© loughborough university, 2004 life cycle assessment a process to evaluate the environmental...
TRANSCRIPT
© Loughborough University, 2004
Life Cycle Assessment
A process to evaluate the environmental burdens associated with a product by identifying and quantifying energy and
materials used and wastes released into the environment; to assess the impact of those energy and material uses and releases to the environment; and to identify and evaluate
opportunities to affect environmental improvements. (SETAC, 1991)
© Loughborough University, 2004
What is LCA?
• Enables estimation of cumulative environmental impacts results from all stages of the product life cycle
• A “cradle-to-grave” approach “for assessing the environmental aspects and potential impacts associated with a product by;– compiling an inventory of relevant inputs and outputs of a system– evaluating the potential environmental impacts associated with
these inputs and outputs– interpreting the results of the inventory and impact phases in
relation to the objectives of the study.” (ISO 14040)
© Loughborough University, 2004
Raw Materials
Materials Processing
Product Manufacture
Retail Outlets
Product Use and Service
Reuse - Recycling
Disposal
Materials
Energy
Transport
Water Effluents
Air Emissions
Solid Wastes
Other Releases
Usable Products
Areas covered by LCA
T-shirt example (cotton)
• Growing• Harvesting• Spinning• Weaving/knitting• Bleaching, dyeing, washing
and treatment• Cutting and sewing• Use - reuse• Disposal - recycling
Use and maintenanceDisposal/end of life
Processing of materials
Production
Extraction of materials
© Loughborough University, 2004
Objectives of LCA• To provide a complete a picture as possible of the
interactions of an activity with the environment.
• To contribute to the understanding of the overall and interdependent nature of the environmental consequences of human activities.
• To provide decision makers with information which defines the environmental effects of these activities and identifies opportunities for environmental improvements
© Loughborough University, 2004
LCA Applications
External uses:• Marketing or support for specific environmental
claims.• Labelling.• Public education and communication.• Policy making.• Supporting the establishment of purchasing
procedures
© Loughborough University, 2004
LCA Applications
Internal uses:• Strategic planning.• Product & process design, improvements &
optimisation.• Identifying environmental improvement opportunities.• Support the establishment of purchasing procedures or
specifications.• Environmental auditing & waste minimisation
© Loughborough University, 2004
assembly
poly- aluminium
extrusion
+ transport
disposal inmunicipalwaste
disposal of
in org. waste
use
paper
duction filter pro-
sheet steel
stampingforming
glass
forming
filters + coffee
coffee
roasting
packaging
water
injectionmoulding
bean styrene
electricity
Simplified Process Tree for a Coffee Machine
© Loughborough University, 2004
assembly
poly- aluminium
extrusion
+ transport
disposal inmunicipalwaste
disposal of
in org. waste
use
paper
duction filter pro-
sheet steel
stampingforming
glass
forming
filters + coffee
coffee
roasting
packaging
water
injectionmoulding
bean styrene
electricity
Process Tree:Amounts & Assumptions7.3 kg 1 kg 0.1 kg 0.3 kg 0.4 kg
White boxes are not included in the inventory
375 kWh
© Loughborough University, 2004
Resource depletion
Green houseeffect
Depletion ofozone layer
• Source: Use of copper, zinc, oil etc.• Effect: Reduction of possibilities for future generations
• Source: Combustion (transport, energy etc.)• Effect: Increase in temperature, desert formation etc.
• Source: CFC and HCFC from foam and coolants• Effect: UV radiation, skin cancer etc.
Global Impact Categories
© Loughborough University, 2004
Regional Impact Categories
Persistent toxicity
Acidification
Ozone formation
Eutrofication
• Source: Transport, energy, industry (Hydrocarbons etc.)• Effect: Ozone formation (Damage of lung tissue etc. )
• Source: Transport, energy, agriculture• Effect: Damage to woodlands, lakes and buildings (SOx, NOx, NH3 )
• Source: Fertilisers, waste water, transport and energy• Effect: Eutrophication (Damage to plants and fish)
• Source: Waste water, incineration, industry, ships etc. • Effect: Accumulation: Chronic damage to ecosystems and organisms
© Loughborough University, 2004
• The paper bag causes more winter smog and acidification, but scores better on the other environmental effects.
• The classification does not reveal which is the better bag. What is missing is the mutual weighting of the effects.
Classification / Characterisation
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
greenhouseeffect
ozone layerdepletionacidification
eutrophicationheavy metals carcinogens winter smog
summer smog
pesticides
Paper bag
LDPE bag
Plastic versus Paper Bag
© Loughborough University, 2004
Source: Electrolux 1998
• Calculated environmental impacts across the products life cycle• identifies and quantifies energy & materials used,
waste emissions, etc• identifies improvement potentials
© Loughborough University, 2004
LCA of washing machines
98%2%Water Consumption5%87%
1%
7%Solid Waste
96%
1%
4%Water Pollution
98%2%Air Pollution
96%4%Energy
DisposalUseDistributionProduction
© Loughborough University, 2004
LCA of Bang & Olufsen TV
• Extraction, processing, and production of raw materials.
• Manufacturing: processes at Bang & Olufsen & subcontractors.
• Use: amount of electricity used
• Disposal
Lifespan 10 yrsUse 6 hrs dayStandby 18 hrs day