2024
Authors
Pinto, SM; Gouveia, JR; Sousa, M; Rodrigues, B; Oliveira, J; Pinto, C; Baptista, AJ;
Publication
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
Abstract
Coffee capsules have gained high levels of popularity in the last decades due to their convenience of use, flavour choices, and consistent extraction quality. As governmental bodies are promoting more circular solutions for packaging products, concerns have been raised regarding the environmental impacts of single-use coffee capsules, namely their end-of-life treatment and effective recyclability. This paper presents a novel design based on thin steel sheet material application for new packaging solutions that can support a more circular economy. To validate this new design, a framework was presented for a cross-assessment of Life Cycle Assessment with Circularity Analysis to compare the new tinplate capsule with conventional polypropylene and aluminium capsules. The novel design is more circular (0.97 in the material circularity indicator), in comparison with the polypropylene (0.1) and aluminium (0.80) conventional capsules, due to the ferromagnetic properties that allow for better effectiveness during sorting in urban packaging recycling facilities. As for the environmental assessment, the tinplate has higher environmental impacts than the aluminium and the polypropylene capsules (more 63 % and more 92 %, respectively) due to the high energy intensity processes required to produce this material. These results demonstrate that the novel tinplate capsule should complement the strong results in circularity with further improvements in its environmental performance, namely by the transition of the steel industry to the upcoming generation of decarbonized steel production.
2024
Authors
Lopes, R; Pinto, SM; Parente, MPL; Moreira, PMGP; Baptista, AJ;
Publication
JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING DESIGN
Abstract
The transportation industry focuses on reducing vehicle weight for fuel economy and emissions. This emphasis promotes the use of coaches, which raises concerns about passenger safety in frontal collisions. The proposal is to correlate the crashworthiness of coaches with the replacement of fibreglass composite materials by a state-of-the-art polymer (DCPD). Based on the ECE R29 standard, FEM models solved by Pamcrash (R) assess the vehicle's crashworthiness. Cross-referencing these results with the Eco-Design X technique, two models are evaluated in terms of environmental impact. The LeanDfX methodology involves multiple analyses for design domains, including model optimisation, manufacturing processes, and eco-design. On a performance scale of 0% to 100%, different 'X' domains are evaluated. The Eco-Design study allowed the assessing the environmental impacts of the proposed solution compared to the original models, is conducted using Simapro v9.2.0.2 and the ReCiPe 2016 methodology. The novel design proposed modifications to the models resulted in significant structural behaviour improvements for driver's physical integrity. The cross results of Design-for-Crashworthiness and Design-for-Eco-Design using the innovative LeanDfX framework provide a new perspective to be integrated into the automotive industry. The use of DCPD is expected to lead to a more crashworthy and environmentally friendly design, while ensuring passenger safety.
2024
Authors
Pecas, P; Lopes, J; Jorge, D; Sahul, AK; Baptista, AJ; Leiter, M;
Publication
ADVANCES IN PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS-PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR VOLATILE, UNCERTAIN, COMPLEX, AND AMBIGUOUS ENVIRONMENTS, APMS 2024, PT III
Abstract
Lean and green (L&G) manufacturing in Industry 4.0 (I4.0) has brought many advantages in manufacturing industries by minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency with integration of renewable energy sources and sustainable materials. Multi-layer Stream Mapping (MSM) is a new framework for the performance assessment of complex manufacturing processes. MSM is used for multi-domain analysis of manufacturing processes to assess resources, and processes, that are used to identify Non-ValueAdded (NVA) procedures or steps that consume unnecessary time and resources, and/or release emissions and waste that can no longer be reused or recycled to be eliminated or replaced to create a Value Added (VA) process flow that avoids waste in a clean, green and environmental friendly manner. This paper presents the implementation of the L&G strategy through MSM in metal working production systems. In metalworking production systems, the variables of operational performance and resources consumption considered are process time, number of operators, consumables, raw material, and energy. These can be suitably used for reduction in water emissions, gas emissions, solid waste and scrap generated in metalworking production systems.
2023
Authors
Lopes, C; Rodrigues, AM; Ozturk, E; Ferreira, JS; Nunes, AC; Rocha, P; Oliveira, CT;
Publication
Operational Research
Abstract
2023
Authors
Lopes, C; Rodrigues, AM; Ozturk, E; Ferreira, JS; Nunes, AC; Rocha, P; Oliveira, CT;
Publication
OPERATIONAL RESEARCH, IO 2022-OR
Abstract
Sectorization problems, also known as districting or territory design, deal with grouping a set of previously defined basic units, such as points or small geographical areas, into a fixed number of sectors or responsibility areas. Usually, there are multiple criteria to be satisfied regarding the geographic characteristics of the territory or the planning purposes. This work addresses a case study of parcel delivery services in the region of Porto, Portugal. Using knowledge about the daily demand in each basic unit (7-digit postal code), the authors analysed data and used it to simulate dynamically new daily demands according to the relative frequency of service in each basic unit and the statistical distribution of the number of parcels to be delivered in each basic unit. The sectorization of the postal codes is solved independently considering two objectives (equilibrium and compactness) using Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II (NSGA-II) implemented in Python.
2023
Authors
Ferreira, JS;
Publication
International Journal of Operational Research
Abstract
Martial arts (MAs) are a global training system that goes far beyond physical preparation and self-defence. They have been known for a long time, and their wisdom and impact are impressive. The paper illustrates matters about MAs which are relevant to decision making (DM). The recognition of the limitations of the sole dependence on physical ability (hard approaches) is a breakthrough in MAs. The pillars of body and technique are not enough to reach a global vision and overcome severe problems. MAs are committed to mastering faculties linked to intuition, emotions, and thought-free operations, signifying the pillar mind. These revelations have insightful implications for DM and the promptness in approaching the growing complexity of decision problems. Special attention is devoted to the mind, representing a soft paradigm, emphasising the human dimension, integrating intuition and complying with ethics. Finally, the paper delineates a MAs way to improve DM as science and art. © 2023 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.. All rights reserved.
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