Development of environmentally-friendly technologies based on the Double-ECO model – an evaluation platform

In recent years, the urgency to create environmentally-friendly technologies has dramatically increased. However, these technologies are usually not adopted due to their large cost and low profit. Previously the “Double-ECO model” has been proposed as a methodology that reconciles both “Economy” and “Ecology”, which relies on the exploration of technology alternatives that offer an improved mechanical performance. Here, as mechanical performance, cost and environmental impact were meant to be approached under the same degree of priority, this model was thought to offer the basis for a broader technology development framework. The current research initiates said framework by proposing an evaluation platform, which through a transition from a focus on environmental-friendliness towards an improved eco-efficiency definition lays groundwork for an automated evaluation. This was done by defining a dimensionless evaluation parameter based on existing methodologies and referred as the “DE Index”. This paper applied the proposed evaluation method into a machine tool lubrication technology example. It was concluded that, (1) the platform was able to effectively compare technologies under the proposed eco-efficiency parameter, (2) the developed technology possessed improvements in the environmental pollution output, mechanical performance and cost when compared to conventional technologies.