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Moving towards a circular pressure vessel economy in mobility application in Sweden - How can information exchange help?

Liu, Wanying LU (2024) In IIIEE Master Thesis IMEM01 20241
The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics
Abstract
Transition to vehicles with reduced-emission fuels such as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), LNG (Liquified Natural Gas), Biogas, and Hydrogen gas is an important sustainable approach in the mobility industry. The pressure vessels that are installed as fuel containers on such vehicles are critical components in this transition. However, the Type IV Carbon-Fibre-Reinforced Plastics (CFRP) pressure vessels are made from carbon and energy-intense materials while the current End-of-Life (EoL) treatment method is incineration and landfills, which creates huge resource waste and pollution. Circular Economy (CE) is an approach to optimize resources and minimize material waste. Effective data, information, and knowledge exchange among key stakeholders... (More)
Transition to vehicles with reduced-emission fuels such as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), LNG (Liquified Natural Gas), Biogas, and Hydrogen gas is an important sustainable approach in the mobility industry. The pressure vessels that are installed as fuel containers on such vehicles are critical components in this transition. However, the Type IV Carbon-Fibre-Reinforced Plastics (CFRP) pressure vessels are made from carbon and energy-intense materials while the current End-of-Life (EoL) treatment method is incineration and landfills, which creates huge resource waste and pollution. Circular Economy (CE) is an approach to optimize resources and minimize material waste. Effective data, information, and knowledge exchange among key stakeholders in the value chain has been identified as a catalyst for advancing CE initiatives. This research explores existing circular economy strategies within the pressure vessel industry in mobility application, as well as identifies external factors influencing these strategies using the PEST framework. The research also pinpoints critical actions and information needs to understand how inter-corporation information and knowledge exchange can foster CE actions. The study involved 15 interviews with key stakeholders across the pressure vessel value chain, including pressure vessel producers, vehicle workshops, dismantlers, recyclers, and trading platforms. Complementary information was gathered through a literature review. The study discovers that the reuse and recycling actions are the current CE actions for Type I metal pressure vessels while the eco-design and potential recycling are the current CE initiatives for Type IV Carbon-Fibre-Reinforced Plastics (CFRP) pressure vessels. Barriers include stringent inspection requirements, inadequate EoL volume of pressure vessels, low acceptance and safety concerns regarding reused and recycled materials, and the technical challenges of downcycling. Opportunities include upcoming regulations such as the End-of-Life Vehicle Directive and Extended Producer Responsibility on vehicles, the high residual value of the raw material, the social pressure on utilizing recycled materials and the recycling technical innovation. The critical information includes market information about supply and demand, technology information about the lifespan, dismantling manuals, identification and quality, and regulation information regarding the inspection and dismantling regulations. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Liu, Wanying LU
supervisor
organization
course
IMEM01 20241
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Pressure vessel, Circular Economy, Information sharing, Mobility
publication/series
IIIEE Master Thesis
report number
2024.26
ISSN
1401-9191
language
English
id
9171335
date added to LUP
2024-08-09 11:50:45
date last changed
2024-08-09 11:50:45
@misc{9171335,
  abstract     = {{Transition to vehicles with reduced-emission fuels such as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), LNG (Liquified Natural Gas), Biogas, and Hydrogen gas is an important sustainable approach in the mobility industry. The pressure vessels that are installed as fuel containers on such vehicles are critical components in this transition. However, the Type IV Carbon-Fibre-Reinforced Plastics (CFRP) pressure vessels are made from carbon and energy-intense materials while the current End-of-Life (EoL) treatment method is incineration and landfills, which creates huge resource waste and pollution. Circular Economy (CE) is an approach to optimize resources and minimize material waste. Effective data, information, and knowledge exchange among key stakeholders in the value chain has been identified as a catalyst for advancing CE initiatives. This research explores existing circular economy strategies within the pressure vessel industry in mobility application, as well as identifies external factors influencing these strategies using the PEST framework. The research also pinpoints critical actions and information needs to understand how inter-corporation information and knowledge exchange can foster CE actions. The study involved 15 interviews with key stakeholders across the pressure vessel value chain, including pressure vessel producers, vehicle workshops, dismantlers, recyclers, and trading platforms. Complementary information was gathered through a literature review. The study discovers that the reuse and recycling actions are the current CE actions for Type I metal pressure vessels while the eco-design and potential recycling are the current CE initiatives for Type IV Carbon-Fibre-Reinforced Plastics (CFRP) pressure vessels. Barriers include stringent inspection requirements, inadequate EoL volume of pressure vessels, low acceptance and safety concerns regarding reused and recycled materials, and the technical challenges of downcycling. Opportunities include upcoming regulations such as the End-of-Life Vehicle Directive and Extended Producer Responsibility on vehicles, the high residual value of the raw material, the social pressure on utilizing recycled materials and the recycling technical innovation. The critical information includes market information about supply and demand, technology information about the lifespan, dismantling manuals, identification and quality, and regulation information regarding the inspection and dismantling regulations.}},
  author       = {{Liu, Wanying}},
  issn         = {{1401-9191}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{IIIEE Master Thesis}},
  title        = {{Moving towards a circular pressure vessel economy in mobility application in Sweden - How can information exchange help?}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}