Life Cycle Assessment of Widely Used Refrigerator In Bangladesh

Abstract

Refrigerators used in daily life are one of the indispensable tools. Uninterrupted power should be supplied to the refrigerators in order to maintain cooling service. Domestic refrigerator may be operating continuously to maintain proper food storage condition. The continuous operation of this equipment accounts more electrical consumption. A significant amount of waste heat is rejected by the condensers of refrigerator. The main objective of the present paper is to provide ideas about the environmental impacts of using refrigerators by life cycle assessment (LCA) The life cycle assessment (LCA) of a refrigerator evaluates its environmental impact from raw material extraction to disposal/recycling. It considers raw material extraction, manufacturing processes, energy consumption, emissions, waste generation, and transportation. The use phase includes energy efficiency, refrigerant leakage, and related emissions. Disposal options like recycling, landfilling, or incineration are also assessed. The LCA provides a comprehensive understanding of the refrigerator's environmental performance and highlights areas for improvement. It guides manufacturers, policymakers, and consumers in making informed decisions to minimize the environmental impact