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Questions and Answers
What is the term used to describe the phenomenon of transferring pollution from one area to another during the life cycle assessment?
Which of the following phases is NOT typically included in the life cycle assessment process?
Which software is NOT mentioned as a model or assessment tool used for life cycle assessment?
What is the primary purpose of life cycle assessment methods as indicated in the provided content?
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Which database is explicitly named as part of the life cycle assessment model and data?
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Who is the primary audience interested in understanding the data and methodologies used for calculating life cycle environmental impact of hand-drying systems?
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What does a product's function typically consist of in its simple description?
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In analyzing functions, what are the two levels considered?
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What does the functional unit in an LCA study represent?
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What is meant by 'additional functions' in the context of a product's functionality?
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What is the primary purpose of setting the goal in an LCA?
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Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a specific goal for the MIT LCA study on hand dryers?
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Who commissioned the LCA study on hand dryers mentioned in the content?
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What type of questions should be addressed to define the goal and scope of an LCA?
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Which aspect is considered when determining the audience for an LCA report?
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What might be a consequence of properly defining the goal of an LCA?
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Which of the following is a factor that the LCA study aims to evaluate?
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What is one of the key impacts LCA results aim to support?
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What is the primary focus of a Life Cycle Inventory (LCI)?
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Which step of the Life Cycle Assessment involves evaluating the data gathered during the inventory phase?
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What is included in the Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) process diagram?
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Which of the following is a typical application of Life Cycle Assessment methodologies?
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In the context of Life Cycle Assessment, what does the term 'functional unit' refer to?
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Which life cycle phase is specifically defined as the boundary when conducting a life cycle assessment?
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What criterion is NOT typically used as a cut-off rule for defining boundaries in life cycle assessment?
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In the context of life cycle assessment, what does the term 'Cradle to Cradle' refer to?
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What is used to assess the physical properties in transactions of exclusion during a life cycle assessment?
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Which of the following options illustrates the primary region of focus in the MIT LCA study on hand dryers?
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Which of these options is part of the goals defined at the starting phase of a life cycle assessment?
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During a life cycle assessment, what is the role of 'cut-off rules'?
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What is indicated as an environmental aspect contribution in defining boundaries?
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Study Notes
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
- LCA is a tool for assessing the environmental impacts of products/services throughout their life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal.
- LCA can improve environmental performance by identifying environmental hotspots and opportunities for optimization.
- It can be used for product development, strategic planning, policy-making, and marketing.
Pollution Shifting
- Pollution shifting describes the transfer of environmental impacts from one phase of the life cycle to another or from one geographic location to another.
- It highlights the need for a comprehensive LCA approach to avoid unintended consequences.
LCA Methodology
- LCA has four main steps:
- Goal and scope definition
- Life cycle inventory (LCI)
- Impact assessment
- Interpretation
- A critical review step is also crucial to assess the quality and reliability of the LCA.
Goal & Scope Definition
- The goal and scope definition sets the context for the LCA and determines the specific objectives, target audience, functional unit, and system boundaries.
Key questions to consider:
- Why is the LCA being conducted?
- Who is the target audience?
- What is being analyzed (functional unit and system boundaries)?
- Where is the LCA focused (geographic location)?
Examples of Goal & Scope Definitions:
- Example 1: A study of hand dryers may aim to assess environmental impacts under different manufacturing and use scenarios, identify impact drivers, and inform product design decisions.
- Example 2: An internal LCA may be used to inform design teams, while an external LCA may involve suppliers and stakeholders.
Functional Unit
- The functional unit quantifies the performance of the product or service being assessed.
- It should be defined in terms of a quantity of service, not a quantity of physical product.
Examples of Functional Units:
- Washing 1 kg of laundry
- Producing 1 kWh of electricity
- Driving 1 km in a car
System Boundaries
- The system boundaries define the phases of the life cycle that are considered (e.g., cradle-to-gate, cradle-to-grave, cradle-to-cradle) and the level of scrutiny of the study (e.g., cut-off rules).
Cut-off Rules:
- Cut-off rules help to define the boundaries of the LCA and exclude less significant processes or inputs/outputs.
- Criteria for cut-off rules include:
- Physical weight (percentage of total mass)
- Cost (percentage of total cost)
- Environmental impact (percentage of total environmental impact)
Examples of System Boundaries:
- A cradle-to-gate LCA considers the impacts from raw material extraction to the point of sale or delivery to a consumer.
- A cradle-to-grave LCA includes the entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal.
Life Cycle Inventory (LCI)
- The LCI is a comprehensive list of the inputs and outputs associated with the product or service throughout its life cycle.
- It includes:
- Elementary flows (inputs: raw materials, energy; outputs: emissions, waste)
- Secondary flows (intermediate and final products or waste between actors)
- The LCI is based on a process diagram and is conducted in accordance with the goals and scope definition.
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Description
This quiz covers the fundamentals of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), including its importance in evaluating environmental impacts, the concept of pollution shifting, and the methodological steps involved in conducting an LCA. Test your understanding of how LCA can be utilized in product development and decision-making.
