Engineering aspects of circular economy

Introduction : Broad overview of circular economy (problems of linear economy, schools of thoughts of CE - Industrial ecology, industrial symbiosis, the butterfly diagram, performance economy, functional and social economy). The course consists of separate modules for the key concepts of CE - Recycling, repair and remanufacturing with specific case studies (business models, product examples) for each of them with an integrated life cycle approach. Specific modules will be dedicated to a broad overview of ecodesign and its implementation. Subject areas: LCA methods - Material selection techniques - Design for environment/recycling - Eco indicator. The last few modules will provide information about life cycle costing and policies and legislation relevant to circular economy/eco-design.

The objective of the course is that the students gain insights into a holistic life cycle thinking/approach in the context of designing products/materials. By the end of this course, students should be able to critically and quantitatively evaluate processes that are integral to circular economy - recycling, reuse, repair and remanufacture. Finally, students should be able to incorporate environmental aspects while designing/conceiving/creating processes in their own domains of interest with the aid of quantitative/measurable life cycle tools, indicators and guidelines.

Lectures - Guest lectures from experts in Industry/ Academia.

References, bibliography, and recommended reading

References (articles, book chapters) will be provided at the end of every lecture.

Course notes

• Syllabus
• Université virtuelle
• Podcast

Contacts

Prakash Venkatesan - prakash.venkatesan@ulb.be

Campus

Solbosch

Method(s) of evaluation

• Oral presentation
• Other
• Written report

Oral presentation

Other

Written report

Student(s) will either individually or collaboratively design a project/process in one of the branches of CE. They will be required to present/defend their project with an oral presentation and as a written report.

You will be required to give a mid-point presentation of your project and will receive detailed feedback from the course instructor and also your peers which can aid in improving your project further for the final presentation.

Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)

50% oral presentation + 50% written report

Language(s) of evaluation

• english