ENG1011: ENGINEERING METHODS

Week 11: Sustainable Engineering

Self-study:
These worksheets continuously build on previously learned concepts in the workshops. Therefore, it is crucial that you
complete all previous worksheets before attempting the current one.

Learning outcomes:
1. Understand aspects of sustainable materials and the UN Sustainable Goals.
2. Appreciate the benefits and challenges of recycling materials.
3. Compare the environmental impact of different materials by performing a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA).
4. Identify stages in the LCA that contribute most to energy use and carbon emission.
Background:
This workshop will cover the importance of embedding sustainable practices in engineering. An important aspect of
sustainability is the use of materials which involves aspects of mining from the earth, processing, utilisation and its
end of life potential. Criteria of classifying some materials as critical will be covered. The benefits and challenges of
recycling different materials will also be covered. Finally, you will undertake a proxy Life Cycle Analysis using Granta
Edupack EcoAudit tool.

Primary workshops involved:

• Workshop 5&6: Mechanical properties of materials

Key points:
1. A LCA using the Granta Edupack considers energy and CO2 emissions for i) materials ii) manufacture iii) use
and iv) end of life potential.
2. Some materials are considered critical to a nation’s development.
3. Socio-political factors can play a significant impact on material supply chains.
4. Recycling metals is well established and reduces environmental impact.
5. Recycling polymers remains a challenge.
Workshop questions
WORKSHOP QUESTION 1

Break out into groups of up to 6 people. Your group will then be assigned one of the following UN
Sustainable Development Goals. Discuss how existing and possible future materials (you can be
imaginative!) could be used to address your sustainable goal. Each group will be required to report their
findings to the rest of the workshop.
WORKSHOP QUESTION 2

Using Granta Edupack Level 2 Sustainability, fill out the table below. Note that metals contain alloying elements
which are used to increase the yield strength and or reduce corrosion.

Material Atomic Price Aus Embodied CO2 Footprint Example Critical Material?*
Composition (%). $/kg Energy. Primary application Yes/No
(Highlight any Primary kg/kg
element MJ/kg
considered a
critical mineral)
Cast Iron
Ductile

Low Carbon
Steel

Stainless
Steel

* Defined as being composed of greater than 5% of a critical mineral.

i) Comment on the concentration of alloying elements in stainless steel compared to the other ferrous materials.

ii) Highlight the critical material and discuss why it has this classification.

iii) Discuss the environmental impact by considering the primary processing of each of the materials. Why might it be
important to also look at serviceability of the materials during the lifetime of the material?
WORKSHOP QUESTION 3

The following shows the 46 elements required to manufacture an iPhone. In the Table below, list 5 critical minerals,
the country that produces most of this mineral (note that there are more than 5 critical minerals) and geopolitical
sourcing level.

https://www.samaterials.com/content/how-much-gold-can-an-iphone-refine.html

Critical Mineral Where is the mineral used in Major producer of critical mineral? (country)
the iPhone/application? Geopolitical sourcing level?

Si chip Si-chip
Semiconductor*
* Si is a critical mineral by the EU (not US) however I have listed it here due to possible supply chain disruptions.
WORKSHOP QUESTION 4

As an engineer, name 3 design considerations that will promote recycling of a component made from different metal
alloys and polymers.

WORKSHOP QUESTION 5
Due to single use plastic bags making its way into our rivers and oceans, many governments have banned their sale by
supermarkets in favour of re-useable plastic bags. This is an important step but there are other environmental
considerations.

Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)

with a plastic bag, Moore Reef,
https://www.woolworths.c
Great Barrier Reef. Photo: Troy
om.au/shop/productdetails
Mayne, WWF Australia.
/675287/woolworths-bag-
for-good-reusable-
shopping-bag

Run an Eco Audit Granta Edupack Level 2 for a HDPE single use plastic bag (3 g of HDPE, blow film extruded, assume
100 km to transport to the supermarket using a 32-tonne truck, no recycled content and is not recycled EoL) and
compare with a reuseable polypropylene bag (100 of PP with base, extruded fibre, assume 100 km to transport to the
supermarket using a 32-tonne truck, no recycled content and is not recycled EoL).

How many times does the reusable bag need to be reused to get an equivalent carbon footprint compared to using
multiple single use bags?

WORKSHOP QUESTION 6
Tabulate a bill of materials for your Truss Design Project. In your table include the price/kg and CO2 footprint and
Embodied Energy. Discuss options of creating a truss with a lower environmental impact and weigh this up with the
cost of the build.
Practice questions
Please note: these practice questions are optional. It is however strongly recommended as a means to assist students
in strengthening their learning and understanding of the content. They have no assessment value and are to be done
in students’ own time.

Solutions are available through the unit Moodle site and further assistance can be gained by attending the weekly help
desk, or seeking help in the practical classes when time allows.

PRACTICE QUESTION 1
The amount of lithium in Electric Vehicles (EV) vary, but let’s say they it contains roughly 15 kg. Do a bit of research
and find out how many EVs are manufactured each year globally, and the amount of Li required for the battery
manufacture. Compare this value to the current annual production of Li.

Now let’s assume that ALL new vehicles (i.e. including combustion engine vehicles) are to be become EVs. Calculate
the annual Li demand and compare it to the world reserves.