NDLI: Comparative LCA of multi-product processes with non-common products: a systematic approach applied to chlorine electrolysis technologies

Content Provider	Springer Nature Link
Author	Jung, Johannes Assen, Niklas Bardow, André
Copyright Year	2012
Abstract	Multi-product processes are one source of multi-functionality causing widely discussed methodological problems within life cycle assessment. A multi-functionality problem exists for comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of multi-product processes with non-common products. This work develops a systematic workflow for fixing the multi-functionality problem caused by the non-common products. A novel technology for chlor-alkali electrolysis is analyzed and compared to the industrial standard technology to illustrate the approach and to benchmark the new technology's environmental impact.A matrix-based workflow for comparative LCA of multi-product systems is presented. Products are distinguished in main products and by-products based on the reason of process operation. We argue that only main products form the reference flows of the compared multi-product systems. Fixing the multi-functionality problem follows directly from the chosen reference flows. The framework suggests system expansion to fix the multi-functionality problem if non-common main products exist. Non-common by-products still cause a multi-functionality problem. These by-products are systematically identified and the multi-functionality problem is fixed with avoided burden and allocation. A case study applies the workflow for comparing environmental impacts of the standard chlorine electrolysis to a novel process using oxygen-depolarized cathodes. Three scenarios are derived and evaluated. The assessed impact categories are cumulative energy demand, global warming potential, acidification potential, photochemical ozone creation potential, eutrophication potential, and human toxicity potential.The proposed workflow minimizes the methodological choices. The multi-functionality problem is systematically fixed based on the distinction between the main products and by-products. Inconsistent solutions are prevented by rigorous identification of unequal by-products within the compared systems. Selecting avoided burden processes or allocation factors is the remaining ambiguous choice common to the standard methods. The case study demonstrates the applicability of the workflow to comparative LCA of multi-product systems. The case study results show lower environmental impacts for the novel electrolysis technology in all practically relevant scenarios and impact categories.The framework for comparative LCA of multi-product systems with non-common products adds systematic clarity to the general ISO standards. The approach reduces the subjective choices of LCA practitioners to the identification of reason of process operation. This reason is defined if the site-specific economic conditions are known. The matrix-based formulation allows identification of inconsistencies caused by multi-functionality. For the novel electrolysis technology, the results indicate significant potential for environmental impact reduction.
Starting Page	828
Ending Page	839
Page Count	12
File Format	PDF
ISSN	09483349
Journal	The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment
Volume Number	18
Issue Number	4
e-ISSN	16147502
Language	English
Publisher	Springer-Verlag
Publisher Date	2012-11-22
Publisher Place	Berlin, Heidelberg
Access Restriction	One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)
Subject Keyword	Chlorine electrolysis Comparative LCA Industrial processes Multi-functionality Multi-product processes Environment Environmental Economics Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology Environmental Chemistry
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Environmental Science

Sl.	Authority	Responsibilities	Communication Details
1	Ministry of Education (GoI), Department of Higher Education	Sanctioning Authority	https://www.education.gov.in/ict-initiatives
2	Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	Host Institute of the Project: The host institute of the project is responsible for providing infrastructure support and hosting the project	https://www.iitkgp.ac.in
3	National Digital Library of India Office, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	The administrative and infrastructural headquarters of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in
4	Project PI / Joint PI	Principal Investigator and Joint Principal Investigators of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in Prof. Saswat Chakrabarti will be added soon
5	Website/Portal (Helpdesk)	Queries regarding NDLI and its services	support@ndl.gov.in
6	Contents and Copyright Issues	Queries related to content curation and copyright issues	content@ndl.gov.in
7	National Digital Library of India Club (NDLI Club)	Queries related to NDLI Club formation, support, user awareness program, seminar/symposium, collaboration, social media, promotion, and outreach	clubsupport@ndl.gov.in
8	Digital Preservation Centre (DPC)	Assistance with digitizing and archiving copyright-free printed books	dpc@ndl.gov.in
9	IDR Setup or Support	Queries related to establishment and support of Institutional Digital Repository (IDR) and IDR workshops	idr@ndl.gov.in

Functional unit and product functionality—addressing increase in consumption and demand for functionality in sustainability assessment with LCA

Sensitivity coefficient-based uncertainty analysis for multi-functionality in LCA

Rationales for and limitations of preferred solutions for multi-functionality problems in LCA: is increased consistency possible?

NativeLCA - a systematic approach for the selection of environmental datasets as generic data: application to construction products in a national context

Comparing apples with oranges: on the functional equivalence of food products for comparative LCAs

Does hybrid LCA with a complete system boundary yield adequate results for product promotion?

Comparison of generic and product-specific Life Cycle Assessment databases: application to construction materials used in building LCA studies

Social organizational LCA (SOLCA)—a new approach for implementing social LCA

LCA and communication: Environmental Product Declaration

Comparative LCA of multi-product processes with non-common products: a systematic approach applied to chlorine electrolysis technologies

Similar Documents

Functional unit and product functionality—addressing increase in consumption and demand for functionality in sustainability assessment with LCA

Sensitivity coefficient-based uncertainty analysis for multi-functionality in LCA

Rationales for and limitations of preferred solutions for multi-functionality problems in LCA: is increased consistency possible?

NativeLCA - a systematic approach for the selection of environmental datasets as generic data: application to construction products in a national context

Comparing apples with oranges: on the functional equivalence of food products for comparative LCAs

Does hybrid LCA with a complete system boundary yield adequate results for product promotion?

Comparison of generic and product-specific Life Cycle Assessment databases: application to construction materials used in building LCA studies

Social organizational LCA (SOLCA)—a new approach for implementing social LCA

LCA and communication: Environmental Product Declaration

Comparative LCA of multi-product processes with non-common products: a systematic approach applied to chlorine electrolysis technologies