Title: Design and simulation-based validation of life cycle assessment and life cycle cost of an air conditioning system

Authors: Bashir Salah

Addresses: Industrial Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract: The use of air conditioning (AC) systems is widespread in Saudi Arabia. The primary energy source in this region are electric power stations running on fossil fuels, which have harmful environmental impact. A side effects of the increasing use of ACs is the emission of hydrofluorocarbons, which contribute to ozone depletion. The remanufacturing of ACs has been reported as an environmentally friendly alternative due to waste reduction and minimal use of raw materials. This study compares the energy intensities of manufacturing and remanufacturing ACs in terms of environmental and resource economics. This comparison was carried out using an environmental life cycle assessment. Furthermore, a life cycle cost (LCC) analysis was also carried out to determine the most cost-effective option in different sectors from the user's perspective. The results were validated using an uncertainty analysis technique. These findings were used to estimate the manufacturing/remanufacturing energy across multiple use cycles.

Keywords: environmental life cycle assessment; life cycle cost; LCC; payback period; PBP.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCENT.2020.110208

International Journal of Collaborative Enterprise, 2020 Vol.6 No.2, pp.87 - 104

Received: 20 Mar 2019
Accepted: 15 Aug 2019
Published online: 09 Oct 2020 *

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