L19 Material Flow Analysis

Question 1

what is MFA?

Answer 1

• systematic assessment of the flows and stocks of materials within a system defined in space and time. it connects the sources, pathways, and final sinks of a material
• applications of the law of conservation of mass

Question 2

What can results of MFA be used as a basis for

Answer 2

• managing resources
• environmental protection
• waste management
• sustainable system design

Question 3

MFA Definitions (material, process, stocks, flows, system)

Answer 3

material - substances or goods
process = transport, transformation or storage of materials
stocks - material reservoirs
flows - link processes tgt (mass per time)
system - set of material flows, stocks and processes within defined boundary

Question 4

MFA Procedure

Answer 4

1. Select substance(s)
2. Define system in time and space
3. Identify relevant stocks, flows and processes
4. Determine mass flows, stocks (and concs.)
5. Assess total material stocks and flows
6. Present results