Connecting Impact and Quality - Prospective Life Cycle Assessment of recycling Carbon Fibre Composites
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master's Thesis
Master's Thesis
Program
Industrial ecology (MPTSE), MSc
Publicerad
2024
Författare
Gunnarsson, Erik
Kasliwal, Suvidhi
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
This thesis investigates the environmental impacts of recycling possibilities of carbon
fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP), for which the intended use is carbon fibre
tanks in fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV’s). The research, conducted in collaboration
with Volvo Group Trucks Technology, IVL Swedish Environmental Research
Institute and Chalmers, builds on a previous thesis by Weiszflog and Abbas (2022)
that aimed to explore and analyse the implementation of different hydrogen storage
systems and compare their environmental impacts.
This study focuses on identifying and evaluating potential commercial viability of
the aforementioned recycling methods for CFRP. Each method’s potential to produce
high-quality recycled carbon fibres (rCF) suitable for second-life applications
are examined through mechanical quality indicators, e.g. tensile strength, tensile
modulus, length and diameter of the recovered fibre. The different recycling systems
are later compared in a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), where the environmental impacts
are quantified and compared to one another based on the impact assessment
methods climate change, cumulative energy demand, human toxicity, and resource
use.
One of the primary goals of the thesis is to develop a framework for identifying
second-life applications for rCF based on the resulting quality indicators after exiting
the recycling processes, as well as complementing and adding onto existing
inventory data. The study also analyses an exploratory option for recycling of
CFRP, comparing the present with a potential 2030 scenario that considers different
electricity mixes and their implications for recycling technologies.
Another primary aim for this thesis is to condense the large amount of information
available on carbon fibre recycling and its resulting mechanical quality into a
table that can be used in future assessments. The thesis also aims to act as inventory
data for future work related to CFRP recycling.
The research concludes that effective recycling of CFRP can significantly reduce
the environmental impacts associated with the material’s production and disposal.
By implementing improved recycling technologies, either the same industry or neighboring
industries, such as nautical or personal vehicles, can use the rCF instead of
virgin carbon fibre (vCF), and through the usage make substantial strides towards
decarbonisation and addressing the exponentially growing demand for carbon fibres.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
Life Cycle Assessment , Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymers , Hydrogen Storage , Quality Indicators , Thermal Recycling , Mechanical Recycling , Chemical Recycling , Second-Life Applications , Mechanical Properties , Second-Life applications