Life Cycle Assessment

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Environmental Issue in Product Development (ISE 388)
Laboratory Exercise on
Life Cycle Assessment
(LCA)
13/14 Semester 1
Content:
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(A) Introduction
(B) Background
(1) Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
(2) EcoScan
(3) SimaPro
(C) Application & Analysis the LCA of the Overhead Projector
(1) EcoScan
(2) SimaPro
(D) Result of the Overhead Projector
(1) EcoScan
(2) SimaPro
(E) Discussion
(1) Comparison of results from the two analysis methods
(2) Applicability of the tow analysis methods
(F) Conclusion
(A) Introduction
Nowadays, everybody concern more about the environmental friendly, and this
becomes a hot topic around the world. A lot of external factors such as legislations,
change in international standards, market competitiveness and customer
requirements, force the companies to change their strategy to develop some eco-
design products. In order to reduce the environmental impact of a product, it is
important to consider the whole product-life-cycle of a product.
In this report, we would like to use an overhead projector to illustrate how we
can conduct the life cycle assessment (LCA) by using EcoScan and also SimaPro.
Through the two analysis tools, we can obtain two sets of data in different aspect to
see whether the overhead projector is an eco-design or not.
(B) Background
(1) Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
LCA is a standardized technique for measuring and comparing the environmental

impacts of providing, using and disposing of a product or a service.
LCAs have 7 interrelated stages:
1. Establishing Scope
2. Data Collection
3. Life Cycle Inventory (LCI)
4. Converting LCI to Impact
5. Impact Assessment
6. Interpretation
7. Decision Making
LCA users attempt to trace back to the environment all for the resources
consumed at all stages in the manufacture, use and disposal of products. And the
principle considers all of the emissions to air, water and land at all stages
In combination, data on each stage provide an inventory of exchanges of

substances between the product and the environment associated with the entire life
cycle of the product, from the cradle to the grave
For the purpose of comparison and decision making, the best way of considering
the advantages of one product over another (assuming they provide the same
function) is to compare environmental impacts or footprints (candle to grave) of each
products
By using the LCA result, we can use it to provide an indication as to which system
places less burden on the environment. Besides, it can be acted as a scoping study
for further more detailed assessment of the products.
(2) EcoScan
EcoScan is a software tool for a fast and easy analysis of the environment impact
of products or product concepts. All life cycle phases of a product (like production,
usage and disposal) can be taken into account. Beside the environmental impact,
EcoScan is able to take figures into account enabling you to maximize the
environmental profit per Euro.
With the purpose to simplify suitable product development, EcoScan is

developed as very suitable for using in benchmarking of products, product focused
environmental protection or choices in the field of sustainable implementation or
strategy development. One of the key-strengths is EcoScan is applicable to all types
of products. Others include fast understanding of the different life cycle phases of the
product (production, transportation, usage, and disposal) without extensive
calculations or studies; fast understanding of differences in the environmental impact
between products and identification of bottlenecks and priorities. Therefore, users
can compare the different kinds the options easily by the score provided. The
procedure of using EcoScan is filling in sheets, which are defined according to the
phases. After input the data of the product, the product life cycle can be analyzed. It
is very easy to control and user-friendly.
EcoScan is developed with the purpose to simplify sustainable product

4
development. The tool is also very suitable for using in benchmarking of products;
product focused environmental protection or choices in the field of sustainable
implementation or strategy development. EcoScan is applicable to all types of
products.
(3) SimaPro
SimaPro is the most widely used software for life cycle assessment since its
introduction in 1990. It is widely used by hundreds of multinationals, consultants,
research institutes and universities. Complex products with complex life cycles are
easily compared and analyzed. The inventory databases and the impact assessment
methods can be edited and expanded without limitation. Moreover, SimaPro is
unique to trace the origin of any result made.
SimaPro also is a professional LCA tools which provides life cycle assessment
(LCA) software. It allows complex life cycles to be modelled and analyzed in a
systematic and transparent way. SimaPro 7 has a number of applications, for
example, Product design, Development of key performance indicators, Calculation of
carbon footprints, Determination of environmental impact of products or services,
Environmental product declarations & Environmental reporting.
SimaPro contains several impact assessment methods which is suitable for
different production scenario. Its open and transparent database structure allows the
fast data entry and modeling which favors the assessment of production cycle.
Moreover, one of the competitive advantages is that through the process trees
generated, the most serious impact can be easily identified by looking at the values
calculated from each point in a database or project. All results can be traced back to
their origins with a few mouse clicks so that correction or alternatives can be easily
made.
(C) Application & Analysis the LCA of the Overhead Projector
(1) EcoScan
Data for Overhead Projector:
Production Phase
Components: Arm
Aluminum 420g
Steel 500g
Components: Cable
Copper,primary 450g
PVC 380g
Components: Head
PS rigid foam 0.11kg
Components: Housing
ABS 0.7kg
PC 350g
Steel 1.3kg
Components: Interior
Copper,primary 1.2kg
PA 100g
PC 140g
Steel 390g
Injection Moulding general 240g
Packaging
Paper 20g
LDPE 1kg
PS rigid foam 150g
Transport: Truck
Distance: 9274km = 69.1tkm
Energy Consumption: Electricity low voltage
Lifetime: 1000hrs
Power the Product: 125W = 125kWh
End-of-Life Landfill
Additional Life Cycle Transparency 1000 pcs.
Transparencies PET amorphous / PET Film A: 10g

Paper / Paper ETH S: 5g
Waste Scenario for Transparencies Municipal Waste / Municipal Waste NL

B250
Assume no traveling distance between dispose of OH Projector to landfill treatment
area.
Data are input from stage to stage of the life cycle one by one. The flow is first
the Production stage (where components, material and also the process are input),
then to the usage, disposal, packaging and transportation stage respectively. When
all the sheets have been filled in, we can display the results in a graph.
The figure below is an example of the product tree.
(2) SimaPro
Production Phase
Components: Arm
Aluminum Rec I 420g
Electro. Steel ETH S 500g
Components: Cable
Copper ETH S 450g
PVC B250 380g
Components: Head
PS (HIPS) A 0.11kg
Components: Housing
ABSA 0.7kg
PCA 350g
Steel ETH S 1.3kg
Components: Interior
CopperETH S 1.2kg
PA 66 I 100g
PCA 140g
Steel High alloy ETH S 390g
Injection Moulding 240g
Data for Overhead Projector:
Packaging
Packing Carton ETH S 20g
LDPEETH S 1kg
PS (GPPS) A 150g
Transport: Truck 28 t ETH S

Distance: 9274km = 69.1tkm
Energy Consumption: Electrical Country Mix/ Medium

Voltage/ Electricity UCPTE B250
Lifetime: 1000hrs
Power the Product: 125W =
125kWh
End-of-Life Landfill Scenario B250
Additional Life Cycle Transparency 1000 pcs.
Transparencies PET amorphous / PET Film A: 10g

Paper / Paper ETH S: 5g
Waste Scenario for Transparencies Municipal Waste / Municipal Waste

NL B250
Assume no traveling distance between dispose of OH Projector to landfill treatment

area.
We add in the process one by one using SimaPro. In each individual process, we
input the materials used, manufacturing process, transportation, energy
consumption and so on.
After finishing the processes stage, we then go to the product stages. Here, we
group components together to form an assembly and to input the corresponding life
cycle, disposal scenario and so on. After all necessary data have been put in, we can
calculate the result.
(3) Result & Comparison of the Overhead Projector
(a) Results of the LCA for the overhead projector using EcoScan:
i. Environmental Imapct of the overhead projectors life cycle
10
ii. Environmental Impact of manufacturing the overhead projector
iii. Environmental Impact of disposal
11
iv. Environmental Impact of the redesign overhead projector
v. Environmental Impact of the transparencies
12
(b) Results of the LCA for the overhead projector using SimaPro:
i. Network/ Tree Analysis
ii. Environmental Impact of the overhead projectors life cycle
13
(c) Comparison of the results using EcoScan and SimaPro
Compare EcoScan and SimaPro, there are some different.
Firstly, the databases of these two software are not the same. EcoScan uses the
NOH Eco-Indicator 95 and SimaPro uses the Eco-Indicator 99(H/A). Obviously, the
different version of the database certainly will affect the result for LCA. For EcoScan
(NOH Eco-Indicator95), the methodology is for environmental effects that damage
the ecosystems or human health such as greenhouse effect, ozone depletion,
acidification, eutrophication, smog and the toxic substance. For SimaPro ( Eco-
Indicator 99(H/A)), the methodology considers the damage of human Health,
ecosystem quality and resources and it change to explain in a more detail way for the
damage model and have an improved scientific basis.
Secondly, EcoScan is the methodology for simplifying LCA and SimaPro is the
methodology for sophisticated LCA which has more details. However, SimaPro is
time-consuming and difficult to have data on earlier stage so EcoScan can provide
the result in early product design stage which is easier to get the data in early stage
and saving the time. SimaPro also shows specification of each subcomponent and
process and tree visualization. The EcoScan makes use of Eco-indicator also give
overall impact and relative different life cycle stages.
Thirdly, the SimaPro is more difficult to use and it requires more technical
expertise to examine the result and input those data. Besides, EcoScan is easier to
14
use and clear to input the data step by step so it is more user-friendly.
Fourthly, EcoScan uses pie charts and bar charts to display the results and
SimaPro uses a network displaying method. For EcoScan display the proportion of the
degree of pollution of each category easily. The most serious and critical parameters
will be projected directly and we can improve the category in an effective way. For
SimaPro, it allows us to trace back each category to find out the parameter which will
affect the pollution. It helps to find out the pollution in which stage and improve it.
(4) Discussion
In general, we think that it is suitable for us to use the software to do the life
cycle assessment as both of the methods provide us a professional platform to
analyze a specific product from the stage of material extraction to the stage of
disposal. The both methods can allow us to collect, analyze and monitor the
environmental performance of products and services. We can easily analyze complex
life cycles in a transparent and systematic way.
For the software of EcoScan, we think that it is a good software as the major two
steps can give us a complete view to look through the product, those steps include
the construction of material list and environment assessment list. The list clearly
illustrates the production of wastes and use of materials in the product life cycle and
it can assess the environmental impacts to the environment. If the software indicates
that the product has a huge influence on the environment, it is expected that we can
choose some alternatives to replace the original material and reduce the waste at
the end of life of a product.
For SimaPro, we think it is an excellent software, this software is even better than
the EcoScan software. The first reason is that we can disassembly the product in
using the software, and then we can assess the environmental impacts of each part.
Apart from that, the result can be illustrated in different ways and the software can
perform conversions in different units. Meanwhile, it can construct varies
environmentally regulated database, such as Europe Commission, USA and ISO.
Another advantage of this software is that it can show the impact assessment
result. Impact assessment can assess the effects of the environmental impacts
15
identified in the inventory. Those environmental impacts that can be identified are
resource depletion, global warming, ozone layer depletion, acidification, nitrification,
human toxicity, eco-toxicity and photochemical smog. Below is a graph showing the
environmental impacts of an overhead projector:
The graph clearly shows that the environmental impacts cause by a particular
process, life cycle or assembly. According to this graph, we can do some researches
on, for example, why a life cycle can contribute to a huge amount of resource
depletion, and then we can think of some ways to solve or improve the problem.
Therefore, we think it is a great function to show all the environmental impacts.
Form using both software, we should be beware of the data input. It is important
for us to have current data when we are going to use the software. If the data is
already 5 to 10 years old, the result will not be accurate. Therefore, the conclusion of
the report will be ineffective since the data is not in its current state.
There is a difference between both software. It is the input of material, thats

mean the data input. After using the software, we conclude that the data input in the
SimaPro is more accurate than that in the EcoScan. As mentioned in the session of
analysis and comparison, we see that what we put in the material list is exactly the
same material listed in the worksheet in terms of using the SimaPro. However, in
EcoScan, what we put may not as same as the material listed in the worksheet. As a
result, there are differences among students from generating the value of mPt if
16
we use the EcoScan. Therefore, although we think that both of the software can be
used in the life cycle assessment, SimaPro is suggested and more suitable for us to
use when we want to do the LCA.
(5) Conclusion
After the completion of both the exercises, we learn how to analyze, investigate
and evaluate the environmental impacts of a product due to its existence. The word
product life cycle includes the processes of production and supply of raw materials
and components, manufacturing processes, distribution (transportation), usage and
end of life. We know from the software that on each stage of the products life cycle,
it is possible that bad environmental impacts can occur, therefore, what we can do is
to prevent the occurrence of those impacts or try our best to minimize them. Both
software, EcoScan and SimaPro, can help us to achieve our aims and goals.
To conclude, it is useful and worthwhile for us to attend the laboratory sessions,

they give us an overview on how to use the software in order to analyze the product
life cycle. It is hoped that in the future, when we want to implement a product to the
market, we need to use some life cycle assessment tools to analyze the product. If
the product cannot fulfill the environmental requirements, we can do some redesign
after using the tools. That can reduce the bad impacts on the environment, and we
should bear in mind it is very important in the new century.
17

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Environmental Issue in Product Development (ISE 388)

(1) Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

(C) Application & Analysis the LCA of the Overhead Projector

(D) Result of the Overhead Projector

(1) Comparison of results from the two analysis methods

(2) Applicability of the tow analysis methods

(1) Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

LCA is a standardized technique for measuring and comparing the environmental

LCAs have 7 interrelated stages:

3. Life Cycle Inventory (LCI)

4. Converting LCI to Impact

In combination, data on each stage provide an inventory of exchanges of

With the purpose to simplify suitable product development, EcoScan is

EcoScan is developed with the purpose to simplify sustainable product

(C) Application & Analysis the LCA of the Overhead Projector

Data for Overhead Projector:

PS rigid foam 0.11kg

Injection Moulding general 240g

PS rigid foam 150g

Additional Life Cycle Transparency 1000 pcs.

Transparencies PET amorphous / PET Film A: 10g

Waste Scenario for Transparencies Municipal Waste / Municipal Waste NL

Assume no traveling distance between dispose of OH Projector to landfill treatment

The figure below is an example of the product tree.

Data for Overhead Projector:

Packing Carton ETH S 20g

Transport: Truck 28 t ETH S

Energy Consumption: Electrical Country Mix/ Medium

End-of-Life Landfill Scenario B250

Additional Life Cycle Transparency 1000 pcs.

Transparencies PET amorphous / PET Film A: 10g

Waste Scenario for Transparencies Municipal Waste / Municipal Waste

Assume no traveling distance between dispose of OH Projector to landfill treatment

(3) Result & Comparison of the Overhead Projector

i. Environmental Imapct of the overhead projectors life cycle

ii. Environmental Impact of manufacturing the overhead projector

iii. Environmental Impact of disposal

iv. Environmental Impact of the redesign overhead projector

v. Environmental Impact of the transparencies

i. Network/ Tree Analysis

ii. Environmental Impact of the overhead projectors life cycle

(c) Comparison of the results using EcoScan and SimaPro

Compare EcoScan and SimaPro, there are some different.

Therefore, we think it is a great function to show all the environmental impacts.

There is a difference between both software. It is the input of material, thats

To conclude, it is useful and worthwhile for us to attend the laboratory sessions,

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