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LIFE CYCLE DESIGN OF A FUEL TANK SYSTEM
Citation:
Keopleian, G. LIFE CYCLE DESIGN OF A FUEL TANK SYSTEM. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-97/118 (NTIS PB98-117856), 1997.
Impact/Purpose:
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Description:
This life cycle design (LCD) project was a collaborative effort between the National Pollution Prevention Center at the University of Michigan, General Motors (GM), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The primary objective of this project was to apply life cycle design tools to guide the improvement of fuel tank systems. Two alternative fuel tank systems used in a 1996 GM vehicle line were investigated: a multi-layer high density poly-ethylene (HOPE) tank system, and a steel tank system. The design analysis included a life cycle inventory (LCI) analysis, performance analysis and preliminary life cycle cost analysis. The scope of the LCI study encompassed materials production, the manufacturing processes for each tank system, the contribution of each tank system to the use phase burdens of the vehicle, and the end-of-life management processes based on the current vehicle retirement infrastructure.