Publications | Maghimai Marcus

Steel-versus-Concrete Debate Revisited: Global Warming Potential and Embodied Energy Analyses based on Attributional and Consequential Life Cycle Perspectives

Thu, 31 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Urban Metabolism of Steel in Singapore using Material Flow Analysis based Markov Chain Modeling

Mon, 01 Jun 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Steel Markov Chain MFA

Abstract

Consumption of minerals and ores is imperative for economic growth. It also raises serious concerns on environmental protection and livelihoods of people. Understanding their material flow in order to develop policies that shape economy and environment is essential for sustainability. In this study, material flow analysis based Markov chain modeling has been attempted to study the technological lifetime and an average number of times of use of iron and steel in Singapore. The study found out that 1 kg of iron and steel that enter the base year 2007 in Singapore will have an average residence time of 32.69 years with 1.627 times of use in all the sectors when exports are included. In the case of exclusion of exports, it will have 25.302 times of average use in all the sectors in Singapore. The results are analyzed in the peculiar context of Singapore being a ‘City-State’ where it neither has the ‘harbor effect’ of cities like Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Lisbon; nor has the resources of a big country to landfill its wastes. To elucidate the material flow of iron and steel in future, which in turn strongly linked to Singapore’s economic growth trajectory, sophisticated modeling techniques -like dynamic stochastic modeling- that complement both top-down and bottom-up approaches are required.

Integrated Policies to improve the Singapore Concrete Utilization Index - An attributional and consequential life cycle evaluation of possible effects of substituting concrete with bricks

Wed, 18 Jun 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Application of Industrial Ecology Concepts to the Steel Consumption in Singapore

Sat, 01 Dec 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract

The field of industrial ecology provides a system-oriented approach to reduce virgin material and energy usage in an industrial ecosystem. Steel is an important material in the structural industry; an essential component of instructure development. Since depleting raw materials pose risks to the economy growth, studying system wide steel flows using industrial ecology tools will be pivotal for future sustainability strategies. Towards that objective, in this study, we employed approaches such as MIPS (Material Input Per unit Service) and LCIA (Life Cycle Impact Assessments) to calculate the hidden material flow, and the life cycle impacts of imported and locally produced steel, respectively, used in Singapore construction industry. The results indicate that increasing the recycling and local production will have considerable benefits for Singapore steel industry.

Resource Use for Steel Consumption in Asia - An Indicator approach for Resource Efficiency Policies

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Sustainable Development in Rural India - Analysing the Barriers for Renewable Energy

Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000