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Interpretation
Impact
assessment
The goal definition enables to set the problem, to define the objectives and the scope
of the study. The aim of this lesson is to get a deeper understanding of the first part of
the goal definition. The points that are going to be treated here are:
problem setting,
system function and functional unit.
LCA is a cyclical process in which every phase is closely linked to the others. All
results hang on the problem setting, system function and functional unit. Usually, it is
recommended to carry out the LCA in two steps:
A first screening phase covering the whole LCA and
assessing order of magnitude of emissions inventory and impacts
A detailed analysis to improve the assessment for most significant impacts
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Washing
The FU stands for what is offered. It is a quantified and additive value (not a ratio!):
FU for phones could be 1000 hours timespan of conversation,
a FU of painting is one square meter covered during.
In the soap example, what could be a valid FU?
A definite number of shower.
Lets take 50 standard showers
Back to the soap: what would you see as being the major references flows?
The life time and the number of reuse are linked with the reference flow. For example,
two 500h communication life time phones are needed to catch up with a good quality
1000h life time phone. Thus, greater reference flows.
Reference flows, product life time or number of reuse can be key parameters for
environmental optimization.
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To ensure a service of 6000 hours at 600 lumen, what do you need to buy? (your reference flows)
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But the purchasing cost is not the only one that has to be considered. The whole
economic costs can easily be calculated and compared on the basis of the same FU,
applying a life cycle costing approach:
an incandescent bulb is about 1$,
low energy fluorescent bulbs cost 10$ each,
electricity is about 0.1$/kWh (use phase).
Please feel free to calculate the corresponding investment costs
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Main function
Secondary function/performances
Lighting
Aesthetics
Heating
Scenario 2
Alternative
scenarios
Product or
system
Scenario 1
Incandescent
bulb
Functional
unit=offered
service
Reference flow=
what you buy
Key parameters
6000 hours at
600 lumen of
light intensity.
60W * 6000h/FU
The number of
lumen per Watt.
360kWh/FU *
0.1$/kWh
= 36$/FU
6 * 1$ = 6$/FU
The manufacturing
stage.
66kWh/FU *
0.1$/kWh
= 6.6$/FU
= 360kWh/FU
6 bulbs = 6 * 35g
= 210g
Scenario 2
Fluorescent
bulb
11W * 6000h/FU
= 66kWh/FU
1 bulb = 160g
Costs
1 * 10$ = 10$/FU
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Main function
Scenario 2
Alternative
scenarios
Secondary function/performances
...
...
...
...
Scenario 1
Costs
...
...
Scenario 2
...
...
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Main function
Secondary function/performances
To be fashionable
To be comfortable
Scenario 2
Alternative
scenarios
Scenario 2
Low quality
city shoes
(LQS)
A pair of shoes
protecting the
feet during a
definite
timespan of
"standard" use.
(2 years)
1 pair of 2-years
lifetime shoes
Quantity of materials
used,
Type of materials,
lifetime.
4 pairs of 6-months
lifetime shoes
Life Cycle
Costs
Lets say HQS are
150 US$ and LQS
are only 45 US$:
HQS:
1150=150US$
LQS:
445=180US$
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In addition to the shoes, the shoe shine should be taken into account if its amount is
not the same for all the scenarios. This topic will be discussed in more details in Unit
3 (System boundaries).
We can see in our example that LQS are more expensive than HQS. Depending on
your assumptions you may have a different result.
Moreover the environmental burden of producing four pair of LQS has proved to be
higher than for one HQS. This is because of the materials used, for LQS mostly
plastic derivates, for HQS mostly leather.
This is clearly a win-win situation where sparing money goes with lower
environmental burden.
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5. Questions of understanding
At the very beginning of an LCA, what are the points that have to
be clarified?
What is the use of the screening approach?
How is a functional unit defined?
Can we reasonably compare bread with an umbrella? Why?
What is a reference flow?
How is life time linked to reference flow?
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6. Group exercise
The end of this session is dedicated to the group exercise.
Three by three, you now have to solve the case you subscribed for.
Thank you and see you soon...
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