Sergi Arfelis
@sergiarfelis.bsky.social
Ph.D., LCA Project Manager at Ravago | Associated Researcher at the UNESCO Chair in Life Cycle and Climate Change ESCI-UPF.
I seek to participate in projects that bridge technology, engineering and science with social development and ecological transition
I seek to participate in projects that bridge technology, engineering and science with social development and ecological transition
20/20 Before concluding, I must express my gratitude to UNESCO Chair in Life Cycle and Climate Change for their support throughout my thesis development. Their kindness, both personally and professionally, and their excellent advice were invaluable. Thank you!
February 10, 2025 at 10:48 AM
20/20 Before concluding, I must express my gratitude to UNESCO Chair in Life Cycle and Climate Change for their support throughout my thesis development. Their kindness, both personally and professionally, and their excellent advice were invaluable. Thank you!
19/20 One of the most enriching experiences was my stay at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, in the group led by Roberto Canales, where I had the opportunity to integrate knowledge of simulation and modeling of chemical processes into my LCA studies.
February 10, 2025 at 10:48 AM
19/20 One of the most enriching experiences was my stay at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, in the group led by Roberto Canales, where I had the opportunity to integrate knowledge of simulation and modeling of chemical processes into my LCA studies.
18/20 During this time, I had enriching experiences, including traveling to different conferences, presenting posters, and even attending COP27 as an observer!
February 10, 2025 at 10:48 AM
18/20 During this time, I had enriching experiences, including traveling to different conferences, presenting posters, and even attending COP27 as an observer!
17/20 Moreover, while conventional processes require steam (traditionally produced from propane or naphtha) to reach high temperatures, mechanochemical reactors are electric, which generally results in a lower environmental footprint.
February 10, 2025 at 10:48 AM
17/20 Moreover, while conventional processes require steam (traditionally produced from propane or naphtha) to reach high temperatures, mechanochemical reactors are electric, which generally results in a lower environmental footprint.
16/20 The advantages of mechanochemistry and wet milling using WAB Group technology, in addition to those previously mentioned, include continuous operation, greater scalability, and improved process functionality.
February 10, 2025 at 10:48 AM
16/20 The advantages of mechanochemistry and wet milling using WAB Group technology, in addition to those previously mentioned, include continuous operation, greater scalability, and improved process functionality.
15/20 Across various publications, mechanochemical processes are often found to be preferable over solvothermal processes—both economically and environmentally.
February 10, 2025 at 10:48 AM
15/20 Across various publications, mechanochemical processes are often found to be preferable over solvothermal processes—both economically and environmentally.
14/20 Comparison of life cycle assessment for nicotine extraction from tobacco leaves, considering processes and experimental conditions at the laboratory scale.
February 10, 2025 at 10:48 AM
14/20 Comparison of life cycle assessment for nicotine extraction from tobacco leaves, considering processes and experimental conditions at the laboratory scale.
13/20 Sustainability of cellulose micro/nanofibers: A comparative life cycle assessment of different production technologies www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Sustainability of cellulose micro-/nanofibers: A comparative life cycle assessment of pathway technologies
Cellulose micro- and nanofibers (CNFs) are commonly regarded as “greener” than petro-based materials. The high energy input that their production stil…
www.sciencedirect.com
February 10, 2025 at 10:48 AM
13/20 Sustainability of cellulose micro/nanofibers: A comparative life cycle assessment of different production technologies www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
12/20 Separation of wood chip components using a new mechanochemical process compared to chemical depolymerization: A technical, economic, and environmental comparison pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
Wood Chips Components Separation with a New Wet-Milling Process Compared to Chemical Depolymerization: A Technical, Economic, and Environmental Comparison
This article evaluates two processes, wet milling and chemical depolymerization, for the end-of-life of wood waste in terms of environmental performance (ex ante life cycle assessment), energy balance...
pubs.acs.org
February 10, 2025 at 10:48 AM
12/20 Separation of wood chip components using a new mechanochemical process compared to chemical depolymerization: A technical, economic, and environmental comparison pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
11/20 One study focused on the sustainability assessment of the production of bio-based polymers, which are considered alternatives to conventional fossil-based plastics. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Life cycle assessment on calcium zincate production methods for rechargeable batteries
The world's energy transition from fossil to renewable energy is unthinkable without further research in energy storage. Decreasing the environmental …
www.sciencedirect.com
February 10, 2025 at 10:48 AM
11/20 One study focused on the sustainability assessment of the production of bio-based polymers, which are considered alternatives to conventional fossil-based plastics. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
10/20 The following articles cover LCA studies of different production processes based on chemical and mechanochemical reactions.
February 10, 2025 at 10:48 AM
10/20 The following articles cover LCA studies of different production processes based on chemical and mechanochemical reactions.
9/20 Other sensitivity analyses, such as recalculating impacts after changing the current energy mix to those projected for 2030-2050 under the European Green Deal, can help visualize the evolution of process impacts 📈.
February 10, 2025 at 10:48 AM
9/20 Other sensitivity analyses, such as recalculating impacts after changing the current energy mix to those projected for 2030-2050 under the European Green Deal, can help visualize the evolution of process impacts 📈.
8/20 Environmental impacts are typically calculated by summing:
Input material flows
Treatment of output flows
Energy used for heating and cooling
Energy used for stirring, pumping, grinding…
Input material flows
Treatment of output flows
Energy used for heating and cooling
Energy used for stirring, pumping, grinding…
February 10, 2025 at 10:48 AM
8/20 Environmental impacts are typically calculated by summing:
Input material flows
Treatment of output flows
Energy used for heating and cooling
Energy used for stirring, pumping, grinding…
Input material flows
Treatment of output flows
Energy used for heating and cooling
Energy used for stirring, pumping, grinding…
7/20 The main obstacle in scaling up a chemical process from the laboratory is the lack of data. Possible solutions include:
💻 Process simulation software
📊 Thermodynamic and kinetic calculations
🧑🔬 Retrosynthetic analysis of the reaction
💻 Process simulation software
📊 Thermodynamic and kinetic calculations
🧑🔬 Retrosynthetic analysis of the reaction
February 10, 2025 at 10:48 AM
7/20 The main obstacle in scaling up a chemical process from the laboratory is the lack of data. Possible solutions include:
💻 Process simulation software
📊 Thermodynamic and kinetic calculations
🧑🔬 Retrosynthetic analysis of the reaction
💻 Process simulation software
📊 Thermodynamic and kinetic calculations
🧑🔬 Retrosynthetic analysis of the reaction
6/20 The final product's properties can affect its consumption during the use phase, and these must be considered. For example, if a bag has a lower environmental impact but breaks more easily… I might end up using more bags and polluting more.
a stuffed monkey is laying on its back with the words " acting surprised " above it
ALT: a stuffed monkey is laying on its back with the words " acting surprised " above it
media.tenor.com
February 10, 2025 at 10:48 AM
6/20 The final product's properties can affect its consumption during the use phase, and these must be considered. For example, if a bag has a lower environmental impact but breaks more easily… I might end up using more bags and polluting more.
5/20 The choice of raw materials is usually the main source of impact in a chemical process. Additionally, mass and energy balances, as well as the type of energy supplied to power the process, are of great importance as part of the life cycle inventory.
cookie monster is sitting at a table with a tray of food and the words choices written on it
ALT: cookie monster is sitting at a table with a tray of food and the words choices written on it
media.tenor.com
February 10, 2025 at 10:48 AM
5/20 The choice of raw materials is usually the main source of impact in a chemical process. Additionally, mass and energy balances, as well as the type of energy supplied to power the process, are of great importance as part of the life cycle inventory.
4/20 We started with a review of the existing literature, leading to two publications:
LCA as a tool to evaluate chemical processes on an industrial scale (pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...)
The connection between mechanochemistry and green chemistry principles (www.cell.com/heliyon/pdf/...
LCA as a tool to evaluate chemical processes on an industrial scale (pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...)
The connection between mechanochemistry and green chemistry principles (www.cell.com/heliyon/pdf/...
February 10, 2025 at 10:48 AM
4/20 We started with a review of the existing literature, leading to two publications:
LCA as a tool to evaluate chemical processes on an industrial scale (pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...)
The connection between mechanochemistry and green chemistry principles (www.cell.com/heliyon/pdf/...
LCA as a tool to evaluate chemical processes on an industrial scale (pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...)
The connection between mechanochemistry and green chemistry principles (www.cell.com/heliyon/pdf/...
3/20 The thesis includes the study of alternative processes within the framework of green chemistry, which allow for milder operating conditions and a reduction in solvent use, among other advantages.
February 10, 2025 at 10:48 AM
3/20 The thesis includes the study of alternative processes within the framework of green chemistry, which allow for milder operating conditions and a reduction in solvent use, among other advantages.
2/20 The thesis involves a collaboration between Deasyl (deasyl.com) and the UNESCO Chair in Life Cycle and Climate Change. Other institutions such as the University from Girona, Málaga, WAB-GROUP, and EasyIZinc also participated.
February 10, 2025 at 10:48 AM
2/20 The thesis involves a collaboration between Deasyl (deasyl.com) and the UNESCO Chair in Life Cycle and Climate Change. Other institutions such as the University from Girona, Málaga, WAB-GROUP, and EasyIZinc also participated.