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(T/MC261) Life Cycle Assessment comparative between Bleaching of Pulp Paper by ECF and TCF method. Barreiro, Carmen MĒ1, Feijoo, Gumersindo2, Fullana, Pere1, 1 2 ABSTRACT- The University of Santiago de Compostela and the environmental consultancy Randa Group, performed a LCA about paper industry because this is considering a big polluting industry due to the use of CL2 in the bleaching stage. Recently Cl2 was replaced by other bleaching agents and now there are two methods Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) and Total Chlorine Free (TCF). But which is the best (environmental) technology from the point of view of the LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) methodology?. We worked together with the Environmental Departure of ENCE Celulosas which supplied the input-output data used in the study. In the TCF method, the inputs of energy, water and raw materials are more high that in the ECF method. And the TCF outputs include dioxines, coming from the chlorine (like ClO2) use in the process. It was followed the general principles of the norm ISO 14040:1997 and the Spanish norms UNE-EN ISO 14040:1998 Gestion Medioambiental. Analisis del Ciclo de Vida. Principios y Estructura y UNE 150041:1998 Analisis del Ciclo de Vida Simplificado. Seven Environmental Categories were evaluated: Eutrophication, Acidification, Ozone Layer Depletion, human toxicity, Global Warning Potential, Ecotoxicity and Human Toxicity. And three indicators of flux: water, energy and wastes After applying this methodology to both process, it was concluded that TCF method was more impressive in four environmental categories (AP, GWP, HT, Ecotx.), and ECF in the other three. Nowadays more ecologists groups are not agree with this conclusion. The question now is if they only look the direct impacts (dioxines in water, in the method ECF) and forget the rest of the process (high inputs the energy, raw materials and water in TCF method) or if our dates are not all the trustworthy it that would have. Key words: LCA, ECF , TCF, Bleaching |
