Currently there is an interest in knowing what is the contribution of the development of products and services to global environmental impacts, especially climate change. Consumers, managers and companies can use studies as a guide to acquire products and improve the environmental performance of their activities.
The Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) addresses all environmental aspects and potential impacts throughout the life cycle of a product, this includes the activities of extraction and acquisition of raw material, production, use, recycling and finally the final provision. The standards that allow the certification of this study are ISO 14040 and ISO 14044.
The impacts associated with the products are highly relevant, as some unfortunately contribute to climate change, pollution of ecosystems, overexploitation of renewable and non-renewable resources, and misuse of available resources.
The sustainability of natural resources and economic development adjusted to the reality of our country, depend on the actions taken to reduce the impact of production processes and their optimization.
DEFINITIONS
A life cycle analysis (LCA), also known as cradle-to-grave analysis, environmental balance, or life cycle assessment, is a design tool that investigates and evaluates the environmental impacts of a product or service during all stages of its existence: extraction, production, distribution, use and end of life (reuse, recycling, recovery and disposal, disposal of waste, disposal. (ACV, 2014)
Environment and Life Cycle Analysis
LCA'S GOALS
- Obtaining key and specific information associated with the production of goods. Identification of critical points in production processes. Optimization of the system in the short term and reduction of environmental impact. Strategic planning in the long term. Entering differential market niches. consumers clear, relevant and usable information
(PERU, 2010)
ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION
LCA development originated almost simultaneously in the United States and Europe. Although the first LCA was carried out in 1969 by the Midwest Research Institute (MRI) for Coca-Cola, where the fundamental premise was to decrease the consumption of resources and, therefore, to decrease the amount of emissions to the environment. Studies continued through the 1970s, and groups such as Franklin Associates Ltd. along with MRI conducted more than 60 analyzes using input / output balance methods and incorporating energy calculations.
Between 1970 and 1974, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted nine studies of beverage containers. The results suggest not using LCA in any study, especially for small companies, since it involves high costs, is time consuming and involves micro-management in private companies.
Similar studies were carried out in Europe in the 1960s. In Great Britain, Lan Boustead carried out an analysis of the energy consumed in the manufacture of beverage containers (glass, plastic, steel and aluminum). But it was from the eighties when the application of LCA increased. Two important changes were developed in this same decade: first, the methods to quantify the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA
In 1993, the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) formulated the first international code: Code of Practice for LCA (Code of Practice for Life Cycle Assessment), in order to standardize the various studies carried out to follow the same methodology. This prompted the start of massive LCA developments in various areas of global interest, as LCA conferences, workshops and policies were held. Subsequently, the ISO supported this development to establish a work structure, standardize methods, procedures, and terminologies, because each time new stages are added, methodologies, indexes, computer programs dedicated to performing LCA in industrial plants, etc. were created.
After thirty years, LCA has made impressive progress, however, it is recognized that the technique is at an early stage of development. Many LCAs have been partial (only the inventory phase has been carried out) and applied mainly to the packaging sector (approximately 50%), followed by those in the chemical and plastic industries, construction materials and energy systems, and other minors such as diapers, waste, etc. (Zaénz and Zufía, 1996). Only in recent years has the impact evaluation phase been introduced in the studies carried out.
(RODRIGUEZ, 2003)
METHODOLOGY
The methodology considers a series of interrelated work phases, which follow a more or less defined sequence, although sometimes it is possible to carry out a not-so-ambitious study, ignoring some phase. According to ISO 14040, LCA consists of four phases:
Definition of objectives and scope, inventory analysis, impact evaluation and interpretation of results. The active or dynamic phases, in which the data is collected and evaluated, are the second and third. The first and fourth phases can be considered as static phases. Based on the results of a phase, the hypotheses of the previous phase can be reconsidered and redirected towards the path offered by the new knowledge acquired. LCA is, therefore, a process that is fed back and enriched as it is carried out.
Definition of objective and scope
The LCA begins with the statement of the objective and scope of the study, which includes how the results are intended to be communicated. The objective and scope should be consistent with the intended application of the LCA and include technical information, such as the functional unit, i.e. the Quantified Performance of the product system for use as a reference unit. It is also necessary to define other elements such as the limits of the system and the hypotheses used.
Also in this phase the functional unit is established. The functional unit describes the main function of the analyzed system. A LCA is not used to compare products with each other, but services and / or product quantities that carry out the same function.
For example, it is not valid to compare two different kilos of paint that do not serve the same function, to cover an equivalent area with a similar duration.
Due to its global nature, a complete LCA can be very extensive. For this reason, limits must be established that must be perfectly identified.
System boundaries determine which unit processes should be included within the LCA. Various factors determine the limits of the system, including the intended application of the study, the hypotheses raised, the exclusion criteria, the economic data and limitations, and the intended recipient. The limits of the system generally include:
- The main production sequence, that is, from the extraction of raw materials to the final disposal of the product, including Transport operations Production and use of fuels Energy generation, that is, electricity and heat Elimination of all waste of the process. Manufacture of transport packaging.
The system limits generally exclude:
- Manufacture and maintenance of production equipment. Maintenance of manufacturing plants, that is, heating and lighting. Common factors for each of the products or processes under study.
Inventory analysis
The second step is to collect and quantify the inputs and outputs of matter and energy corresponding to the product system during its life cycle.
This phase includes data collection and calculation procedures to identify and quantify all the adverse environmental effects associated with the functional unit. In a generic way, we will call these environmental effects "environmental burden". This is defined as the output or input of matter or energy from a system causing a negative environmental effect. This definition includes both emissions of polluting gases, such as water effluents, solid waste, consumption of natural resources, noise, radiation, odors, etc. When working with systems involving multiple products, in this phase the material and energy flows will be assigned, as well as the emissions to the environment associated with each product or by-product.
The structure of this phase is determined by the ISO 14042 standard, distinguishing between mandatory and optional elements.
The elements considered mandatory are:
-Selection of impact categories, category indicators and models.
-Classification: in this phase, the data from the inventory are assigned to each impact category according to the type of expected environmental effect. An impact category is a class that represents the environmental consequences generated by product processes or systems.
-Characterization: consists of modeling, using characterization factors, the inventory data for each of these impact categories.
The use of models is necessary to obtain these characterization factors. The applicability of the characterization factors will depend on the precision, validity and characteristics of the models used.
In the phase of choice, modeling and evaluation of impact categories there is some subjectivity since not all categories are agreed.
An example of impact categories that are generally included are:
- Decrease in resources. Greenhouse effect (direct and indirect). Decrease in the ozone layer. Acidification. Nutrition / eutrophication. Formation of photochemical oxidants.
However, the following categories are less well defined or are only used by some professionals:
- Dump volume in landfills. Destruction of landscapes. Human toxicity. Ecotoxicity. Noises. Smells. Occupational health. Biotic resources. Congestion.
There are also a number of optional elements that can be used depending on the objective and scope of the study.
-Normalization: normalization is understood to be the ratio of the quantified magnitude for an impact category with respect to a reference value, either on a geographical and / or temporal scale.
-Grouping, classification and possible cataloging of the indicators.
-Weighting: consists of establishing factors that give relative importance to the different impact categories and then add them together and obtain a weighted result in the form of a single global environmental index for the system. -Data quality analysis: it will help to understand the reliability of the results, it will be considered mandatory in comparative analyzes.
Impact assessment of the life cycle
The Life Cycle Impact Assessment (EICV) phase seeks to assess the potential significance of impacts based on the results of the ICV. This phase usually contains the following mandatory elements:
Selection of impact categories, category indicators and characterization models.
allocation of inventory results to selected impact categories; and impact measurement, calculation of the results of category indicators.
In addition to the additional elements, it is possible to include some additional ones such as:
- normalization grouping weighting data quality analysis
Lifecycle Interpretation
The interpretation of the life cycle is a systematic technique to identify, quantify, verify and evaluate the information of the results. This phase includes the following elements
identification of significant issues based on the results of the inventory analysis and impact assessment.
an evaluation of the study that considers its integrity, sensitivity, coherence, conclusions, limitations and recommendations.
(RES, 2013)
Life Cycle Analysis Framework
LCA STRUCTURE
The ACV structure is represented as a house with four main rooms, which would be represented by the ISO14040, ISO14041, ISO14042 and ISO14043 standards.
In the ISO14040 standard, the foundations of the Life Cycle Assessment, that is, the methodological framework, are established and each phase, the preparation of the report and the critical review process are briefly explained.
While in the remaining three regulations each phase of the LCA is explained in detail. ISO / TR14047 (on illustrative examples of how to apply ISO14042), and ISO14048 (on the format for data documentation for LCA) are currently in preparation. As well as the technical report ISO / TR14049 that deals with illustrative examples of how to apply the ISO14041 standard.
Life Cycle House
(GOMEZ, 2016)
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT FACTORS
Acid rain. Water contamination. Global warming. Death of animals, plants and fish. And the list goes on. Accurate calibration of our impact on the environment has only gained prominence in the past two decades.
Sustainable design looks at the impact of your product development, from start to finish, on four key environmental factors: air acidification, carbon footprint, total amount of energy consumed, and water eutrophication.
Measuring this impact will help you create better designs for the environment.
Air Acidification - The combustion of fuels generates sulfur oxide, nitrous oxide and other acidic emissions to the air. This causes an increase in acid in rainwater, causing its more acids in lakes and soil. These acids can make soil and water toxic to plants and aquatic life. Acid rain can also dissolve synthetic materials, such as concrete. This impact is usually measured in kg of sulfur dioxide (SO 2) equivalents.
Carbon footprint - carbon dioxide and other gases that result from the burning of fossil fuels accumulate in the atmosphere and cause an increase in the average temperature of the earth. Also known as global warming potential (GWP), the carbon footprint is measured in equivalent units of carbon dioxide (CO 2 e). Scientists and politicians, among others, consider that global warming is responsible for problems such as the disappearance of glaciers, the extinction of species, the most extreme temperatures, among others.
Total amount of energy consumed - This is a measure of the non-renewable energy sources associated with the part's life cycle in megajoules (MJ). This impact includes not only the electricity or fuels used during the product life cycle, but also the current of energy required to obtain and process these fuels, and the gray energy that would be released from the materials in the incineration phase. The total amount of energy consumed is expressed as the net calorific value of the energy demand from non-renewable resources (for example, oil, natural gas, etc.). Factors such as efficiencies in energy conversion (eg power, heat, steam, etc.) are also taken into account.
Eutrophication of water - when an excessive amount of nutrients is added to an aquatic ecosystem, eutrophication occurs. Nitrogen and phosphorous from sewage and agricultural fertilizers lead to excessive growth of algae, which consume oxygen from the water and kill plants and animals in the aquatic environment. This impact is usually measured in kg of phosphate equivalents (PO 4) or in kg of nitrogen equivalents (N).
(SOLIDWORKS, 2016)
BENEFITS
- Product development and improvement.Strategic planning: optimization of processes and reduction of risks associated with competitiveness with similar products.Marketing and advertising: improvement of the brand image.Access to international markets and compliance with current environmental regulations (Grenelle Law 2) and future Positioning in the sector Entry into differential market niches: possibility of expanding the market Selection of specific environmental performance indicators for each product
CONCLUSION
As it was read in the previous reading, acv is undoubtedly an indispensable tool in these times, it allows us to identify the voluntary and involuntary impacts of our actions, all in order to take actions to avoid or reduce them.
Specifically, ACV can be used:
In the industry:
- To know the environmental performance of a product or service or technology. To have an understanding of the effect of changes in the production process. To compare products / services / technologies.
In government:
- To prepare legislation with a better balance between consumers, producers, material suppliers, retailers and waste managers. To create priorities based on information on life cycles. In Public Procurement: Encouraging entrepreneurs to improve their environmental performance. Encourage pricing that accurately reflects costs, that is, dimensioning the impacts on setting costs.
THANKS
Thankful to God for all his blessings, also for the opportunity to work in the process of improving myself.
To my “alma mater” the Orizaba Technological Institute for their dedication in training quality professionals, to my MAE Professor Fernando Aguirre y Hernández for their dedication, dedication and commitment in sharing their knowledge.
To God for life and for science!
THESIS PROPOSAL
CERTIFICATION IN ISO 14040 IN SOME COMPANY OF ORIZABA, VER.
Objective: to provide the necessary guidance for the certification of the company in the ISO 14040 standard
BIBLIOGRAPHY
- ACV. (2014). GDRC. Obtained from http://www.gdrc.org/uem/lca/lca-define.htmlGOMEZ, M. (2016). CONSULTANCY. Obtained from http://www.marcelgomez.com/es/acv/PERU, PC (2010). LIFE CYCLE NETWORK. Obtained from http://red.pucp.edu.pe/ciclodevida/index.php/es/con-quienes-trabaramos.htmlRES. (2013). ECOINTELLIGENCE. Obtained from http://www.ecointeligencia.com/2013/02/analisisciclo-vida-acv/RODRIGUEZ, BI (2003). TECHNOLOGICAL TRENDS. Obtained from http://www.iie.org.mx/boletin032003/tend.pdfSOLIDWORKS. (2016). SOLIDWORKS. Obtained from
