Antoine Charbonneau1, Marlene Beyerle2, Cyril Leenhardt1 and Jessica Abril-Lenis1 #
1Process Solutions Americas LLC (d/b/a Applexion), 560 Peoples Plaza, Newark, 19702, USA
2Applexion SAS, 5 chemin du Pilon, 01700 Saint-Maurice de Beynost, France
The growing urgency for climate action demands rigorous scrutiny of industrial processes and their environmental impact. This study explains the principles of calculating the carbon footprint of industrial equipment, emphasizing its crucial role in identifying and mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To demonstrate the practical application of these principles, a comparative case study was selected in the context of cane sugar syrup decolorization. A critical evaluation of two established technologies, ion exchange (IEX) and granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption, was carried out through a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) approach, assessing the carbon footprint. Different areas such as material sourcing and production have been investigated. The aim was to assess the embodied energy and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the manufacture and procurement of equipment and materials. Operational phase: Quantifying the energy consumption and associated emissions during the decolorization process, considering factors like energy type, efficiency, and operational duration. End-of-life phase: Accounting for the emissions and resource recovery
potential during equipment disposal and waste management. The careful comparison of the life cycle carbon footprints of IEX and GAC technologies provides valuable insights into their environmental impact. This detailed analysis highlights potential hotspots for emissions reduction and informs sustainable decision making within the sugar processing industry. Ultimately, this case study illustrates the effectiveness of “carbon footprinting” as a tool for promoting cleaner and greener industrial practices.