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	Author	Rafiaani, P.; Kuppens, T.; Thomassen, G.; Van Dael, M.; Azadi, H.; Lebailly, P.; Van Passel, S.
	Title	A critical view on social performance assessment at company level : social life cycle analysis of an algae case			Type	A1 Journal article
	Year	2020	Publication	International Journal Of Life Cycle Assessment	Abbreviated Journal	Int J Life Cycle Ass
	Volume		Issue		Pages
	Keywords	A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)
	Abstract	Purpose Social indicators are not easy to be quantitatively analyzed, although at the local scale, the social impacts might be relevant and important. Using the existing approaches for both quantitative and semi-qualitative measurements, this study aims to assess the social impacts of a company working on algae production systems in Belgium through social life cycle analysis (SLCA). By highlighting the opportunities and challenges on the way of applying the existing SLCA approaches at company level, the objective of this study is to contribute to the development of a suitable and clear SLCA approach when a company is considered as the unit of analysis. Methods Based on the list of potential social impact categories suggested by the United Nations Environment Program/Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (UNEP/SETAC) guidelines (2009) for SLCA, three stakeholder groups (workers, consumers, and local community) and three subcategories associated with each stakeholder group were identified as the most relevant for carbon capture and utilization technologies. Company and sector level data were collected using existing documents and reports, and the data were analyzed and scored using a combined quantitative and semi-quantitative approach to develop a social assessment model for the case study. Results and discussion The company appears to perform well for all the evaluated social indicators except the one related to the subcategory “equal opportunity/discrimination for workers” for which the share of women employed is lower compared with the sector-level data. The results of our assessment were further discussed regarding the challenges and limitations of performing SLCA at the company level. Based on our experience, the validity of the outcomes is significantly influenced by the data availability, the generality of the indicators introduced within the UNEP/SETAC guidelines, and the subjectivity in data collection for the semi-quantitative assessment among others. Conclusions By highlighting the difficulties and challenges of applying the SLCA at the company level, our study provides a starting point for improving the quantitative assessment and monitoring social implications at the company level within a regional foreground in Europe.
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos	000492643600001	Publication Date	2019-10-26
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title
	Series Volume		Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN	0948-3349; 1614-7502	ISBN		Additional Links	UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
	Impact Factor	4.8	Times cited	1	Open Access
	Notes	; ;			Approved	Most recent IF: 4.8; 2020 IF: 3.173
	Call Number	UA @ admin @ c:irua:164676			Serial	6141
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	Author	Rafiaani, P.; Dikopoulou, Z.; Van Dael, M.; Kuppens, T.; Azadi, H.; Lebailly, P.; Van Passel, S.
	Title	Identifying Social Indicators for Sustainability Assessment of CCU Technologies: A Modified Multi-criteria Decision Making			Type	A1 Journal Article
	Year	2020	Publication	Social Indicators Research	Abbreviated Journal	Soc Indic Res
	Volume	147	Issue	1	Pages	15-44
	Keywords	A1 Journal Article; Engineering Management (ENM) ;
	Abstract	Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies capture CO2 waste emissions and utilize them to generate new products (such as fuels, chemicals, and materials) with various environmental, economic, and social opportunities. As most of these CCU technologies are in the R&D stage, their technical and economic viability are examined with less attention to the social aspect which is an important pillar for a holistic sustainability assessment. The lack of systematic social impact research is mainly due to the difficulty of identifying and quantifying social aspects through the entire life cycle of products. We will fill this gap for CCU technologies and identify the main social indicators. A multi-criteria decision making tool: TOPSIS (technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution) was applied to empirically determine which indicators are more relevant for assessing the social impact of a company operating CCU activities within a European context. First, seeing that social impact categories are linked to key stakeholder groups, we considered workers, consumers, and local communities as relevant stakeholders. Second, the main social impact categories and their potential performance indicators associated to each group of stakeholders were listed using the United Nations Environment Program/Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (UNEP/SETAC) guidelines. In the third step, an online questionnaire was distributed to identify the main social categories and indicators for CCU, to which 33 European CCU experts responded. Finally, a modified TOPSIS was applied to rank the indicators based on their relevance. We found that the indicators related to “end of life responsibility” and “transparency” within a CCU company achieved the highest rank affecting the consumers group, whereas “fair salary” and “equal opportunities/discriminations” were determined as the most relevant impact categories for the workers. For the local community group, “secure living conditions” and “local employment” received the highest priority from the experts’ point of view. Furthermore, “health and safety” considerations were identified as one of the most important criteria affecting all three groups of stakeholders. The ranking list of the main social indicators identified in our study provides the basis for the next steps in the social sustainability assessment of CCU technologies; that is, data collection and impact assessment. Our outcomes can also be used to inform the producers regarding the most and least relevant social aspects of CCU so that the potential social impacts caused by their production activities can be improved or prevented.
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos	000511863600002	Publication Date	2019-07-06
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title
	Series Volume		Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN	0303-8300	ISBN		Additional Links	UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
	Impact Factor	1.743	Times cited		Open Access
	Notes	We would also like to thank James Morrison from the JamesEdits agency for proof reading and editing the article.			Approved	Most recent IF: NA
	Call Number	ENM @ enm @c:irua:166591			Serial	6354
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	Author	Kuppens, T.; Rafiaani, P.; Vanreppelen, K.; Yperman, J.; Carleer, R.; Schreurs, S.; Thewys, T.; Van Passel, S.
	Title	Combining Monte Carlo simulations and experimental design for incorporating risk and uncertainty in investment decisions for cleantech : a fast pyrolysis case study			Type	A1 Journal article
	Year	2018	Publication	Clean Technologies And Environmental Policy	Abbreviated Journal	Clean Technol Envir
	Volume	20	Issue	6	Pages	1195-1206
	Keywords	A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)
	Abstract	The value of phytoextracting crops (plants cultivated for soil remediation) depends on the profitability of the sequential investment in a conversion technology aimed at the economic valorization of the plants. However, the net present value (NPV) of an investment in such an innovative technology is risky due to technical and economic uncertainties. Therefore, decision makers want to dispose of information about the probability of a positive NPV, the largest possible loss, and the crucial economic and technical parameters influencing the NPV. This paper maps the total uncertainty in the NPV of an investment in fast pyrolysis for the production of combined heat and power from willow cultivated for phytoextraction in the Belgian Campine. The probability of a positive NPV has been calculated by performing Monte Carlo simulations. Information about possible losses has been provided by means of experimental design. Both methods are then combined in order to identify the key economic and technical parameters influencing the project's profitability. It appears that the case study has a chance of 87% of generating a positive NPV with an expected value of 3 million euro (MEUR), while worst-case scenarios predict possible losses of 7 MEUR. The amount of arable land, the biomass yield, the purchase price of the crop, the policy support, and the product yield of fast pyrolysis are identified as the most influential parameters. It is concluded that both methods, i.e., Monte Carlo simulations and experimental design, provide decision makers with complementary information with regard to economic risk.
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos	000439453500007	Publication Date	2018-05-25
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title
	Series Volume		Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN	1618-954x	ISBN		Additional Links	UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
	Impact Factor	3.331	Times cited	5	Open Access
	Notes	; ;			Approved	Most recent IF: 3.331
	Call Number	UA @ admin @ c:irua:152385			Serial	6169
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	Author	Rafiaani, P.; Kuppens, T.; Van Dael, M.; Azadi, H.; Lebailly, P.; Van Passel, S.
	Title	Social sustainability assessments in the biobased economy : towards a systemic approach			Type	A1 Journal article
	Year	2018	Publication	Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews	Abbreviated Journal	Renew Sust Energ Rev
	Volume	82	Issue	2	Pages	1839-1853
	Keywords	A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)
	Abstract	The majority of impact assessments for the biobased economy are primarily focused on the environmental and (techno-)economic aspects, while social aspects are rarely considered. This study proposes a modified systemic approach for a social sustainability impact assessment of the biobased economy, based on a review on the common methodologies for assessing social impacts. Accordingly, the proposed approach follows the four general iterative steps of social life cycle analysis (SLCA) as it considers all life cycle phases of the biobased economy. The systemic approach considers the potential social impacts on local communities, workers, and consumers as the main three groups of the stakeholders. The review showed that the most common social indicators for inventory analysis within the biobased economy include health and safety, food security, income, employment, land- and worker-related concerns, energy security, profitability, and gender issues. Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) was also highlighted as the broadly utilized methodology for aggregating the results of impact assessments within the biobased economy. Taking a life cycle perspective, this study provides a holistic view of the full sustainability of research, design, and innovation in the biobased economy by suggesting the integration of the social aspects with techno-economic and an environmental life cycle assessment. Our proposed systemic approach makes possible to integrate the social impacts that are highly valued by the affected stakeholders into the existing sustainability models that focus only on environmental and techno-economic aspects. We discuss the steps of the proposed systemic approach in order to identify the challenges of applying them within the biobased economy. These challenges refer mainly to the definition of the functional unit and system boundaries, the selection and the analysis of social indicators (inventory analysis), the aggregation of the inventory to impact categories, and the uncertainties associated with the social sustainability evaluation. The result of this review and the proposed systemic approach serve as a foundation for industry and policy makers to gain a better insight into the importance of social sustainability impacts assessment within the biobased economy.
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos	000423371300014	Publication Date	2017-08-01
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title
	Series Volume		Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN	1364-0321; 1879-0690	ISBN		Additional Links	UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
	Impact Factor	8.05	Times cited	28	Open Access
	Notes	; ;			Approved	Most recent IF: 8.05
	Call Number	UA @ admin @ c:irua:149031			Serial	6250
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	Author	Kuppens, T.; Van Dael, M.; Vanreppelen, K.; Thewys, T.; Yperman, J.; Carleer, R.; Schreurs, S.; Van Passel, S.
	Title	Techno-economic assessment of fast pyrolysis for the valorization of short rotation coppice cultivated for phytoextraction			Type	A1 Journal article
	Year	2015	Publication	Journal Of Cleaner Production	Abbreviated Journal	J Clean Prod
	Volume	88	Issue		Pages	336-344
	Keywords	A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)
	Abstract	The main barrier in the commercialization of phytoextraction as a sustainable alternative for remediating metal contaminated soils is its long time period, which can be countered by biomass valorization. From an environmental point of view, fast pyrolysis of the biomass is promising because its lower process temperature prevents metal volatilization. The remaining question is whether fast pyrolysis is also preferred from an economic point of view. Therefore, a techno-economic assessment of fast pyrolysis has been performed for a case study in the Campine region in Belgium. For this region, willow trees cultivated in short rotation have the right characteristics to serve as a phytoextracting crop. A techno-economic assessment requires by definition a multidisciplinary approach. The problem statement urges for a focus on the economic profitability from the viewpoint of an investor, including economic risk analysis. Fast pyrolysis seems more profitable than gasification. The profit is dependent on the scale of operation, the policy support (subsidies) and the oil yield. The economic risk can be reduced by increasing the scale of operation by means of complementing feedstocks, and by valorization of the char byproduct by subsequent processing to activated carbon. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos	000347771100036	Publication Date	2014-07-19
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title
	Series Volume		Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN	0959-6526	ISBN		Additional Links	UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
	Impact Factor	5.715	Times cited	36	Open Access
	Notes	; ;			Approved	Most recent IF: 5.715; 2015 IF: 3.844
	Call Number	UA @ admin @ c:irua:127539			Serial	6264
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	Author	Van Dael, M.; Marquez, N.; Reumerman, P.; Pelkmans, L.; Kuppens, T.; Van Passel, S.
	Title	Development and techno-economic evaluation of a biorefinery based on biomass (waste) streams : case study in the Netherlands			Type	A1 Journal article
	Year	2014	Publication	Biofuels Bioproducts & Biorefining-Biofpr	Abbreviated Journal	Biofuel Bioprod Bior
	Volume	8	Issue	5	Pages	635-644
	Keywords	A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)
	Abstract	In this paper, the technical and economic advantages of combining conversion technologies into a multi-dimensional plant primarily using regional biomass residues are investigated. The main objective is to show how locally available biomass can be used more efficiently as a source for renewable energy and bio-based products. Therefore, not only is the theoretical perspective considered, but also a reality check for the local situation is taken into account. Although industrial attitude toward biorefineries is positive, the efficient production of a portfolio of bio-based products has not yet been implemented. A biorefinery concept for Moerdijk (the Netherlands) was developed, focusing on grass refining, production of pyrolysis oil, biodiesel production, and bio-LNG production. Grass refining is the most experimental technique of all proposed conversion techniques. In terms of development, pyrolysis oil and bio-LNG production are in the demonstration phase. Anaerobic digestion and biodiesel production are proven techniques. It is shown that this concept allows for synergies with regard to the utilization of residue flows from internal processes. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that by integrating different conversion technologies, an economically feasible concept can be developed in which technologies, currently residing in a demonstration phase, can also be brought to the market. (c) 2013 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos	000342662200015	Publication Date	2013-11-20
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title
	Series Volume		Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN	1932-104x	ISBN		Additional Links	UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
	Impact Factor	3.694	Times cited	18	Open Access
	Notes	; We would like to thank the editor and the anonymous referees for their helpful suggestions and insightful comments that have significantly improved the paper. The Energy Conversion Parks (ECP) project is funded by the Interreg IVa – Flanders-Netherlands program from the European Fund for Regional Development that stimulates cross-border projects. Also the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Flemish Government, the Provinces of Noord-Brabant (NL), Zeeland (NL), Limburg (BE) and the partners (VITO, Avans University of Applied Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Hasselt University, and Zeeland University of Applied Sciences) themselves are co-financing the project. We also would like to express our gratitude toward the organization of the 2nd Iberoamerican Congress on Biorefineries in Jaen (Spain) for giving us the opportunity to present and thereby fine-tune our work. ;			Approved	Most recent IF: 3.694; 2014 IF: 4.214
	Call Number	UA @ admin @ c:irua:127541			Serial	6180
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	Author	Kuppens, T.; Van Dael, M.; Vanreppelen, K.; Carleer, R.; Yperman, J.; Schreurs, S.; Van Passel, S.
	Title	Techno-economic assessment of pyrolysis char production and application : a review			Type	P1 Proceeding
	Year	2014	Publication		Abbreviated Journal
	Volume		Issue		Pages	67-72
	Keywords	P1 Proceeding; Engineering sciences. Technology
	Abstract	Many organic residue streams such as pig manure are not or inefficiently used, although they can be converted into valuable materials, as well as energy, using pyrolysis. The yield of the pyrolysis products (i.e. oil, gas and char) is dependent on the process conditions and the feedstock used. Char as a soil amendment or activated carbon are interesting options for valorization of biomass residues. Here, a review is presented of the techno-economic potential of both valorization options based on literature and own experiments with wood from phytoremediation, particle board and waste from beer production. The term “biochar” is specifically used to designate pyrolysis char that is intentionally applied to soil in order to enhance its structure and fertility. Biochar applications are often also motivated by the objective of climate change mitigation. Two main disadvantages for the economic feasibility of biochar applications have been discerned. Firstly, carbon sequestration in agricultural crops and soils is not yet eligible under the Clean Development Mechanism. Secondly, the impact of biochar on crop productivity is unclear. Activated carbon (AC) seems to have interesting adsorption characteristics resulting in potentially high sales prices. A preliminary techno-economic assessment showed that AC production is preferred above oil production for wood from phytoremediation as long as the market price of 2 kEUR.t(-1) for commercially available ACs can be attained. Whenever a feedstock with high nitrogen content is available (e.g. particle board with melamine urea formaldehyde resin), even higher market prices might be attained. This study shows that valorization of the pyrolysis char might be an answer to the slow adoption of pyrolysis in commercial applications. Focus in research and development, for instance in future research with regard to pig manure valorization, should therefore be on sustainable products with high economic value and direct utilization potential.
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos	000346540000012	Publication Date
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title	International Conference on BioMass (iconBM 2014), 4-7 May 2014, Florence, Italy / Ranzi, Eliseo [edit.]; et al.
	Series Volume	37	Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN	978-88-95608-28-0	ISBN		Additional Links	UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
	Impact Factor		Times cited	8	Open Access
	Notes	; ;			Approved	Most recent IF: NA
	Call Number	UA @ admin @ c:irua:127547			Serial	6265
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	Author	Kuppens, T.; Van Dael, M.; Maggen, J.; Vanreppelen, K.; Yperman, J.; Carleer, R.; Elen, H.; Van Passel, S.
	Title	Techno-economic assessment of different conversion pathways for pyrolysis char from pig manure			Type	P1 Proceeding
	Year	2014	Publication		Abbreviated Journal
	Volume		Issue		Pages	901-911
	Keywords	P1 Proceeding; Engineering sciences. Technology
	Abstract	The amount of animal manure that can be brought back to agricultural land is limited by legislation. Because pig manure is available in too large quantities in some areas, we investigate the techno-economic feasibility of converting it into valuable products. First, slurry is separated in water, a thick fraction and a fertilizer concentrate poor in phosphate. Then, the thick fraction is dried and pyrolyzed. Our goal is to identify the optimal pyrolysis and activation conditions for the production of biochar or activated carbon. The latter has interesting adsorption characteristics due to the presence of nitrogen. It can also be used as a soil amendment as it improves biomass quantity and quality. On top, it immobilizes toxic elements and stores carbon in the soil. Char thus has many interesting characteristics and can be valued in different ways. The economic feasibility has been explored by a first techno-economic modelling iteration. The critical factors influencing the feasibility are identified by Monte Carlo simulations for further improvement of the process design.
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos		Publication Date
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title	22nd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition : Setting the Course for a Biobased Economy, 23-26 June 2014, Hamburg, Germany : conference proceedings
	Series Volume		Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN		ISBN		Additional Links	UA library record; WoS full record
	Impact Factor		Times cited		Open Access
	Notes	; ;			Approved	Most recent IF: NA
	Call Number	UA @ admin @ c:irua:127546			Serial	6263
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