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Update Material Production Modules in the GREET 2 Model

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Background/Objective:

The Systems Assessment Group of Center for Transportation Research at Argonne National Laboratory is in the process of upgrading its GREET 2 model for vehicle cycle analysis to provide energy and emissions outputs of vehicle production reflecting the most recent materials data available. Because of continuing efficiency improvements within the materials industry, updating material production data must be done every decade or so. Due to their frequent use for transportation applications, the materials modules of most importance, at this time, are those for steel, aluminum, copper, nickel, polyethylene, polypropylene, thermoplastic elastomer, polyvinylchloride, polystyrene, and polyurethanes. Though copper use is comparatively small on conventional vehicles, the amount employed on future vehicles is expected to increase significantly due to the deployment of more electrified vehicle offerings by the OEMs.

Like the existing GREET 2 version (GREET 2.7 model), the life cycle inventory (LCI) information (fuels, emissions) regarding energy and emissions of producing these above materials being sought should represent materials in the purchased ready state, e.g. kgs of polyethylene pellets, tonnes of coiled galvanized steel, tonnes of aluminum ingots, etc. Where available, data are also desired on transformation processes such as stamping, drawing, extruding, and casting for metal, and injection and compression molding, calendaring, and extruding polymers, and others.

The School of Natural Resource of University of Michigan is to review existing life cycle data, update it via industry contacts, and submit finished modules to project lead at Argonne National Laboratory. The following is required:

Tasks

Task 1:  Develop updated LCI material production data from both primary and secondary flows for materials listed above:

                     i.      For virgin flows, this starts from earth (e.g. mining), on to beneficiation, and refining

                   ii.      For secondary, this includes recovered material resource and refining. Recycling credits are not to be applied.

Sponsor(s)
Argonne National Laboratories
Research Areas
Framework, Methods & Tools
Materials
Urban Systems and Built Environment