Life Cycle Framework 3 Flashcards
Consider the impact category climate change. Fill in the different steps of cause-effect chain in below schematic which allows you to go from midpoint to endpoint. (Give the terms or explain in
one sentence per item).
Increase in radiative forcing capacity -> increase in (global) mean temperature -> Effect on aspects of ecosystem
- Temperature change -> Effect factor
How do methane (CH4) and CO2 differ in terms of their atmospheric lifetime? (Either draw a chart or explain in max. 2 sentences). Why are CO2 emissions particularly critical in the long-term perspective? (1-2 sentences).
Methane short atmospheric life time, CO2 long atmospheric life time. Due to the long-lasting concentration in the atmosphere CO2 has, the global warming potential of CO2 is significantly higher in the long-term perspective.
What is the purpose of the life cycle inventory.
Calculate the flows from and into environment from a given product system and reference flow.
What is the definition of an elementary flow?
Material or energy entering the system being studied that has been drawn from the environment without previous human transformation, or material or energy leaving the system being studied that is released into the environment without subsequent human transformation.
(ISO 14040, 2006).
What is the determining product flow of a waste treatment process?
Waste input
What is a product system?
System of unit processes, elementary flows, and product flows that leads to one or more functions and models a product life cycle. The term “product” used alone includes not only
product systems but can also include service systems.
What is the foreground system?
The foreground system consists of processes which are under the control of the decision-maker for which an LCA is carried out. They are called foreground processes. (Frischknecht 1998)
Give two examples of multifunctional processes
- Refinery process
- Power plant where thermal energy is used for heating
What is a consumption process?
An activity that you cannot have others do for you (examples: physical exercise, enjoying art, eating, sleeping, attending social and religious events) as opposed to production (work).
Describe the basic approach for the interpretation phase in the life cycle assessment as defined in the ISO-standard?
Main phases:
- Identification of the significant parameters based on the results of the LCI and LCIA phases of LCA.
- Evaluate completeness, sensitivity and consistency of data.
- Draw conclusions and recommendations.
