Elbit Systems is interested in examining two different methods for cleaning mechanical components, a process which is carried out at the Cyclone site in the Bar-Lev industrial zone. The current process is done using a degreaser, which uses trichloroethylene (TCE) as its primary cleaning agent. In recent years, the Ashot Ashkelon site replaced this type of degreaser with a detergent-based washing machine as an alternative process. For the purpose of comparing the environmental impacts of these two processes, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was performed using dedicated software. This technique takes into account the environmental impacts throughout all stages of the process, from production and processing of auxiliary materials to consumption of resources and the emissions and waste generated. As part of the analysis, the raw materials of each process were examined, as well as the impacts of each process on a number of environmental criteria including climate change and toxicity to humans, soil and the sea.
In light of the LCA findings, it can be concluded that in comparison with the existing TCE-based process at the Cyclone site, there is a clear environmental advantage to the detergent-based cleaning process used at the Ashot Ashkelon site. While the detergent-based process led to higher levels of potential freshwater eutrophication (damage to water bodies from the arrival of certain nutrients), it performed considerably better in every other environmental impact that was examined, and significantly better with respect to ozone depletion and photochemical oxidant formation. Given the high level of wastewater treatment in Israel, even the impact of freshwater eutrophication is likely reduced since it can be expected that all sewage from these processes will be treated accordingly before returning to bodies of freshwater. The analysis shows that in terms of environmental impact, the detergent-based process is preferable to the TCE-based degreaser.