The Experts below are selected from a list of 144 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

René Kleijn - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • numerical approaches to Life Cycle Interpretation the case of the ecoinvent 96 database
    International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2005
    Co-Authors: Reinout Heijungs, Sangwon Suh, René Kleijn
    Abstract:

    Goal, Scope and Background To strengthen the evaluative power of LCA, Life Cycle Interpretation should be further developed. A previous contribution (Heijungs & Kleijn 2001) elaborated five examples of concrete methods within the subset of numerical approaches towards Interpretation. These methods were: contribution analysis, perturbation analysis, uncertainty analysis, comparative analysis, and discernibility analysis. Developments in software have enabled the possibility to apply the five example methods to explore the much-used Ecoinvent”96 database.

  • Numerical Approaches to Life Cycle Interpretation - The case of the Ecoinvent’96 database (10 pp)
    The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2005
    Co-Authors: Reinout Heijungs, Sangwon Suh, René Kleijn
    Abstract:

    Goal, Scope and Background To strengthen the evaluative power of LCA, Life Cycle Interpretation should be further developed. A previous contribution (Heijungs & Kleijn 2001) elaborated five examples of concrete methods within the subset of numerical approaches towards Interpretation. These methods were: contribution analysis, perturbation analysis, uncertainty analysis, comparative analysis, and discernibility analysis. Developments in software have enabled the possibility to apply the five example methods to explore the much-used Ecoinvent”96 database. Discussion of Methods The numerical approaches implemented in this study include contribution analysis, perturbation analysis, uncertainty analysis, comparative analysis, discernibility analysis and the newly developed key issue analysis. The data used comes from a very large process database: Ecoinvent’96, containing 1163 processes, 1181 economic flows and 571 environmental flows. Conclusions Results are twofold: they serve as a benchmark to the usefulness and feasibility of these numerical approaches, and they shed light on the question of stability and structure in an often-used large system of interconnected processes. Most of the approaches perform quite well: computation time on a moderate PC is between a few seconds a few minutes. Only Monte Carlo analyses may require much longer, but even then it appears that most questions can be answered within a few hours. Moreover, analytical expressions for error propagation are much faster than Monte Carlo analyses, while giving almost identical results. Despite the fact that many processes are connected to each other, leading to the possibility of a very unstable system and very sensitive coefficients, the overall results show that most results are not extremely uncertain. There are, however, some exceptions to this positive message.

  • Numerical Approaches to Life Cycle Interpretation - The case of the Ecoinvent’96 database (10 pp)
    International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2004
    Co-Authors: Reinout Heijungs, Sangwon Suh, René Kleijn
    Abstract:

    Goal, Scope and Background To strengthen the evaluative power of LCA, Life Cycle Interpretation should be further developed. A previous contribution (Heijungs & Kleijn 2001) elaborated five examples of concrete methods within the subset of numerical approaches towards Interpretation. These methods were: contribution analysis, perturbation analysis, uncertainty analysis, comparative analysis, and discernibility analysis. Developments in software have enabled the possibility to apply the five example methods to explore the much-used Ecoinvent”96 database.

  • Numerical approaches towards Life Cycle Interpretation five examples
    The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2001
    Co-Authors: Reinout Heijungs, René Kleijn
    Abstract:

    The ISO-standard for LCA distinguishes four phases, of which the last one, the Interpretation, is the least elaborated. It can be regarded as containing procedural steps (like a completeness check) as well as numerical steps (like a sensitivity check). This paper provides five examples of techniques that can be used for the numerical steps. These are the contribution analysis, the perturbation analysis, the uncertainty analysis, the comparative analysis, and the discernibility analysis. All five techniques are described at a non-technical level with respect to basic concept, possibilities, tabular and graphical representation, restriction and warnings, and all are illustrated with a simple example.

Reinout Heijungs - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • numerical approaches to Life Cycle Interpretation the case of the ecoinvent 96 database 10 pp
    International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2005
    Co-Authors: Reinout Heijungs, Sangwo Suh, Rene Kleij
    Abstract:

    Goal, Scope and Background To strengthen the evaluative power of LCA, Life Cycle Interpretation should be further developed. A previous contribution (Heijungs & Kleijn 2001) elaborated five examples of concrete methods within the subset of numerical approaches towards Interpretation. These methods were: contribution analysis, perturbation analysis, uncertainty analysis, comparative analysis, and discernibility analysis. Developments in software have enabled the possibility to apply the five example methods to explore the much-used Ecoinvent”96 database.

  • numerical approaches to Life Cycle Interpretation the case of the ecoinvent 96 database
    International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2005
    Co-Authors: Reinout Heijungs, Sangwon Suh, René Kleijn
    Abstract:

    Goal, Scope and Background To strengthen the evaluative power of LCA, Life Cycle Interpretation should be further developed. A previous contribution (Heijungs & Kleijn 2001) elaborated five examples of concrete methods within the subset of numerical approaches towards Interpretation. These methods were: contribution analysis, perturbation analysis, uncertainty analysis, comparative analysis, and discernibility analysis. Developments in software have enabled the possibility to apply the five example methods to explore the much-used Ecoinvent”96 database.

  • Numerical Approaches to Life Cycle Interpretation - The case of the Ecoinvent’96 database (10 pp)
    The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2005
    Co-Authors: Reinout Heijungs, Sangwon Suh, René Kleijn
    Abstract:

    Goal, Scope and Background To strengthen the evaluative power of LCA, Life Cycle Interpretation should be further developed. A previous contribution (Heijungs & Kleijn 2001) elaborated five examples of concrete methods within the subset of numerical approaches towards Interpretation. These methods were: contribution analysis, perturbation analysis, uncertainty analysis, comparative analysis, and discernibility analysis. Developments in software have enabled the possibility to apply the five example methods to explore the much-used Ecoinvent”96 database. Discussion of Methods The numerical approaches implemented in this study include contribution analysis, perturbation analysis, uncertainty analysis, comparative analysis, discernibility analysis and the newly developed key issue analysis. The data used comes from a very large process database: Ecoinvent’96, containing 1163 processes, 1181 economic flows and 571 environmental flows. Conclusions Results are twofold: they serve as a benchmark to the usefulness and feasibility of these numerical approaches, and they shed light on the question of stability and structure in an often-used large system of interconnected processes. Most of the approaches perform quite well: computation time on a moderate PC is between a few seconds a few minutes. Only Monte Carlo analyses may require much longer, but even then it appears that most questions can be answered within a few hours. Moreover, analytical expressions for error propagation are much faster than Monte Carlo analyses, while giving almost identical results. Despite the fact that many processes are connected to each other, leading to the possibility of a very unstable system and very sensitive coefficients, the overall results show that most results are not extremely uncertain. There are, however, some exceptions to this positive message.

  • Numerical Approaches to Life Cycle Interpretation - The case of the Ecoinvent’96 database (10 pp)
    International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2004
    Co-Authors: Reinout Heijungs, Sangwon Suh, René Kleijn
    Abstract:

    Goal, Scope and Background To strengthen the evaluative power of LCA, Life Cycle Interpretation should be further developed. A previous contribution (Heijungs & Kleijn 2001) elaborated five examples of concrete methods within the subset of numerical approaches towards Interpretation. These methods were: contribution analysis, perturbation analysis, uncertainty analysis, comparative analysis, and discernibility analysis. Developments in software have enabled the possibility to apply the five example methods to explore the much-used Ecoinvent”96 database.

  • Numerical approaches towards Life Cycle Interpretation five examples
    The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2001
    Co-Authors: Reinout Heijungs, René Kleijn
    Abstract:

    The ISO-standard for LCA distinguishes four phases, of which the last one, the Interpretation, is the least elaborated. It can be regarded as containing procedural steps (like a completeness check) as well as numerical steps (like a sensitivity check). This paper provides five examples of techniques that can be used for the numerical steps. These are the contribution analysis, the perturbation analysis, the uncertainty analysis, the comparative analysis, and the discernibility analysis. All five techniques are described at a non-technical level with respect to basic concept, possibilities, tabular and graphical representation, restriction and warnings, and all are illustrated with a simple example.

Charles F. Hendriks - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Allocation in recycling systems
    The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2001
    Co-Authors: Joost G. Vogtländer, Han C. Brezet, Charles F. Hendriks
    Abstract:

    ‘Design for Recycling’ and dematerialization by enhancing the durability of products are major aspects of the quest for sustainable products. This article presents an LCA-based model for the integrated analyses of the product chain, its recycling systems, and its waste treatment systems at the ‘End of Life’ stage. The model is an extension of the EVR (Eco-costs/Value Ratio) model which has been published in this journal (Vogtländer et al. 2001), but can also be applied to other Life Cycle Interpretation models, since the model as such is not restricted to the use of the eco-costs as a single indicator. The model has been developed to evaluate the design alternatives of complex products like buildings and cars. These products comprise several subsystems, each with its own special solution at the End of Life stage: Extending of the product Life, object renovation, re-use of components, re-use of materials, useful application of waste materials, immobilization with and without useful applications, incineration with and without energy recovery, land fill. Since complex product systems always comprise a combination of these design alternatives, a methodology is given to calculate and allocate the eco-costs of the total system in order to select the best solution for sustainability. The methodology is characterized by: • A main allocation model of the recycling flow based on physical relationships, • a strict separation of the market value, the costs and the ecocosts in the system, • a main allocation model for extension of Lifetime based on ‘depreciation of eco-costs’, parallel to economic depreciation.

  • Allocation in recycling systems
    The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2001
    Co-Authors: Joost G. Vogtländer, Han C. Brezet, Charles F. Hendriks
    Abstract:

    ‘Design for Recycling’ and dematerialization by enhancing the durability of products are major aspects of the quest for sustainable products. This article presents an LCA-based model for the integrated analyses of the product chain, its recycling systems, and its waste treatment systems at the ‘End of Life’ stage. The model is an extension of the EVR (Eco-costs/Value Ratio) model which has been published in this journal (Vogtlander et al. 2001), but can also be applied to other Life Cycle Interpretation models, since the model as such is not restricted to the use of the eco-costs as a single indicator. The model has been developed to evaluate the design alternatives of complex products like buildings and cars. These products comprise several subsystems, each with its own special solution at the End of Life stage: Extending of the product Life, object renovation, re-use of components, re-use of materials, useful application of waste materials, immobilization with and without useful applications, incineration with and without energy recovery, land fill. Since complex product systems always comprise a combination of these design alternatives, a methodology is given to calculate and allocate the eco-costs of the total system in order to select the best solution for sustainability. The methodology is characterized by:

David Hunkeler - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): A Guide to Best Practice - Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): A Guide to Best Practice
    The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2016
    Co-Authors: David Hunkeler
    Abstract:

    INTRODUCTION What is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)? History The Structure of LCA Standardization of LCA Literature and Information on LCA GOAL AND SCOPE DEFINITION Goal Definition Scope Illustration of the Component "Definition of Goal and Scope" unsing an Example of Practice Life Cycle INVENTORY ANALYSIS Basics Energy Analysis Allocation Procurement, Origin and Quality of Data Data Aggregation and Units Presentation of Inventory Results Illustration of the Inventory Phase by an Example Life Cycle IMPACT ASSESSMENT Basic Principle of Life Cycle Impact Assessment Method of Critical Volumes Structure of Impact Assessment according to ISO 14040 and 14044 Method of Impact Categories (Environmental Problem Fields) Impact Categories, Impact Indicators and Characterization Factors Illustration of the Impact Assessment Phase by Practical Example Life Cycle Interpretation, REPORTING AND CRITICAL REVIEW Development and Rank of the Phase Interpretation The Phase Interpretation According to ISO Techniques for Result Analysis Reporting Critical Review Illustration of the Component Interpretation Using an Example of Practice FROM LCA TO SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT Sustainability The Three Dimensions of Sustainability State of the Art of Methods One Life Cycle Assessment or Three? Conclusions APPENDIX Solutions of Exercises Standard Report Sheet of Electricity Mix (Germany) Subject Index

  • Life Cycle assessment lca a guide to best practice
    International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2014
    Co-Authors: David Hunkeler
    Abstract:

    INTRODUCTION What is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)? History The Structure of LCA Standardization of LCA Literature and Information on LCA GOAL AND SCOPE DEFINITION Goal Definition Scope Illustration of the Component "Definition of Goal and Scope" unsing an Example of Practice Life Cycle INVENTORY ANALYSIS Basics Energy Analysis Allocation Procurement, Origin and Quality of Data Data Aggregation and Units Presentation of Inventory Results Illustration of the Inventory Phase by an Example Life Cycle IMPACT ASSESSMENT Basic Principle of Life Cycle Impact Assessment Method of Critical Volumes Structure of Impact Assessment according to ISO 14040 and 14044 Method of Impact Categories (Environmental Problem Fields) Impact Categories, Impact Indicators and Characterization Factors Illustration of the Impact Assessment Phase by Practical Example Life Cycle Interpretation, REPORTING AND CRITICAL REVIEW Development and Rank of the Phase Interpretation The Phase Interpretation According to ISO Techniques for Result Analysis Reporting Critical Review Illustration of the Component Interpretation Using an Example of Practice FROM LCA TO SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT Sustainability The Three Dimensions of Sustainability State of the Art of Methods One Life Cycle Assessment or Three? Conclusions APPENDIX Solutions of Exercises Standard Report Sheet of Electricity Mix (Germany) Subject Index

Mohsen Akbarpour Shirazi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Social Life Cycle assessment for material selection: a case study of building materials
    The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 2014
    Co-Authors: Seyed Abbas Hosseinijou, Saeed Mansour, Mohsen Akbarpour Shirazi
    Abstract:

    Purpose Sustainability of a material-based product mainly depends on the materials used for the product itself or during its Lifetime. A material selection decision should not only capture the functional performance required but should also consider the economical, social, and environmental impacts originated during the product Life Cycle. There is a need to assess social impacts of materials along the full Life Cycle, not only to be able to address the “social dimension” in sustainable material selection but also for potentially improving the circumstances of affected stakeholders. This paper presents the method and a case study of social Life Cycle assessment (S-LCA) specialized for comparative studies. Although the authors’ focus is on material selection, the proposed methodology can be used for comparative assessment of products in general. Methods The method is based on UNEP/SETAC “guidelines for social Life-Cycle assessment of products” and includes four main phases: goal and scope definition, Life Cycle inventory analysis, Life Cycle impact assessment, and Life Cycle Interpretation. However, some special features are presented to adjust the framework for materials comparison purpose. In Life Cycle inventory analysis phase, a hot spot assessment is carried out using material flow analysis and stakeholder and experts’ interviews. Based on the results of that, a pairwise comparison method is proposed for Life Cycle impact assessment applying analytic hierarchy process. A case study was conducted to perform a comparative assessment of the social and socio-economic impacts in Life Cycle of concrete and steel as building materials in Iran. For hot spot analysis, generic and national level data were gathered, and for impact assessment phase, site-specific data were used. Result and discussion The unique feature of the proposed method compared with other works in S-LCA is its specialty to materials and products comparison. This leads to some differences in methodological issues of S-LCA that are explained in the paper in detail. The case study results assert that “steel/iron” in the north of Iran generally has the better social performance than “concrete/cement.” However, steel is associated with many negative social effects in some subcategories, e.g., freedom of association, fair salary, and occupational health in extraction phase. Against, social profile of concrete and cement industry is damaged mainly due to the negative impact of cement production on safe and healthy living condition. The case study presented in this article shows that the evaluation of social impacts is possible, even if the assessment is always affected by subjective value systems. Conclusions Application of the UNEP/SETAC guidelines in comparative studies can be encouraged based on the results of this paper. It enables a hotspot assessment of the social and socio-economic impacts in Life Cycle of alternative materials. This research showed that the development of a specialized S-LCA approach for materials and products comparison is well underway although many challenges still persist. Particularly characterization method in Life Cycle impact assessment phase is challenging. The findings of this case study pointed out that social impacts are primarily connected to the conduct of companies and less with processes and materials in general. These findings confirm the results of Dreyer et al. (Int J Life Cycle Assess 11(2):88–97, 2006 ). The proposed approach aims not only to identify the best socially sustainable alternative but also to reveal product/process improvement potentials to facilitate companies to act socially compatible. It will be interesting to apply the UNEP/SETAC approach of S-LCA to other materials and products; materials with a more complex Life Cycle will be a special challenge. As with any new method, getting experience on data collection and evaluation, building a data base, integrating the method in software tools, and finding ways for effective communication of results are important steps until integrating S-LCA in routine decision support.