Thermodynamics Based Sustainability Concept

Abstract

The main objective is to minimize the influence of subjective arguments in the determination of an indicator for sustainability. Current methods are often based on the results of an environmental oriented Life Cycle Assessment. By using the laws of thermodynamics it is possible to calculate the amount of the apparent non-renewable exergy necessary for the life cycle of a certain product or process. The new concept is mainly based on dividing the exergetic cost of a flow into a renewable exergetic cost flow and a non-renewable exergetic cost flow, resulting in a so-called rate of sustainability.

•  This paper was presented at the ECOS'00 Conference in Enschede, July 5-7, 2000

Keywords

• exergy, sustainability, exergetic cost, eco-efficiency