Technoeconomic and life cycle assessments of electrochemical membrane technology

Abstract

This chapter explores the technoeconomic assessment (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) in the evaluation of membrane electrochemical processes. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the economic feasibility and environmental performance of these processes, highlighting key findings, implications, and future directions. The concept of membrane electrochemical processes and the need for integrated assessments was first introduced. Next, an overview of TEA and LCA was briefly provided. It further delves into examples illustrating the application of TEA and LCA in membrane electrochemical processes. Subsequently, the possible integration of TEA and LCA was discussed that included the rationale, challenges, and opportunities of integration, as well as exploration on the methodologies, benefits, and limitations of integrated assessments. The chapter ends with the conclusion that summarizes the key points. It highlights the economic viability and environmental benefits of membrane electrochemical processes, emphasizing the importance of sustainable process selection, policy implications, and technological innovation. Furthermore, it provides recommendations for enhancing data collection and sharing, harmonizing methodologies, and promoting long-term monitoring and evaluation. This chapter emphasizes the significance of integrating TEA and LCA for informed decision-making, sustainability evaluations, and the development of economically and environmentally viable membrane electrochemical processes. The findings underscore the potential of these integrated assessments to drive the transition toward more sustainable and efficient technologies, while addressing challenges and providing valuable insights for future research and development.