Lifecycle Assessment of a Water Distribution System Pump: Fid-Bau Portal

Lifecycle Assessment of a Water Distribution System Pump

Nault, J. / Papa, F.

This article presents a methodology that combines a process-based lifecycle assessment (LCA) with an economic input-output LCA (EIO-LCA) model to quantify the net present value (NPV) lifecycle costs (LCC), energy consumption, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with a water distribution system (WDS) pump. The methodology considers the manufacturing, use, and end-of-life (EOL) disposal lifecycle stages, as well as processes that are not typically considered, including discharge valve throttling, pump testing, deterioration, refurbishment, and variable-speed pumping. A case study is used to demonstrate the methodology, assess the implications of different operating scenarios, and determine the relative importance of different processes. Results show that a combination of refurbishment and variable-speed pumping is the most effective means of improving sustainability for the case. Analysis of the results shows similar composition profiles for energy consumption and GHG emissions with pump operation representing over 80% of each, whereas manufacturing and pump operation together represent the majority of the NPV LCC. Sensitivity analyses indicate that the planning period, reference target volume, electricity cost, and discount rate are the most influential parameters.