LCSoft 6.

1
User Manual

Sustainable Product-Process Engineering

Evaluation & Design
www.pseforspeed.com
Contents
Topic Page
Abbreviation
1. Introduction to Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
1.1 Principal of LCA 4
1.2 Goal and Scope 5
1.3 Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) 6
1.4 Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) 6
1.5 Interpretation 7
2. LCSoft V.6.1
2.1 Starting with LCSoft 8
2.2 LCSoft system structure 9
3. Example of LCSoft Using with Case study
3.1 Case Study Information: Bioethanol from Cassava Rhizome 15
3.2 Performing Case Study using LCSoft 16
3.3 Create new LCA project 17
3.4 Import and Generate Stream Table 19
3.5 Import and Generate Equipment Table 23
3.6 Define Product (Functional Unit) 27
3.7 Define Stream Component 28
3.8 Define Equipment and Utility 31
3.9 Create Production Stage 33
3.10 Calculation Environmental Impact 39
3.11 LCA Results 40
3.12 Contribution Analysis 43
3.13 Optional Function 48
3.14 Process Alternative Comparison 51
3.15 Sensitivity Analysis 52
3.16 Eco-efficiency evaluation 56
3.17 Database Management 57
Reference 68

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Abbreviation

LCA Life Cycle Assessment

LCI Life Cycle Inventory
LCIA Life Cycle Impact Assessment
AP Acidification Potential
ATP Aquatic Toxicity Potential
CED Cumulative Energy Demand
GWP Global Warming Potential
HTC Human Toxicity Carcinogenic
HTNC Human Toxicity Non-carcinogenic
HTPE Human Toxicity by Exposure
HTPI Human Toxicity Potential by Ingestion
ODP Ozone Depletion Potential
PCOP Photochemical Oxidation Potential
TTP Terrestrial Toxicity Potential
AWARE Available Water Remaining

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1. Introduction to Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

1.1 Principal of LCA

Life Cycle Assessment is a systematic for calculation and evaluation environmental
impacts from inputs and outputs materials and energy of specific process (Wikipedia, 2017b). It
quantifies every interrelated emission and resources consumption that emerged with all stages of
product’s life and service system. LCA cover all stages of product’s life from raw materials
extraction through in every part of manufacturing process, transportation of raw material and
product, used, disposal and recycling (Hoogervorst, 2004).

Figure 1.1 All stages of product’s life and input, output component (GDRC, 2017).

There are many worldwide organizations use an LCA to measure the environmental
impacts from their product, reason why there are many different methods used by different users
around the world. For advance and international standard of LCA, there are four main steps of
LCA including goal and scope, life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment, and life cycle
interpretation as shown in Fig 1.2. The standard have been develop and all user knows as the
International Organization for Standardization 14000 series.

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Figure 1.2 Four steps of LCA (Gjalt Huppes, 2006).

1.2 Goal and Scope

Life cycle of product or system life cycle is a common way of the complicated process,
that mean the discrepancy in definition or data easily appear during the study. The easy and simple
way to solve this problem is to define goal and scope in LCA study, which should be carefully
illustrated former to initiation for inflows and outflows of the inventory. Normally, goal and scope
should impose for carrying the LCA questions which answers is needed.
Goal of LCA can be different even though in same product or case study. Goal of study
depend on the objective, such as to make comparison between product or process, finding for some
hotspot, providing data that use for internally or externally and decision making of user. Clearly
description of this section is highly recommended in the first step of LCA study.
Scope of LCA that according with goal can be assigned by system boundaries,
assumptions and limitations. Although initial set of data are added for iterative process in LCA. It
can be adapted later if more information is available. There are four scopes of life cycle boundaries
which users always consider.
1.2.1 Cradle to Gate
An evaluation which includes some part of product life cycle, carrying all material
from natural source through the production, but excluding the end of life stages.
1.2.2 Cradle to Grave
This evaluation includes all parts of product life cycle carrying all materials from
natural source through the end of life cycle stages.
1.2.3 Gate to Gate
An evaluation which is a partial speculates only value added to process in the
production chain.

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 1.2.4 Gate to Grave
An evaluation which is a partial speculates from value added to process in the
production chain to the end of life cycle stages.

1.3 Life Cycle Inventory (LCI)

LCI or Life Cycle Inventory is the straight-forward accounting of collection and
calculation from plenty of data that gathered from several sources. All relevant data are collected
such as, input, output, consumption of resource, waste flows, emissions, energy use, and others
data from attributable from product’s life cycle. Also, deeply details of all data, energy and raw
materials, are tracked back to their original source and method or technologies that used to get that
raw material and energy from source to enter and through the process until disposal.
Three types of flows can be differentiated: elementary flows (emissions, resources) that
are emitted to environment or extracted from natural resource, economic flows (goods, services),
that come from or go to the technosphere, and waste flows (a sub-type of product flows). Resources
consumption and the use of land, raw materials, fabricated products, auxiliary materials, energy
carriers and electricity are recorded as inputs. Emissions to air, water and soil as well as wastes
and by-products are outputs in an inventory analysis. In the later stage of the impact assessment,
the quantitative information on the product system's elementary flows (and in some methods the
waste flows) is used to analyze the environmental impacts

1.4 Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA)

All data that collected from previous steps, Goal and Scope and LCI, will be analyzed
into differently environmental impact by calculation in LCIA section. This step is the process to
calculate the environmental impacts which occur from products or processes and make results to
the data which easy for audience to understand. Plenty of substances degraded to the environment,
with each substance are causes of different midpoint environmental impact categories, such as,
acidification, climate change, eutrophication, stratospheric ozone depletion, human toxicity and
depletion of resource. Each midpoint impact categories can combine together into endpoint
environmental impact categories that effect from associated midpoint, human health, natural
environmental and natural resource. Figure 1.3 illustrates environmental impacts which are
organized in two levels, midpoint and end point.

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Figure 1.3 Midpoint and Endpoint impact categories (ILCD, 2010a).

1.5 Interpretation
The interpretation of LCA is the evaluation of inventory analysis results and also life cycle
impact assessment results associated with goal and scope of the study to help in decision making
such as to selecting of products, improvement of processes or services, etc., with clear
understanding of the uncertainty and the assumption used (Margni and Curran, 2012).
1.5.1 Contribution Analysis
Contribution Analysis represents the contribution of LCA results which are process
contribution, LCI result contribution and LCIA result contribution in the production system in
order to determine the processes which play a significant role in production system
1.5.2 Sensitivity Analysis
Sensitivity Analysis is used to investigate the influence of different assumption,
such as system boundaries, allocation basis, temporal and spatial effect on both LCI and LCIA
(Guinée et al., 2002), and characterization method, to the assessment results. The principle is
recalculation of LCA with changed assumption (Goedkoop et al., 2008).
1.5.3 Uncertainty Analysis
Uncertainty Analysis considers the influence from several sources of data and
different reliability, for example different in location, time, community and purpose. The results
after uncertainty analysis are shown in range, percentage of result or the different from the true
value, which already includes uncertainty values. Input data are calculated with a probability
distribution and stores the output data from calculation. There are repeated several times to be sure
that input value represent the effect from the selected distribution.

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2. LCSoft v.6.1
2.1 Starting with LCSoft
LCSoft is the software that used to calculate in LCA. Environmental impacts are calculated
from the input data, resource, energy usage and emission. LCSoft is developed in a concept of
user-friendly such that user can perform LCA by using LCSoft easily, effectively and integrated
with process simulation, economic analysis tool, ECON (Saengwirun, 2011); sustainable process
design tool, SustainPro (Carvalho et al., 2013) by using Visual Basic Application (VBA) in
Microsoft Excel to perform LCA calculation. Figure 2.1 shows LCSoft 6.1

Figure 2.1 LCSoft 6.1’s main interface.

LCSoft contains 6 parts which are:

 Project general information
 Simulation data acquisition
 Simulation data and functional unit management
 LCA implementation
 Interpretation of LCA results
 Database management

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 LCSoft is easily to be used with step-by-step guided. Starting from project information,
name, location of process studied, and reference quantity unit, are specified in this part. With
ability to be integrated with process simulation software such as ProII, LCSoft provides function
of linking simulation results from simulation software in order to estimate the environmental
impacts of production process with robust and effective calculation. Without simulation results,
LCSoft also support normal LCA calculation by retrieving input and output flows defined by user
for flexible LCA implementation. User can specify reference product (functional unit), select
material, transportation, and utility that will be used in production process under “simulation data
and functional unit management” part. LCA implementation consists of determination of
production stage and LCIA calculation. Production stages of product manufacturing are assigned
in this stage. Furthermore, additional materials, transportation, and utilities can be defined
manually if user does not have simulation results. LCIA and carbon footprint calculation can be
performed after all mentioned steps have been finished. The interpretation of LCA results consists
of LCIA results, carbon footprint results, contribution analysis, alternative comparison, and
sensitivity analysis. Contribution analysis provides information of process, LCI results, LCIA
results distributed in production system. These results offer the user options to investigate how the
results from performing LCA contribute to the production stage providing thereby, useful options
for further process development. Alternative comparison is function that user can compare LCA
results with other production processes in order to investigate how difference of production
processes are in environmental point of view. The influence of different
material/transportation/utility used to the LCA results can be determined by using sensitivity
analysis.
For more details, please see the demonstration of LCSoft with case study.

2.2 LCSoft system structure

LCA calculation in LCSoft consists of five main steps with various optional step, endpoint
calculation, parameter and source sensitivity analysis, alternative comparison and etc. Figure 2.2
illustrates details of each calculation step and calculation model
2.2.1 Step 1: LCI Data Checking
LCI data of products or processes will be checked from all set of data that contained in
LCSoft database. All data will be shown to users which users can add or modify. After finished adding or
modifying data, the LCI result will be recalculated by LCI calculation function and save in software
directory.
2.2.2 Step 2: Retrieve LCI Data
LCI data which relate to products and/or processes are retrieved from LCI KB and
Extended LCI KB, for example, raw materials, natural resources, and emissions from the processes.
2.2.3 Step 3: Impact Assessment
Environmental impact is calculated depend on selected methodology, various of LCIA
methodologies contained in LCSoft as shown in Table 2.1. General impact categories, ILCD methodology,
ReCiPE methodologies, and also endpoint impact categories are as shown in Table 2.2-2.5, respectively. In
addition, LCSoft also has feature to determine the specific footprint such as Carbon Footprint, Water
Footprint, and Ecological Footprint.

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 Life Cycle Inventory
Data-input LCI KB
calculation

Step
Extended
LCI existence
LCI KB
checking

Add new LCI data by user Data Quality

- Product and Co-product Indicator
- Input from
technosphere/natural resource
- Output emission to each
compartment Does LCI data exist?

CF's
database

Output data
- Emission to air/water/soil Step
- Lists of resource Retrieve LCI data
- Waste

Output data Step

- Midpoint Impact indicators Impact assessment
depend on method selection

Output data Optional Step Optional Step

For each production stage Endpoint impact Carbon footprint
Step
- Contribution of Process categories calculation
Contribution
- Contribution of LCI data
- Contribution of analysis
environmental impacts
Output data
Output data
- Carbon
- Impact indicators
footprint of the
at endpoint level
product
Optional Step Step
Normalization Interpretation

Optional Step Optional Step Optional Step

Optional Step
Parameter and Alternative Eco-efficiency
Calculation with
Source Comparison evaluation
Uncertainty
Sensitivity analysis

Output data
- Impact indicator results
related to change some
assumption
Output data
- Difference on impact
assessment due to different
process design
Output data
- Impacts results with
uncertainty data Output data
- Performance of product
service in dimension of
economical and ecological

Figure 2.2 LCSoft system structure (LCSoft V.5)

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Table 2.1 LCIA methodologies in LCSoft

Impact level LCIA methodologies

General Impact categories
ILCD 2011
Midpoint ReCiPe (Egalitarian)
ReCiPe (Individualist)
ReCiPe (Hierarchist)

ILCD 2011
Endpoint ReCiPe (Egalitarian)
ReCiPe (Individualist)
ReCiPe (Hierarchist)

Table 2.2 Environmental impact categories and unit of general impact categories

Characterization
Impact Category (Ik) Unit CF source
factor (CFk t,c)
Acidification CFAP t,c kg H+ eq.
Aquatic toxicity CFATP t,c 1/LC50
Global warming potential CFGWP t,c kg CO2 eq.
Photochemical oxidation CFPOCP t,c kg C2H2 eq.
USEPA
Ozone depletion CFODP t,c kg CFC-11 eq.
Terrestrial toxicity CFTTP t,c 1/LD50
Human toxicity by exposure CFHTPE t,c 1/TWA
Human toxicity by ingestion CFHTPI t,c 1/LD50
Fresh water ecotoxicity CFET t,c kg 2,4-D eq.
Human toxicity-carcinogenics CFHTC t,c kg benzene eq. USEtoxTM
Human toxicity-noncarcinogenics CFHTNC t,c kg toluene eq.
Cumulative
Energy Energy
Energy resource consumption CF t,c MJ eq.
Demand
1.05
Mineral extraction CFMineral t,c kg Sb eq. CML-IA
Deposited waste CF Waste
t,c UBP Ecological
scarcity
Water resource consumption CFWater t,c UBP 2013
Photochemical ozone formation CFPCOF t,c kg NMVOC eq.
Marine eutrophication CFMarine t,c kg N eq.
Freshwater eutrophication CFFreshwater t,c kg P eq.
ILCD2011
Terrestrial eutrophication CFTerrestrial t,c mol N eq.
Ionizing radiation CFIR t,c kbq U235 eq.
Particular matter CFPM t,c kg PM2.5 eq.

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Table 2.3 Environmental impact categories and unit of ILCD methodology
ILCD 2011 Impact Categories Unit
Global Warming kg CO2 eq
Ozone Depletion kg CFC-11 eq
Human toxicity, cancer effect CTUh
Human toxicity, non-cancer effect CTUh
Fresh Water Ecotoxicity CTUe
Particulate matter kg PM2.5 eq
Ionizing radiation kg U235 eq
Photochemical Ozone Formation kg NMVOC eq
Acidification molc H+ eq
Terrestrial eutrophication molc N eq
Freshwater eutrophication kg P eq
Marine eutrophication kg N eq
Water Resource Consumption m3 water eq
Mineral Extraction kg Sb eq
Land use kg C deficit

Table 2.4 Environmental impact categories and unit of ReCiPe midpoint methodology

ReCiPe (E,H,I) midpoint Impact Categories Unit

Climate Change kg CO2 eq.
Ozone Depletion kg CFC-11 eq.
Terrestrial Acidification kg SO2 eq.
Freshwater Eutrophication kg P eq.
Marine Eutrophication kg N eq.
Human Toxicity kg 1,4-DB eq.
Photochemical Oxidant Formation kg NMVOC
Particulate Matter Formation kg PM10 eq.
Terrestrial Ecotoxicity kg 1,4-DB eq.
Freshwater Ecotoxicity kg 1,4-DB eq.
Marine Ecotoxicity kg 1,4-DB eq.
Ionising Radiation kg U235 eq.
Agricultural Land Occupation m2a
Urban Land Occupation m2a
Natural Land Occupation m2a
Water Depletion m3
Metal Depletion kg Fe eq.
Fossil Depletion kg oil eq.

Table 2.5 Environmental impact categories and unit of ReCiPe endpoint methodology

ReCiPe (E,H,I) endpoint Impact Categories Unit

Ecosystem species/yr
Human Health DALY
Resources $

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 2.2.3.1 Carbon Footprint
Carbon footprint is amount of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas associated with
one kilogram of product. Carbon footprint is estimated by using global warming potential (GWP) indicator
as equation 1-2. LCSoft will use characterization factor according to selected calculation method.
CO2eq = (mPRO GWP
GHG,air × CFGHG,air )/mproduct (1)
Carbon footprint = ∑ CO2eq (2)
Where GHG is Greenhouse gas, mPRO GHG,air is mass flow rate of greenhouse
GWP
gas (GHG), CFGHG,air is characterization factor of global warming potential, and CO2eq is carbon
dioxide equivalent per 1 kg of product (Kalakul et al., 2013).
2.2.3.2 Endpoint Impact Categories
Endpoint categories represent the impact at the end of cause effect chain,
which may formulated many midpoint environmental impacts into one endpoint impact category.
Human health, ecosystem species, and natural resource are example of endpoint categories. In this
version, two endpoint calculation methods are available, ILCD endpoint and ReCiPe.
2.2.3.3 Water Scarcity Footprint
The water footprint measures the amount of water used by human activities,
volume of water consumed, and pollutted. Water footprint report depend on the goal and scope or
questions from user. It can be measured and assessed in several units, such as cubic metres per
tonne, per acre of cropland, per unit, per tonne of production and etc. There are three components
of water, green, blue and grey. For each water component is specified by the different source of
water consumed, showed by delineating source of water.
2.2.3.4 Ecological Footprint
Ecological footprint is the matric to measures and compares between
human’s demand and natural source available. This footprint can improve or help in many ways
such as, improve sustainability and optimize public project in each countries moreover it can help
people to understand their impact on the earth. This ecological footprint divide the land used into
six different categories of productive areas. Six categories are cropland, grazing land, fishing
grounds, built up land, forest area, and carbon demand on land.
2.2.4 Step 4: Contribution Analysis
Contribution analysis will show the contribution of productions or process system
which is helpful information for further development. This step is distinguished into 3 parts which
are processes contribution, LCI contribution, and LCIA contribution.
2.2.4.1 Processes Contribution
Material or utility that used in the unit or processes are recorded and shown
in order to identify the contribution in each production stage.
2.2.4.2 LCI Contribution
LCI contribution will show the information about elementary in each
production stage, which very useful for improving the processes and/or product design.

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 2.2.4.3 LCIA Contribution
Environmental impact result will be analyzed in each impact categories.
LCIA contribution will show the effect from each process which helpful for determining the
hotspot or the significant contribution.

2.2.5 Step 5: Interpretation

Interpretation is included with many optional steps which are helpful feature for
analyzing the result and archiving the goal of study.
2.2.5.1 Optional Step: Normalization
In order to make an easier comparison between impacts score of different
impact categories. LCSoft allow users to perform normalization by adding set of normalization
factor that relate to their goal.
2.2.5.2 Optional Step: Parameter and Source Sensitivity Analysis
For study the effect of different assumption on environmental impacts,
LCSoft allow users to perform sensitivity analysis which user can either change the type or amount
of substances and/or utilities in order to see the variation of impact assessment and find the optimal
process.
2.2.5.3 Optional Step: Calculation with Uncertainty
For assess the influence of variations in process data and data quality on
impact result. In order to calculate the precision uncertainty, data quality should be provided
clearly. In this version, the data quality did not include in LCSoft database. However, LCSoft can
perform LCA based on uncertainty value where users can specify estimate amount of disturbance
to process.
2.2.5.4 Optional Step: Alternative Comparison
For compare the different process/product design and get more
information for decision making based on environmental impacts results.
2.2.5.5 Optional Step: Eco-efficiency Evaluation
Eco-efficiency can be evaluated through indicators based on the ratio of
economic and environment. More eco-efficiency value is obtained, the more sustainable process
is.

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3. Example of LCSoft Using with Case Study
3.1 Case Study Information: Bioethanol from Cassava Rhizome
The life cycle assessment of bioethanol produced from cassava rhizome is focused from
production of cassava phase, transportation, and manufacturing or the scope of this study is cradle-
to-gate. Data in this process were taken from the process simulation (Mangnimit, et al., 2013). The
overview of process flow sheet is described as follows and can be divided into 5 main sections
(Figure 3.1):
 Pretreatment section, to make the lignocellulosic material enable to be hydrolyzed.
 Detoxification, the compounds those are toxic for the fermentation microorganisms are
treated.
 Simultaneous scarification and co-fermentation (SSCF), to convert glucose and other
sugars to ethanol.
 Distillation, to distil the process stream from SSCF section until a mixture of nearly
azeotropic water and ethanol is obtained.
 Dehydration, the ethanol from distillation section is purified using vapor-phase molecular
sieves in order to obtain bioethanol within the specifications.

Figure 3.1 Bioethanol production process using cassava rhizome as a feed stock

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3.2 Performing Case Study using LCSoft
3.2.1 Get started LCSoft
LCSoft v6.1 folder composes of 2 folders 1 excel file, and user manual as shown in
Figure 3.2. Projects folder is where the excel files of LCA project are systematically stored. LCI
KB folder is where LCSoft LCI databases are stored. LCSoft v6.1 User Manual PDF file is user
manual for using this software. LCSoft v6.1 excel file is the program file that will be used for
performing LCA.

Figure 3.2 LCSoft v6.1 structure.

3.2.2 Open/Close LCSoft

Step 1: Open LCSoft v6.1 folder (Figure 3.2).
Step 2: Open LCSoft v6.1 Excel file, the database activation interface will appear.
Please wait for a moment, then “Main menu” page will appear and LCSoft is ready.
Step 3: After finishing LCSoft, to save and close LCSoft please use “Save and Close”
button, at the right bottom of main interface, instead of using Ctrl+S or normal excel saving, in
order to update data to database. LCSoft will be automatically saved in “Projects” folder and
closed.
Open LCSoft v6.1, “Main menu” page will appear as shown in Figure 3.3. User can
complete performing LCA by clicking and filling data following by number as shown in Figure
3.3. After finishing each part, the button will turn to blue color showing that data is complete. The
next bottom that user need to finish will be enable ready to be used.

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Figure 3.3 LCSoft 6.1’s main interface.

3.3 Create new LCA project

Step 1: Click on “Define New project” button in LCSoft “Main menu” and “New project”
form will appear as shown in Figure 3.3.
Step 2: Type name of new project. Please avoid invalid characters which are <, >, ?, [, ], :,
|, or * and make sure that new project name does not already exist.
Step 3: Type the location of the studied project. For example, in the case study is
“Thailand”.
Step 4: Select unit of mass. In the case study the unit of mass is “kg”. Therefore to import
stream table the unit of mass must be “kg”.
Step 5: Select unit of volume (Optional, just when user want to do volumetric allocation.
In general, allocation method is mass allocation).
Step 6: Select unit of time. In the case study the unit of mass is “hr”. Therefore to import
equipment table and stream table, the unit of time must be “hr”.
Step 7: Select unit of energy. In the case study the unit of energy is “MJ”. Therefore the
unit of energy related terms such as duty is MJ/hr.

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 Step 8: Select unit of power. In the case study the unit of power is “kW”. Therefore the
unit of power related terms such as work is kW.
Step 9: Select type of water use. (Optional, just when user want to do water footprint
calculation.
Step 10: Click “OK” button. The “New project” button will turn to blue color enabling to
do the next step.

Figure 3.4 Creating new project.

LCSoft provides options for using simulation results which are mass balance from stream
table and energy balance from equipment table. (If user does not have simulation results can skip
step 3.4-3.5.)

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3.4 Import and Generate Stream Table
3.4.1 Import Stream Table
To import stream table click on “Import Stream Table” button in main interface, then
select stream table file from your device. The stream table should be the same format with Figure
3.5. The heading of stream component must be “Total Weight Comp.Rates”. The first stream name
should locate at the first row and the first amount of the mass flow rate (4680.592 kg/hr) must be
the same row with the first component (Cellulose for example).

Figure 3.5 Example of stream table

Step 1: Click “Import stream table” button as shown in Figure 3.3.

Step 2: Select the stream table from the “Open file” window. Select “LCSoft” folder >
“Project” folder > “Case study data” folder
Step 3: Select “stream table” file.
Step 4: Click “Open” button in open file window
Step 5: Click “Yes” button to confirm to use the table. The stream table will be imported
into LCSoft, user can check if the stream table is correct by open “Stream table” page as show in
Figure 3.6. If user would like to change the table, then repeat step 1 to step 5.

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Figure 3.6 Import stream table.

If user does not have the stream table that follows the mentioned format, follow the steps
below to generate stream table.

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 3.4.2 Generate Stream Table

Case study: Bioethanol production from cassava rhizome

- There are 67 streams (S1-S67), 25 components (cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin, glucose,
xylose, cellubiose, ethanol, water, sulfuric acid, furfural, ammonia, oxygen, carbon dioxide,
glycerol, succinic acid, lactic acid, xylitol, acetic acid, corn steep liquor, ZM, cellulase, lime,
CASO4, and ash).
- Mass unit: kg (See example of stream table)
- Time unit: hr (See example of stream table)
To see the stream table, open “LCSoft v6.1” folder > “Projects” folder> “Case study data”
folder> “stream table” file.

Step 1: Click “Generate Stream Table” button as shown in Figure 3.3. Then Click “Yes”
button to confirm to generate stream table.
Step 2: The software will show the instructions to generate stream table, read it and click
“Ok” button. User will see the example of entering component and mass flow rate in the right hand
side of “generate stream table” page.
Step 3: Click “Generate new table” button in “generate stream table” page.
Step 4: Enter the number of streams.
Step 5: Click “Ok” button.
Step 6: Enter the stream components and mass flow rates following to the given example
as shown in Figure 3.7.
• Make sure that the stream components are in the first column and mass flow rates are all
numeric.
• The units of mass and time must be corresponding to the units that user have selected
when create new project.
Step 7: Click “Done” button in “generate stream table” page to finish.

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Figure 3.7 Generate stream table.

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3.5 Import and Generate Equipment Table
3.5.1 Import Equipment Table
The format of equipment table must be the same as Figure 3.8. To see the equipment
table, please open “LCSoft v6.1” folder > “Projects” folder> “Case study data” folder> “equipment
table” file.

Figure 3.8 Equipment table.

Step 1: Click “Import Equipment Table” button as shown in Figure 3.3.
Step 2: Select the stream table from the “Open file” window.
Step 3: Click “Open” button in open file window.
Step 4: Click “Yes” button to confirm to use the table. The equipment table will be
imported into LCSoft, user can check if the equipment table is correct by open “Equipment table”
page as show in Figure 3.9. If user would like to change equipment table, then repeat step 1 to step
4.

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Figure 3.9 Import equipment table.

If user does not have equipment table that follows the format mentioned above, follow
the steps below to generate equipment table.

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 3.5.2 Generate Equipment Table

Case study: Bioethanol production from cassava rhizome

- There are Pump; P1, Reactors; R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, Heat exchangers: E1, E2, E3,
E4, E5, E6, E7, Distillation column; T1 condenser, T1 reboiler, T2 condenser, and T2
reboiler.
- Energy unit: MJ (see example of equipment table)
- Time unit: hr (see example of equipment table)
- Power unit: kW (see example of equipment table)
To see the stream table, open “LCSoft” folder > “Projects” folder> “Case study data” folder>
“equipment table” file.

Step 1: Click “Generate Equipment Table” button in “Main menu” page (Figure 3.3).
Step 2: User will get the massage “Please enter equipment name, duty and work following
the given example”, Click “Ok” then “generate equipment table” page will appear.
Step 3: Read the instruction from the given example and enter the equipment name, duty
and work following the given example. Make sure that the unit of each equipment is the same with
the previously defined one. In the case study; unit of energy is MJ, unit of power is kW and unit
of time is hr.
 Duties and work are all numeric
 The units of mass and time must be corresponding to the units that user have
selected when create new project.
Step 4: Click “Done” button in “generate equipment table” page to finish (Figure 3.10).

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 Figure 3.10 Generate equipment table.

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3.6 Define Product (Functional Unit)
3.6.1 Define Product (Functional Unit) using simulation results
Step 1: Click “Define product” button as shown in Figure 3.3.
Step 2: Click “Yes” button.
Step 3: Select product (Ethanol) and product stream (S67).
Step 4: Click “Ok” button (Figure 3.11).

Figure 3.11 Define product (functional unit) using simulation results.

3.6.2 Define Product (Functional Unit) without Simulation Results

Step 1: Click “Define product” button as shown in Figure 3.3.
Step 2: Click “No” button.
Step 3: Enter the name of product.
Step 4: Select allocation type, generally allocation type is mass.
Step 5: Select unit of mass of the product.
Step 6: Enter amount of the product.
Step 7: Click “Ok” button (Figure 3.12).

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Figure 3.12 Define product (functional unit) without simulation results.
3.7 Define Stream Components
This step is optional for using simulation results to conduct LCA (If user does not have
simulation results can skip this step). To include the environmental impacts from production of
raw material, the component entered in the process should be defined. Not all components in the
stream table must be defined. User should define the component that was added into the process
because the emissions form production of raw material are necessary to be included in the system
to check the effect of using each raw material and ensure that all raw materials will not generate
pollution more than emission limits. The by product is not needed to be defined.

Case study: Bioethanol production from cassava rhizome

The components that are added into the process are
 Sulfuric acid
 Ammonia
 Corn steep liquor
 Cellulose
 Cassava rhizome (cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin)
(Treated water is not included since water is treated and recycled in the process)

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 Step 1: Click “Define Stream Component” button (Figure 3.3).
Step 2: Double click on the gray area range to define each component and click “Yes” to
confirm.
Step 3: Select type of material which are:
Biomass: If the stream component is biomass such as corn stove at, conversion plant.
Chemical: If the stream component is chemical such as sulfuric acid, ammonia etc.
Fuel: If the stream component is fuel such as diesel or antracite coal.
Crop: If the stream component is plant such as cassava root production.
Other: Refer to other materials do not classified into above mentioned categories.
For example; cellulose is the component of cassava rhizome which is plant, cassava
rhizome is produced from cassava root.
Step 4: Select the name of process in the list.
Step 5: Click “Select” button.
Step 6: Repeat step 2 to step 5 to define the next stream component.
Step 7: After finishing defining stream components in the stream table, Click “Done”
button (Figure 3.13). User can edit the specification of the stream component by clicking “Define
stream component” button in “Main menu” page. Click “Done” button in the “Define stream” page
after changing the specification.

Figure 3.13 Define stream components.

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Figure 3.13 Define stream components (Cont’d).

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3.8 Define Equipment and Utility
This step is optional for LCA implementation using simulation results (If user does not
have simulation results can skip this step). The utility consumption can both directly and indirectly
emit substances that effect environmental impacts. The direct emission is carbon dioxide emitted
from combustion of natural gas for example. The indirect emission is carbon dioxide emitted from
production of natural gas before transportation to the process for example.

Step 1: Click “Define equipment and utilities” button (Figure 3.3).

Step 2: Double click on the gray area cells to define the each component and click “Yes”.
Step 3: Select utility which are:
Hot utility: For the equipment that needs heat.
Cold utility: For the equipment that needs coolant.
Electricity by fuel: For the equipment that use electricity, type of electricity generated
using fuel.
Electricity by region: For the equipment that use electricity distributed from regional
location.
Other: Refer to other type of utility that has not been classified into above mentioned
categories.

For example, Pump use electricity, therefore the utility type is “Electricity by fuel”. In the
case study the electricity produced from natural gas, thus the utility name is “natural gas at power
plant”. The amount of duty/work is retrieved from the equipment table.
Step 4: Select utility name.
Step 5: Click “Select” button.
User can edit the specification of equipment/utility components by clicking “Define
Equipment and Utility” button in “Main menu” page. Click “Done” button in the “Define
equipment” page after changing the specification.
Step 6: Repeat step 2-5 to define utility of all equipment (Figure 3.14).
Step 7: After finishing defining equipment/utility, Click “Done” button. User can edit the
specification of the equipment and utility by clicking “Define equipment and utility” button in
“Main menu” page. Click “Done” after changing the specification.

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Figure 3.14 Define equipment and utility.

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3.9 Create Production Stage
This step is for define inputs and outputs of the process stage regarding to the defined
system boundaries.

Case study: Bioethanol production from cassava rhizome

5 Sections (Figure 3.1)
(1) Pretreatment, (2) Detoxification, (3) SSCF, (4) Distillation, and (5) Dehydration

3.9.1 Define Inputs and Outputs using Simulation Result

Step 1: Click on “LCA for Partitions” button as shown in Figure 3.3.
Step 2: Type name of the section and description of the section (optional), Figure 3.15a.
Step 3: Click “OK” button, the section “(1) Pretreatment” page will appear.
Step 4: To define Inputs of this section, double click grey range under “INPUTS” bar,
“Input” form will appear.

Figure 3.15a Generate LCA section

Section: (1) Pretreatment (use simulation results)

Input streams: S1, S2, S4, S5, S7, and S14 (There is no utility from the equipment in the
“Pretreatment” section since the duties of M1, M2, M3, R1, F1, M4, and SC1 are zero.)
Output streams: S10, compartment: air, sub compartment: unspecified

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 Step 5: Click “Use simulation results” page.
Step 6: Select “Stream” option and select input stream. Select “Equipment” option if there
is equipment in this section and select equipment presented in this section.
Step 7: Click “Ok” button.
Step 8: Repeat step 4-7 until S1, S2, S4, S5, S7, and S14 are all selected.

If user wants to edit or change the previously selected input, double click on the area
shown in Figure 3.15b. The “Input” form will appear, click “Delete” button on “Input” form to
delete the previously selected input or change the input.
Step 9: Double click on cells in Figure 3.16 then the “Output” form will appear.
Step 10: Click “Use simulation results” page.
Step 11: Select compartment; air, water, and soil. Select sub compartment and select
output stream.
Step 12: Click “Ok” button.
Step 13: Click “Done” button (Figure 3.16). The LCI data will be retrieved and stored to
be used to calculate potential environmental impacts.

Figure 3.15b Create LCA section using simulation results (input flow).

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Figure 3.16 Create LCA section using simulation results (output flow).
Step 14: Repeat step 1 to step 13 until user finish all sections ((1) Pretreatment, (2)
Detoxification, (3) SSCF, (4) Distillation, and (5) Dehydration).

Section: (2) Detoxification (use simulation results)

Input streams: S18, S20, and S23
Input equipment: E1, R2, and R3
Output streams: S26, compartment: soil, sub compartment: unspecified

Section: (3) SSCF (use simulation results)

Input streams: S35, S36, S37, S43, S44, and S45
Input equipment: E2, E3,E4, R4, R5, R6, and R7
Output streams:
S40 and S52, compartment: air, sub compartment: unspecified
S55, compartment: soil, sub compartment: unspecified

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 Section: (4) Distillation (use simulation results)
Input equipment: E5, P1, T1condenser, T1reboiler, T2condenser, and T2reboiler.
Output streams:
S58, compartment: air, sub compartment: unspecified
S61 and S63, compartment: water, sub compartment: unspecified

Section: (5) Dehydration (use simulation results)

Input equipment: E6 and E7.
Output streams: S66, compartment: air, sub compartment: unspecified

3.9.2 Define Inputs and Outputs without Simulation Result

In the case that user does not have simulation results to enter data for each section follows
these steps below: For example: Sulfuric acid 1000 kg is entered into (5) Dehydration section and
carbon dioxide 10 kg is emitted to air from (5) Dehydration section.
Step 1: Double click grey area under “Inputs” bar (Figure 3.17).
Step 2: Select category of input which are material, transportation, or utility
Step 3: Select sub categories of inputs.
Material: biomass, chemical, fuel, crop, and other.
Utility: heating, cooling, electricity by fuel, electricity by region, and other.
Transport: air, pipeline, rail, road, water, and other.
Step 4: Select the name of input (Sulfuric acid, at plant for example) and amount of input
(1000 kg).
Step 5: Click “Ok” button.
Step 6: Click grey area under “Outputs” bar (Figure 3.18).
Step 7: Select compartment: air, water, and soil. Select sub compartment. Select emitted
chemical. Enter emitted amount. Select unit of mass. (For this example, 10 kg of carbon dioxide
is emitted to unspecified air.)
Step 8: Click “Ok” button
Step 9: Click “Done” button to finish entering data in this section.

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Figure 3.17 Create LCA section without simulation results (Input flow).

Figure 3.18 Create LCA section without simulation results (Output flow).

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 3.9.3 Edit LCA section
Step 1: Click “Edit” button (Figure 3.3)
Step 2: Select section. Note that user can delete the section by clicking “Delete” button
(Figure 3.19).
Step 3: Click “Edit” button. The section that user want to edit will appear, user can change
inputs/outputs of the section by double click on the cells (see step 4 to 12 in 3.9.1).
Step 4: For example user want to delete input stream, S14 from the “(1) Pretreatment”
section. Double click any cells in the same row of input stream S14 under “Inputs” bar. “Input”
form will appear (Figure 30).
Step 5: Delete or select new specification in “Input” form.
Step 6: Click “Yes” button. Input stream, S14 will be deleted.
Step 7: To edit outputs of the section. For example, user wants to change output stream,
S10 to 10 kg of carbon dioxide. Double click on any cells in the same row of output stream S14
below “Outputs” bar. “Output” form will appear.
Step 8: Select compartment, sub compartment, chemical, and unit of mass. Enter amount
of emitted chemical.
Step 9: Click “Ok” button.
Step 10: After user finish editing in this section, click “Done” button.

Figure 3.19 Edit LCA section

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3.10 Calculation Environmental Impact
Step 1: Click “Calculate Carbon Footprint and Environmental Impacts” button on “Main
menu” page as shown in Figure 3.3. “LCIA Calculation” form will appear (Figure 3.20)
Step 2: Select Calculation method. Several calculation methodologies are available, see
also in Table 2.1-2.5 for more information. After specified the calculation method, description will
be shown on the yellow textbox.
Step 3: Click on Checkbox in order to include uncertainty in calculation and specify the
percentage of uncertainty. (Optional)
Step 4: Click “Calculate” button. Wait until the software finish running.

Figure 3.20 LCIA calculation form

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3.11 LCA Results
Step 1: To see the carbon footprint results, click “LCA Result” button.
Step 2: Click “Carbon Footprint” option and click “OK” button.
Step 3: Click “Done” button to back to “Main menu” (Figure 3.21).

Figure 3.21 Carbon Footprint Result.

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Figure 3.21 Carbon Footprint Result. (Cont’d)

Step 4: To see environmental impact results, click “LCA Result” button.

Step 5: Click “Impact Assessment” option and click “OK” button. Environmental impact
results will be shown, Click “Chart” button to generate chart of environmental impact results
(Figure 3.22).

Figure 3.22 Environmental Impact Result.

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Figure 3.22 Environmental Impact Result. (Cont’d)

Step 6: To see the ecological footprint results, “LCA Result” button.

Step 7: Click “Ecological Footprint” option and click “OK” button.
Step 8: Select type of ecological footprint from the list box. Ecological footprint will be
shown.
Step 9: Click “Done” button to back to “Main menu” (Figure 3.23).

Figure 3.23 Ecological Footprint Result.

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Figure 3.23 Ecological Footprint Result. (Cont’d)

3.12 Contribution Analysis

3.12.1 Process Contribution
In order to investigate the distribution of used economic flows in production stage.
LCSoft provides process contribution analysis that aggregate data of economic used in production
system in each production stage for better understanding the behavior of economic flow
consumption.
Step 1: Click “Contribution Analysis” button in main interface and select “Process
Contribution”, then click “OK”. Process Contribution interface will be shown (Figure 3.24).
Step 2: Click “Number” when user need to see the exact value and click “%” when
use need to see results in percentage.
Step 3: Click “Chart” to generate chart of process contribution results.
Step 4: Click “Done” to back to “Main menu”.

Figure 3.24 Process Contribution.

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Figure 3.24 Process Contribution. (Cont’d)

3.12.2 LCI Contribution

The contribution of LCI result provides useful information for realizing on how
elementary contribute in each production stage. Hence, undersigned elementary or targeted
elementary can be decreased or increased by improvement of process and/or product design.
Step 1: Click “Contribution Analysis” button in main interface and select “LCI
Contribution”, then click “OK”. LCI Contribution interface will be shown (Figure 3.25).
Step 2: Click “Number” when user need to see the exact value and click “%” when
use need to see results in percentage.
Step 3: Click “Done” to back to “Main menu”.

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Figure 3.25 LCI Contribution.

3.12.3 LCIA Contribution

Contribution of environmental impact result from LCIA can be analyzed by LCIA
contribution. With this function, processes and/or production stages that have significant
contributed environmental impact (“Hot spot”) can be determined for further product and/or
process development. For instance, alternative materials, processes, or products, which have low
environmental impacts, can be considered to replace the existing one that may be a danger
substance.
Step 1: Click “Contribution Analysis” button in main interface and select “LCIA
Contribution”, then click “OK”. LCIA Contribution interface will be shown (Figure 3.26).

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Figure 3.26 LCIA Contribution

Step 2: Select Interested impact categories, the categories are depend on selected
calculation method
Step 3: Select Interested production stage. User can investigate impact results of
all section or individual section of production system.
Step 4: Click “Analyze” to generate contribution results. (Figure 3.27).
Step 5: Click “Number” when user need to see the exact value and click “%” when
use need to see results in percentage.
Step 6: Click “Chart” to generate chart of results. Chart results of LCIA
contribution will be change every different input (production stage, number, percentage). For
instance, analysis of GWP, Chart results will be changed when production stage changed (Overall
stage to each individual stage) and table display (Number or percentage). User need to click
“Chart” every time of input changing.
Step 7: Click “Done” to back to “Main menu”.

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Figure 3.27 LCIA Contribution results.

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3.13 Optional Function
3.13.1 Normalization
Normalization will simplify the results with the reference values. Results which
have different units are converted into dimensionless quantities by multiply results of impact
assessment with normalization factors for facilitate in comparison between distinguish impact
categories (Rebitzer et al., 2004). Normalization result which unit is dimensionless unit, will be
compared with the reference value (normal value) and the results will show higher or lower from
reference value that are relate to a community, person or others system.
Step 1: Click “Optional Function” button in main interface and select
“Normalization”, then click “OK”. Pop up message will be shown to remind user about
normalization, then click “OK” the normalization factor form will be shown (Figure 3.28).

Figure 3.28 Normalization function

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 Step 2: From the normalization form, select the normalization factor from the
calculation or specify the amount that relate with the project, then click “OK” the normalization
results will be shown together with the chart (Figure 3.29).
Step 3: Select the section and click “Chart” in order to show the chart with specific
process section.
Step 4: Click “Done” to back to “Main Menu”

Figure 3.29 Normalization Results

3.13.2 Water Footprint Calculation

Water Footprint measures the amount of water used by human activities, volume
of water consumed, and pollutted. In LCSoft, Water Footprint is calculating from impact of water
consumption at midpoint level in LCA by based on available water remaining (AWARE: Available
WAter REmaining) per unit area of water used and relative to the world average.
Step 1: Click “Optional Function” button in main interface and select “Water
Scarcity Footprint”, then click “OK” water footprint calculation form will be shown.
Step 2: Specify the water consumption in the process, then click “Calculate”. The
Water footprint results will be shown (Figure 3.30).
Step 3: Click “Done” to back to “Main Menu”

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Figure 3.30 Water Footprint Results

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3.14 Process Alternative Comparison
Alternative Comparison is for comparison LCA results from different design cases
(alternatives case).
Step 1: Click “Alternative Comparison” button in “Main menu” (Figure 3.3), the
“Alternatives Comparison” page will appear as shown in Figure 3.31.
Step 2: Click on “Select alternative case” button.
Step 3: Select alternative case.
Step 4: Click “Select” button.
Step 5: When finish selection of alternatives, click “Create Chart” button.
Step 6: Click “Done” to go back to “Main menu” page.

Figure 3.31 Alternative comparison

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Figure 3.31 Alternative comparison (Cont’d)

3.15 Sensitivity Analysis

The variation of raw materials and energy resources affect to environmental impact results
of the production process, LCSoft provides this option to analyze how environmental impact
results change when the feed stocks or energy either source or amount are changed.
3.15.1 Source Sensitivity Analysis
From the case study “Distillation” section contributes high environmental impacts
of emissions from utility consumption. To study the effect of utility type, hot utility in this case
will be changed, “Natural gas, combusted in industrial equipment” will be changed to “Diesel,
combusted in industrial equipment”. To change the specification of hot utility, please follow this
step.
Step 1: Click “Define Equipment and Utility” button in “Main Menu” page.
Step 2: Double click cells in grey area to change the specification of hot utility,
click “Yes” button to confirm.
Step 3: Select “Heating”, “Diesel, combusted in industrial equipment”, and click
“Ok” button to confirm. Repeat step 2 and 3 until all hot utility specification are changed.
Step 4: Click “Done” button to back to “Main Menu”.
Step 5: Click “Sensitivity Analysis” button in “Main Menu”.
Step 6: Click “Source sensitivity analysis” and Click “Ok” button.
Step 7: Click “Select sensitivity case” button.
Step 8: If user never perform sensitivity analysis, click “New”
Step 9: Enter case name “Distillation_1” and comment “Natural gas, combusted in
industrial equipment” will be changed to “Diesel, combusted in industrial equipment”, then click
“Ok” (Figure 3.32).

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 Optional Step: Click “Add Base Case” Button to add base case section
Step 10: “Distillation_1_sen” section page will appear, click “Done” button (no
need to change inputs and outputs in this method).
Step 11: Select sensitivity case and click “Perform sensitivity analysis”
Environmental impacts will be presented in “Sensitivity Analysis” page.

10

11

Figure 3.32 Source Sensitivity Analysis

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 3.15.2 Parameter Sensitivity Analysis
Parameter Sensitivity Analysis is available for investigating the effect of amount
of feedstock or utility on the process. The specific parameter can be varied in this function. To
varied the parameter, please follow this step.
Step 1: Click “Sensitivity Analysis” button in “Main Menu”.
Step 2: Click “Parameter sensitivity analysis” and Click “Ok” button.
Step 3: “Parameter sensitivity analysis” worksheet will be shown, then Click
“Analysis” button.
Step 4: Select interested Section, Select Type of Parameter (Material/Utility), then
parameter that involved in the process will be shown.
Step 5: Select Parameter, and specify percentage of variation, then click “Analyze”
button (Figure 3.33). Wait until software finish running.
Step 6: Sensitivity Analysis results will be shown in the page as Figure 3.33.
Step 7: Click “Chart” button to see the sensitivity results in Chart (Figure 3.34).
Step 8: Click “Done” to back to “Main Menu”

Figure 3.33 Parameter Sensitivity Analysis

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Figure 3.34 Chart of Parameter Sensitivity Analysis Results.

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3.16 Eco-efficiency evaluation
Eco-efficiency analysis is a tool for quantifying the relationship between economic value of
technology or product and environmental impacts over the entire life cycle
Step 1: Click “Eco-efficiency evaluation” button in “Main Menu”.
Step 2: Specify the current product selling price, then Click “OK” button. The eco-
efficiency evaluation results will be shown in the page.
Step 3: Click “Done” to back to “Main Menu”

Figure 3.35 Eco-efficient evaluation

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3.17 Database Management
Database management function contained in LCSoft provides ability that user can manage
database including process data, resource list, chemical list by adding or deleting. Added process
will be screened by data background in order to increase transparency of data before stored in
standard database form (Ecospold01) as shown in Figure 3.36.

Figure 3.36 Standard data form (Ecospold01).

If added data contain input from technosphere that is available in LCSoft database. The LCI
calculation will be performed automatically by LCI calculation function (Matrix Inversion
method).

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 3.17.1 Example of Adding New Data
Process Data
Product: Methanol, at plant
Category: Material Sub-category: Chemical
Unit: kg
Amount: 1
Location: RNA (North America)
Source: "THE PLASTICS DIVISION OF THE AMERICAN C", CRADLE-TO-GATE LIFE
CYCLE INVENTORY OF NINE PLASTIC RESINS AND FOUR POLYURETHANE
PRECURSORS, 2010.
Technology: Steam reformation of light hydrocarbons followed by low pressure synthesis.
Included processes: Includes material and energy requirements and environmental emissions for
one kilogram of methanol.
General comment: Complete inventory data and metadata are available in full in the final report
and appendices, Cradle-to-Gate Life Cycle Inventory of Nine Plastic Resins and Four
Polyurethane Precursors. This report has been extensively reviewed within Franklin Associates
and has undergone partial critical review by ACC Plastics Division members and is available at:
www.americanchemistry.com. Quantities may vary slightly between the reference to main
source and and this module due to rounding. Important note: although most of the data in the US
LCI database has undergone some sort of review, the database as a whole has not yet undergone
a formal validation process. Please email comments to lci@nrel.gov.
Year: 1975-2009
Data Generator: Franklin Associates

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 Step 1: Click “Database Management” in “Main Menu”. Database management
interface will be shown as Figure 3.37.
Step 2: User can see list of process data contained in database by clicking process
category (material, transportation, and utility) and sub-category on the left hand side. Then, list of
process contained in database will be shown in list box.
Step 3: In case of adding new process data, click “New”, then “Add new process”
will be shown (Figure 3.37).

Figure 3.37 Database management interface.

“Add new process” interface is divided into two parts.

1. “General Information”, background of process data and general data are
required in order to increase transparency of database.
2. “Input/Output”, the input and output information of added process.
Data with asterisk (*) mean that those data must be filled.
Step 4: Fill data information, regarding to background of process data, in “General
Information” page (Figure 3.38).

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Figure 3.38 Add new process interface (General Information).

Step 5: After finishing “General Information” page, click “Input/Output” page.

Then, “Input/Output” interface will appear (Figure 3.39). With this page, user needs to fill out
input and output information of added process following below step.
Step 6: Under “Product and Co-product”, User need to fill name, amount, quantity,
unit, and allocation data. For example, this process has only one product, Methanol, at plant. Thus,
name is “Methanol, at plant”. “Amount” is 1, “Quantity” is mass, and “Unit” is kg. Because
methanol is only one product from this process, “Allocation” is 100% and methanol is reference
product.
Step 7: Click “Add” if you want to add this product to product list. Note that only
one reference product can be added (Figure 3.40). If user need to delete added data, select name
in list box and click “Delete”.
Step 8: Under “Input” tab, user need to fill input data that is divided into two types,
Input from natural resource and Input from technosphere. Methanol, at plant production contains
7 input from technosphere. Click “Input Type” then select “Input from technosphere” and click
“Add new input” Select process interface will be activated (Figure 3.41).

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Figure 3.39 Add new process interface (Input/Output).

Figure 3.40 Adding product data to interface.

Figure 3.41 Adding input from technosphere (1).

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 Step 9: First input from technosphere is “Electricity, at grid, US, 2008”, therefore
select category “Utility” and “Electricity by region” on left hand side. Select process in listbox and
click “Select” (Figure 3.42)

Figure 3.42 Selecting input process.

Step 10: Input/Output page will be returned. Then, fill amount and select
“Distribution” type. Distribution type refers to uncertainty of input and output quantity that may
depend on how data come from and which is collection method for example. Distribution is divided
into 4 types of distribution; Normal, Lognormal, Triangular, Uniform; depended on data that user
have. For normal distribution, user needs to specify 2SD, SD2 for lognormal, maximum value and
minimum value for triangular and uniform distribution type. If data do not have uncertainty data,
select “Undefined”. Click “Add” for adding input data to below listbox.

Figure 3.43 Adding input from technosphere (2)

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 Step 11: Repeat step 9 and 10 for all of input from technosphere. If input from
technosphere that you need does not exist in list, select category and sub-category, that you need
to add it into, and click “New” (Figure 3.44).
Step 12: In this example, Dummy_Disposal, solid waste, unspecified, to sanitary
landfill is not exist in process list, so user can add data of this process by filling data information
shown in Figure 3.44. Click “OK”. Note that this adding of process is only add process name, unit,
location, and comment to process list. No input and output information are available in this process.

Figure 3.44 Adding new process to the list

Step 13: Natural resource that is needed in this process is Oxygen, in air. To add
this resource, select “Input Type” to be “Input from natural resource” and click “Add new input”.
“Select natural resource” will be activated.
Step 14: User can find name of resource by typing name under “Search: Name,
ICAS” then select needed resource in listbox and sub compartment of resource. Click “Select” as
shown in Figure 3.45. Note that user must select resource from resource list, not only typing name
of resource under “Search: Name, ICAS”. Fill amount of resource used and distribution type, then
click “Add” to add this resource.
Step 15: If needed resource is not exist in resource list, user can add by clicking
“New”, then fill data and click “Ok” as shown in Figure 3.46. User can also delete natural resource
from resource list by selecting substance, then click “Delete”.

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Figure 3.45 Adding natural resource to process.

Figure 3.46 Adding new natural resource

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 Step 16: To add output, click “Add new output” (Figure 3.47) then, “Select
emission” interface will be activated.
Step 17: User can find name of emission substance by typing name under “Search:
Name, ICAS” then select needed substance in listbox, compartment, and sub compartment of
substance. Click “Select” as shown in Figure 3.48. Note that user must select substance from
emission list, not only typing name of substance under “Search: Name, ICAS”.

Figure 3.47 Adding output to process.

Figure 3.48 Adding emission to process.

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 Step 18: Fill amount of emission used and distribution type, then click “Add”.
Step 19: If emission substance is not exist in list, user can add by clicking “New”,
then fill data and click “Ok” as shown in Figure 3.49. User can also delete substance from emission
list by selecting substance, then click “Delete”.

Figure 3.49 Adding new emission.

Step 20: After all of products, natural resources, and emissions were added, click
“Save” (Figure 3.50). LCSoft will calculate LCI of new process automatically. The message “Data
have been added” will be shown when calculation is done. New process, that is ready to be used
in LCSoft, will be kept at LCK KB/Total, LCK KB/ selected category. Raw process data, which
is stored in standard database form (Ecospold01) will be kept in LCK KB/ Process data.

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Figure 3.50 New process is ready for LCI calculation.

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