Development of industrial waste disposal scenarios using life-cycle assessment approach

In this study, environmental impacts of industrial waste disposal of used lubricating oils and sulphur wastes scenarios have been investigated and modeled. The life-cycle assessment methodology was selected among the environmental impact assessment methods. In this method environmental issues and burdens were quantitated in order to facilitate the comparison. In this regard, options with the least adverse impacts were suggested. Functional unit of the study has also been defined as amount of used lubricating oils and sulphur wastes in terms of kilograms based on capacity of transitional barrel. Accordingly, the system boundaries were selected for life cycle of the wastes produced in sulphur unit of Tehran Oil Refinery. Since the main disposal method applied in Tehran Oil Refinery was transference to the municipal landfill, two incineration and landfilling scenarios were modeled for used lubricating oils and sulphur wastes by means of Simapro-7.1 software. Then, the outputs of these scenarios were compared in terms of the least environmental impacts by EDIP 2003 and Ecoindicator 99 methods. Finally, incineration scenarios were recommended as the most efficient ones.