials.

A condenser with high tubing thermal conductivity, thin wall tubing, and tubing surface that do not corrode in the heat exchanger environment and remains relatively cleans during the desalination process will provide excellent heat transfer performance. The principal objective of this study is to select the best materials for the condenser tubing (sustainable material) that will provide excellent thermal heat transfer performance, low cost and low embodied energy (sustainable energy) and CO2 foot print (sustainable environment).

The condenser shown in Figure 7 takes heat from the steam and passes it to the sea cooling water. The steam enters the shell at temperature TV, changes its phase from gas to liquid during the heat transfer with the sea cooling water and exit the heat exchanger as condensate at temperature TC. The sea water cooling fluid enters the condenser tubes at

**4. Results** 

CO2 emissions?

Fig. 7. Desalination process and heat exchanger (condenser)

temperature TCW and exit at high temperature THW. A key element in all heat exchangers is the tube wall or membrane which separates the sea water and the steam. It is required to transmit heat and there is frequently a pressure difference across it p (pressure difference between the sea water and the steam pressures). The question is what are the best materials for making these condensers? What are the best condenser materials that can provide high thermal conductivity but at the same time can sustain this pressure difference? What is the performance index that can be use for heat exchanger or condensers? The heat transfer from the steam to the sea water through the membrane or the thin wall involves convective transfer from steam to outside surface of the condenser tubes, conduction through the tube

Sustainable Engineering and Eco Design 73

a. Translate design requirements: develop a list of requirements the material must meet, expressed as function (what does the system do), objectives (what is to be maximized or minimized), constraints (what nonnegotiable conditions must met) and free variables (what parameters of the problem is the designer free to change). The main function of the condenser is to exchange heat between the steam and seat water (heat exchanger) and to convert the steam to distilled water. The objectives are to maximize heat flow per unit area, minimize the cost and eco friendly materials (minimize the energy and the CO2 footprint). The constraints for the condenser are: (a) operating temperature up to 150oC; (b) support pressure difference p, (c) excellent resistance to sea water, (d) very high resistance of the material to pitting and crevice corrosion, and (e) excellent resistance of the material stress corrosion cracking. The free choices for the condenser

b. Screening: After developing the list of requirements the material must meet, the next step is to eliminate the materials that can not do the job because one or more their attributes lies outside the limits set by the constraints. The limit and tree stages of the Cambridge selector software (Granta Design Limited, 2009) are used in this study as selection tools for the screening process. The limit stage applies numeric and discrete constraint. Required lower or upper limits for material properties are entered into the limit stage property boxes. If a constraint is entered in the minimum box, only materials with values greater than the constraint are retained. If it is entered in the Maximum box, only materials with smaller values are retained. The graph option can be used to create bar charts and bubble charts. A box selection isolates a chosen part of a chart. Any material bar or bubble lying in, or overlapping the box is selected and all others are rejected. The line selection divides a bubble chart into two regions. The user is free to choose the slope of the line, and to select the side on which materials are to be chosen. This allows selection of materials with given values of combinations of material properties such as E/ρ, where E is Young's modulus and ρ is density. The tree stage allows the search to be limited to either: a subset of materials (metals, hybrids, polymers, and ceramics) or materials that can be processes in chosen ways

c. Ranking: Find the screening materials that do the job best. Rank the materials that survive the screening using the criteria of excellence or the objectives and make the final

Figure 8 shows the results of the screening process for the performance index M. Only 16 materials passed the test based on the design requirements (operating temperature > 150 C, resistance to sea water, resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion, and excellent resistance to stress corrosion cracking). Based on the objectives (maximize heat flux, minimize the cost, the embodied energy and CO2 foot print) set during the design process, it is clear that the best material that can be used for the desalination plant condenser is the stainless steel duplex UNS S32550, wrought. It has the maximum value for performance index M (high thermal conductivity and thin tube wall), and lowest cost (14-14 \$/Kg) as shown in Figure 8. In addition to that this material has the lowest embodied energy and CO2 foot print as shown in Figure 9. The characteristics of the selected material for the desalination plant

design are the choice of material.

(manufacturing process).

condenser are summarized in Table 2.

materials choice.

wall, and convection again to transfer the heat to sea water. The heat flux q into the tube wall by convection (W/m2) is described by the heat transfer equation q = h1 T1, where h1 is the heat transfer coefficient for the steam and T1 is the temperature drop across the surface from the steam into the outside tube wall. Conduction is described by the conduction equation; q = T12)/e, where is the thermal conductivity of the wall (thickness e) and T12 is the temperature difference across the tube wall. The heat flux q out from the tube wall by convection is described by the heat transfer equation q = h2 T2, where h2 is the heat transfer coefficient for sea water and T2 is the temperature drop from the inside surface of the tube to the sea water. The heat flux is also given by: q = U (TV- TCW), where U is the overall heat transfer coefficient and TV is the steam temperature entering the shell and TCW is the temperature of sea water entering the tube. The overall heat transfer coefficient is given by:

$$
\Delta U = \frac{1}{\frac{1}{h\_1} + \frac{e}{\lambda} + \frac{1}{h\_2}} \tag{1}
$$

The total heat flow is given by:

$$Q = q \ A = \left(\frac{1}{\frac{1}{h\_1} + \frac{e}{\lambda} + \frac{1}{h\_2}}\right) A \quad \left(T\_V - T\_{\text{CVV}}\right) \tag{2}$$

One of the constraints of the heat exchanger is that the wall thickness must be sufficient to support the pressure difference p. This requires that the stress in the wall remain below the elastic limit (yield strength): *el p r e* .

Where r is the pipe radius and e is the pipe thickness.

The heat flux is given by:

$$\frac{Q}{A} = q = \left(\frac{1}{\frac{1}{h\_1} + \frac{\Delta p}{\lambda}\frac{r}{\sigma\_{el}} + \frac{1}{h\_2}}\right) \quad \left(T\_V - T\_{\rm CV}\right) \tag{3}$$

The heat flow per unit area of tube wall, Q/A or q is maximized by maximizing the performance index M given by *M el* . The maximum value of M is obtained by minimizing the tube wall thickness or maximizing both the thermal conductivity and the yield strength.

Selecting materials for desalination plant heat exchanger involves seeking the best match between design requirements and the properties of the materials that may be used to make the heat exchanger. The strategy for selecting the material for desalination plant heat exchangers is:

Sustainable Development – 72 Energy, Engineering and Technologies – Manufacturing and Environment

wall, and convection again to transfer the heat to sea water. The heat flux q into the tube wall by convection (W/m2) is described by the heat transfer equation q = h1 T1, where h1 is the heat transfer coefficient for the steam and T1 is the temperature drop across the surface from the steam into the outside tube wall. Conduction is described by the conduction equation; q = T12)/e, where is the thermal conductivity of the wall (thickness e) and T12 is the temperature difference across the tube wall. The heat flux q out from the tube wall by convection is described by the heat transfer equation q = h2 T2, where h2 is the heat transfer coefficient for sea water and T2 is the temperature drop from the inside surface of the tube to the sea water. The heat flux is also given by: q = U (TV- TCW), where U is the overall heat transfer coefficient and TV is the steam temperature entering the shell and TCW is the temperature of sea water entering the tube. The overall heat transfer coefficient is

1 2

1 1 1 *<sup>U</sup> e h h* 

(1)

(2)

(3)

*el* . The maximum value of M is obtained by

1 2

1 2

*h h* 

> 

*el*

The heat flow per unit area of tube wall, Q/A or q is maximized by maximizing the

minimizing the tube wall thickness or maximizing both the thermal conductivity and the

Selecting materials for desalination plant heat exchanger involves seeking the best match between design requirements and the properties of the materials that may be used to make the heat exchanger. The strategy for selecting the material for desalination plant heat

1 1 *V CW*

1

 

*<sup>Q</sup> <sup>q</sup> T T*

*p r e*

*A p r*

.

Where r is the pipe radius and e is the pipe thickness.

One of the constraints of the heat exchanger is that the wall thickness must be sufficient to support the pressure difference p. This requires that the stress in the wall remain below the

1 1 1 *Q qA AT T V CW <sup>e</sup> h h* 

 

given by:

The total heat flow is given by:

elastic limit (yield strength): *el*

performance index M given by *M*

The heat flux is given by:

yield strength.

exchangers is:


Figure 8 shows the results of the screening process for the performance index M. Only 16 materials passed the test based on the design requirements (operating temperature > 150 C, resistance to sea water, resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion, and excellent resistance to stress corrosion cracking). Based on the objectives (maximize heat flux, minimize the cost, the embodied energy and CO2 foot print) set during the design process, it is clear that the best material that can be used for the desalination plant condenser is the stainless steel duplex UNS S32550, wrought. It has the maximum value for performance index M (high thermal conductivity and thin tube wall), and lowest cost (14-14 \$/Kg) as shown in Figure 8. In addition to that this material has the lowest embodied energy and CO2 foot print as shown in Figure 9. The characteristics of the selected material for the desalination plant condenser are summarized in Table 2.

Sustainable Engineering and Eco Design 75

An eco audit is a fast initial assessment. It identifies the phases of life – material, manufacture, transport, and use – that carry the highest demand for energy or create the greatest burden of emissions. It points the finger, so to speak, identifying where the greatest gains might be made. Often, one phase of life is, in eco terms, overwhelmingly dominant, accounting for 60% or more of the energy and carbon totals. This difference is so large that the imprecision in the data and the ambiguities in the modeling, are not an issue; the dominance remains even when the most extreme values are used. It then makes sense to focus first on this dominant phase, since it is here that the potential innovative material

An energy and CO2 eco audits were performed for the patio heater shown in Figure 10. It is manufactured in Southeast Asia and shipped 8,000 Km to the United States, where it is sold and used. It weighs 24 kg, of which 17 kg is rolled stainless steel, 6 kg is rolled carbon steel, 0.6 kg is cast brass and 0.4 kg is unidentified injection-molded plastic (See Materials - Tables 3 and 4). During the use, it delivers 14 kW of heat ("enough to keep 8 people warm")

The heater is used for 3 hours per day for 30 days per year, over 5 years, at which time the owner tires of it and takes it to the recycling depot (only 6 miles / 10 km away, so neglect the transport CO2) where the stainless steel, carbon steel and brass are sent for recycling (See end of life - Tables 3 and 4). These data are used to construct a bar-chart for energy and

The table (See Figure 10) lists the energy and carbon footprints of the materials and manufacturing processes for the patio heater. The bar chart plots the totals for each phase. For the sea transport over 8000km, the energy consumed is 30.7 MJ and the CO2 released is 2.18 kg of carbon dioxide, so small as to be invisible on the bar chart. The results show that 97.9% of the energy consumed and 98.1 % of the CO2 emitted are during the use phase. The energy consumed and CO2 emitted for the material phase are respectively 5.9% and 5.2%. The results also show that 4.1% of the energy can be recovered and 3.7 % reduction of CO2 emission can be obtained by recycling the parts of the patio heater. A detailed breakdown of the energy and CO2 foot print for individual life phases (material, manufacture, transport,

consuming 0.9 kg of propane gas (LPG) per hour, releasing 0.059 kg of CO2 /MJ.

Pitting and Crevice Corrosion

7.3e9 – 9.4e9 13.2 – 15.2 Very High Excellent 7.7e7 – 8.5e7 335 – 365

6.9e9 – 8.1e9 14.2 – 15.7 Very High Excellent 7.7e7 – 8.5e7 335 – 365

Stress Corrosion Cracking

Embodied Energy (J/Kg)

Maximum Service Temp. (C)

Price \$/Kg

Table 2. Selected Materials for the desalination plant condenser

**4.2 Case Study 2: Life cycle analysis of patio heater** 

choice to reduce energy and carbon are greatest.

CO2 emission over the life of the patio heater.

use, and end of life) are shown respectively in Tables 3 and 4.

Material Performance

1. Stainless Steel, Duplex UNS S32550, wrought

2. Stainless Steel, Duplex UNS S32760, wrought

Design *M el*

Fig. 8. Results of the Screening Process – Performance Index M versus Material Cost

Fig. 9. Results of the Screening Process – Embodied Energy versus the CO2 foot print

Sustainable Development – 74 Energy, Engineering and Technologies – Manufacturing and Environment

Fig. 8. Results of the Screening Process – Performance Index M versus Material Cost

Nickel-chromium alloy, HASTELLOY G-3, wrought, solution treated

Embodied energy, primary production (J/kg)

2e8

1e8

Stainless steel, duplex, UNS S32550, wrought

Stainless steel, duplex, UNS S32760, wrought

3e8

4e8

5e8

CO2 footprint, primary production (kg/kg)

Fig. 9. Results of the Screening Process – Embodied Energy versus the CO2 foot print

5 10 15 20 25 30

Nickel-Mo-Cr alloy, HASTELLOY S

Nickel-chromium alloy, INCONEL 625, wrought, annealed

Nickel-molybdenum alloy, HASTELLOY B-2, plate


Table 2. Selected Materials for the desalination plant condenser

#### **4.2 Case Study 2: Life cycle analysis of patio heater**

An eco audit is a fast initial assessment. It identifies the phases of life – material, manufacture, transport, and use – that carry the highest demand for energy or create the greatest burden of emissions. It points the finger, so to speak, identifying where the greatest gains might be made. Often, one phase of life is, in eco terms, overwhelmingly dominant, accounting for 60% or more of the energy and carbon totals. This difference is so large that the imprecision in the data and the ambiguities in the modeling, are not an issue; the dominance remains even when the most extreme values are used. It then makes sense to focus first on this dominant phase, since it is here that the potential innovative material choice to reduce energy and carbon are greatest.

An energy and CO2 eco audits were performed for the patio heater shown in Figure 10. It is manufactured in Southeast Asia and shipped 8,000 Km to the United States, where it is sold and used. It weighs 24 kg, of which 17 kg is rolled stainless steel, 6 kg is rolled carbon steel, 0.6 kg is cast brass and 0.4 kg is unidentified injection-molded plastic (See Materials - Tables 3 and 4). During the use, it delivers 14 kW of heat ("enough to keep 8 people warm") consuming 0.9 kg of propane gas (LPG) per hour, releasing 0.059 kg of CO2 /MJ.

The heater is used for 3 hours per day for 30 days per year, over 5 years, at which time the owner tires of it and takes it to the recycling depot (only 6 miles / 10 km away, so neglect the transport CO2) where the stainless steel, carbon steel and brass are sent for recycling (See end of life - Tables 3 and 4). These data are used to construct a bar-chart for energy and CO2 emission over the life of the patio heater.

The table (See Figure 10) lists the energy and carbon footprints of the materials and manufacturing processes for the patio heater. The bar chart plots the totals for each phase. For the sea transport over 8000km, the energy consumed is 30.7 MJ and the CO2 released is 2.18 kg of carbon dioxide, so small as to be invisible on the bar chart. The results show that 97.9% of the energy consumed and 98.1 % of the CO2 emitted are during the use phase. The energy consumed and CO2 emitted for the material phase are respectively 5.9% and 5.2%. The results also show that 4.1% of the energy can be recovered and 3.7 % reduction of CO2 emission can be obtained by recycling the parts of the patio heater. A detailed breakdown of the energy and CO2 foot print for individual life phases (material, manufacture, transport, use, and end of life) are shown respectively in Tables 3 and 4.

Sustainable Engineering and Eco Design 77

Table 3. Detailed Breakdown of individual life phases: *Energy Analysis* - Patio Heater

**Material** 

**Manufacture** 

**Transport** 

**Use** 

**End of Life** 


Fig. 10. Life Cycle Analysis of Patio Heater: Energy and CO2 Footprint Analysis

Sustainable Development – 76 Energy, Engineering and Technologies – Manufacturing and Environment

Fig. 10. Life Cycle Analysis of Patio Heater: Energy and CO2 Footprint Analysis


Table 3. Detailed Breakdown of individual life phases: *Energy Analysis* - Patio Heater

Sustainable Engineering and Eco Design 79

The methods and tools presented in this book chapter, will guide in the design analysis of the role of materials and processes selection in terms of embodied energy, carbon foot print, recycle fraction, toxicity and sustainability criteria. A particular skills need to be used during the design process not only to satisfy the design requirements but also to minimize or eliminate adverse eco impacts (sustainable design). Two case studies of sustainable engineering and eco design are presented in this chapter book. The first case study deals with material selection for the condenser used in desalination plant and the second case study is about the life cycle analysis of patio heater. The results of the selection process for the heat exchanger (condenser) of a desalination plant show that the best material that can be used for the condenser is the stainless steel, duplex UNS S32255O, wrought. This material has (1) the highest design performance M (high heat flux), (2) the lowest cost (13 – 15 \$/Kg), (3) a very good resistance to pitting and crevice resistance, (4) an excellent resistance to stress corrosion cracking (no breaks at high strengths or > 75% of yield strength in various environments), (5) excellent material resistance to sea water (no degradation in material performance expected after a long exposure to sea water), and (6) a good pitting resistance equivalent number (PREN = 40). In addition the embodied energy (energy required to make 1 Kg of the material) and the CO2 foot print (mass of CO2 released during the production of 1 Kg of the material) are very low compared to the other materials. The second case study was about the life cycle analysis of the patio heater. The life cycle analysis strategy has two part: (1) an eco audit for a quick and approximate assessment of the distribution of energy demand and carbon emission over the patio heater's life; and (2) material selection to minimize the energy and carbon over the full life, balancing the influence of the choice over each phase of the life (selection strategies and eco informed material selection –suatianble design). The results of the life cycle analysis of patio heater show that the problem with the energy consumed and carbon foot print for the patio heater was during the use of the heater. A new materials can be selected to reduce the heat losses during the the use of the patio

Alonso, E., Gregory, J., Field, F., Kirchain, R., (2007), Material availability and the supply

Anees U Malik and P.C. Mayan Kutty, Corrosion and material selection in desalination

Anees U Malik, Saleh A. Al-Fozan and Mohammad Al Romiahl , Relevance of corrosion

Ashby, M.F. (2005) "Materials Selection in Mechanical Design", 3rd edition, Butterworth-

Ashby, M.F., Shercliff, H., and Cebon, D., (2007), "Materials: engineering, science, processing and design", Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford UK, Chapter 20.

plants, Presented to SWCC 0 & M Seminar, Al Jubail, April 1992.

chain: risks, effects, and responses'; Environmental Science and Technology, Vol 41,

research in the materials selection for desalination plants, Presented in Second Scientific Symposium on Maintenance Planning and Operations, King Saud

**5. Conclusion** 

heater.

**6. References** 

pp. 6649- 6656

University, Riyadh, 24-26 April, 1993

Heinemann, Oxford, UK, Chapter 16.


Table 4. Detailed Breakdown of individual life phases: *CO2 Foot Print* - Patio Heater

#### **5. Conclusion**

Sustainable Development – 78 Energy, Engineering and Technologies – Manufacturing and Environment

**Material** 

**Manufacture** 

**Transport** 

**Use** 

**End of Life** 

Table 4. Detailed Breakdown of individual life phases: *CO2 Foot Print* - Patio Heater

The methods and tools presented in this book chapter, will guide in the design analysis of the role of materials and processes selection in terms of embodied energy, carbon foot print, recycle fraction, toxicity and sustainability criteria. A particular skills need to be used during the design process not only to satisfy the design requirements but also to minimize or eliminate adverse eco impacts (sustainable design). Two case studies of sustainable engineering and eco design are presented in this chapter book. The first case study deals with material selection for the condenser used in desalination plant and the second case study is about the life cycle analysis of patio heater. The results of the selection process for the heat exchanger (condenser) of a desalination plant show that the best material that can be used for the condenser is the stainless steel, duplex UNS S32255O, wrought. This material has (1) the highest design performance M (high heat flux), (2) the lowest cost (13 – 15 \$/Kg), (3) a very good resistance to pitting and crevice resistance, (4) an excellent resistance to stress corrosion cracking (no breaks at high strengths or > 75% of yield strength in various environments), (5) excellent material resistance to sea water (no degradation in material performance expected after a long exposure to sea water), and (6) a good pitting resistance equivalent number (PREN = 40). In addition the embodied energy (energy required to make 1 Kg of the material) and the CO2 foot print (mass of CO2 released during the production of 1 Kg of the material) are very low compared to the other materials. The second case study was about the life cycle analysis of the patio heater. The life cycle analysis strategy has two part: (1) an eco audit for a quick and approximate assessment of the distribution of energy demand and carbon emission over the patio heater's life; and (2) material selection to minimize the energy and carbon over the full life, balancing the influence of the choice over each phase of the life (selection strategies and eco informed material selection –suatianble design). The results of the life cycle analysis of patio heater show that the problem with the energy consumed and carbon foot print for the patio heater was during the use of the heater. A new materials can be selected to reduce the heat losses during the the use of the patio heater.

#### **6. References**


**Part 3** 

**Sustainable Manufacturing** 

