Life Cycle Analysis and Assessment

Malcolm C. Mediana BSECE III

 Models the complex interaction between a product and the environment from cradle to grave Also known as life cycle analysis or ecobalance

What is LCA?

Main Phases of LCA

 The product or service to be assessed is defined, a functional basis for comparison is chosen and the required level of detail is defined

Goal and Scope Definiton

 The goal and scope definition is a guide that ensures the LCA is performed consistently. Most important choices of the study are described in detail particularly with regards to the following issues:
System Boundaries Multiple Output Processes/Allocation Avoided impacts

 An inventory list of all the inputs and outputs of a service.

Inventory Analysis

 Includes information on all of the environmental inputs and outputs associated with a product or service. In practice, it is subject to a number of practical issues
Geographical variations Data quality Choice of technology

 The effects of the resource use and emissions generated are grouped and quantified into a limited number of impact categories which may then be weighted for importance

Impact Assessment

 An LCIA consists of 4 steps:

Classification: all substances are sorted in classes according to the effect they have on the environment. Characterization: all the substances are multiplied by a factor which reflects their relative contribution to the environmental impact. Normalization: the quantified impact is compared to a certain reference value. * Weighting: different value choices are given to impact categories to generate a single score.

 A impact category indicator result can be chosen either at the midpoint or endpoint level.
Midpoint: translates impacts into environmental themes. Endpoint: translates environmental impacts into issues of concern. Endpoint results have a higher level of uncertainty compared to midpoint results but are easier to understand by decision makers.

 The results are reported in the most informative way as possible and the need and opportunities to reduce the impact of the product or service on the environment are evaluated

Interpretation

 Interpretation according to ISO 14044 describes a number of checks need to make to ensure the conclusions are adequately supported by the data and procedures used in the study. The following checks are recommended:
Uncertainty Sensitivity Analysis Contribution Analysis

 Environmental standards exist to help organizations:

Minimize how their operations negatively affect the environment Comply with applicable laws, regualtions, and other environmentally oriented requirements Continually improve in the above

ISO 14000

 Unit process data is derived from direct surveys of companies or plants producing the product of interest, carried out at a unit process level defined by the system boundaries for the study. Environmental input-output data based on national economic input-output data

LCA Data

 Dedicated software packages intended for practitioners Tools with the LCA in the background intended for people who want LCA-based results without have to actually develop the LCA data and impact measures.

Basic Types of LCA

Diagram of LCA

Why perform LCA?

Identify areas where improvements can be made To provide environmental data for the public Identify those products which are most harmful Identify those stages in production processes which cause pollution

 Based on a survey of LCA practitioners carried out in 2006 LCA is mostly used to support business strategy (18%) and R&D (18%), as input to product or process design (15%), in education (13%) and for labeling or product declarations (11%).

THANK YOU!