Seminar: Introduction to Industrial Ecology
SS 2024
1. Content and goal
The transformation towards carbon-neutral and circular industrial sector raises a multitude of scientific questions. In this regard, Industrial Ecology (IE) is an emerging field of study that focuses on analysing the economic and industrial systems and their interaction with the environment. The IE methods and analyses can help in identifying the causes of environmental impacts, comparing different technological options, and deriving suitable strategies. For example, Material Flow Analysis (MFA) is an important method for quantifying energy and material flows and inventories in complex industrial systems, which is why it is a crucial approach in sustainability studies. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a standard method for analysing the environmental impacts of various industrial systems and products. The Techno-Economic Assessment (TEA) can analyse and compare the technical and economic performances of novel technologies and supply chains. Also, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can integrate the spatial dimension to these methods.
Hence, the goal of this seminar is to introduce the students to various IE methods and concepts. The students will then apply these methods independently in groups on case studies from the industrial sector such as construction, steel, carbon capture and utilization/storage (CCUS) and hydrogen.
2. Participation and requirements
- Master BWL, Master WiWi, Master Wirt.-Ing., open to degree programs from other faculties (please contact us)
- Maximum number of participants: 20 (BWL, Master WiWi, Master Wi-Ing) from all specializations + 5 additional places for Erasmus students
- Language: Englisch
- Requirements: N/A
3. Organization and dates
The seminar will take place in the form of block events on selected dates (see below). The tutorials will provide an introduction to the IE topics and methods such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Material Flow Analysis (MFA), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Modelling, and Technoeconomic Analysis (TEA). Thereafter, the students will acquire the required knowledge and can apply these methods on their case studies.
Since regular participation in the tutorials are required, please check before registering whether you can attend the appointments listed below. Lecturing and supervision will be carried out by Dr. Ali Abdelshafy and other OM researchers.
| All tutorials and colloquiums take place in Kackertstr. 7 (Raum B132). | |
| Dates | Content |
|---|---|
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Kick-Off Meeting: Montag, 08.04.2024 |
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| General orientation (self-reading) (08.04 – 29.04) |
Relevant studies and publications will be available on Moodle so that students can get to know the relevant topics and methods |
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Tutorial week I: 29.04. – 02.05. 29.04 (10:30 – 12:30 Uhr) 30.04 (10:30 – 12:30 Uhr) 02.05 (10:30 – 12:30 Uhr) |
IE topics:
|
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Tutorial week II: 06.05 – 08.05.
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IE methods:
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Midterm presentation* 06.06, 10:30 – 13:00 Uhr |
Colloquium* |
| Flexible during the semester | Supervision of groups |
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Presentation of final results * 18.07, 10:30 – 13:00 |
Colloquium* |
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Deadline of final reports/theses* 26.08.2024 |
Submission of final reports/theses * |
* Part of the examination
4. Examination
At the end of the seminar, the students submit a homework in the form of thesis/report to document the project results (10 - 15 pages per group member) and present the results as part of the final colloquium in the form of a presentation (30 minutes presentation per group + 15 minutes discussion). The midterm presentation also counts as part of the examination. The homework is done in interdisciplinary groups (usually five people). The final grade is made up of homework (70%) and colloquium (midterm and final presentation) (30%).
5. Topics and introductory literature
IE topics:
Climate change, resources, sustainability, energy transition, industrial transformation, industrial processes, renewable energies, and sustainable supply chains
IE methods:
Material Flow Analysis (MFA), Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Modelling, Techno-economic analysis (TEA), and Geographical Information System (GIS)
Books:
Ayres, Robert U., Ayres, Leslie (2002). A Handbook of Industrial Ecology
Bourg, Dominique; Erkman, Suren (2003). Perspectives on Industrial Ecology
Brunner, Paul H.; Rechberger, Helmut (2016). Handbook of Material Flow Analysis: For Environmental, Resource, and Waste Engineers, Second Edition
Papers:
Abdelshafy, A., Walther, G. (2022): Exploring the effects of energy transition on the industrial value chains and alternative resources: A case study from the German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) In: Resources, Conservation and Recycling, Volume 177, Issue 105992. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2021.105992
Abdelshafy, A., Walther, G. (2022). Using dynamic-locational material flow analysis to model the development of urban stock In: Building Research & Information, Volume 51, Issue 1, Pages 5-20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2022.2142495
Radloff, R., Abdelshafy, A., Walther, G. (2023). An integrative and prospective approach to regional material flow analysis: Modelling the decarbonisation of the North-Rhine Westphalian Steel Industry In: Journal of Industrial Ecology, Volume 37, Issue 3, Pages 662-675. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.13387
Abdelshafy, A., Walther, G. (2022): Coupling carbon capture and utilization with the construction industry: opportunities in Western Germany In: Journal of CO2 Utilization, Volume 57, Issue 101866. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcou.2021.101866
Abdelshafy, A., Franzen, D., Mohaupt, A., Schüssler, J., Bührig-Polaczek, A., Walther, G. (2022). A Feasibility Study to Minimize the Carbon Footprint of Cast Iron Production while Maintaining the Technical Requirements In: Journal of Sustainable Metallurgy, Volume 9, Issue 1, Pages 249-265. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40831-022-00642-5
6. Contact persons
| Content | |
|---|---|
| Dr. Ali Abdelshafy | Ali.abdelshafy@om.rwth-aachen.de Lehrstuhl für Operations Management (Prof. Dr. Grit Walther) |
| Course registration | |
| Dr. Irina Frei | Templergraben 64, Raum 621 zuteilung@wiwi.rwth-aachen.de |
| Exam registration | |
| Dr. Sandra Silvertant | Exam coordinator Templergraben 64, Raum 622 pruefungen@wiwi.rwth-aachen.de |