This paper applies the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
as an assessment tool to quantify the environmental impacts associated with electricity generation by internal
combustion engines. Steps, resources and/or supplies that have the greatest
impacts during the life cycle of electricity generation are identified to contribute
with measures of cleaner production in companies with similar power generation.
The goal of this study is to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with
the production of 1552 kWh of electricity by gas-HFO internal combustion
engines, considering a scenario that responds to use of lubricating oil, oily
water treatment, collection and transportation of sludge. The study of
additives and contaminants from lubricating oil is included, taking into
account that it is a complex task for life cycle inventory considering limitations
to get data. Arising from the use of the program SimaPro we get that the
greatest impact are the lubricating oil use and transport on respiration of
inorganic products and the use of fossil fuels. Most environmental impacts are
concentrated in the use of lubricating oil and transportation.
Cite this paper
Touset, J. H. , Leite, J. C. , Rico, I. R. , Franca, A. D. J. , Dominguez, E. , Guedes, O. D. A. , Jimenez, I. T. , Artiles, A. H. and Gil, M. P. (2014). An Approach for Life Cycle Assessment of Electricity Generation at Gas-HFO Internal Combustion Engines in a Central Station. Open Access Library Journal, 1, e765. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1100765.
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