Date of Graduation

2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Department

Industrial and Managements Systems Engineering

Committee Chair

Bhaskaran Gopalakrishnan

Committee Co-Chair

Kenneth R Currie

Committee Member

Ashish Nimbarte

Abstract

Manufacturing industries are adopting new techniques and philosophies to address the acute shortage of non-renewable energy. Many of these manufacturing industries are focusing on achieving sustainability in every possible stage of their production, from raw material to the recycling of waste. Thus, the significance of using renewable energy, properly handling waste, and progressively conserving the environment is increasing day by day. In this research, the definition of sustainability is quite specific: being productive while making little to no impact on non-replenishable resources. The objective of the research is to determine the sustainability index of manufacturing plants. Since the topic has a broad scope, this research is limited to small and medium scale industries, which have common sets of operation and defined process plans. Besides, the focus goes into the nonhazardous waste and while doing so the indicators of the index are selected with respect to energy efficiency, workers' health and safety and waste management. An interactive model is prepared to collect the responses. The interactive model has a series of questions that have to be answered. Based on the sustainable index, the model is able to provide suggestions to improve sustainability as well as carbon footprint consumption. The research has used datasets from various projects of Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) at West Virginia University to build the knowledge database. The interactive model system is executed by a software. The software uses the JavaRTM language and is validated by case studies from IAC. The outcome of this research is a software that can immensely help the industries identify their shortcomings in achieving sustainability, determine the carbon footprint reduction potential, and compare the sustainability index among different manufacturing industries.

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