Tutorial 4: Impact Assessments Flashcards
What is the midpoint?
Parameter in a cause-effect chain for a particular category
that is between the inventory data and the category endpoints.
What is the endpoint?
Parameter in a cause-effect chain with direct relevance to
society’s understanding of the final effect.
What are examples of parameters at midpoint?
- Global Warming Potential
- Acidification Potential
- Respiratory Inorganic Emissions
- Human Toxicity (carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic emissions)
What are examples of life cycle impact indicators?
- Human Health
- Ecosystem Quality
- Climate Change
What are examples of parameters at endpoint?
- Disability Adjusted Life Year”
- Potentially Disappeared Fraction”
- Degree of earth temperature rise
What is the Disability Adjusted Life Year?
The number of years lost as a result of the toxic materials
released (1 DALY = 1 lost year of ‘healthy’ life)
What is the potentially disappeared fraction?
The fraction of species over an area of land in a certain time
period
What is the energy penalty?
The primary
energy required to produce and transport
the fuel pellet divided by the heating value
(HHV) of the pellet.
What type of market should be explored to reduce fossil fuels and the carbon footprint of BC wood pellets?
- Domestic market
What is the wood pellet utilization in UBC natural gas boiler house effective in?
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions but
might compromise the local air quality
What type of equipment in the UBC natural gas boiler house needs to be equipped?
Emission control equipment needs to be installed to
reduce both particulate and NOx emissions.
What is the condition needed for biomass residues to be burned as biofuels?
For biomass residues to be burned as biofuels, CO2 is released
into the atmosphere immediately.
What happens if biomass residues are left in the forest…?
They will decay slowly,
delaying the release of CO2 into the atmosphere.
What is required to promote the domestic applications of wood pellets?
Government policies and subsidies are required
What does the application for district heating need to address
Local air quality
issues via regulations and the use of efficient emission control device
