LCA results of alternative steps in EoL procedure

Open access to analysed data generated by the ReINTEGRA project (GA 886609, H2020, European Union, through Clean Sky 2 JU) along the research, at single-stringer coupon level, of the End-of-Life of novel welded Al-Li aerostructures.Research pertaining to Task 6.3 (WP6), Deliverable D6.3.

Analysed data on environmental impacts associated with recycling different scrap fractions coming from EoL welded structures made of Al-Li alloys, at coupon level.  The inventory of flows during cutting, decoating and remelting 9 references of welded coupons for closed-loop recycling of the scrap into aeronautical Al-Li alloys was used for calculating 4 LCA-based environmental indicators: GWP (Climate Change), ADP-fossil (Use of Resources, fossil), ADP-elem (Use of Resources, minerals & metals) and Toxicity (aggregated score for weighted normalised indicators of Human Toxicity Cancer & Non-Cancer + Ecotoxicity Freshwater categories).

For the closed-loop recycling 4 target Al-Li alloys are considered: AA2198, AA2196, AA2060, AA2099.

Data analysis:

-       Computing environmental impacts associated with the cutting of scrap using a handheld angle grinder.

-       Computing environmental impacts associated with the decoating of scrap using corundum blasting.

-       Computing environmental impacts associated with the chemical elements corrections (alloying) of the composition of remelted coupon scrap within each target Al-Li alloy limits.

-       Graphical comparison for R1 of total impact of closed-loop recycling following 4 different scrapping strategies 0C, 1C, 2C, 3C)

-       Graphical comparison of the recommended EoL routes for coupon R1 and coupon R11.

-       Environmental ranking of all the closed-loop recycling options proposed (3 options * 9 coupon references)

The data, analysed as part of the environmental screening of EoL alternatives in WP6 (Task 6.3), are the basis for selection of the best EOL routes in WP3 and providing ecodesign tips (DfR) to ecoTECH for welded panels manufacturing.