Conditions of using steel products for the production of steam turbine blades - Ecodesign implications

Ecodesign of blades used in steam turbines is the example of integrating environmental aspects into the process of designing and development of a product during life cycle. The life cycle of blades begins with extraction of raw materials and manufacturing steel products used as material charge in the process of their production. Among the activities that can decrease environmental impact of blades during life cycle is considering the environmental profile of used steel. The aim of the article is identification of environmental impacts connected with alternative ecodesign variants created during modeling of using different steel products to manufacturing the blades and also determining potential and needs connected with elaborating environmental profile of blades life cycle. Environmental aspects concerning using different steel products are considered in relation to various forms of material and types of steel. The design variants are analyzed basing on LCI data concerning steel, taking ecodesign approaches and principles into account. The usability of specific LCI databases and LCIA methods was also considered. The analyzed problem can lead to determine possibilities of integrating environmental aspects concerning steel into design of blades, also in context of life cycle management. Presented considerations can be helpful in improving logistic chains and in making decisions connected with elaboration and implementation of eco-innovations.