5.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Life Cycle Assessment
In this chapter

5.1 The origin and development of life cycle assessment

5.2 Life Cycle Assessment and its Features

5.3 Application Life Cycle Assessment

5.4 Life Cycle Assessment case study

Product Lifecycle

5 Phase
a. Pre-production stage

b. Products
c. Goods transport

d. Products
e. Refurbishment, recycling or final disposal
a pre-production stage of product

shipment b c d products using e

refurbished product, recycling or final

disposal
 5.1 Definition of life cycle assessment

Life Cycle Assessment It refers to the product from the initial

mining of raw materials to the final disposal of the product after use

The whole process of tracking, quantitative analysis and qualitative evaluation .

Specifically, it is through prepared by A system-related inputs

and outputs Inventory , Find out With these inputs and outputs

related to potential environmental impact And then lists and the

environmental impact of the presence of conduct analysis To guide Development

and application of products.

 5.2 Life cycle assessment and development

• Flag: 1969 Coca-Cola Company in the United States on resource consumption

and environmental release evaluate different beverage containers

• Early study: 45% For packaging, 9% Chemical Products, 8%

Construction materials; 7% Baby diapers; 3% tableware.

• Early Organizer: 70% enterprise; 20% Industry Association; 10% government.

• 20 century 80 To the mid-decade 90 The early years, the rapid progress of LCA
studies

• 20 century 90 Years later, LCA The method has been applied in large-scale

worldwide
5.3 The characteristics and meaning of life cycle assessment

cradle
Product
grave
Lifecycle
schematic
 LCA features

• The whole process of evaluation LCA The system is the raw material of the

entire product collection, processing, production, packaging, transport,

consumption and final disposal as well go back to the life cycle environmental impa

• Systematic and quantification LCA in a systematic way of thinking or behavior

to study the product throughout the life cycle of all resources in every aspect

of consumption, waste generation and its impact on the environment, to

quantitatively evaluate the use of these substances as well as energy and

waste released impact on the environment, to identify and evaluate opportunities to

LCA features

• Pay attention to the environmental impact of products LCA Emphasis

on analysis products or conduct environmental impact at

all stages of the life cycle. Including energy use, land use

and pollutant emissions, and finally in the form reflect the

total environmental impact of a product or behavior.

 The meaning of life cycle assessment

• It can be analyzed within the environmental impact of its LC and comparative

analysis of different products for a given product;

• We can provide the quantitative basis for the granting of "green" labeled products;

• Economic units of a certain effect environmental behavior of comparison between different c

• Assessment of industrial efficiency in different regions of the country;

• Assess policy changes that reduce the environmental impact of the effect, to find the

best policy guidelines;

 5.4 Life cycle assessment framework

Life cycle assessment is to include

the implementation Determine the

purpose and scope, inventory analysis,

impact assessment and interpretation of results Four sections.

Life Cycle Analysis (LCA):

Goal and scope

definition

Interpretation
analysis
Inventory
analysis
Impact

- - - - Adapted from Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

(SETAC)
 frame - Define goals and determine the scope of

Define goals and determine the scope of the evaluation is the first step of the life

cycle, which directly affect the whole evaluation process and final conclusions.

Define goals That clearly shows to carry out the purpose of this life cycle

assessment, the reasons and possible applications of research results.

To determine the scope of the study Should ensure the maximum research

purposes, including the definition of the system under study, the system boundary is

determined, data requirements described, and pointed out the important assumptions restrictio
 frame - Inventory Analysis

I.e. inventory analysis of a product from the production, the use of all raw

materials and energy waste throughout life invested individually listed as an

input, and the impact of environmental substances discharged in this

process (including by-products) as the output by one column also out of

input and output data based on the objective of the quantization process.

Inventory analysis can identify a particular aspect of the production process

of resource and energy consumption, heavy pollution or on the environment,

thus propose targeted solutions.

The example in Listing analysis

Palm oil raw material is a flowchart of

the production of surfactants
 raw material
Logistics
Petrochemical Products Palm oil butter

Organic raw materials 935 899 891

Water Consumption 40 49 415
Energy consumption

Raw materials 50 26 27
transport 3 5 7
Production and processing 39 37 40
Emissions to the atmosphere

particulates 2.2 9.0 8.0

Hydrocarbons 39.2 33.2 34.8
Emissions to water

Suspended solids 5.6 5.3 4.3

Oils 0.065 0.12 0.30
Emissions to soil 76 111 139
frame - Inventory Analysis

• The results show that there are many similarities between these with the produc

• Except: ① tallow requires more water as a raw material (mainly for

irrigation cattle feed growth process.

② higher consumption of petrochemical feedstocks for the production of

palm oil or tallow raw material consumption, but their particulate emissions
and waste to landfill than the other two processes much less. Summary: The
impact of this research is far Better not sure what kind of raw material .
In fact, similar studies can be applied to various industrial activities,
including for those entering the production process of components and final
products. Moreover, this study also promote pollution prevention.
 frame - Inventory Analysis

• However, raw material evaluation and analysis of pollution prevention activities

carried out does not involve the production LCA One of the key issues needed to be

resolved: During the analysis, the relative must be given for each of the

environmental impact of logistics and energy consumption equivalent value. If not, Peop

might think that emissions 1kg Industrial waste, 1kg Ozone-depleting gases or 1kg Envir

hazardous waste caused by the same impact, but its environmental impact is

clearly different. In order to adopt some kind of uniform standards to evaluate them,

it must be considered legal, environmental, business and social factors. this is LCA Key

steps - Evaluation of the impact to be solved.

 frame - Impact Assessment

Impact assessment is completed target definition, post-inventory analysis.

Effect of Pressure on the identified inventory phase environment

characterize quantitatively or qualitatively evaluated, i.e., the system

determines the product material, energy exchange impact on the external

environment. Impacts on ecosystems, human health and other aspects of such an eva

Impact Assessment is the core of life cycle assessment, is the hardest

part.
• Determine the effect of type: determine the effects of the type of objectives and scope of the study.
The most commonly used classification system is divided into the type of impact Resource depletion,
human health and ecosystem health Three, it can also be broken down into sub The greenhouse effect,
ozone depletion, acidification, eutrophication, photochemical smog Wait.

• Select the type of environmental impact parameters and characteristics of the model: the
environmental impact of the selected type, size to quantify its impact on the environment, we need to
understand its mechanism of action, and establish a relationship model between the load and the environ

• Category: Category analysis begins with mass and energy flows of raw data obtained from the list
is to classify inventory analysis of the resulting data into different types of environmental impact
go.
• Characterization. Characterization is to different environmental pressures - Comprehensive
Environmental Impact relation to the process of a common framework. For example Depletion
Potential (ODP) of ozone with the index, the influence can be quantitatively compare the molecules of

• Normalized: characterization of various sizes have been the environmental impact of the type
of parameters, and these parameters must come together and after conversion by a certain
method. The result is generally characterized with Baseline Comparing the results of different
characteristics such that the impact of comparable types. Usually the total amount of the
reference resource region or a pollutant emissions.

• Weighted. Is based on the relative importance of social consensus has determined the
appropriate weight given to the right to process the environmental impact of different kinds of
right. For example, one evaluator or a ISO might think that the importance of the impact of ozone
depletion is 2 times of reduced visibility, and accordingly the weighting factor applied to the
impact has been standardized.
Examples of

the impact

evaluation -

women's

shoes lifecycle proce

frame - Examples of impact assessment

Women's shoes of the life

cycle includes the following pha

① livestock; ② livestock
slaughter;

③ leather;

④ footwear;

⑤ waste management;

⑥ transport
 frame - Examples of impact assessment

Studies have shown that women's shoes in the family business stages of the life

cycle (livestock and leather) and its ecological impact related (such as global

warming, acidification potential and eutrophication potential (GWP) values, etc.)

have an important relationship. On water consumption, the consumption of the

largest tanning stage. And in causing eutrophication and non-renewable resource

consumption, Leather Stage impact caused obvious. Throughout the life cycle,

energy is the biggest Shoe Stage effects associated with energy generated is

particularly severe: including air pollution, toxic to the human body, such as the

depletion of fossil fuels. So we can see that by LCA: We usually think that will not

cause too much harm to the environment two life stages - Agriculture and footwear

stage, just need to put more attention.

LCA-- Characterization model - Characterization factor

problem:
1 , 500kg of SO2 Contribution to the acidification of how much:

2 , 500kg of NOx Contribution to the acidification of how much: Conclusion:

1 It requires unit mass SO2 Contribution to the acidification of how much - Equivalent

factor ( Characterization factor )

LCA-- Characterization model - Characterization factor
Ozone depletion potential ( ozone depletion potential)
Unit of matter X Global ozone-induced reduction

ODP =
Unit mass CFC-11 Global ozone-induced reduction

substance Chemical formula The chemical name is calculated semi-empirical calculation mode

CFC-11 CFCl 3 Trichloromonofluoromethane 1.00 1.00

CFC-12 CF 2 Cl 2 Dichlorodifluoromethane 0.82 0.9

CFC-113 C 2 F 3 Cl 3 Trichlorotrifluoroethane 0.90 0.9

CH 3 CCl 3 ( B ) TCA 0.12 0.12

HCFC-22 CHF 2 Cl A chlorodifluoromethane 0.04 0.05

HCFC-123 C 2 HF 3 Cl 2 Dichlorotrifluoroethane 0.014 0.02

CH 3 Br (E) Methyl bromide 0.64 0.57

H-1301 CF 3 Br Bromotrifluoromethane 12 13

H-1211 5.1 5

Atmospheric concentrations of ozone depleting substances and involved in the distribution of atmospheric chemistry

is the main factor affecting the ODP value. Due to the different treatment of these factors, there is ODP value of

ozone-depleting substances obtained by different researchers are some differences, but the order of the ODP value of var

ODP of hydrogen-containing flon HCFC far more low, and many compounds halons stratospheric destructive power
much higher than Freon.
LCA-- Characterization model
• At present, the data model is used to characterize the load model including international equivalent model, the inherent chemical
characteristics of the model, the overall exposure - effect model, point source exposure - effect model. among them SETAC The
equivalent model The most influential:

• 1. Resource consumption: With the first i Species Resource net consumption ratio reserve resources

represented: resource consumption = Σ Resource usage M (kg) / Resource reserves M (kg)

• 2. Greenhouse effect: The potential impact of greenhouse substances to the global warming GWP ( global warming potential) To
represent. GWP With CO 2 As the reference standard, by a unit mass of the material CO 2 Absorb infrared radiation compared to other
gases into the same effect CO 2 Emissions.

• 3. Ozone layer destruction: It has damaging effects on the ozone-depleting substances by the size of its role in ozone depletion potential O
(Ozonedepietion potential) To represent. ODP It is CFC-11 It is a relative value reference, the destruction of the emissions of
ozone-depleting substances ( Mi) It can be converted to have the same effect on ozone depletion CFC - 11 Emissions.
LCA-- Characterization model

• 4. Acidification: Leading to acidification of various substances harmful to the environment can be achieved by acidification

potential AP (acidification potential) To represent. AP Quality measurement unit is a substance binding H + Ability and SO2 Combine H

+ The results of capacity compared.

• 5. The formation of photochemical oxidants: Photochemical oxidants are volatile organic compounds ( VOC) UV ( UV) Under

the action of the NOx The reaction chemistry of the aerosol forming. Some emissions ( Mi) Role in the formation of an oxide

photochemical ozone formation potential photochemically POCP ( photochemical ozone creation potential) To represent

. POCP It is ethylene ( C 2 H 4) As a reference relative value: the oxidant and oxidant ethylene unit mass per unit mass of material
is formed to give compared formed.

• 6. Toxic to humans ( HT ): Toxicity data on the human body is determined by the toxicology experiments on human maximum

daily intake or minimum acceptable concentration, i.e. the maximum limit of poison per kilogram of body weight can bear.
LCA-- Characterization
 frame - Interpretation of results

Systematic evaluation of the entire life cycle of a product,

process or activity energy consumption, raw material use and

environmental release of needs and opportunities. This

analysis includes both quantitative and qualitative

improvements, such as improved product mix, re-selection of

raw materials, manufacturing processes and changes in

consumption patterns and waste management.

LCA-- Interpretation of results

• Recognition : Identify the major issues based on the results of the evaluation phase of the

inventory analysis and impact.

• Assess : Testing of the complete life cycle assessment process integrity, sensitivity and

consistency.

• report : Draw conclusions and make recommendations.

Case: ethylene production life cycle assessment

Chemical Engineering Progress 2006 of 3,4

Objective and scope

purpose: In this study, 2002 of an ethylene production apparatus LCA

analysis, its life cycle environmental impact of the most important
aspects of the process and impact categories analyzed its causes,
and put forward reasonable suggestions for improvement.

range: Study to determine functional units as vinyl products 1 t,

range Including from the primary resource extraction, processing
and energy of the secondary ethylene production process, involving the Envi
Including emissions consumption, liquid pollutants, solid waste and
gaseous pollutants of non-renewable resources (coal, oil and natural
gas).
Inventory Analysis
LCA method is actually a collection of data processing integration process. Inventory analysis lists the various process units

research system through inventory analysis, we can guarantee a comprehensive, hierarchical and systematic research.

Basic research data

CO 2?

Since the product is not

only the output of
ethylene, propylene and
further comprising four
carbon, thus cracking
both material and energ
consumption, or
emissions, we are
required environmental
load distribution among
the various products, in
order to obtain products

Naphtha: 68% of ethylene environment

Light diesel oil 32%

Inventory Analysis

Pre-research list

Secondary

energy
Inventory Analysis

Retrospective upstream environmental load

Inventory Analysis

Comparison Table 2 and Table 4 can be calculated directly share of emissions

Impact Assessment
According to ISO14042 international standard [2] and our standard GB24042 - 2002 [3] norms and recommendations, the life cycle impact

assessment phase selection into impact type, the type parameters and characteristics of the model, classification, characterization,

normalization and weighting steps like.

5
Impact Assessment

The list of results is assigned to different types of environmental impact

7
Impact Assessment

According to Table 4 And Table 7 Get

Characterization step, the results of the different parameters affect the type of system to work together to
show the product's life cycle impact assessment features. The calculation process using the feature factor LCI
uniform results in terms of units, and that affects the conversion result of the merging type, to obtain the
quantization index results, i.e., the type of the parameter results.
Impact Assessment Normalization and weighting

table 8 Results Characteristics of ethylene production environmental load can be obtained after normalization

and weighting evaluation result of this single lifecycle.

damage to human health

In the ethylene production process,

Consumption of non-renewable resources
resource consumption is the most
photochemical smog
important type of impact, it should be the
most stringent management and control

Acidification

Greenhouse
Interpretation of results

Table 6 can be seen directly discharged ethylene production process, the environmental impact of emissions generated

Ethylene most important class of the total emissions in the life cycle of a load more than a quarter, of 26.63%; NO x The

environmental impact of emissions generated by the second, is 25.35%; environmental load CO2 emissions generated

directly is also very impressive, occupy 14% share.

LCA framework and stage

Life cycle assessment framework

Direct application:
Goals and

Product development and impro

Scoping

Strategic Planning
Interpretation

of Public policy formulation

Inventory Analysis
results
Marketing

other

Impact Assessment