Life Cycle Assessment of High-Performance Thermal Insulation Systems for Domestic Buildings

Ivo Mersiowsky, TuTech Integrated Management, Hamburg/Germany & Hermann Krhling, Solvay Management Support, Hanover/Germany

InLCA-LCM 2002 e-Conference: mersiowsky@tutech.de & hermann.kraehling@solvay.com

Sustainable Solutions for our Needs

Depending on the Climate, we spend more or less Energy on Heating (or, Cooling). The Demand of Energy can be significantly reduced by Insulating our Homes
InLCA-LCM 2002 e-Conference: mersiowsky@tutech.de & hermann.kraehling@solvay.com 2

Thermal Insulation Products

Its the System Performance that Counts What do we need Thermal Insulation of Buildings for?

Warm, Dry and Hygienic Rooms

Reduce Heating & Cooling Energy Save Money

Health and Comfort

Which are the Main Success Factors for a Thermal Insulation System?

Technical Performance Costs End Users and Workers Safety Environmental Profile

InLCA-LCM 2002 e-Conference: mersiowsky@tutech.de & hermann.kraehling@solvay.com

Foaming and Insulation Agents

High-performance Products High-performing Insulation Sprays and Boards

Rigid Polyurethane (PUR) Foams Very Low Thermal Conductivity

As Foaming and Insulation Agents, Hydrochlorofluorocarbons, e.g. HCFC-141b, were employed due to their Advantageous Properties.
BUT Montreal Protocol: HCFCs are phased out due to their Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP).

The zero-ODP Hydrofluorocarbon HFC-365mfc is Developed to Replace HCFC141b.

Excellent Insulation Performance Safe Handling, no Risks for End-users Significant Reduction of Heating/Cooling Costs BUT HFC-365mfc possesses a High Global Warming Potential (GWP)

A previous LCA for Central Europe revealed a Competitive Environmental Profile of HFC365mfc but does this apply to the Iberian Peninsula as well?
InLCA-LCM 2002 e-Conference: mersiowsky@tutech.de & hermann.kraehling@solvay.com 4

The Iberian Market

Success Factors of an LCA What we needed was a Focused Study Considering the Specific

Climatic Conditions
Construction Habits Heating/Cooling Technologies

and thus allow us to Support Product Development and Market Positioning.

Among the Crucial Success Factors of an LCA is the Selection of Partners along the Entire Product Chain who know the Market, the Customers, and their Needs.
InLCA-LCM 2002 e-Conference: mersiowsky@tutech.de & hermann.kraehling@solvay.com 5

Thermal Insulation & Climate Protection

Why we need the Systems Approach

Material
Thermal Energy Generation

Energy
HFC

CO2

Heating/Cooling

Waste

Emissions

Only when taking the Generation and Use of Thermal Energy for Heating and Cooling into consideration can we assess the Performance of a Thermal Insulation System.
InLCA-LCM 2002 e-Conference: mersiowsky@tutech.de & hermann.kraehling@solvay.com 6

Scope of the LCA Study

Life Cycle of PU Thermal Insulation Foam

Energy, Mineral Resources, Water

Obviously, the Use Phase is an Important Consideration, since that is where we spend Energy for Decades!

Components

PU Foams

Use Phase

Emissions (GWP, ODP, AP, NP, POCP)

GWP: global warming potential NP: nutrification of water and soil

Waste Management
ODP: ozone depleting potential POCP: summer smog AP: acid rain
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InLCA-LCM 2002 e-Conference: mersiowsky@tutech.de & hermann.kraehling@solvay.com

Applications of PU Insulation Foam

Variants and Parameters for LCI Calculation Foaming/Insulation Agents

Applications of Rigid PU Foam Sprays for Domestic Dwellings

HCFC-141b (Reference) Water/CO2 (non-HFC Variant) HFC-365mfc (New Product)

Parameters
Spray Thickness: 30 mm HFC Production Losses: 5% HFC Diffusion Losses: 1.2 %/a Service Life: 50 years Heating Degree Days: Varied depending on Investigated Region. Roof and Wall Scenarios were specified according to Spanish Construction Examples. Climatic Conditions were in Accordance with the Applicable Spanish Ordinance on Thermal Insulation of Buildings.

Pitched Warm Roof

Cavity Wall

InLCA-LCM 2002 e-Conference: mersiowsky@tutech.de & hermann.kraehling@solvay.com

Climatic Zones in Spain and Portugal

According to Applicable Ordinances

Major Cities were Selected Representing Climatic Zones and Important Markets. Barcelona Avila

Lisboa
Toledo

Madrid

Almeria

InLCA-LCM 2002 e-Conference: mersiowsky@tutech.de & hermann.kraehling@solvay.com

Energy Demand of a Pitched Warm Roof

Comparison of HCFC-141b, Water/CO2, HFC-365mfc

Due to better Insulation Properties of the resulting Foam, HFC-365mfc results in a lower Energy Demand compared to using Water/CO2 as a Blowing Agent. Results for AP and NP are similar. Madrid Toledo Lisboa Avila

30,000

25,000

Energy [MJ / (m2.50a)]

Thermal Energy (Cooling) Thermal Energy (Heating) Production

Barcelona

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000

0
InLCA-LCM 2002 e-Conference: mersiowsky@tutech.de & hermann.kraehling@solvay.com 10

HFC-365mfc

HCFC-141b

Almeria

Water/CO2

Global Warming for a Pitched Warm Roof

Comparison of HCFC-141b, Water/CO2, HFC-365mfc

HFC-365mfc has Advantages even regarding GWP, except in Regions with Low Demands on Thermal Insulation where the smaller Savings are compensated by Diffusion of the HFC Blowing Agent with its High Specific GWP. Avila Madrid Toledo

2,000

Diffusion

GWP100 [kg CO2 eq. / (m2.50a)]

1,800 1,600 1,400 1,200 1,000

Thermal Energy (Cooling)

Thermal Energy (Heating) Production Barcelona

Almeria
600 400 200 0

HFC-365mfc

HCFC-141b Water/CO2

800

Lisboa

InLCA-LCM 2002 e-Conference: mersiowsky@tutech.de & hermann.kraehling@solvay.com

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Sensitivity and Scenario Analyses

To Confirm the Validity of the Results, we have varied:

Thermal Conductivity
Service Life Diffusion Rate during Service Life Thickness of Spray Climatic Zones (Heating/Cooling Degree Days) Heating Systems

Incineration and even Landfilling as Waste Management Scenarios do not significantly change the Results.
The Scenario and Sensitivity Analyses Confirm the Outcome: HFC-365mfc shows a Competitive Environmental Profile. It has Advantages wherever High-Performance Thermal Insulation is Required.
InLCA-LCM 2002 e-Conference: mersiowsky@tutech.de & hermann.kraehling@solvay.com 12

Identifying Sustainable Solutions

LCA for Reliable Decisions Thermal Insulation for Domestic and Industrial Buildings
Product 1 kg HFC-365mfc
in Thermal Insulation

Assessment Approach

Only HFC Emissions considered

Greenhouse Impact
ca. 150750 kg CO2 Equivalents (Blowing Agent Loss 1585 %)

Net Greenhouse Gas Reduction

CO2 Reduction (gross) Minus: HFC Emissions

gross

Environmental Impact

1 kg HFC in PUR Thermal Insulation Saves up to 1000 kg CO2 Equivalents

compared to non-HFC variant.

HFC-blown PUR Foams Reduce Energy Demand and thus CO2 Emissions a Net Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions is achieved.

net

Relevance of Climatic Zones

Comparing USA and Europe

Barrow/Alaska Mt. Washington/New Hampshire Anchorage/Alaska Fargo/North Dakota Portland/Maine Chicago/Illinois Germany (Average) Columbus/Ohio Avila (Spain) Washington/DC Madrid (Spain) Roswell/New Mexico Toledo (Spain) Barcelona (Spain) Las Vegas/Nevada Almeria (Spain) Los Angeles/California Key West/Florida 0 2000 4000 6000

The Basic Results apply to the US as well: in Colder Regions, Greater Benefits can be gained with High-performance Thermal Insulation.

Heating Degree Days HDD

Base Temperature 18C = 65F 8000 10000 12000
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InLCA-LCM 2002 e-Conference: mersiowsky@tutech.de & hermann.kraehling@solvay.com

Conclusions

and Lessons Learnt Reduction of Energy Demand

approx. 15 % due to Lower Thermal Conductivity of HFCblown PUR Foams Equals: Every 7th year You get Heating/Cooling for Free

GWP Reduction
11% Madrid 0%

Only when we know the Environmental Profile of the whole Product System and take the Climatic Conditions of the Envisaged Market into account can we Successfully Position a Thermal Insulation System.
InLCA-LCM 2002 e-Conference: mersiowsky@tutech.de & hermann.kraehling@solvay.com 15