PTQ Q4 2023 Issue

Managing life cycle assessment and life cycle thinking in refining

LCA and LCT facilitate the ability to quantitatively determine the impact on integrated environmental management benefits as demonstrated at 10 processing units

Berkem Ç, Sarp Akarsu M and Esenboğa E E Tüpraş

T he environmental impact resulting from refinery activ - ities is diverse and significant. The magnitude of these impacts depends on various factors, such as refinery complexity, technological level, processes, and implementa - tion of environmental measures. Life cycle analysis (LCA) is a critical tool for understanding environmental performance. When working on existing production processes and new projects or process changes in refineries, more sus - tainable options should be evaluated based on LCA results. This article examines life cycle management conducted at refineries, with the aim of quantitatively determining envi - ronmental impacts and introducing an innovative perspec- tive on integrated environmental management. Within this scope, all environmental impacts (acidifica - tion, global warming, natural resource consumption, impact on aquatic life, carcinogen formation) are being evaluated using the LCA method in both existing processes and planned or investment-related processes. Energy-saving measures and process improvements have been identified. Impact With the impact of the climate crisis being felt worldwide, the business world has started seeking clean technology alternatives. Simultaneously, the climate crisis has led to increased drought, more frequent environmental events, and changes in seasonal norms, resulting in increased societal

awareness of environmental issues and a greater emphasis on consciousness of natural resource consumption. Managing the environmental effects of existing products and production processes has become essential, along with evaluating the environmental dimension of all decisions made in project development and implementation pro- cesses. Evaluating the environmental dimension of product and production processes plays a critical role in ensuring environmental sustainability and efficient resource utilisa - tion. LCA is widely used as an effective tool in this evalua - tion process.1 LCA, in essence, is a method used to determine, report, and manage the environmental impact of the entire life cycle, including the acquisition of raw materials, production, transportation, consumer use, and end-of-life disposal of a product or service. Software programs have been devel - oped to facilitate LCA. 2 It is used for the following purposes: • Measuring and managing the environmental perfor- mance of products and production processes throughout various life cycle stages • Identifying significant environmental impacts at each stage of the product’s life cycle • Identifying environmental impacts and contributing hot - spots at each stage of the production process • Assisting in the decision-making process for potential improvements and investments

Life cycle thinking PEF/OEF

Life cycle assessment

Transition to a circular economy

Zero pol l ution

Preserving Europe’s natural capital

Sustainable transport

Farm to fork

The European Green Deal

The transformation of agriculture and rural areas

Achieving climate neutrality

Towards a modernised and simplied Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)

Clean, reliable and aordable energy

Financing the transition

Leave no one behind (Just transition)

Figure 1 The development of life cycle assessment in European policies over the past 30 years 3

PTQ Q4 2023