Details der Masterarbeit

Background
The transformation of the plastics processing industry into a sustainable circular economy requires innovative recycling methods Plastic pyrolysis plays a key role in this transition, as it enables the recycling of plastic waste that cannot be processed through mechanical methods
In the current sustainability discussion, the focus often lies on the climate change impact of newly developed processes However, a holistic approach is essential to avoid burden shifting e g reducing greenhouse gas emissions at the expense of other environmental impacts, such as the release of harmful substances A comprehensive analysis is therefore necessary to ensure that new processes genuinely contribute to an
improved environmental performance
Thesis Content
Life Cycle Assessment ( is a well established method for evaluating the
environmental impacts of a process across its entire lifecycle It links emissions arising directly from the process as well as from upstream and downstream activities with environmental effects such as climate change or the acidification of soil and water.
The objective of this master’s thesis is to develop a concept for conducting a full LCA of a plastic pyrolysis plant
1. Identification of relevant process streams within the pyrolysis plant
2. Selection of impact categories to be considered in the LCA
3. Evaluation and selection of key substances that significantly influence
environmental impacts
4. Screening of measurement methods for detecting the identified substances
5. Development of a measurement plan for data collection to conduct a complete LCA
6. Preliminary assessment of environmental impacts based on a distribution analysis for the identified relevant process emissions
What we offer: Continuous and close supervision and the opportunity to work at the interface of process development, process modeling, and process evaluation
Your profile: Enrolled in Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, or a related field independent, structured work style optional experiencein Life Cycle Assessment
Start Date: January 2025 or later
Supervisors: PD Dr.-Ing. Rebekka Volk (IIP), Prof. Dr.- Ing. Dieter Stapf (ITC)