|
|
|
|
| NIRE Annual Report |
| 1998 |
Life Cycle AssessmentEnergy Analysis DivisionEnergy Resources Department |
|---|
Objectives
Life cycle assessment (LCA) has received much attention in Japan. The methodologies of LCA are now being standardized as ISO 14040 series. NIRE started studies of LCA in 1993 to support the ISO activities. Since then, many activities related to LCA have been carried out. In the fiscal year of 1997, NIRE collaborated with IKP, Stuttgart University in Germany on life cycle inventory for primary aluminum ingot. NIRE also collaborated with CML, Leiden University in the Netherlands on evaluation of waste management in LCA. In addition, development of weighting methodology for life cycle impact assessment was carried out.
Life cycle inventories (LCI) of primary aluminum ingot
Primary aluminum is used in many industrial products, which is known as an energy intensive material. Since 99% amount of primary aluminum is imported from other countries, oversea aluminum production processes must be investigated to develop LCI of primary aluminum. In collaboration with IKP, Stuttgart University, input-output analyses concerning aluminum ingot production in Australia, Brasilia, Russia, Venezuela and USA were carried out.
Evaluation of waste management in LCA
Emissions in waste management processes influence the results of LCI significantly. Thus, it is necessary to evaluate waste management processes in LCA. Previous studies related to evaluation of waste management were surveyed. It was found that there are fundamental difficulties concerning allocation and time lag in waste management to evaluate it in LCA.
Development of weighting methodology in life cycle impact assessment
Weighting methodology in life cycle impact assessment was investigated for LCA practitioners in Japan. Distance-to-target principle was adopted in which authorized targets and standards set by Japanese government were used. Focused on was how to assess local impact categories compared to global impact categories.
