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Life cycle analysis of the environmental impact of different cabinet designs

Watkins, Richard, Tassou, S. (2006) Life cycle analysis of the environmental impact of different cabinet designs. In: IUFOST - 13th World Congress of Food Science & Technology: Food is Life. . (doi:10.1051/IUFoST:20060701) (KAR id:52510)

Abstract

The design of refrigerated display cabinets greatly affects their

subsequent environmental impact. To control this impact, a designer must

primarily consider the operating efficiency of a cabinet. However, less

account is taken of the materials used to make the cabinet, nor the

construction techniques used. These both have a significant effect on the

environmental impact of different cabinets outside the use phase of their

life cycle. Initial construction impact, remanufacturability and

recyclability are all affected. Given the ubiquity of the display cabinet

in the retail sector, it is important to assess their lifetime impact in

toto. This is particularly so with the increasing implementation of the

WEEE directive in member states. Three typical refrigerated display

cabinets are examined in this paper, all offering the same function, but

manufactured with quite different constructions and materials. The mass of

materials in each cabinet was determined experimentally and the methods of

assembly examined. The stages in the life of each cabinet were then

modelled and life cycle analyses performed. To compare the efficiency of

the cabinets in terms of their environmental impact, the Eco Indicator

Points/litre of refrigerated space/day were determined in each case. When

combined with the energy performance (kWh/litre/day) this provides a good

measure of the overall environmental impact of a cabinet and a way of

choosing between different models that nominally provide the same

refrigeration function. Different end of life scenarios, and improvements

in the choice of materials, were also investigated depending on the type of

construction.

Item Type: Conference or workshop item (Paper)
DOI/Identification number: 10.1051/IUFoST:20060701
Uncontrolled keywords: refrigerated display cabinet environmental impact life cycle analysis
Subjects: Q Science
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Arts and Humanities > Kent School of Architecture and Planning
Depositing User: Richard Watkins
Date Deposited: 29 Nov 2015 14:26 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:21 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/52510 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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