Automobile transportation is one of the predominant sources of air pollution, producing CO2, NO(x), and SO(x). The weight reduction of automobiles is essential for reducing the environmental burden during their life cycle. High-tension steel, aluminum alloy and resin are candidates for such purpose. However, substituting aluminum for steel is not always beneficial with respect to reducing the burden on the environment, because the energy consumption during aluminum production is considerably greater than that for steel. A generalized equation has been derived to describe the relationship between the driving distance, weight reduction, materials production route, and change in environmental performance. In particular, the effect of the difference of electricity source for aluminum smelting on life cycle CO2, NO(x), and SO(x), by substituting aluminum for steel in automobile parts, is discussed. The reduction of CO2 emission can be expected for all cases, if 50% of mass reduction is made. On the other hand, aluminum produced by the uncontrolled coal fire power is not capable of reducing NO(x) emission. It is also suggested that a reduction of SO(x) emission can only be obtained when using very clean aluminum.
Effects of weight reduction and the material production process of vehicular parts, on mitigation of environmental load
Einfluß des Leichtbaus und der Herstellungsverfahren der Fahrzeugbauteile auf die Umweltbilanz während der Lebensdauer der Autos
Titel japanisch
Journal of the Japan Institute of Metals ; 63 , 7 ; 809-816
1999
8 Seiten, 6 Bilder, 2 Tabellen, 35 Quellen
Article (Journal)
Japanese