Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Plastic and Steel Vehicle Fuel Tanks General Motors Research and Development Center

Format:

Conference/Event

Author/Creator:

Stephens, Robert D., author.

Conference Name:

Total Life Cycle Conference (1998-11-30 : Graz, Austria)

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

Warrendale, PA SAE International 1998

Summary:

Federal standards that mandate improved fuel economy have resulted in the increased use of lightweight materials in automotive applications. However, the environmental burdens associated with a product extend well beyond the use phase. Life cycle assessment is the science of determining the environmental burdens associated with the entire life cycle of a given product from cradle-to-grave. This report documents the environmental burdens associated with every phase of the life cycle of two fuel tanks utilized in full-sized 1996 GM vans. These vans are manufactured in two configurations, one which utilizes a steel fuel tank, and the other a multi-layered plastic fuel tank consisting primarily of high density polyethylene (HDPE). This study was a collaborative effort between GM and the University of Michigan's National Pollution Prevention Center, which received funding from EPA's National Risk Management Research Laboratory. Findings from this study include:

Notes:

Vendor supplied data

Publisher Number:

982224

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license