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Ivan J. Baiges, PhD Department of Engineering Sciences and Materials University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez

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Outline Environmental Decision Making What is Life Cycle Analysis ? Main Components Process Flow Diagrams Uses of LCA Examples of LCA Streamlining and Functional Units

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environmental decision making and energy production Which energy source is better and why?

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environmental decision making and energy production Decision making requires that we have the complete information or at least a good set of data/information We need to make the comparison of different energy sources on the same basis

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Environmental Disputes business environmentalists environmentalists Traditional Conflict - economic progress vs environmental protection

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Paper vs Plastic

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Paper vs Plastic 1000 bags 140 pounds 15.6 pounds inches

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What is Life Cycle Analysis ? The Life Cycle Assessment is an objective process to evaluate the environmental burdens associated with a product, process or activity by: identifying energy, materials and benefits assess the impact of the energy and materials evaluate and implement improvement plans Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

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Life Cycle Assessment n The evaluation of the relevant environmental, economic and technological implications of a product, process or system from cradle to grave . LCA Stages LCA Stages material extraction and processing material extraction and processing manufacturing manufacturing transportation and distribution transportation and distribution use use end of life management end of life management

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Product Life Cycle Stages extraction disposal manufacture landfill processing use

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LCA Framework Developed by the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) in 1990. Several workshops in the Netherlands and the United States gave birth to LCA as we know it today. Comprises three fundamental stages: inventory, impact and improvement.

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LCA: An Environmental Decision-Making Tool Good environmental decision-making tool. Possesses two unique attributes: Considers whole life-cycle of a product or service; avoids problem shifting. Allocates all environmental burdens to the functional unit, making easier value/impact assessments.

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Why is LCA Important? Allows to identify when a selection of one alternative over another or when the modifications made to any part of the system has the desired end result of reducing environmental impacts from all life-cycle stages.

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LCA Conceptual Model Improvement assessment Inventory assessment Impactassessment Goals & scoping

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What is Life Cycle Analysis ? Processes of the Systems Life Cycle Natural resources energy Raw materials Waste and emissions By products BENEFITS

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Inventory Impact Environmental Improvement Life Cycle Assessment methodology

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Raw Material Acquisition Manufacturing Use/Reuse/Maintenance Recycle/Waste Management Raw Materials Energy AtmosphericEmissions WaterborneEmissions Solid Wastes Coproducts Other Releases Life Cycle Assessment

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Goals and Scoping We must ask ourselves why we want to conduct an Life Cycle Assessment: Implement a new product or process Compare existing product or process to possible competitors Determine the environmental friendliness of a product Determine where to spend money on Environmental Improvement

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LCA - Components LCA Inventory - quantifying the energy and materials used, and wastes generated LCA Impact - assess the effects of the inventory. LCA Improvement - Systematic evaluation of the needs and opportunities to reduce of the environmental burden.

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Steps of a LCA definescope InventoryAnalysis ImpactAnalysis environmentalefficiencyImprovementAnalysis Implement

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LCA Stages and Boundaries Raw Materials Acquisition Manufacturing Use/ Reuse/Maintenance Waste Management Inputs Outputs Raw Materials Energy Natural Resources Waste Emission Coproducts Benefits system boundaries Grave Cradle

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LCA Scoping Example - Environmental Impact of using fossil fuels for energy production InputsOutputs Raw Materials Energy Natural Resources Waste Emission Coproducts Benefits Raw Materials Acquisition ENERGY PRODUCTION Use/ Reuse/Maintenance Waste Management Grave Cradle

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LCA Process Flow Diagrams Process Flow Diagram - It indicates the processes and the hierarchy of the system to be evaluated by a LCA Study The flow diagram indicates the processes for which materials and energy will be evaluated

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LCA Process Flow Diagrams Rawmaterials process manufacture use dispose energy wastes energy wastes energy reuse recycle energy

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Bag manufacturing materials energywaste By products Polyethylene polymerization materials energywaste By products Ethylene production materials energywaste By products Petroleum extraction materials energywaste By products From materials to products

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processedmaterials LCA Scoping, Flow Diagram Raw Materials Extraction and Processing rawmaterials extraction concentratedmaterials refining refinedmaterials Physical,ChemicalPreparation

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processedmaterials LCA Scoping, Flow Diagram Raw Materials Extraction and Processing fossil fuels rawmaterials extraction concentratedmaterials refining refinedmaterials Physical,ChemicalPreparation transportation

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LCA Scoping Raw Materials Acquisition Manufacturing Use/ Reuse/Maintenance Waste Management Inputs Outputs Raw Materials Energy Natural Resources Waste Emission Coproducts Benefits system boundaries Grave Cradle Example - Environmental Impact of making coffee cups

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LCA Flow Diagrams finished materials finished materials fabricationfabrication assemblyassembly finished components finished components bulk products bulk products packagingpackaging Manufacturing finishedproductsfinishedproducts

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LCA Flow Diagrams Fossil fuel Heat production Energy conversion vapor Electrical energy distributiondistribution Energy production with fossil fuels / biofuels Delivered energy

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LCA Flow Diagrams sunlight Photovoltaic conversion Energy conversion Electrical energy distributiondistribution Energy production with solar radiation Delivered energy battery

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LCA Flow Diagrams wind ElectromechanicalconversionElectromechanicalconversion Energy conversion Electrical energy distributiondistribution Energy production with wind Delivered energy battery

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LCA Scoping Raw Materials Acquisition Manufacturing Use/ Reuse/Maintenance Waste Management Inputs Outputs Raw Materials Energy Natural Resources Waste Emission Coproducts Benefits system boundaries Grave Cradle Example Environmental Impact of Operating a Car

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LCA Flow Diagrams finishedproducts distribution USE Disposal Use / Reuse / Maintenance maintenance REUSE

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Application of LCA Studies Identify major contributors to environmental impact Compare options based on environmental impact System Environmental Strategic Planning Evaluate resource effects of existing and new systems

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Energy use in IC vehicle

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Examples of LCA Studies

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virginmaterialsvirginmaterials extractionextraction RefiningRefining concentratedmaterialsconcentratedmaterials refinedmaterialsrefinedmaterials Physical,ChemicalPreparationPhysical,ChemicalPreparation Material Processing processedmaterialsprocessedmaterials wastematerials collectioncollection Separation & cleaning collectedmaterials segregatedmaterials

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Aluminum Can Production Aluminum Ore extraction Aluminum production Sheet production Sheet transport Can production 70.4 kw hr/kg 7.3 kw hr/kg0.07 kw hr/kg16.6 kw hr/kg Recycling Ingot production material transport material transport 0.07 kw hr/kg 3.9 kw hr/kg Energy Savings Recycling Energy = 66.7 kw hr/kg Energy % = 90.4%

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Examples of LCA Studies Energy used to wash and dry a Polyester Blouse

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Examples of LCA Studies Transportation Energy for Mail Order Business

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strategiesPkgTrans Solid waste 25% recycled plastic309 25% consumer recycling3211 Triple concentrate555355 Product soft pouch31885 3X in soft pouch687395 3X in carton box535891 25% composting535892 Examples of LCA Studies Liquid Detergent Packaging energy & waste reduction

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Examples of LCA Studies Disposable vs Cloth DiapersImpact Wash Home Dispose Wash Comm. Energy1.00.50.55 Solid waste1.04.11.0 Water waste 1.00.140.95 Water required 1.00.271.3

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The REAL environmental impact of driving MaterialAutomobileTotal US useAutomobile % Aluminum1.3 Tg6.8 Tg18.9 Copper0.3 Tg3.0 Tg10.0 Cotton4.8 Tg2.2 Tg0.2 Iron16.8 Tg48.6 Tg34.5 Lead0.86 Tg1.24 Tg69.5 Plastic1.0 Tg30.7 Tg3.2 Platinum26.4 Tg 63.7 Tg41.4 Rubber1.80 Tg2.86 Tg62.9 Steel11.3 Tg83.6 Tg13.5 Zinc0.3 Tg1.2 Tg23.0

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The REAL environmental impact of driving characteristic1950s Auto (kg)1990s Auto (kg) Plastics 0101 Aluminum068 Copper2522 Lead2315 Zinc2510 Iron220207 Steels1290793 Glass5438 Rubber8561 Fluids9681 Other8338 TOTALS19011434

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Life Cycle Impact Assessment Categorization - determine impact consequences Characterization - determine how the actions affect the categories Valuation - determine which impact are more relevant to society STEPS

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Life Cycle Impact Assessment greenhouse effect ozone depletion smog Inventory batteries CO HC oil Characterization Impact Valuation Categorization Global warming Respiratory diseases

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Impact Assessment Stressors - Categories Stressors describe Impact Categories, The main stressors are : n n Resource Consumption - How an action affects the supply of important resources n n Ecological Health - How an action affects the Ecosystem n n Human Health - How an action affects the wellbeing of human beings

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Impact Assessment Linkage between Stressors and Impact SO 2 stressor Initial Impact Acid Rainsecondary Impact Acid Lake tertiary Impact Fish Kill quaternary Impact Loss of Biodiversity

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Life Cycle Impact Assessment HumanHealthHumanHealth Ecological Health Resource depletion ImpactcategoryImpactcategory Impact category Impact category CharacterizationMethodCharacterizationMethod Characterization Method Characterization Method ImpactDescriptorImpactDescriptor Impact Descriptor Impact Descriptor Valuation

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LCA Improvement - Env. Responsibility Matrix Life Stage Materials Choice Energy Use Solid Residues Liquid Residues Gaseous ResiduesTotalsResourceExtraction 1,11,21,31,41,5 Product Manufacture 2,12,22,32,42,5 ProductDelivery 3,13,23,33,43,5 ProductUse 4,14,24,34,44,5 Reuse, Recyle, Recyle,Disposal 5,15,25,35,45,5 Totals

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Environmentally Responsible Product Matrix element 1, 1 resource extraction / materials choice questionYes =1, no = 0 Are all materials the least toxic for the function? Are all materials environmentally preferable for the function ? Is the product designed to minimize the use of nonrenewable materials ? Is the product designed to use renewable materials?

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Environmentally Responsible Product Matrix element 1, 2 resource extraction / energy use questionYes =1, no = 0 minimize the materials which transport is energy intensive? minimize the materials which extraction is energy intensive? minimize the materials which reuse is energy intensive? minimize the materials which renewal is lengthy?

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LCA Improvement - Env. Responsibility Matrix Life Stage Materials Choice Energy Use Solid Residues Liquid Residues Gaseous ResiduesTotalsResourceExtraction 2233212 Product Manufacture 012216 ProductDelivery 3234214 ProductUse 101103 Reuse, Recyle, Recyle,Disposal 3223111 Totals 46%

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16 Oz GLASS BOTTLE12 Oz Aluminum Can 64 Oz PET Bottle Which one is better?

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LCA Benefits Raw Materials Acquisition Manufacturing Use/ Reuse/Maintenance Waste Management Inputs Outputs Raw Materials Energy Natural Resources Waste Emission Benefits system boundaries Grave Cradle Benefits

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LCA Functional Unit n n The Functional Unit is the basis used to establish the LCA Study. n n It is very important that FU be carefully selected, if not it can invalidate the LCA Study n n An inappropriate FU can be used to develop a misleading LCA Study

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Selecting the FU Soft Drink Containers on a 1000 gallon basis - PET 64 ozAl 12 oz Can Glass 16 oz Energy Tbtu 14.615.920.9 Emissions lb 44.848.373.5 Solid waste lb 189.5198.3762.5

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Selecting the FU for Energy Production KW hr produced KW hr produced / $ spent KW hr produced / m 2 of used area KW hr produced / m 3 of greenhouse gases KW hr produced /environmental impact KW hr produced / energy of infrastructure

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Streamlining LCA n n LCA Studies can be time-consuming and costly. n n Streamlining is an approach for making LCA more accessible n n The main limitation on Full Scale LCA is the amount of data required

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Streamlining LCA Approaches n n Limit or eliminate LCA Stages n n Focus on specific environmental impacts or issues n n Eliminate specific inventory parameters n n Limiting impact assessment n n Use qualitative and quantitative data

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Streamlining LCA Approaches n n Use surrogate data n n Establish criteria to be used as showstoppers n n Limit constituents studied to those meeting a threshold quantity n n Combine streamlining approaches

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Streamlining LCA Energy Production n n Focus on the raw material and energy manufacturing stages n n Evaluate the equipment manufacturing impact n n Use EPA and DOT Data n n Use qualitative scales for comparing energy alternatives

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Streamlining LCA Energy Production InputsOutputs Raw Materials Energy Natural Resources Waste Emission Coproducts Benefits Raw Materials Acquisition ENERGY PRODUCTION Use/ Reuse/Maintenance Waste Management Grave Cradle

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Application of LCA Studies n n Training of environmental professionals n n Develop Environmental Policy n n Determine Resource Allocation n n Develop Eco-Labeling Programs n n Develop Environmental Standards

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Car Emissions - A Problem In numerous cities across the country, the personal automobile is the single greatest polluter Many countries have established vehicle emissions programs in an effort to attack this problem.

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PR Inspection and Maintenance 98 Established by law in 1995 Started in April 98 Uses Florida Standards 4 gases test CO, CO 2, O 2 and HC two RPM settings Static test Uses percentages of gases

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Think.. Do we need to control emissions? Are emissions the main problem with cars? How do we do it? Do we have to own cars?

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Automobile Usage

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The Car as Symbol- Im too Sexy for my car I have a car because: How it looks To get a girlfriend To show off my wealth I am too cool to walk Everybody has one I need it To show my independence

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The Benefits of having a Car Mobility Accessibility Independence Commute Transportation Investment

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The Present Needs Motor 8.6L Weight - 6,400 lbs. Gas mileage 15/10 mpg 32 gallons/tank $80 to $90 tank Price $80,000 +

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The REAL environmental impact of driving Materials vehicle manufacture, use, infrastructure, consumables and disposal Energy Vehicle use, infrastructure development, material disposal Ecological Air Quality, Water Quality, Habitat Destruction, Noise Social Urban burden, health degradation

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Automobile Components The Automobile mfg - use - dispose Infrastructure Social Structure The REAL environmental issue The automobile and Society

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The REAL environmental impact of driving Energy - Engine Standby 17.2 (3.6) Engine losses 62.4 (69.2) accessories 2.2 (1.5) Driveline 5.6 (5.4) Air drag 2.6 (10.9) 2.6 (10.9) rolling 4.2 (7.1) 4.2 (7.1) Braking 5.8 (2.2) 5.8 (2.2)

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The REAL environmental impact of driving - oil use %

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The REAL environmental impact of driving Energy -

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Think Could we substitute the Car Emissions Program with a program that 1. Consider the real impacts of a vehicle 2. Would assess part of the costs of these impacts to the owners 3. The greener vehicle, the lower these imposed costs to the owners 4. We would develop a vehicle green index or environmental score

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Evaluating the Ecoefficiency Matrix

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Evaluating the Matrix element 2,1 manufacturing / materials choice manufacturing / materials choice question Yes = 1 No = 0 Are materials used generate the less amount of toxics in manufacturing ? Has the product been designed to minimize materials restricted supply ? Has the use of radioactive materials been reduced ? TOTAL

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Evaluating the Matrix element 4,1 product use / material choice product use / material choice question Yes = 1 No = 0 If the product is disposable, have other options been developed with the same performance ? Are the consumables in restricted supply ? Do the consumables contain toxic materials ? TOTAL

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Evaluating the Matrix element 4, 2 product use / energy use product use / energy use question Yes = 1 No = 0 Has the product been designed to reduce energy consumption during use ? Have energy saving measure been incorporated in the design ? Can the product monitor and display energy use ? TOTAL

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Evaluating the Matrix element 4, 3 product use / solid residues product use / solid residues question Yes = 1 No = 0 Does the product require the periodical disposal of solid materials ? Have alternatives to solid consumables been developed ? Do intentional emissions of the product enter the land ? TOTAL

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Evaluating the Matrix

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Evaluating the Matrix weighting life cycle stages

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Environmental Efficiency

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Life Cycle Assessment n n Allows to evaluate the complete environmental impact of a product, process or system during its complete life cycle. n n The LCA is still an evolving, unfinished methodology.

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Questions ???