LCA Flashcards
Difference between
the life cycle model and
the LCA procedure
Life cycle model:
boxes = physical processes
arrows = flow of energy or matter
LCA procedure:
boxes = procedural steps
arrows = the order of performance
broken arrows = possible iterations
3 general impact categories
- long-term resource concerns
- health concerns
- natural environment concerns
applications for LCA:
- Decision making
- Learning/exploration
- Communication
Decision making:
product design
process design
support for policy instruments
Learning/exploration:
production systems
improvement possibilities
environmental performance indicators
Communication:
eco-labeling
product declarations
benchmarking
Life cycle model steps:
Raw material aquisition Processes Transports Manufacture Use Waste management
The 4 LCA procedure steps
Goal and scope
Inventory analysis
Impact assesment
- Classification characterisation
- Weighting
Interpretation
(connected to all, on the side)
Goal and scope
intended application, reason for carrying it out and to whom the results are intended to be communicated.
functional unit, System boundaries, environmental impacts, level of detail
Inventory analysis
Only environmentally relevant flows are considered
1 construction of the flow model
2 data collection for all teh activities (raw material, products, waste, emissions)
3 calculations
pressented in bar charts or other graphic presentation.
Impact assesment
Classification-sorting the inventory Characterisation-relevant contributions Aggregate to fewer parameters (ex: GHG: GWP) Weighting
Functional unit
The unit in how to messure the product of the LCA. It does not relate to production or consumption volymes, only to product function.
System boundaries and allocation
If more processes are added outside the system: system expansion
inside the system: allocation procedure
(more than one product may be produced in one process)
How to model and calculate the environmental benefits from an LCA (compared to anothe rsystem)?
Use the LCA procedure for the project
Do a more detailed LC model (flowchart) for the system
Investigate the same as “the other” system, like GWP and calculate a comparable number.
Remember to investigate the right parameter and to look into all processes of the system, including transportation.
Calculate a benefit (difference) in the comparison!
“Goal”
“Environmental management of product systems”
