Cycle de vie Assessment (LCA) is a systematic methodology for evaluating the environmental impacts associated with all stages of a product’s life. This “cradle-to-grave” or “cradle-to-cradle” analysis considers raw material extraction, processing, manufacturing, distribution, use, repair, maintenance, and final disposal or recycling. It quantifies inputs like energy and raw materials and outputs like emissions to air, water, and soil.
Analyse du cycle de vie (ACV)
A Life-Cycle Assessment is typically conducted in four distinct phases as defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14040 and 14044 standards. The first phase is Goal and Scope Definition, where the purpose of the study, the product system to be studied, the functional unit (a measure of the function of the studied system), and the system boundaries are clearly defined. This phase is crucial as it sets the context for the entire assessment.
The second phase is the Cycle de vie Inventory (LCI) analysis. This involves compiling and quantifying all the inputs and outputs for a product system throughout its life cycle. Data is collected for all relevant energy and material inputs, as well as emissions and waste outputs. This is often the most data-intensive and time-consuming part of an LCA.
The third phase is the Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA). Here, the LCI data is translated into potential environmental impacts. This involves classifying inventory data into impact categories (e.g., global warming potential, acidification, eutrophication, ozone depletion) and then characterizing the potential impacts using scientific conversion factors. For example, the global warming potential of various greenhouse gases is converted into CO2 equivalents.
The final phase is Interpretation. The results from the LCI and LCIA are summarized and discussed as a basis for conclusions, recommendations, and decision-making in line with the goal and scope definition. This phase includes identifying significant issues, evaluating the study for completeness and consistency, and drawing conclusions.
Type
Disruption
Utilisation
Precursors
- Energy audits conducted during the 1970s energy crisis
- Early studies in the 1960s by companies like Coca-Cola to assess resource use in packaging
- Development of mass and energy balance principles in chemical engineering
- The rise of systems thinking in écologie and engineering
Applications
- environmental product declarations (epds) for building materials
- empreinte carbone calculations for consumer goods
- eco-labeling programs like the eu ecolabel
- corporate sustainability reporting to identify environmental hotspots in supply chains
- policy making for waste management and resource efficiency
Brevets :
Potential Innovations Ideas
!niveaux !!! Adhésion obligatoire
Vous devez être membre de l'association pour accéder à ce contenu.
DISPONIBLE POUR DE NOUVEAUX DÉFIS
Mechanical Engineer, Project, Process Engineering or R&D Manager
Disponible pour un nouveau défi dans un court délai.
Contactez-moi sur LinkedIn
Plastic metal electronics integration, Design-to-cost, GMP, Ergonomics, Medium to high-volume devices & consumables, Lean Manufacturing, Regulated industries, CE & FDA, CAD, Solidworks, Lean Sigma Black Belt, medical ISO 13485
Nous recherchons un nouveau sponsor
Votre entreprise ou institution est dans le domaine de la technique, de la science ou de la recherche ?
> envoyez-nous un message <
Recevez tous les nouveaux articles
Gratuit, pas de spam, email non distribué ni revendu
ou vous pouvez obtenir votre adhésion complète - gratuitement - pour accéder à tout le contenu restreint >ici<
Historical Context
Analyse du cycle de vie (ACV)
(if date is unknown or not relevant, e.g. "fluid mechanics", a rounded estimation of its notable emergence is provided)
Related Invention, Innovation & Technical Principles