evaluation of life cycle assessment tools

EVALUATIONOF

LIFE CYCLEASSESSMENT

TOOLS

2

EVALUATION OF LIFE-CYCLEASSESSMENT TOOLS

Prepared by:

Dean M. Menke and Gary A. DavisThe University of Tennessee

Center for Clean Products and Clean Technologiesand

Bruce W. VigonBattelle, Strategic Environmental Management

Prepared for:

Hazardous Waste BranchEnvironment Canada

August 1996

DISCLAIMER NOTICE

This report has not undergone detailed technical review by the Environmental Protection Serviceand the content does not necessarily reflect the views and policies of Environment Canada. Mention of trade names of commercial products does not constitute endorsement for use.

This manuscript is undergoing a limited distribution to transfer the information to people workingin related studies. This distribution is not intended to signify publication and, if the report isreferenced, the author should site it as an unpublished report of the Branch indicated below.

Any comments concerning its content should be directed to:

Kevin Brady or Andie PaynterEnvironment Canada

Hazardous Waste BranchOttawa, ONK1A 0H3

Tel.: (819) 953-1108Fax: (819) 953-6881

Email: [email protected]: [email protected]

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Table of Contents

Page

1. Introduction.............................................................................................................................1

2. Initial Evaluation...................................................................................................................1

2.1 Comprehensive List of LCA Software Tools .......................................................2 2.2 Initial Review of Demonstration Software and Literature ...........................................2 2.3 Selection for In-Depth Evaluations .............................................................................4 3. In-Depth Evaluation ...........................................................................................................5 3.1 Criteria for In-Depth Analysis of Tools....................................................................5 3.1.1 Computer Requirements and Interface ..............................................................6 3.1.2 System Definition............................................................................................6 3.1.3 Data and Data Management ..............................................................................7 3.1.4 Flexibility .......................................................................................................8 3.1.5 Calculations and Comparisons ..........................................................................8 3.1.6 Outputs and Exports ..........................................................................................9 3.2 Generic Life-Cycle Systems ........................................................................................9 3.3 Survey of Software Users...........................................................................................11 3.4 Summary of Results ....................................................................................................12 3.4.1 KCL-ECO........................................................................................................14 3.4.2 LCAiT........................................................................................................14 3.4.3 PEMS........................................................................................................15 3.4.4 SimaPro........................................................................................................16

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3.345 TEAMTM

........................................................................................................16 Appendix A - Results of Interim Evaluation Appendix B - Survey of Software Users Appendix C - In-Depth Evaluation of Full LCA Software Tools Appendix D - Default Printouts

List of Tables

Table 1 - Comprehensive Life of Life-Cycle Assessment Tools .........................................3 Table 2 - Basic Selection Criteria and Corresponding Software Tools .............................4 Table 3 - Survey Responses for Each LCA Software Tool ........................................11 Table 4 - Comparison of Unique Software Features ...................................................12

List of Figures Figure 1 - Initial Review Categories .............................................................................4 Figure 2 - Criteria for In-Depth Evaluation ..................................................................6 Figure 3 - Straight-Line Manufacturing and Use System ....................................................10 Figure 4 - Manufacturing, Use, and Closed-Loop Recycling System ..................................10 Figure 5 - Manufacturing, Use, and Open-Loop Recycling System ...................................10 Figure 6 - Manufacturing with Co-Production and Use .....................................................11

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EVALUATION OF LIFE-CYCLE ASSESSMENT TOOLS

1. INTRODUCTION

Life-cycle assessment (LCA) is a process to evaluate the resource consumption and environmentalburdens associated with a product, process, package, or activity. The LCA process encompassesthe identification and quantification of energy and material usage, as well as environmentalreleases across all stages of the life cycle; the assessment of the impact of these energy andmaterial uses and releases to the environment; and the evaluation and implementation ofopportunities to effect environmental improvement.1

In recent years, LCA has gained general acceptance as a tool with a range of uses, such asenvironmental labeling, product environmental improvement, eco-design, and policy evaluation. As the acceptance of LCA has increased, so has the development of software tools and databasesfor performing LCA. Many of these software tools and databases are available for licensing orpurchase. Targeted users of these materials are expert LCA practitioners and/or general users.

The Canadian government is facilitating the availability of accurate, up-to-date data for theinventory component of LCA by compiling the Canadian Raw Materials Database (CRMD). Thelife-cycle data concerning six primary materials will be made available to producers and otherusers for the use in LCA and other pollution prevention activities. Of critical importance in theuse of the CRMD is the availability of software tools which can accept the data and process it in amanner that is consistent with the users’ intended purpose and goals.

This project, conducted by the University of Tennessee Center for Clean Products and CleanTechnologies, is an objective evaluation of the available LCA software tools for potential use withthe CRMD. The evaluation consisted of two phases: an initial screening of available softwaretools, and subsequent appraisal of five software tools selected for an in-depth assessment basedon the results of the initial evaluation.

2. INITIAL EVALUATION

The initial evaluation accomplished the following four tasks, the results of which are discussedbelow.

1. Established a comprehensive list of software tools (and vendors) currentlyavailable for LCA;

2. Reviewed demonstration copies of software tools which were available throughvendor contacts;

1 Fava, James, et. al. (ed), A Conceptual Framework for Life-Cycle Impact Assessment, Society of EnvironmentalToxicology and Chemistry (1992), Pensacola, FL.

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3. Reviewed literature concerning the available software tools from the vendors andthird-party sources;

4. Identified five (5) LCA software tools to evaluate in full according to criteriadeveloped in cooperation with Environment Canada.

2.1 Comprehensive List of LCA Software Tools

From the U.S. and Europe, 37 software tools (and vendors) were identified; the comprehensivelist is presented in Table 1. To establish this list, a variety of information sources were utilized. Published literature from the Society for the Promotion of LCA Development (SPOLD) andAtlantic Consulting, “The LCA Sourcebook” and “LCA-Software Buyers’ Guide” respectively,were used to identify commonly-known LCA software tools. The World Wide Web was alsoused to gather up-to-date information on other established software tools, while subscribers tovarious Internet list servers were solicited for information on newly developed or developingtools.

The 37 LCA software tools listed in Table 1 are in various forms of development and use. Foursoftware tools are not yet fully developed (EcoSys, EDIP, LCAD, and SimaTool) and aredenoted “Prototype” in the third column of Table 1. Some software tools are only available in alanguage other than English or French; CUMPAN, REGIS, and Umcon are examples of thesesoftware tools. Still other software tools were developed exclusively for private industry clientsand are not commercially available (e.g., LCA1).

2.2 Initial Review of Demonstration Software and Literature

Demonstration discs and users manuals for 14 software tools were obtained from vendors andevaluated in the initial review. These 14 tools are identified in bold type in the first column ofTable 1. Included in the review was additional literature either supplied by the vendor or third-party sources.

Each of the 14 software packages was evaluated using a common review format. Within thisformat, six general categories of information are presented. These categories of information,identified in Figure 1, were selected to present general information which could be used to assessthe capabilities of each software tool and to select the tool(s) which meet user-defined goals andfunctions. The Features category contains the primary evaluation results for each demonstrationsoftware tool; the other five categories offer support documentation including contact informationand computer requirements. Appendix A represents the results of the initial evaluation of the 14demonstration software tools.

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Table 1 - Comprehensive List of Life-Cycle Assessment Tools

Namea Vendor Version Cost, $K Data Location

1. Boustead Boustead 2 24 Europe2. CLEAN EPRI 2 14 U.S.3. CUMPAN Univ. of Hohenheim Unknown Unknown Germany4. EcoAssessor PIRA Unknown Unknown UK5. EcoManager Franklin Associates, Ltd. 1 10 Europe/U.S.6. ECONTROL Oekoscience Unknown Unknown Switzerland7. EcoPack2000 Max Bolliger 2.2 5.8 Switzerland8. EcoPro EMPA 1 Unknown Switzerland9. EcoSys Sandia/DOE Prototype Unknown U.S.10. EDIP Inst. for Prod. Devel. Prototype Unknown Denmark11. EMIS Carbotech Unknown Unknown Switzerland12. EPS IVL 1 Unknown Sweden13. GaBi IPTS 2 10 Germany14. Heraklit Fraunhofer Inst. Unknown Unknown Germany15. IDEA IIASA Unknown Unknown Europe16. KCL-ECO Finnish Paper Inst. 1 3.6 Finland17. LCA1 P&G/ETH 1 Not Avail. Europe18. LCAD Battelle/DOE Prototype < 1 U.S.19. LCAiT Chalmers Industriteknik 2.0 3.5 Sweden20. LCASys Philips/ORIGIN Unknown Unknown Netherlands21. LIMS Chem Systems 1 25 U.S.22. LMS Eco-Inv. Tool Christoph Machner 1 Unknown Austria23. Oeko-Base II Peter Meier Unknown Unknown Switzerland24. PEMS PIRA 3.1 9.1 Ave. European25. PIA BMI/TME 1.2 1.4 Europe26. PIUSSOECOS PSI AG Unknown Unknown Germany27. PLA Visionik ApS Unknown Unknown Denmark28. REGIS Simum Gmbh Unknown Unknown Switzerland29. REPAQ Franklin Associates, Ltd. 2 10 U.S.30. SimaPro PRe’ Consulting 3.1 3 Netherlands31. SimaTool Leiden Univ. Prototype Unknown Netherlands32. Simbox EAWAG Unknown Unknown Switzerland33. TEAM Ecobalance 1.15 & 2.0 10 Europe/US34. TEMIS Oko-Institute 2 Unknown Europe35. TetraSolver TetraPak Unknown Unknown Europe36. Umberto IFEU Unknown Unknown Germany37. Umcon Particip Gmbh Unknown Unknown Germany

a Demonstration discs and users manuals were obtained for tools shown in bold type.

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Figure 1 - Initial Review Categories

Software Name Acronym

Vendor Company name Address Contact Phone and fax

Features Version System type Data User interface Calculation methods Output

Computing User support Operating system Hardware requirements

Commercial Specifications Price and conditions Demo availability

Customers and Reviews Number of users Targeted type of users Published reports/reviews

2.3 Selection for In-depth Evaluations

From the initial evaluation of 14 LCA software tools, five tools were selected for an in-depthevaluation utilizing complete versions of the software. The five packages selected were asfollows: KCL-ECO, LCAiT, PEMS, SimaPro, and TEAM. This selection was based on anumber of criteria, some of which are presented in Table 2 and discussed below.

Table 2 - Basic Selection Criteria and Corresponding Software Tools

Criteria Software Toolshighly detailed and representative life-cycle inventory KCL-ECO and TEAM

impact assessment capabilities and flexibility LCAiT and PEMSextent of use within industry SimaPro

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One factor influencing the selection process was a consideration of the ultimate user of thesoftware tool and the user’s goals. For many users, a highly detailed and representative life-cycleinventory may offer enough flexibility to be useful. KCL-ECO and TEAM were selected basedon this criterion. Although the version of KCL-ECO evaluated (version 1.0) does not haveimpact assessment capabilities (version 2.0 will), the software does present inventory informationin a detailed, user-friendly manner and supports data export to various data management systems. TEAM offers a similar inventory management tool which is much more advanced.

System flexibility, impact assessment capabilities, and ease of use represent three additionalparameters which resulted in the selection of two other software tools: LCAiT and PEMS. Eachsystem possesses impact assessment capabilities, including user-defined parameters and weightingfactors.

In addition to its ease of use, SimaPro was selected because it is already used as the datamanagement tool for various commercially available life-cycle databases. IVAM and IDEMAT,both from the Netherlands, and ETHZ, from Germany, all use this software tool for datamanagement. Furthermore, SimaPro is the program of choice for many companies as the analysistool for product improvement projects.

3. IN-DEPTH EVALUATION

The in-depth evaluation of the five LCA software tools began with the selection of criteria againstwhich the tools would be compared. To offer a common and systematic approach to theevaluation, generic life-cycle systems were created which were developed in each of the five LCAsoftware tools. A survey of current LCA software tool users was also conducted to offer anexperienced, “real world” perspective to the generic evaluation. The criteria, generic systems, andsurvey are described in the following sections. A summary of results which compares the mainfeatures of each tool and the survey results follows these descriptions.

3.1 Criteria for In-Depth Analysis of Tools

The criteria considered in the initial evaluation represent only a few criteria which wereconsidered in the full evaluation of the selected LCA software tools. The complete list of criteriaused to evaluate these software tools was determined by the Center for Clean Products andEnvironment Canada. Six primary categories of criteria were identified: computer requirementsand interface; system definition; data and data management; flexibility; calculations andcomparisons, and outputs and exports. These general categories and supporting criteria arepresented in Figure 2. An explanation of each criterion follows.

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Figure 2 - Criteria for In-Depth Evaluation

Computer Requirements and Interface• Hardware requirements • Software requirements• Interface (e.g., graphical)

Flexibility• Unit flexibility• Use of formulas• Allocation

System Definition• System development• System editing• Archiving

Calculations and Comparisons• Sensitivity analysis• Impact assessment• Comparison of results

Data and Data Management• Embedded data• Data quality indicators• Other descriptive fields• Data protection• Data editing• User-defined data

Outputs and Exports• System• Tables and graphs• Export options

3.1.1 Computer Requirements and Interface

Computer requirements are the basic hardware and software requirements for each of the LCAsoftware tools. Memory requirements and minimal processing unit capabilities are the primaryHardware Requirements. Software Requirements are those applications which are required forthe software tool to operate properly. This may include the type of platform (Macintosh,Windows or DOS), as well as supporting applications not supplied by the LCA tool (e.g.,spreadsheet applications such as Excel).

Interface describes the basic screens with which the user must interact while developing andmanipulating the product/service life cycle under investigation. This interface, and thedevelopment of system life cycles is further evaluated and described in the following section,System Definition.

3.1.2 System Definition

System Definition includes the three evaluation criteria of 1) system development, 2) systemediting, and 3) archiving.

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System Development describes how the user can specify steps within a manufacturing process orstages within the product/service life cycle to define the system under investigation. This includeshow flows of materials, emissions, and other burdens are specified within each step/stage, andhow transportation and energy requirements are incorporated into the system. The different waysin which each software tool defines functional flows/functional units are also included under thisheading.

System Editing is a brief explanation of system editing capabilities and limitations as the userdevelops a new or changes an existing life-cycle system. Adding or deleting steps/stages,changing flows, and manipulating the developed system within the software interface areconsidered in this section. Data editing is addressed separately in the general category Data andData Management.

Archiving as an evaluation criterion assesses the capabilities of each LCA software tool to reusepreviously defined systems (or sections of systems) in new life-cycle evaluations. As a library oflife-cycle systems is developed, the user may find it necessary and convenient to reuse all or someof the saved information. For example, a common energy matrix or waste disposal scenario maybe used for many different life-cycle systems.

3.1.3 Data and Data Management

There are a number of issues surrounding life-cycle data, databases, and data managementcapabilities which must be addressed when assessing the capabilities of each software tool. Underthe criterion of Data and Data Management there were six areas of interest: embedded data; dataquality indicators; other descriptive fields; data protection; data editing; and user-defined data.

Embedded Data describes the types of data available within databases accompanying eachsoftware tool. A brief assessment of data quality is also included under this heading. For a fulldescription of data quality, see the results from the initial evaluation presented in Appendix A.

The various ways in which a user can specify data quality indicators is included under DataQuality Indicators. Text fields which allow the user to specify the source of data, dates of datacollection, geographic regions, etc., are features addressed within this criterion. The quality ofembedded data is not assessed under this heading. Other descriptive text fields, such as systemtitle, process notes, etc., are included under the Other Descriptive Fields. User-defineddescriptive fields, such as these, are features which strengthen the life-cycle assessment process,as well as simplify the interpretation of the assessment results.

Data Protection and Data Editing document the various ways in which the information containedin the database (whether embedded or user-defined) is presented to the user, shielded and/orprotected from other users, and available for editing. Data protection considers both embeddeddata protection and user-defined data protection. The protection of embedded data can includecomplete inaccessibility to the data, view only, or copying/editing capabilities. The

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protection of embedded data can include the use of user names and passwords, levels of securityclearance, etc. User-defined data protection can include, for example, features which offer dataaccess and editing capabilities to only the user who created the data set, as well as various levelsof access similar to those described for embedded data protection.

User-Defined Data describes the process by which the user can define data for inclusion insoftware databases. Data import capabilities are included within this heading.

3.1.4 Flexibility

Three separate criteria were identified under the general heading of system Flexibility: unitflexibility; use of formulas; and allocation. Unit Flexibility describes whether the tool supportsuser-defined units or whether the user must convert all entries to consistent software-definedunits. The Use of Formulas offers another degree of flexibility. To determine/specify materialflows, energy requirements and environmental releases based on user-defined variables can permitthe user to develop a more dynamic system. Allocation of burdens among co-products and/oropen-loop flows is an issue of interest for all LCA practitioners. There are various ways by whichburdens are allocated to a product or service (e.g., by weight, by economic value, etc.). Theway(s) in which each tool allocates burdens was evaluated and discussed in this sub-category.

3.1.5 Calculations and Comparisons

Uncertainty analysis, impact assessment, and comparison of results represent three datamanipulation capabilities which may or may not be a function of each LCA software tool. Calculations and Comparisons, as an evaluation criterion, assesses each tool for thesemanipulation capabilities.

With each bit of information and data entry within an LCA, there exists a degree of uncertainty. The capability of an LCA software tool to manage this uncertainty may be a characteristic ofimportance to the user. Therefore, the various methods to perform uncertainty analysis, such assensitivity analysis, within each software tool was assessed, and presented under UncertaintyAnalysis.

Impact assessment, as defined in “Life-Cycle Impact Assessment - A Conceptual Framework, KeyIssues, and Summary of Existing Methods” (EPA, July 1995), includes the classification,characterization, and valuation of life-cycle inventory results. The flexibility to incorporate user-defined parameters for these and other assessment methods is of primary interest to many LCApractitioners and the users of LCA software tools. Each tool was evaluated for these capabilities,the results of which are summarized under Impact Assessment.

Comparison of Results summarizes the ability of each tool to compare the results (inventory orimpact assessment) of two or more systems. For example, a comparison may be of two identicalsystems with different recycle rates or raw material inputs; a comparison may also be of twocompletely different and competing products/technologies to accomplish the same function.

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3.1.6 Outputs and Exports

Outputs and Exports, the final assessment category, evaluates the various ways in which the life-cycle system and the calculated results can be viewed, printed, exported, and otherwisemanipulated.

The flow diagram or sequence of steps/stages evaluated in the LCA represents the system. Printing and export functions of this system are presented under Systems.

Tables and Graphs summarizes the ways each software tool presents database information andthe results of the inventory analysis, impact assessment, and other calculations. Editingcapabilities and user-defined formats for tables and graphics are also included under this heading.

The ability to utilize the information created in the LCA software tool in other computerapplications for report purposes, presentations, further manipulations, etc. is yet another capabilityof each software tool evaluated. Export Capabilities such as data export, inventory export, andimpact assessment export were among the factors included in this criterion summary.

3.2 Generic Life-Cycle Systems

The five LCA software tools selected for an in-depth evaluation were assessed under each of theabove criteria. To accomplish this in-depth evaluation, four simple, fictitious life-cycle systemswere developed in, and analyzed with each of the software tools. These systems, pictoriallypresented in Figures 3 through 6, represent the following scenarios:

1. straight-line manufacturing and use; 2. manufacturing, use, and closed-loop recycle;

3. manufacturing, use, and open-loop recycle; and4. manufacturing with co-production and use.

The actual numbers calculated for each scenario were not compared between LCA software tools. The purpose of these scenarios was to allow the evaluators to become familiar with each tool,and to address each of the criteria in a systematic and consistent fashion.

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Figure 3 - Straight-Line Manufacturing and Use System

Material #1

Process #1 Process #2 Use Disposal

Material #2

Transport Transport Transport of Waste

of Raw Materials of Intermediate

Product

Figure 4 - Manufacturing, Use, and Closed-Loop Recycling System

Material #1 Recycle


Material #2



Product

Figure 5 - Manufacturing, Use, and Open-Loop Recycling System

Material #1 Optional Recycle Open Loop


Material #2



Product

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Figure 6 - Manufacturing with Co-Production and Use

Material #1 Co-Product

Process #1 Process #2

Material #2 Product Disposal



Product

3.3 Survey of Software Users

To give additional depth to the evaluation, a survey of current LCA software tool users was alsoconducted. Though the evaluation utilizing the criteria and scenarios described above wasdetailed, this survey of current LCA tool users offers a real-world perspective. The survey (seeAppendix B) was used to assess the current applications of each software tool, the individualsusing each tool, and the impressions formed by these users of the tool’s features and capabilities. The Center for Clean Products distributed the survey to software users, either directly to contactssupplied by software vendors, or through software vendors when client confidentiality was anissue. Table 3 summarizes survey distribution numbers and percent responses. Unfortunately, thenumber of completed surveys received from software users was not adequate to offer definitiveand comparable results across LCA tools. Therefore, a separate summary of survey results willnot be presented. Survey responses that were received are included in Appendix B.

Table 3 - Survey Responses for Each LCA Software Tool

Software Number Distributed Number Received Percent ResponseKCL-ECO 2 0 0

LCAiT 1 1 100%PEMS 18 8 44%-

SimaProunknown

(1) 1 -

TEAM 5 1 20%

(1) Survey was distributed through PRe'.

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3.4 Summary of Results

The results of the evaluation which utilized the criteria and generic scenarios are presented inTables C1-C6 of Appendix C. The five software tools evaluated have many common capabilities. There are, however, a number of unique features/capabilities not found in every LCA softwaretool. A condensed and comparative evaluation of these unique software features is presented inTable 4. A brief description of these unique features is presented below. Refer to Appendix C fordetails of these unique features and other software capabilities.

Table 4 - Comparison of Unique Software Features

KCL-ECO LCAiT PEMS SimaPro TEAMGraphical Interface 4 4 4 4

Data Protection 4 4 4

Unit Flexibility 4 4 4

Use of Formulas 4 4

Uncertainty Analysis 4 4 4

Impact Assessment 4 4 4 4

Comparison of Results 4 4 4

Graphical Display of Results 4 4 4

SimaPro was the only LCA software tool evaluated that did not offer a graphical interface forsystem development. Though the version of TEAM evaluated in this study did not support agraphical interface (version 1.15), version 2.0, also distributed by Ecobalance to licensees withWindows 95 and Windows NT, does support the graphical development of a life-cycle system.

Data protection is a feature offered by three of the five software tools: PEMS, SimaPro, andTEAM. PEMS data protection maintained the integrity of the embedded database, but offerslittle flexibility for user-defined data protection. The data protection feature of SimaPro is onlysupported in the multi-user version of the software. Similar to TEAM, data protection inSimaPro utilizes user passwords and access codes allowing each user to maintain their owndatabase. TEAM offers the most extensive and flexible data protection options of all thesoftware tools. As detailed in Appendix C (Table C3.2), three levels of protection can bespecified for each project and defined data set.

Though unit flexibility is a feature supported by KCL-ECO, SimaPro, and TEAM, onlySimaPro requires the conversion of user-defined units to standard system-defined metric units. Once defined, unit convention must be maintained in KCL-ECO and TEAM.The use of formulas offers a dynamic dimension to the LCA process. Formulas and variables areused in KCL-ECO and TEAM in a similar manner. Each tool is able to support uncertaintyanalysis (described below) as a result of formula and variable utilization. See Table C5 ofAppendix C for details of variables and formulas; see Table C5 for uncertainty analysis details.

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The ability to perform uncertainty analysis by the three identified software tools is quite different. In KCL-ECO, uncertainty can be applied to selected variables (i.e., +/- X%), and the number ofanalysis cycles can be specified by the user. Though this technique is flexible, the graphicalpresentation of uncertainty results has limited utilization outside the program. PEMS andTEAM offer similar uncertainty analysis capabilities. Different scenarios must be run separatelyand saved as individual files; TEAM supports automation of these scenario runs. In PEMS theuser can then analyze the percent difference (i.e., +/- X%) between two scenarios for varioususer-defined parameters. Analysis of scenario results in TEAM is performed in TEAMPlus (anadd-on program that goes with TEAM) as a comparison of results.

A commonly accepted methodology for impact assessment is still under development within theLCA practitioners community. Despite this lack of agreement, four of the five evaluated softwaretools support impact assessment capabilities: LCAiT, PEMS, SimaPro, and TEAM. Each toolsupports the assessment of impact based on emission loadings to common environmentalparameters such as global warming, greenhouse gases, and solid waste. Weighting factors areapplied to the emissions calculated for a life-cycle inventory, and the resulting values are placedunder the appropriate parameter(s). LCAiT and PEMS supports user-defined parameters;SimaPro allows the user to define their own parameters and weighting factors; and version 2.0 ofTEAM requires the user to use system-defined weighting factors and parameters. PEMS andSimaPro offer additional assessment analyses which can be reviewed in Table C5 of Appendix C. The upcoming version of KCL-ECO will support impact assessment.

Comparison of results is supported by three of the five evaluated software tools. PEMS supportsthe comparison of up to six separate systems using any user-defined template of results (graphicalor tabular). Each offers the unique ability to compare assemblies, sub-systems, waste disposalscenarios, etc. in any combination. For example, in SimaPro you can compare the emissions fromthe manufacture process of an assembly with the emissions resulting from a waste disposalscenario. Substances or impact assessment parameters can be compared. Similarly for PEMS, ifinventories for a sub-system are created and saved, a comparison of results is possible. Similarlyfor TEAM, the contribution of any process or sub-system to the overall system can be reported. A limitation of the graphical treatment within TEAM, however, is that only one parameter canbe compared at a time from only two inventories. Data export is supported by all five tools thusallowing data manipulation in a spreadsheet or similar application.

The graphical display of results is the last feature common among only a few software tools. LCAiT offers only a graphical depiction of the calculated inventory results. PEMS supports awide range of user-defined graphical results that can also be viewed in tabular form. Finally,SimaPro presents characterization (classification), normalization, and valuation calculations ingraphical form; graphical depiction of inventory results is not supported.

Though each software tool has common capabilities within the remaining criteria categories, theflexibility and functionality of these capabilities vary significantly from tool to tool. Whilecompleting the evaluation, overall impressions of each software tool’s capabilities, limitations, and

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ease of use were formulated by the evaluators. These impressions of the evaluators are presentedbelow. The reader should refer to Appendix C for further details.

3.4.1 KCL-ECO

The graphical interface of KCL-ECO makes system development easy. Editing of the system,data, and variables list from anywhere within the program offers the freedom to develop thesystem as it is conceived by the user. The reuse of archived systems and sub-systems is one of theeasiest among the evaluated tools. System variables (inputs and outputs) can be specified by theuser. Units are associated with each variable and can also be defined by the user. Once defined,this unit convention must be maintained throughout the LCA project. Allocation among co-products is not a function of the tool. All allocation must be performed before the system isdeveloped and the flows specified. The use of variables and equations allows for user-definedflows and parameters, and offers another degree of flexibility when defining the system. Sensitivity analysis within the program is one of the most versatile among the tools evaluated. Customization of result tables is supported in a limited way; graphical displays are not an optiongiven by the software. Survey responses from KCL-ECO users were not received.

Unique features offered by KCL-ECO include the following:• Access to the variables list at any point within the program allows the user to define new

variables from anywhere within the program as the system is being developed.• The descriptive field accompanying each process block can be invoked on the graphical

interface and is included in the table of results.• The output of one process block does not have to have the same name as the input to

another process block when the flow is connected between blocks.

Limitations of the software tool include the inability to compare results and perform impactassessment, and the lack of support for exporting results. However, version 2 of KCL-ECO,expected out later this year, will possess impact assessment capabilities, as well as allocationmethods.

3.4.2 LCAiT

System development within LCAiT is not as simple as that experienced with other software toolsevaluated. Emissions, wastes, and resources (here, resources refer to co-products) generated by aprocess are specified in the Process Card. The primary product of a process (i.e., resources whichflow between processes) can not be defined until links have been established between two or moreprocesses. Percent shared flows (based on weight) must be defined for processes with multipleinflows or outflows. Transportation is treated as a system block similar to process blocks. Dataediting and user-defined data capabilities, however, are simple and straightforward. The use ofdescriptive text fields is extensive. Unit flexibility of the tool is typical of most software; datamust be entered in system-defined units. Allocation is not supported by the software tool; theuser must allocate all burdens before entering data into the system. The lack of sensitivityanalyses and comparison of results limits the tool’s application as a management tool. Impact

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assessment capabilities, however, are good. Only graphic results are supported within the userinterface; export capabilities in tabular form are supported. A description of the different colorsused in the graphic display of results is not offered.

Unique features of LCAiT include the following:• The ease of user-defined data entry using software-supplied templates; and• The ability to import an entire life-cycle system into a process block of a new system,

allowing highly detailed and complex systems to be simplified.

Limitation of the software tool is that only 16 links (total, in and out) can be established for eachprocess block (four on each side), and only one inflow and one outflow can be assigned to eachtransportation block. Though these system-development limitations can be overcome, significantthought and creativity may be required to develop complex systems.

3.4.3 PEMS

The graphical interface of PEMS makes system development intuitively very easy. The inputs andoutputs are compiled and a mass balance for each process block is calculated and reported to theuser on each Properties card. Material flows and transportation are represented by arrowsbetween blocks. Ample descriptive fields allow the user to offer narrative information for allprocess blocks and the system as a whole. Data developed by the user, however, are difficult toinput into the database format, and archiving systems for reuse is tedious. Unit flexibility andallocation capabilities of the tool are typical of most software; data must be entered in system-defined units, and the allocation is by weight. The manual offers a very detailed explanation ofother allocation methods but the tool does not specifically support these methods. Finally, themanipulation and presentation of data is well supported by the system. Sensitivity analysis, impactassessment, and comparison of results are easy to understand and customize. Tables and graphscan be easily customized, and export to other applications is well supported.

Unique features of PEMS include the following:• User is informed (warned) if a flow represents less than one percent of total;• Multiple transportation options can be defined for a single flow allowing urban, rural, and

motor way combinations to be selected. The inclusion of a ‘utility’ factor allows the userto represent return trips as well.

• While defining the inputs and outputs of each process, the program maintains and informsthe user of a mass balance around the process.

• PIRA offers membership to the PEMS User’s Club; as members PEMS users have theopportunity to discuss and participate in the further development of LCA and LCAstandards, as well as the development of future PEMS versions.

A limitation of PEMS experienced during the evaluation was the lack of a run-time version ofExcel; software failure occurs when using an Excel application above Version 5. This dependenceon Excel has been eliminated in the version of PEMS expected out later this year (1996).

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3.4.4 SimaPro

SimaPro has features that support its extensive use as a product development and LCAmanagement tool. Though a graphical interface for system development is not offered, SimaProis very easy to use and flexible. Access to, and unrestricted editing of the five database files is thecharacteristic which offers most of this flexibility and ease. Aside from data protection, all dataand data management options are excellent and easy to operate. Embedded data are extensiveand well documented; adequate descriptive fields are offered for each database entry; and user-defined data are easily input through templates offered by the software program. Various impactassessment options for system and block impact (e.g., easily accessible indicator values,characterization/normalization/valuation calculations, and ‘thermometer’ scales) are available atall times while in the program. Results presented in a graphical format are supported, but tablesare not.

Unique features of SimaPro include the following:• The ability to link database entries;• Access to numeric and visual indications of impact for each stage, assembly, process, and

material in a life cycle system; and• A multiple-users version of SimaPro is available (at a reduced cost for educational

purposes) which offers unique features such as data protection and networking.

Limitations of SimaPro include the lack of graphical interface, sensitivity analysis and possibly theDOS interface.

3.4.5 TEAM

TEAM is the most powerful and flexible of the tools evaluated in this in-depth study. Becauseof this, however, the features and capabilities were the most difficult to fully understand andutilize. Selecting and defining inputs and outputs within the lowest process/unit level is quitesimple using the tool bar; flows may be defined by values or variables and equations. Unitflexibility is similar to KCL-ECO; units are associated with each variable (i.e., termed an “Article”in TEAM) and can be defined by the user. Once defined, this unit convention must bemaintained throughout the LCA project. The use of formulas to specify allocation methods foreach process unit is a unique feature of TEAM. At each process level, Check and Compileoptions allow the user to ensure system consistency and integrity even before the system is fullydefined. Calculating the LCA inventory from anywhere within the system (called “propagation”)is yet another flexible feature of TEAM. Tabular results are typical of other software toolsevaluated, with customization and export capabilities supported. Graphical representation ofresults as a feature of the tool is supported only within the "Compare Reults" option describedabove.

Unique features of TEAM include the following:• Systems and sub-systems can be defined as Modules, allowing highly detailed and complex

systems to be simplified.

17

• Inventory calculations can be propagated from anywhere within the system;• Allocation rules can be defined within the lowest process/unit level for any flow;• The various data protection and data access levels allow easy maintenance of data

integrity; and• A networking version of TEAM is also available which offers multiple remote access to

a single system.

Limitations of TEAM include the lack of support for user-defined weighting factors for impactassessment and the limited (only one parameter between two Inventories) comparison of resultscapabilities as a feature within the software tool. A new version of TEAM is expected out laterthis year which will support user-defined weighting factors.

Appendix A

Results of Interim Evaluation

1

SOFTWARE: The Boustead Model

VENDOR:Company:Address: 2 Black Cottages, Worthing Road, West Grinstead, Horsham, West

Sussex, Great Britain RH13 7BD(1)

Contact: Dr. Ian BousteadPhone: 44-403-864-561Fax: 44-403-865-284.

(1) The U.S. sales representative is Consoli Consulting, Inc., 619 N. Heilbron Drive,

Medea, PA 19063.

FEATURES:Version: 2.0

System Type: LCI with extended integral database.

Data: Includes extensive data modules for energy carriers, fuels production andtransportation. Individual process, segment, and complete product data are included forcommon process operation segments and commodity materials manufacturing sub-systems. Unit processes are coded by number and ample space is available in the databasefor user-specified data. Data are input via the construction of a data table for eachprocess. For any given numbered process that produces a defined unit of product, theuser places in the table names and amounts of any input raw materials, energy requirement(generated outside the process), intermediate inputs, i.e. those not drawn from the earth,and any air, water, and solid waste emissions. The associated code number of thetabulated items is also entered to allow the program to link any particular table with anyother table in order to create the process flow sheet. The core database, i.e., theaccumulation of the items supplied with the program, are grouped into categories becausethe user must input the codes when generating a new data table. Although the mostfrequently used ones can be memorized, the user will need to refer to the listings for lessfrequently specified items. The database contains information on over 2,000 unitoperations. Unit operations data represent a mixture of U.K., general European, and U.S.conditions. The standard list of emissions in the core database contains up to about 2dozen items for each process. The user may add additional items as needed.

The data for the fuel producing industries are especially well represented by country. Datasets are included for average conditions in 23 countries. Furthermore, the electricgeneration data for the U.S. and Canada are disaggregated into 9 and 5 regional electricalgrids, allowing a finer level of analysis.

2

Data are generally in SI units, but there is no reason why alternative units cannot beselected by the user provided they are consistent. However, there is a preferred set ofdata units. Most of the data are believed to be secondary except for some specific data onlocal systems collected by the author. No explicit data quality indicators are used.

User Interface: The current version of the Boustead model and its supportingdocumentation is in English. The user actually interacts with the model through theinitiation of a sub-program either from a system menu or directly from the DOS prompt. File manipulation and printing are all controlled in this manner. One group of sub-programs writes data to files in ASCII format for later post-processing. One convenientfeature of the program is the printing of a proforma questionnaire for the data collectionprocess. Creation of models containing only linear sequences of unit operations is quitestraightforward. Use of pre-defined segments, as for example the cradle-to-get data fromthe American Plastics Council, or models involving recycling loops are more complicated.

LCI Calculation Method(s): The “program” actually consist of a collection of routineswhich perform discrete functions. The user selects from a listing of these programs thedesired function and executes the program. Input is sought and output collected to allowprogression through the construction of the data, checking of units consistency, assemblyinto an LCI, printing of intermediate worksheets, and the formatting and printing ofreports. Categories of sub-programs include:

• Setting Defaults (file size and printing configurations)• Amending the Database (amends data in input tables and elsewhere; inserts or deletes data in

specified tables, blocks or data sets)• Preparing Primary Data (converts unit quantities and prints data acquisition questionnaires)• Calculating Data (computes the specified aggregated inputs or outputs for the core

components, i.e. those contained in the core database and the top components, i.e., the userinput materials and processes)

• Reading Data to the Screen (presents information on the monitor for a code number)• Printing Worksheets (prints intermediate calculation data)• Printing Reports (prints composite and data subsets in report format)• Writing Data in ASCII format (outputs data to a floppy drive file)• Transferring Data (moves data from/to a floppy drive and a hard drive)• Initial Installation (creates files and converts version 1 to version 2 structure)

The topmost analysis unit is the product. The checking of the data sets for errors isfacilitated through the code structure and a search program which allows any operationcode contained in an input table to be flagged for examination as a possible mis-entereddata point.

3

LCIA Calculation Method(s): Not applicable

Output: The flexible report generation capability allows the reader to create any numberof tabular representations of the data. The format of these tables are fixed by theprogram. Export to a word processor via the ASCII file writing capability, however, doesallow additional tailoring. The basic report contains columns of data for eachenvironmental medium for each input/output. Headers and a footer as well as pagenumbers are printed in the report generator. No graphical capability exists within theprogram.

COMPUTING:

User Support: Available in the U.S. through Consoli Consulting (sales primarily) and Dr.Derek Augood (private consulting through an agreement with Dr. Boustead);customization and additional user support available through the author.

Operating System: DOS 5.0 or higher

Hardware Requirements: 386-SX processor, 2 MB RAM, and 35 MB disk spaceminimum; 486-DX or higher performance processor preferred; requires up to 100 MB ofdisk space depending on complexity of model.

COMMERCIAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Price and Conditions: $24,000 initial lease; renewal negotiable

Demo Availability: No

CUSTOMERS AND REVIEWS:

Number of Users: Unknown at present

Targeted Type of Users: Expert users in general, although model is generallystraightforward to operate; typically the model has been supported by a trained user withinthe leasing organization.

Published Reports: Numerous application reports in Europe and the USA

4

SOFTWARE: Comprehensive Least Emissions Analysis (CLEAN)

VENDOR:

Company: Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)(1)

Address: 4920 El Camino, Los Altos, CA 94022Contact: Dwight AgarPhone: 415-960-5918Fax: 415-960-5965

(1) The development of CLEAN was sponsored by Electric Power Research Institute

(EPRI) in conjunction with several utilities.


System Type: LCI of energy emissions from fuel production, electric generation, andend-use (note: downstream emissions, such as equipment maintenance and disposal, arenot yet included in the database or calculations). A costing module is also part of theprogram.

Data: Includes 150 end-use technologies in over 20 different activity groups; for

example, 150,000 ft2

facility with T-12 lamps and magnetic ballasts represents atechnology in an office lighting activity. Residential, commercial, and industrialtechnology-activity groups are covered. Six default supply-side emissions data setscovering various geographic regions of the U.S. are included which represent marginalemissions data for year 2000. Also included is a supply-side emissions data set for NewEngland Electric Systems for 1993. Units of emissions can be specified: either gr., kg.,lb., or tons. (lb. is default.) Users are able and encouraged to model end-use technologiesand activities, as well as customize the database to meet individual needs (e.g., provideutility-specific electric generation emission curves). Data can be viewed and edited in theprogram’s user interface, or imported/exported from structured ASCII files. Thereferences for system supplied data can be checked by accessing the Reference optionfound under the Edit menu in the Main Window.

User Interface: software and manual are in English. The software is also equipped witha complete on-line help screen. The user is prompted through a series of menus to defineactivities, technologies, and supply-side emissions data. No graphical interface is offered.

LCI Calculation Method(s): Based on user selected supply-side emissions data, end-useactivity, and end-use technology, the program calculates the emissions of electricaltechnologies based on pre-defined hourly electric demand and marginal emission factors(one times the other). Calculations take into account varying emission factors of the

5

generation plant, varying electrical demands of end-use technologies, efficiency of end-usetechnologies, and transmission/distribution losses. For non-electric technologies, CLEANcalculates the yearly emissions as a function of yearly energy use, the efficiency and theemissions factors associated with the selected technology and fuel. Calculations determine

the weight of emissions for 19 substances (equivalent C02, N0x, S02, TSP, PM10, CFC-11, HCFC-22, HCF-123, IFC-134A, ROG, CO, water use, solid waste, waste water,

CFC-12, hazardous waste, CH4 and N20.


LC Cost Calculation Method(s): The software will calculate the marginal cost to theutility for generating the required electricity and the net present value of the technologybased on user-defined parameters (OEM, capital, installation, inflation rate, expected life,etc.)

Output: Both text (files) and graphic output support are provided. Input data andcalculated results can be copied to a file in ASCII form. Graphical depiction of resultsincludes bar graphs, off- and on-site emissions, load curves and supply curves. Reportoptions include eight different formats, all of which have export capabilities and userspecified options.

COMPUTING:

User Support: On-line help available through program. SAIC offers on-site training andsupport over the phone.

Operating System: DOS, MS Windows 3.1, Microsoft Access

Hardware Requirements: 386-SX, 16 MHz, 4 MB RAM and 5 MB free hard diskspace


Price and Conditions: $14,000 for industry and private firms; some arrangements foracademic and research facilities can be made. Availability of software is by contract only.

Demo Availability: Yes, manual and disk.


Number of Users: Over 250 software copies have been ordered by industry.

6

Targeted Type of Users: Non-expert user

Published Reports: Unknown

7

SOFTWARE: EcoManager

VENDOR:Company: Franklin Associates, Ltd.Address: 4121 83rd Street, Suite 108, Prairie Village, KS 66208Contact: Bruce KuskoPhone: 913-649-2225Fax: 913-649-6494

FEATURES:Version: 1 (January 1994)

System Type: LCI using generic data.

Data: System provides generic data, the use of which will apply to average or typicalprocess/product situations. Four databases are available: materials, energy, waste, andtransport. Within the demo manual there was no indication of the extent or contents ofthese databases or data quality indicators. Weight in pounds (lbs.) is the unit in which allnon-energy data must be entered and evaluated. Use of other units must be manuallyconverted to lb. Energy units must be MBTU and be relative to the reference quantity ofthe process. Three of the databases can be updated (materials, waste, and energy);transportation cannot. Data input procedures were not clarified in the materials (demo)provided.

User Interface: EcoManager is in English, both manual and software. All processesmust be predefined by the user prior to creating a new inventory. The user is promptedthrough simple menu screens to enter the material, transport, and energy flows from eachprocess step. The data management spreadsheet for each process is also accessible to editand add data as desired. No graphical representation of the created system is supported.

LCI Calculation Method(s): The model uses backward-chaining processing, orprocesses in which the environmental burdens are linked to the amount of output required. Thus, a functional unit must be specified; the life cycle inventory will benormalized/calculated against the weight of this functional unit. The model worksbackwards through the system, thus the first process evaluated is the last within the system(prior to waste disposal). For each process, a reference quantity which was the basis forthe inventory data must be defined by the user. Links between processes are not dynamic.

A maximum of four material outputs can be entered for each process. Five closed loopinput materials can be entered into a single process. Only one co-product can be specifiedper process, thus multiple co-products must be grouped. The allocation method used is byweight; other allocation methods require manual calculations to weight. Up to twentystages using transportation can be defined. Distance traveled and a utility factor are the

8

two data parameters the user can define. Waste management options include defaulttransport data. Data are maintained and manipulated by an Excel spreadsheet. Energyoutputs for the system are limited to one electrical and one heat. No clear definition ofrecycle loops was offered.


Output: The model supports only tabular output of calculations. Each defined process isidentified as a column heading, below which are three columns which contain "notes,""references," and "calculated values." Notes allow the user to track materials and energythrough the system; reference columns contain data about the inputs and outputs ofmaterial/energy relative to the reference quantity for that process; and the calculationscolumn presents the inputs and outputs based on the functional unit defined for thesystem. Data and calculations are managed in a Excel spreadsheet, therefore export ofresults is supported.

COMPUTER:

User Support: Not explicitly stated.

Operating System: DOS 3.1 or higher, Windows 3, and Excel 4

Hardware: 386 or 486 with at least 4 MB RAM


Price and Conditions: $10,000

Demo Availability: Yes; demo manual is extremely limited in its explanations ofdemonstration of system capabilities.


Number of Customers: 6 industrial users

Targeted Type of User: Intended user is the non-expert. With the lack of a graphicalinterface (all entries are prompted via dialogue) and complexity of data input, this intendeduser is not practical.


9

SOFTWARE: ECOPACK2000

VENDOR:Company: Private consultantAddress: Esslenstrasse 26, CH-8280, Kreuzlingen, SwitzerlandContact: Max BolligerPhone: UnknownFax: Unknown


System Type: LCA oriented towards packaging systems with equivalency and scarcitybased impact characterization methods.

Data: Includes two sets of data modules for energy carriers, materials production andtransportation. One set of data are derived from the Swiss BUWAL (Swiss Office for theProtection of the Environment, Forests, and Scenery) study of 1992. (Note: This study isbeing updated and expanded and new data are expected in 1996.) Some data are includedfor process operations associated with packaging materials (film production, blowmolding, injection molding, and lacquer application) and commodity materialsmanufacturing for typical packaging items, e.g., aluminum, glass, various commoditythermoplastics (HD-PE, LD-PE, PA, PET, PP, PS, HIPS, PVC), various papers and paperboards, and tin-plate. A second data set represents an average of European data primarilyfrom the Boustead database. The Euro-average data are less complete. Data are in SIunits. All of the data are believed to be secondary except for some European average dataon electrical energy systems and polymer resin production collected by Ian Boustead andthe APME. Very limited capability for user input data fields are provided in the model. No explicit data quality indicators are used.

User Interface: The current version of EcoPack2000 is in English. The user manual hasalso been translated to English, however, the detailed documentation of the methods anddatabase work up are in German.

LCI Calculation Method(s): The topmost analysis unit is the product description. Oncethe user identifies the system(s) of interest and selects the database to be used, the actualdefinition of the profile is performed by inputting the mass of the various units used for thematerial inputs, e.g., 10 grams of aluminum with 100 percent recycled content and 50grams of glass with 74.8 percent recycled content. In addition to specifying the materials(which in principle incorporates the rolled up energy and emissions to produce thedesignated amounts of the material, and presumably inclusive of the inherent energy), theuser specifies additional processing and transport operations. Some of the choices are notobvious from the on-screen information or the limited available help file. The user manual

10

is very sketchy on how to add the miscellaneous operations, although some of the possiblechoices can be discerned with some thought. For example, the burdens from a carequipped with a catalytic converter are included by inputting the number of km traveled. Similarly, the other transportation segments are added via specification of the tonne-kmused, necessitating some off-line effort to estimate these quantities.

Loops (e.g., recycling) are solved via a mathematical process not described in any detail inthe documentation. The user can insert various recycling rates for selected materials asappropriate. Energy credits are applied for post-consumer recovery of energy fromincineration facilities. The inherent energy of the material is multiplied by the fraction ofwaste incinerated and the fraction of incineration facilities in Switzerland (neither of whichis user accessible for modification) to derive the credit. The reduction in virgin materialrequirements for a recycled product is credited based on the fraction recycled. Co-product allocation is made on a basis not described anywhere in the documentation butpresumed to be identical to that used in the BUWAL study, which is based on the relativemass of products produced. The lack of user capability to define the nature of the systemand the linking of operations makes the LCI portion of this model very limited in respectto supporting applications to systems other than packaging.

LCIA Calculation Method(s): The impact assessment method partially follows SETACguidelines for that portion that is based on equivalency conversions. There is no attemptto define the full range of classification factors that may be applicable to a given productor service system. Both the “critical volumes” approach, which relies on the computationof a dimensionless ratio of the inventory output divided by a regulatory standard, and theEco-Points Method, which assigns environmental load points based on the relationship ofa particular inventory parameter to a target, have been discussed in the LCA literature andconsidered in the SETAC LCIA framework development. However, the limited capabilityto compute critical volumes for the range of impacts now considered relevant to LCA andthe specific constraint of the Eco-Points Method to Swiss or German conditions,particularly as implemented in this program, make it very limited for application elsewhere.(Note: A more flexible software package for implementing this method, from thestandpoint of allowing greater user input of the system decryption, is available as theEcoPro model. However, the more fundamental problem of defining the appropriatealgorithm for the calculation of the number of eco-points per functional unit of emissionremains.)

Output: Both text and graphics output support are provided. The basic program menuscreen is used to compile the results according to the comparison of alternatives desired. Up to five systems can be defined and the results presented at one time. The text outputconsists of a set of tables whose content consists of total system energy usage andaggregated critical volumes to air, water, landfill as well as the computed total eco-points. Actual inventory load values are not available. Numerical values for the output areprovided as point estimates; no uncertainty information is given and any sensitivity analysis

11

is done manually. Simple bar-chart graphics are available from the print menu. Printersupport is minimal. Import or export of data or results files is not supported.

COMPUTING:

User Support: Not available in U.S.; customization and user support available throughthe author.


Hardware Requirements: 286 processor, 640 K RAM, and 1 MB disk space, minimum.


Price and Conditions: Approximately $5800

Demo Availability: Yes


Number of Users: More than 9

Targeted Type of Users: Non-expert users; the model generally very straightforward tooperate.

Published Reports: SETAC LCANews, Vol 5, No. 2, March 1995.

12

SOFTWARE: GaBi

VENDOR:Company: Institut für Kunststoffprüfung und Kunststoffkunde

and, PE (address and phone/fax listed below)Address: Product Engineering GmbH, Kelterstrasse 93, D-73265Dettingen/Teck, Germany

Contact: unknownPhone: +49 7021 942 660Fax: +49 7021 942 661


System Type: LCI and Impact Assessment model

Data: The database includes 800 different energy and material flows. Each flow belongsto a flow group which allows the user to develop a hierarchical system. For example: PPgranules below to the flow group raw materials; an aluminum fender belongs to the flow

group parts; and CO2 belongs to the flow group emissions to air. Ten generic processtypes which contain 400 specific industrial processes are also included in the database. The 10 process types include 1) industrial processes, 2) transportation, 3) mining, 4)power plants, 5) transformation processes, 6) servicing, 7) cleaning, 8) repairing, 9) wear,and 10)processes of reduced consumption. Flows are contained within these processtypes. Multi-functional dialogue boxes allow user to input and edit data and comments asdesired (not clearly demonstrated). Besides common process data from around the world,the database consists of special data from IKP research and cooperation with industrialcompanies from different sectors in Germany. No indication of data quality was specified.

User Interface: Demonstration disc (non-interactive) is in English. A full version of thesoftware is only available in German; an English version is expected out in mid-/late-1996. The user develops the product system for analysis through a graphical Plan window. Data editing and entry from this window is supported. Software offers on-line help, aswell as image and text editing.

LCI Calculation Method(s): The modular design of the model distinguishes between sixworking areas: inventory (i.e., flows), scenarios, methods, balances, valuations, andgeneral tools. Only the inventory area of the software, used to create the system underevaluation, was demonstrated (non-interactively). A system is developed using thegraphic Plan window of the program. Sub-processes in a system can be developed onseparate plans, saved, and later combined in the system plan. The software layers theseconnected plans and allows easy for easy transfer between layers.

13

Plans are developed by simply dragging and dropping industry types from the tool boxdisplayed on the Plan window. Flows between industry types are created by dragging aline between them. Database parameters can be viewed for any industrial type from thePlan window. The use of text and image editors, though not demonstrated, allow the userto change plans and specify process data. The method of calculation was notdemonstrated or explained within the demonstration material.

LCIA Calculation Method(s): The valuation area of the software allows the user todefine the criteria of valuation. Monetary, technical, and ecological assessments arepossible. Weighting keys for the valuation criteria allow the user to realize individualpreferences. The non-interactive demonstration, however, did not allow this feature to bedemonstrated or tested. Literature describing the software states, 'the standard LCIAmethod is subdivided into five steps: selection of the critical ecological fields;classification; determination of the impact assignments; standardization; and evaluation.' Ecological fields can be classified using indexes stored in the database (e.g., resourceconsumption, ozone depletion, release of toxic effective substances, acidification, etc.).

Output: Several balance sheets are available within the software, including energy, mass,and valuated balances. Export of balance sheets to MS Excel applications is possible. From the non-interactive demonstration, it was apparent that calculation summary sheetscan be customized. Graphical display of results was not explicitly discussed in the demo.

COMPUTING:

User Support: Unknown

Operating System: DOS, MS Windows

Hardware Requirements: Unknown


Price and Conditions: Approximately $10,000 (14,000 DM)

Demo Availability: Only non-interactive demonstration disc with no manual


Number of Users: Unknown

Targeted Type of Users: Experienced LCA practitioner; graphical interface and variousanalysis areas may lend themselves to a more novice user.Published Reports: Unknown

14

SOFTWARE: KCL-ECO

VENDOR:Company: Oy Keskuslaboratorio - Centrallaboratorium Ab (The Finnish Pulp and

Paper Research Institute)Address: Tekniikantie 2, P.O. Box 70, FIN-02150 Espoo, Otaniemi, FinlandContact: Tiina PajulaPhone: 358-9-43-711Fax: 358-9-464-305

FEATURES:Version: 1.0 for Windows

System Type: LCI

Data: KCL-ECO does not include data modules other than fictional ones used indemonstration flowsheets. KCL-ECODATA is a separate product containing modulesbased on Finnish and general European data related to the pulp and paper industry and itsrelated services. There are free text fields available for documentation of informationsources. However, one of the unusual features of this program is that the relationshipsamong the inputs and outputs of a unit operation are determined by a set of linearequations together with the functional unit definition. Therefore, unlike the situationwhere input and output data quality become the sole basis for establishing theuncertainties, the uncertainty in an equation may be specified as a range. This range latercan be incorporated into a formal sensitivity analysis. Based on a review of the datacontained in the sample library, individual data set documentation appears to be minimal. Other than the range estimates other data quality attributes are not used.

To facilitate construction of complex systems, the process and conveyance modules fromother libraries and other flow sheets may be cut and pasted into a scenario that is beingdeveloped. Upon clicking the “add from library” button, the user enters a dialog box tochoose which modules are to be selected. After identifying the module(s), pushing the“use” button pastes them onto the flowsheet where the appropriate flow connections maybe made.

User Interface: The KCL-ECO program takes advantage of the Windows graphical userinterface. The placement on and positioning of modules within the work surface can bedone via the usual “drag and drop” functions. Flow connections and other operations arecontrolled by selecting the item from the toolbar or from the pull down menus. Doubleclicking on a module box or flow connection opens a dialog box for definition/selection ofinput variables, output variables, and specification of linking equations. The screenpresentation actually consists of two panes, one showing the flow diagram and one

15

showing the results. As the calculations are performed, the results screen is updated sothat it is possible to have intermediate results available before the entire system is defined.LCI Calculation Method(s): The KCL-ECO program uses either a sequential or asparse linear matrix equation solver (method not specified) to solve the set of derivedequations describing the system. It is unclear how the LCI calculation treats over-determined systems (where the number of equations exceeds the number of variables) orhow iteration to solve recycling loops is accomplished. As far as can be ascertained thereis no need for a user specified tolerance to terminate calculations in iteratively solvedequation sets, although more than one computational strategy is available. The defaultappears to be the sequential method. All of the details of the calculations at each stage arepreserved in both the calculations and the reports. One could, for example, solve for just asubset of processes. The level of disaggregation is dependent entirely on how the userdefined the equations. If the relationships were specified in highly aggregated terms, thenthe calculation would be on this basis. The only requirement is to have the requisitenumber of equations. The user determines their form and can have more than one way tospecify a given system (which does not result in different answers).

The method for co-product allocation is not discussed in the user manual. In KCL-ECOversion 1.0, the user is expected to perform co-product allocation when defining theequations of appropriate modules. The program does not track inherent energy separatelyfrom other energy flows. In fact, energy is only shown in the LCI summary in energyunits when it is derived from electricity; other energy carriers are shown as the materialquantities.

An unusual and highly desirable feature of KCL-ECO is the inclusion of an uncertaintypropagation method in the basic computational engine. The user may select either a quickmethod in which the variables contributing the most to the flows are automaticallyselected or an exact method where the user can specify the variables, their statisticaldistribution (normal or uniform), and the uncertainty range. The Monte Carlo method isemployed with a user specified number of cycles (2000 is the default).


Output: The output from KCL-ECO is very detailed and arranged in a very logicalmanner. The report lists, by module, all of the inputs, outputs and governing equationsalong with the specified amounts. Any notes entered in the text filed are printed at the topof each section. These details are followed by a summary results section for the system asa whole followed by a listing of all of the variable names, units, quantities and groupdesignation, e.g. emissions to air. Finally, if a sensitivity analysis is performed adistribution along with descriptive statistics is provided. The flow diagram can also beprinted. The report can be saved as a text file for later workup via a text processor. There is no apparent capability for graphical presentation of results.

16

COMPUTING:

User Support: Because this model has been developed by an industry technical institute,it is unclear whether independent user support is available apart from the institute staff. The user manual is clearly written and the on-line help capability better than average. Most users should have minimal need for continuing off-line support.

Operating System: Windows 3.1 or later; DOS 5.0 or higher, Filemaker Pro needed torun database

Hardware Requirements: 486-SX Processor or better; 3 MB hard disk space; SVGAdisplay.


Price and Conditions: KCL-ECO program $3,600; KCL-ECODATA $2,400; $24 percustom module (1995 prices)



Number of Users: As of August 1996: 50 within the Finnish forest industry; 20 externalclients.

Targeted Type of Users: Research and environmental management staff withincompanies; independent research institutes; LCA practitioners.

Published Reports: None known

17

SOFTWARE: LCA Inventory Tool (LCAiT)

VENDOR:Company: Chalmers IndustriteknikAddress: Chalmers Teknikpark, S-412 88 Göteborg, SwedenContact: Lisa PersonPhone: 46-31-772-4237Fax: 46-31-82-7421


System Type: LCI with integral database and limited capability to apply valuation indexfactors to the raw inventory data.

Data: The program provides a limited database for energy carriers and production andfor transportation modes. Complete cradle-to-gate life-cycles for a limited number ofchemicals, plastics, pulp and paper products are also included. Additional data areavailable and the author’s organization can create additional data sets. Data developed forone life-cycle scenario can be saved and imported into another analysis. Imported datacan consist of a single process or transport card or an entire life-cycle. This lattersituation may be useful if an improvement assessment consists of only limited substitutionof new materials or processes compared to the baseline. The data documentation in thetwo supplied databases is contained in a notes box associated with each process andtransport mode. The data provided are well documented as to the source and consist of amix of primary information obtained during the LCA studies of the authors and secondarydata from the general European data sets shared by most practitioners, e.g., the energyportion of the Boustead/PWMI plastics data and the BUWAL data. No North Americandata are presently resident in either data set.

There are no attempts to provide any quality assessment of the data. Data are in SI unitsand the program is sensitive to the mixing of units among processes.

User Interface: The program uses some of the graphical interface capabilities inWindows to facilitate setting up the flow diagram and defining the governing relationships. However, there are some limitations and not all of the features are implemented asintuitively as some of the other Windows-based LCA programs.

LCI Calculation Method(s): The program solves a set of linear equations based on theflow connections defined for each of the process and transport cards selected and on thedefinition of a special card that defines the reference flow (usually the functional unit.) For cards with multiple flows the user must specify the percentage of the total flowallocated to each flow. If this is not done correctly so that the totals balance, the program

18

will not calculate the life-cycle. Also, not more than 16 material inflows can be specifiedfor each process card. Although this will not be a limitation in most cases, it is a potentialproblem for complicated processes. The program also has some limitations in dealing withthe splitting of flows once they have been aggregated. For example, a series of materialscomprising a package that are co-mingled at the consumer stage cannot easily beseparated back into their individual entities for waste management and recycling. Theprogram does maintain the separate calculation of the inherent and process energycomponents if the user has set up the description in this manner.

LCIA Calculation Method(s): Essentially not applicable although there is a capability toassign multipliers to selected emissions in order to create a relative weighting scale. Sofor example a factor of 10 could be assigned to methane to indicate its global warmingpotential per unit emission mass is 10 times that of carbon dioxide. Another way thiscould be used is to express relative importance of various emissions/categories relative toone another. Thus, if toxic chemicals were determined to be very important, all of theemissions could be factored by 100 to elevate their significant relative to moreconventional material emissions.

Output: A variety of copying and printing options is available. The Windows copycapability allows cutting and pasting of the flow diagram into a text processor as a meta-file. The inventory summary graph may also be copied to a text processor. Export toother programs is also available via the “Export” command. Exportable informationincludes the entire active life cycle to a text file, a cross tabulated matrix showing theemissions and energies in the rows and the process and transport cards across thecolumns, or the inventory profile listing the energies and emissions into a tab-delimited filereadable by LOTUS and Excel.

COMPUTING:

User Support: User support is available from the authors who also can assist with dataacquisition. The user’s manual is also reasonably clear and easy to follow with simpleexamples to illustrate key features.

Operating System: DOS, Windows 3.1 or better, database runs on an internal platformnot exportable

Hardware Requirements: 486 processor with 2 MB RAM and 2.5 MB hard drive spaceminimum.


Price and Conditions: $3,500 approximate 1995 price


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Number of Users: Exact number unknown but is one of the more popular programs inEurope.

Targeted Type of Users: Program is straightforward enough to be used by non-expertusers but a moderate level of understanding of materials and energy flow modeling wouldbe helpful to understand some of the underlying assumptions and avoid the limitations.

Published Reports: SETAC LCA news, Vol. 3, No. 5 and Vol. 5, No. 4; also mentionedin several theses and other academic studies in Sweden. Used as part of a large eco-

design project in Scandinavia.

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SOFTWARE: Life Cycle Interactive Modeling System (LIMS)

VENDOR:Company: Chem Systems, Inc.Address: 303 South Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591-5487Contact: Don F. BariPhone: 914-631-2828Fax: 914-631-8851

FEATURES:Version: Not specified

System Type: LCI for simple and multi component systems, assessment and economics.

Data: Presently contains over 1,000 modules (i.e., emission data files) representing rawmaterial extraction, manufacturing, utility generation, transport, recycling, and wastedisposal. Geographic coverage is primarily North America, with some European andJapanese data. Both SI and English units are available. The user has the option to inputindependent data or use the default modules. No explicit data quality indicators are used.

User Interface: Software and manual are in English

LCI Calculation Method(s): An assessment begins by the user defining a product orprocess of primary interests. LIMS then "automatically" creates the up-stream ("cradle")process and material pathways, and the down-stream ("grave") pathways (as interpretedfrom the non -interactive demonstration disc).

Modules are used to represent a step or series of steps in the product network. As eachmodule is selected to create a system, the user is required to input factors which definehow the inputs and energy/environmental burdens associated with the module should beallocated among the outputs of the module. Though flexibility was stated as a feature ofLIMS within this allocation process, the various methods and how they apply were notclearly identified. After the modules have been completed, the “linking and solution”algorithm of the model links all modules through their inputs and outputs. This algorithmsolves the overall network to provide the net resource and environmental burdensassociated with the product network.

LCIA Calculation Method(s): LIMS translates the inventory data into assessmentcategories according to their environmental burden classification (e.g., global warming,ozone depletion, etc.). Where relative factors are available, each species in a category isconverted to a common category basis. Assessment categories include, but are not limitedto, acid rain precursors, global warming, bioaccumulation, VOC, etc. The default factorsin the model can be replaced with user-defined values.

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Economic Calculation Method(s): The demonstration software and literature did notclearly present the method by which LIMS translates environmental burdens to economicindicators.

Outputs: Graphic and database presentation of results is possible. The model can beused to determine the contribution of any module to the net burden. For the assessment ofcompeting products, or of alternative process or recycling options, LIMS provides a“bullet” comparison, or weighted burden categories ( ), to represent the impactassessment results. Up to four unique LCI cases can be compared (viewed) at one time. The user can also print tables or graphs in a Lotus format. Data and results export wasnot explicitly stated.

COMPUTING:

User Support: On a consultant basis for an annual fee.

Operating System: DOS, Windows 3.1+, and Lotus 5.0+

Hardware Requirements: IBM compatible 486/66, 8 MB RAM, and 12 MB of freehard disk capacity.


Price and Conditions: $25,000 which includes 200 default database modules. Additional modules are $2,000 each.

Demo Availability: Yes, non-interactive, no users’ manual provided.



Targeted Type of User: Experienced LCA practitioner or novice with consultingassistance from Chem Systems, Inc.


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SOFTWARE: Pira Environmental Management System (PEMS)

VENDOR:Company: Pira InternationalAddress: Randalls Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT 22 RU, United KingdomContact: Carolynn PonsfordPhone: 44 0 1372 802000Fax: 44 0 1372 802238


System Type: LCI covering materials, transportation, energy, and waste management aswell as LC impact assessment capabilities (problem or medium oriented).

Data: Full range of standard LCI analysis studies calculating Western European averages,and European site-specific data. Database is fully annotated with explanations of datasources and assumptions made to arrive at presented information. Included in the packageare inventories for 109 materials, 49 energy sources, 16 transportation options, and 37waste management options. Data included in PEMS Model cannot be changed/edited. User specified data entry is an option.

User Interface: Database and full/demo manual are in English. System management(development of flow schemes) is accomplished pictorially and in tabular form.

LCI Calculation Method(s): All data are calculated back to a functional unit (e.g., Xpounds of detergent or so many gross of nails). The working template is a pictorialworking sheet onto which processes are added by process blocks. With each processblock comes burden information (not including closed loop materials/energy inputs oroutputs) which is added to an underlying Excel spreadsheet which performs thecalculations. Any number of energy and material inputs/outputs can be added to thetemplate. Connections created between any series of blocks represent either energy ormaterial flows; with each material flow the user is prompted to specify (if desired)transportation burdens. Distribution blocks can also be added to the system spreadsheetwhich allow the combination or splitting of multiple material streams. The allocation ofemissions between co-products can be accomplished/determined through a variety offactors; avoided emissions system, allocation by weight, allocation by energy content,allocation by chemistry and allocation by economics are each explained within the manual. Distribution blocks offer the user the capability to choose between these options. Avariety of options is also described and available for recycled and re-used material/energystreams. A mass balance for each process block is automatically performed.

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LCIA Calculation Method(s): Two impact assessment calculation methods are availablewithin the PEMS software: problem-oriented and media-oriented, critical- volumeassessment methods. Problem-oriented impact assessment is accomplished through threesteps. First, the inventory data are aggregated according to the relative contributionsmade to ten environmental concerns. Relative impacts to each environmental concern usefactors obtained from a single documented source. Normalization represents the secondstep and relates the process emissions to world annual effect scores. Valuation representsthe final assessment step and is used to calculate a single number for a product system. PEMS leaves the determination of weighting factors to the user in this valuation step.

Media-oriented, critical-volumes assessment calculations are also possible with thissoftware. In this method, inventory data are aggregated into air, water or soil/landemissions. Once aggregated, regulatory standards are used to calculate the volumes of airand water that would be necessary to dilute the emissions to such an extent regulatorystandards are met. Limit values are German/Swiss.

Output: Both tabular text and graphics outputs are possible. Summary reports presentinventory data by combining similar columns (i.e., Entered Data, Linked Materials, LinkedEnergy, Transport, and Waste Management or other user defined categories). Standardtemplates (up to 25) can be used or edited for graphical output.

COMPUTING:

User Support: Telephone hotline and PEMS Users Club.

Operating System: MS-DOS version 3.1 or higher, Windows 3.1 or higher, and Excelversion 4 or 5.

Hardware Requirements: IBM 386 or higher, minimum of 4 MB of RAM if runningExcel 4, or 6 MB of RAM if running Excel 5.


Price and Conditions: $9150 (£6000) for industry; $4600 (£3000) for research andeducational establishments; $3800 (£2500) individual licence.




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Targeted Type of User: Graphic interface allows novice users to perform LCI analysis,yet the system supports a complex system which could be developed by an experiencedLCA practitioner.


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SOFTWARE: Product Improvement Analysis (PIA)

VENDOR:Company: Instituut voor Toegepaste Milieu Economie (TME)Distributor: PRé ConsultantsAddress: Grote Marktstraat 24, 2511 BJ ‘s-Gravenhage, The NetherlandsContact: Myriam van Niekirk (TME)Phone: 31-70-346-4422 (TME); 31-33-461-1046 (PRe')Fax: 31-70-362-3469 (TME); 31-33-465-2853 (PRe')


System Type: LCI with the added ability to input “soft” inventory items such as thermalwaste (heat), other residues (e.g., radiation), nuisances, resource scarcity, life time, andspace occupancy. These latter fields could be used to track a limited “impact” issue list.

Data: There is an embedded data set with information of two types - Dutch datacollected by the authors of the software or other Dutch consulting/research organizationsand the BUWAL Swiss/European data set. Most of the data appear to be secondary,except for those obtained by the authors during their LCI studies. The data sources aregenerally well documented. Data and process documentation fields are provided for eachdata item and process.

User Interface: The user creates the system specification by identifying processes andoperations and linking them. The linking is done by connecting the product of one processwith the raw materials or ingredients of the next. Additional types of processes, each withunique characteristics, are provided for transportation operations, energy processes, andwaste management. The system flow diagram can be displayed in pictorial form on thescreen via the “tree” function and several options are available to control the complexityof what is shown. The normal mode displays all linked operations and provides full detailin the results matrix. The choices are “half-consolidated,” “consolidated,” and “stripped.” A half-consolidated process is one where all of the upstream entries have been collapsedinto the process and the outputs represent the “rolled-up” sums of the process and itspreceding steps in both the tree view and the results matrix. Half-consolidated processescan be toggled to normal status if the additional detail is desired. A consolidated processis similar except that the consolidation is permanent. Finally, the stripped process loses allof its links with the other processes. This mode is used primarily to export a processwhose linked details are sensitive or to ensure that a subsequent user does not gain accessto these details.

LCI Calculation Method(s): Once satisfied that the material balance for a process hasbeen specified to an acceptable level (the program tracks this in the process summary

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sheet), the process may be saved as part of the database. The material balance calculationsinclude a category of output termed “by-products.” Unlike “co-products,” by-productsare not used in another process nor do they carry shares of the allocated burdens. Theuser then defines the linkages among the system elements, either selecting from theprocess/transport/energy library (via a screen menu) or creating new application-specificitems. When a link is established, the program performs a set of spreadsheet functions toallow the continuing expansion of the system until all links have been defined. Thepreferred means of creating the system definition is top down, i.e. A B C D E; limitedcapability is available for bottom up or random construction and problems with thecalculations can occur if these modes are used without great care.


Output: The output menu allows the presentation of results (including the tree view)selected by the user to the screen, to a printer, or to an ASCII file. The emissions matrixcan also be exported via the creation of a DIF file to a spreadsheet. The content of theoutput is created by selecting the processes to be displayed and the individual data fields ina process. The table format is fixed. Various combinations of the processes and data fieldscan be specified and saved during a session as a “set” through a marking procedure thatdefines a grouping of processes and their associated data fields. These sets are notpermanent. Once the user leaves the output menu, the defined sets are erased. The PIAprogram contains no graphical output capability. Additional presentation of graphicalinformation and or the product tree will need to be done by post-processing the ASCII orDIF file.

COMPUTING:

User Support: Available from PRé; no North American vendors or technicalrepresentatives are known.

Operating System: DOS, version 3.3 or higher; network compatible with Novell version2.0 or higher, Windows

Hardware Requirements: 286 processor, 640 K RAM, and 1 MB hard drive spaceminimum; 486 processor preferred.


Price and Conditions: $1,400 (1994)


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Targeted Type of Users: The PIA program is simple enough that non-expert users canrun it, although some of the data creation, display, and maintenance functions would bebetter served by an expert in an organization.

Published Reports: SETAC LCA News, Vol. 3, No. 5 and Vol. 5, No. 2.; also listed in the“LCA Sourcebook.”

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SOFTWARE: Resource and Environmental Profile Analysis Query (REPAQ)

VENDOR:Company: Franklin Associates, Ltd. (FAL)Address: 4121 W. 83rd St., Suite 108, Prairie Village, KS 66208Contact: Bruce KuskoPhone: 913-649-2225Fax: 913-649-6494


System Type: LCI

Data: Selected data on packaging materials and configurations from the FAL LCIdatabase have been inserted in the model. The data represent average U.S. conditions andinclude all the necessary modules from cradle-to-grave aggregated into the packagingsystem. The user cannot access the database directly and has no ability to extractmaterials or processes individually. The process data are a combination of primary andsecondary data sources. The energy production, transportation, and raw materialsextraction processes are exclusively secondary data while the intermediate materials andfinal packaging assembly processes combine some literature data with average processdescriptions derived from FAL’s application of LCI methodology to various packagingsystems over a period of years. The embedded database size is not precisely known but ata minimum encompasses hundreds of individual processes for most common packagingmaterials.

User Interface: The user screens consist of a combination of menu bars and pop-upmenus from which various functions may be accessed. The information fields required fordefinition of a complete packaging system are:

• Package Name - allows both a specific name and selected characteristics to be attached to thename, e.g., bleach, 1 gal, 10%, indicating both the size and recycled content,

• Description - allows a more complete specification of the system, including individualcomponents and materials,

• Basis - can be any meaningful quantity of the packaging system but usually is the functionalunit,

• Component Name - the description identifying the separate components of the package, e.g.,PP cap,

• Materials/Fabrication Method - the specification, provided in a pop-up menu of the category ofmaterial and the associated process, e.g., PL: HDPE blow-molded, where PL stands forplastic, MT for metal, and so on.

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• Weights - the exact amount of the component in pounds per basis unit; REPAQ does notperform this analysis automatically as do some other software packages. The user mustcalculate the specified amounts and pounds must be used, and

• Recycle % - this field is used to insert specific information for either the post-consumerrecovery rate or the recycled content (but generally not both); some error may be introducedby the assumption used to implement this feature for paper based systems and to a lesser extentplastic-based systems.

Additional user-specified materials and operations cannot be entered in REPAQ as leased;FAL can provide additional or custom data augmentation.

LCI Calculation Method(s): The basic computational process used by REPAQ startswith the development of modules for each of the relevant operations that make up thepackage system. A materials balance is constructed for some arbitrary but convenient unitof product output, say 1000 lbs, and all inputs and other outputs are scaled accordingly. Energy requirements for each module are determined in terms of either fuels enteringdirectly into the operation or indirectly via energy in the form of steam or electricity. Aset of flow sheets describing the interconnection of all of the cradle-to-grave processes isprepared for each material. Then, given the user-specified basis, the calculated amounts ofeach material, and working backwards from the final package, the proportionate energyand emissions are computed for the system. Credits are given for recycling in proportionto the displacement of virgin materials and for post-consumer energy recovery inproportion to the heating values of the materials and typical combustion efficiencies/heatrecoveries in municipal incinerators.

As is typical with FAL LCI’s they apply a consistent set of assumptions to theircalculations even though some of these may differ from typical international practice. Some of the potentially more consequential ones include:

Energy of Material Resource: The fuel equivalent of input raw material s traditionally usedas fuels in the U.S. is recorded as energy consumption to the system. Furthermore, FALdoes not compute fuel equivalent values for raw materials not used as fuels. In the case ofpackaging this predominantly affects wood used for corrugated, paperboard, and paper.

Co-Product Allocation: FAL considers two categories of output co-products: 1) situationswhere the items to be allocated consist of the product of interest and one or more co-products independent economic viability, 2) situations where the primary product is thereason that the process exists and where the co-products are given away or have marginalvalue. Little or no co-product allocation is done in the latter case. Examples of thissituation are mine tailings or power plant ash used for road building and animal manuresused for farm field application as soil supplements.

Insignificant System Components: Contributions from capital equipment, spaceconditioning, support personnel requirements, e.g. R&D, sales, and administrative

30

activities, and miscellaneous materials and additives (in total <1 percent of net inputs) areexcluded.


Output: Both tabular and graphical output are available. About a dozen different reportcontent items can be chosen depending on the application. These may be compared for upto 5 different layouts (systems) at once:

• Atmospheric Emissions by Component/Layout - shows both the individual component andtotal system values for that component or layout which generates the maximum of thatpollutant; FAL’s methodology does not allow the reader access to any individual steps in thelife-cycle; emission parameters are limited to a few of the more common ones available fromthe literature or from regulatory monitoring programs,

• Atmospheric Emissions by Pollutant - lists each atmospheric pollutant by each component orlayout,

• Energy Profile - reports in millions of BTU the fuels consumed for each component or layoutwithout credit for energy recovery in post-consumer waste-to-energy systems,

• Energy Usage by Category - shows the net energy (with recovery credit) for eachcomponent/layout but broken out by material resource (feed stock energy contained in thematerial, e.g. natural gas energy in polyethylene, and process and transportation energycontributions,

• Energy Usage by Category/Graph - presents a bar chart of the data from the previous report,• Solid Waste Generation - summarizes the amounts of solid waste by weight and volume

broken out by categories of process waste, fuel-related waste, and post-consumer waste foreach component and layout,

• Solid Waste Generation - Weight or Volume/Graph - presents the weight or volume data forsolid waste in bar graph format,

• Summary of Energy Usage and Solid Waste - presents two data sets in one table,• Waterborne Emissions by Component/Layout - similar to atmospheric emissions table, and• Waterborne Emissions by Pollutant - similar to corresponding atmospheric emissions table.

Reports may be output to any of three devices - the screen, a printer, or an ASCII file. From the ASCII file additional post-processing may be done.

COMPUTING:

User Support: Available through FAL; limited training and consulting provided withlease.

Operating System: Paradox database, runtime version. DOS

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Hardware Requirements: 386/486 processor with 4 MB RAM recommended; 3 to 5MB hard drive space required depending on need for separate installation of runtimeversion of Paradox.


Price and Conditions: $10,000 for first year lease; negotiable for subsequent years.

Demo Availability: Demo discs and manual



Targeted Type of Users: Non-expert users in the packaging engineering or designdepartments of industrial companies.

Published Reports: SETAC News, Vol. 2, No. 4; Vol 3, No. 5; Vol. 3, No. 6, and Vol. 5, No.2.; also used as part of the SETAC LCA short course in 1994.

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SOFTWARE: SimaPro

VENDOR:Company: PRé ConsultantsAddress: Bergstraat 6, 3811 NH Amersfoort, The NetherlandsContact: Mark GoedekoopPhone: 31-33-461-1046Fax: 31-33-465-2853

FEATURES:Version: 3.1S

System Type: Full LCA with multiple methods for impact assessment

Data: The SimaPro database is one of the more comprehensive ones. Compared withthose supplied in other LCA software packages, the database on processes for productionof commodity materials is more comprehensive and includes a greater variety of processesassociated with non-packaging related materials. All of the embedded data are fullyreferenced as to their source and there are limited qualitative descriptions of data sets thatare considered to be old or weak. No other formal data quality assessment procedures areused. All of the data (with a very few minor exceptions) are for European or morespecifically Dutch conditions. The data are primarily secondary in nature, especially thosefor general European conditions, but there is a significant amount of data from specificLCA studies conducted by the authors.

User Interface: The developers of SimaPro have done a remarkable job of emulating agraphical user interface in a DOS-based product. The features of the interface includepull-down menus, mouse support, and point and click activation of many of the features. Although the screen displays are not as smooth or polished as those in a true graphicaluser interface environment, most users will not find the difference to be overwhelming. All of the on-screen information as well as the user manual are in English.

LCI Calculation (Method(s): The user sets up a system by describing the sequence ofoperations involved in making, using, and disposing/recycling via a set of dialog sheetsselected via the menu. The extensive substance and process library means it is likely thattypical users will be able to construct many life-cycles without extensive input of newdata. The data are kept disaggregated by parameters during the inventory calculations andnot aggregated until the impact assessment.

LCIA Calculation Method(s): The impact assessment component of SimaPro consistsof a set of buttons designated as “characterization,” “normalization,” and “valuation” tocorrespond to the current SETAC nomenclature for LCIA. The program accumulates theinventory data into 11 classes of impact issues ranging from global ones, such as ozone

33

depletion, to local ones, such as heavy metals. The characterization method is notdiscussed in detail in the limited on-line help capability, but based on discussions withDutch LCA practitioners, probably consists of equivalency factors for each of theinventory compounds/materials. Some of the equivalency conversions used are notuniversally agreed upon; however, there is no international standard to provide a basis forjudgement either. The normalization method is based on the Dutch Eco-indicatorsapproach in which a defined target for environmental quality has been defined and agreedto by various groups in The Netherlands. Relevancy of the regional or local indicators toconditions outside of the Netherlands is debatable. The indicators are used to compare theparticular system under study to the target. The further removed from the target theoverall environmental performance and the greater the contribution from the studiedsystem, the higher the normalization value for a given environmental issue. A valuationcapability to compare across impact categories thereby deriving a single value from theLCA is also included, however, the method of determination of the weights is notdiscussed in the on-line help. Because the user manual available is somewhat old, anycomments about this portion of the LCIA should be deferred.

Output: SimaPro provides both textual and graphical output. The user can togglebetween the two modes to decide how best to view the data. In the text mode output ispresented for each of the steps from inventory to valuation. In the graphical mode twoviews are possible. One shows the results of the calculations as a bar chart according tothe data or impact categories. The other view, which shows the flow diagram, contains afeature which is unique to SimaPro. In this mode the program inserts a small bar on theright of each process or transport box to illustrate the contribution of that part to theoverall system or some subset. Depending on which output item is selected, this is eitherthe inventory loading, the raw impact equivalencies, or the aggregated impact information.

COMPUTING:

User Support: User support is available through PRé Consultancy. The user manualavailable at present is an older one and may not be representative of current offerings. Itcovers most topics in a non-detailed fashion but the content and the writing could bebetter. Unfortunately the on-line help is limited so that users will likely turn to the manualmore than otherwise might be the case.


Hardware Requirements: 386 or better microprocessor; RAM and hard discrequirements unknown at this time.


Price and Conditions: $3,000 (approximate price for single user analyst version)

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Number of Users: Exact number is unknown but believed to be at least a hundred atpresent.

Targeted Type of Users: Two versions are available: an “analyst” version directed atexpert users and LCA practitioners and a less detailed and sophisticated “designer”version developed for use by product designers and engineers

Published Reports: SETAC LCANews, Vol. 1, No. 5; Vol. 2, Nos. 3 and 4; Vol. 3, No. 5; Vol5, No. 2: also listed in the “LCA Sourcebook.”

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SOFTWARE: TEAM

VENDOR:Company: Ecobalance, Inc. (Member of the Ecobilan Group of Companies)Address: 15204 Omega Drive, Suite 220, Rockville, MD 20850Contact: Remi CoulonPhone: (301) 548-1750Fax: (301) 548-1760

FEATURES:Version: 1.15 (Windows 3.1, 3.11, and 95) and 2.0 (Windows 95 and NT)

System Type: LCI and costing module

Data: Model contains ten categories within which are contained 216 individual data filesfor product and material production, energy generation and transportation. The tencategories are as follows: 1) pulp and paper; 2) petrochemicals and plastics; 3) inorganicchemicals; 4) steel; 5) aluminum; 6) other metals; 7) glass; 8) energy conversion; 9)transportation; and 10) waste management. Within the full program the source of data isindicated; data quality indicators (i.e., geographical representation technology used anddate of data) are available. Further data quality indicators are not discussed. User definedinput data fields, as well as database editing, are fully supported by the system. Units aredefined by the user and can be in any system (e.g., metric).

User Interface: Manual and software are in English. Process systems are developedthrough a series of menus which prompt the user to specify unit operations and links. Nographical development of a system is supported in TEAM 1.15 (supported in TEAM2.0 only)

LCI Calculation Method(s): Two levels are used in TEAM, the database level andthe calculation level. Within the database level, information representing unit operations(processes, transport etc.) are stored in independent Modules. In the calculations level thesystem is developed into which flow the Modules data. Within the system, nodesrepresent process steps. Nodes can be linked and grouped to represent subsystems, andsubsystems can be linked to create the total system. Closed loop and recyclinginputs/outputs can be defined within a node by the user. Formulas from the package orcreated by the user can calculate various inputs and outputs within the system. This use offormulas and variables allows the development of a dynamic system which facilitatessensitivity analyst. There is no limit to the number of nodes and linkages possible withinTEAM.

Outputs: The output of the inventory is displayed in tabular form thru an “Ecoview.” Articles, defined by the user, represent parameters of interest for output from the system.

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Templates, also defined by the user, represent the format by which the articles arepresented in the Ecoview. Thus, the Ecoview is completely defined by the user. Nographical output is explicitly stated. Inventory results from a system can be exported andsaved as the input for subsequent systems.

COMPUTING:

User Support: On line help; consultant available.

Operating System: IBM-PC compatible, Windows 3.11, Windows for Workgroups3.11, or Windows 95 (TEAM 1.15); Windows 95 or Windows NT (TEAM 2.0)

Hardware: 486/33 MHz processor, 8 MB RAM and 10 MB free on hard disk


Price and Conditions: $10,000

Demo Availability: Unknown


Number of Users: 30 licensees worldwide

Targeted Type of User: Expert LCA practitioner; Ecobalance typically serves asconsultant to establish LCA.

Published Reports:"Some Requirements of an Interactive Software Tool for Life Cycle Analysis," Journal ofCleaner Production, Volume 1 Number 3-4, September-December 1993.SETAC LCANews, Volume 4 Number 4, July 1994.Environmental Software Report, July/August 1995.

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SOFTWARE: Total Emission Model for Integrated Systems (TEMIS)

VENDOR:Company: Oko-InstitutAddress: Binzengrun 34a, 79114 Freiburg, GermanyContact: Uwe FritschePhone: 49-761-473130Fax: 49-761-475437


System Type: LCI with some equivalency based impact characterization conversions,e.g., greenhouse gases; also provides for monetary pricing of external costs of airpollutants and greenhouse gases based on either damage costs (user specific) or controlcosts (default); can handle non-quantitative impact assessment of eco-impacts, solidwastes, and land use via a valuation procedure based on the “relative significance” of eachresource.

Data: includes extensive data modules for energy carriers, production and transportation. Some data are included for process operations and commodity materials manufacturing. Data are in SI units, selectively adjustable by the user. Most of the data are believed to besecondary except for some German specific data on local energy systems collected by theauthors. Documentation data fields are provided in the model and the source of data isdocumented. No explicit data quality indicators are used.

User Interface: The current version of TEMIS is in English. The user manual has alsobeen translated to English, however, the detailed documentation of the methods anddatabase work up are in German.

LCI Calculation Method(s): The topmost analysis unit is the scenario. A scenario iscreated by linking of one or more segments and/or processes. The linking is based on thefunctional unit representation and the specified inputs and outputs. A segment is definedas an aggregation of unit processes. Loops are solved via a mathematical recursionprocess comparing the incremental change in a subsequent solution to a user-selectabledelta.

LCIA Calculation Method(s): The impact assessment method partially follows SETACguidelines for that portion that is based on equivalency conversions. There is no attemptto define the full range of classification factors that may be applicable to a given productor service system, although the user could group or perform some of these operations withthe output information. The external cost calculation routine represents one type of

38

valuation procedure that has been identified in the LCA literature and implicitly in theSETAC guidelines but is not explicitly incorporated in either.

Output: Both text and graphics output support are provided. The scenarios menu isused to compile the results according to the comparison of alternatives desired. Up to 20scenarios can be loaded at one time. The text output consists of a set of tables whosecontent is determined via the user selected choices from a menu. The choices include totalsystem and local/global splits of energy usage and emissions. Emission groups can befurther selected from several choices: total air emissions, detailed air emissions, land useand solids, greenhouse gases, user-defined emissions, and user-defined residuals.

Emissions are presented by individual parameter, e.g. SO2. Resources are shown asprimary energy, primary materials, and secondary materials. Qualitative impact factors areoutput in a table with minus and plus signs to indicate the relative intensity. Numericalvalues are provided as point estimates; no uncertainty information is given and sensitivityanalysis is done manually. Simple bar-chart graphics are available from the scenariosmenu.

A documentation feature allows creation of an ASCII text file to describe scenarios and tooutput data to a text processor. Tables are stored in tab-delimited format for import intospreadsheets or graphics packages. Import-export from/to dBase files is also supportedthrough field name and characteristic matching.

COMPUTING:

User Support: Not available in U.S.; customization and user support available throughthe Oko-Institute.


Hardware Requirements: 286 processor, 2 MB RAM, and 2 MB disk space, and DOSminimum; 486-DX or higher performance processor preferred; supports up to 16 MB ofextended RAM.


Price and Conditions: Unknown at this time



Number of Users: Unknown at present

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Targeted Type of Users: Expert users in general although model is generallystraightforward to operate.

Published Reports: Numerous application reports including in the USA --Hohmyer, O. and Ottinger, R, “External environmental costs of electric power - analysisand internalization,” Berlin, 1991.Ottinger, R. et al., “Environmental costs of electricity,” report for the NYSERDA, OceanaPubl., 1990.

Appendix BSurvey of Software Users

1

To offer additional depth to the evaluation, a survey of current LCA software tool users wasconducted. The two-page survey is presented on the following pages. The survey was used toassess the current applications of each software tool, the individuals using each tool, and theimpressions gathered by these users of the tools' features and capabilities. PIRA and PRe' askedthat the survey be distributed through them to maintain client confidentiality. Other contacts,obtained from the software vendors, received the survey by fax directly from the Center for CleanProducts. Table B1 presents the number of surveys distributed and received, as well as theresponse rate.

Table B1 - Survey Responses for Each LCA Software Tool

Software Number Distributed Number Received Percent ResponseKCL-ECO 2 0 0LCAiT 1 1 100%PEMS 18 8 44%SimaPro

unknown (1) 1 -

TEAM 5 1 20%

(1)Distribution of the users' survey was conducted through PRe' Consultants to maintainclient confidentiality. The actual number of distributed surveys is not known.

A summary of responses for each software tool follows the example survey form. Percentagespresented in these summaries are calculated using the total number of surveys received, unlessotherwise stated. When percentages do not total 100%, all respondents did not reply to thequestion (i.e., No Response).

2

Survey of LCA Software Users

1. For what purpose is the LCA software tool used? (check all that apply)ÿ product evaluationÿ materials selectionÿ product design/redesign *ÿ management decision-making/corporate positioningÿ researchÿ other, please specify

* On a separate sheet of paper, please describe how the software tool is being used toassist the purpose/function of product design/redesign.

2. How frequently is the software tool used for these purposes?

3. Who within your organizations typically uses the software tool, and what is their experience withlife cycle assessment? (check all that apply)

ÿ environmental staff experience: high medium lowÿ product designer experience: high medium lowÿ staff researcher experience: high medium lowÿ management experience: high medium lowÿ other, please specify experience: high medium lowÿ other, please specify experience: high medium low

4. Has support from the software vendor (training and guidance) been required? ÿ yes ÿ noAnd, has that support been adequate? ÿ yes ÿ no

5. What other software tools, if any, were evaluated before selecting the software tool you use?

6. What were the primary software characteristics that determined your selection?

7. What data are used for your LCA evaluations? (check one)ÿ exclusively the data supplied by the software packageÿ exclusively data collected at your facility/facilitiesÿ a combination of data (e.g., facility-specific data supplemented by life-cycle data from

software package)8. Since working with your selected software tool, what are the features/capabilities which you findmost attractive?

3

9. For the following features, please evaluate your experience with the software tool. The ease oflearning curve and ease of use are the two factors included in the table below. Please circle theappropriate response for each feature. If the feature does not apply to the software, please enter a'NA' to indicate as such.

To those completing this table, what is your experience with LCA? (circle one) high medium lowFeature Learning Curve Ease of Use

Software interface (templates and graphics)and life-cycle system development (i.e.,products, processes, or services)

easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult

User-defined database Importing from spreadsheet easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult Manual entry easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficultEditing System easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult Data and database(s) easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficultUse of descriptive fields and data qualityindicators easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficultCustomized calculations, if applicable Sensitivity analysis easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult Impact assessment easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult Comparison of results easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficultCustomized output (i.e., tables/graphs) easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult

10. Other Comments:

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4


1. For what purpose is the LCA software tool used? (check all that apply)ÿ product evaluationÿ materials selectionÿ product design/redesign *ÿ management decision-making/corporate positioningÿ researchÿ other, please specify

* identification of 'weak point', search for improvement options (analysis of), analysis ofexisting product design

2. How frequently is the software tool used for these purposes? continuously


ÿ environmental staff experience: high medium lowÿ product designer experience: high medium lowÿ staff researcher experience: high medium lowÿ management experience: high medium low ÿ other, please specify experience: high medium low


5. What other software tools, if any, were evaluated before selecting the software tool you use?SimaPro

6. What were the primary software characteristics that determined your selection?flexibility, transparency, graphical construction of process tree, use of own data


software package)

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5

8. Since working with your selected software tool, what are the features/capabilities which you findmost attractive?

graphical construction of process tree, export/import data or results in other software



Software interface (templates and graphics) andlife-cycle system development (i.e., products,processes, or services)


User-defined database Importing from spreadsheet easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult Manual entry easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficultEditing System easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult Data and database(s) easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficultUse of descriptive fields and data quality indicators

easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficultCustomized calculations, if applicable Sensitivity analysis easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult Impact assessment easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult Comparison of results easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficultCustomized output (i.e., tables/graphs) easy/average/difficult easy/average/difficult

10. Other Comments: Impact assessment capabilities are not used; instead, inventories areexported into Excel and the impact assessment is performed in Excel.

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Total Number of Respondents: 8 Survey #: PEMS

6


1. For what purpose is the LCA software tool used? (check all that apply)ÿ product evaluation 8 (100%)ÿ materials selection 6 (75%)ÿ product design/redesign 3 (38%)ÿ management decision-making/corporate positioning 5 (63%)ÿ research 2 (25%)ÿ other, please specify 4 (50%)

process evaluation (2), education (1), to inform the customer (1)

2. How frequently is the software tool used for these purposes? see Table PEMS1


Experience*high medium low

environmental staff 4 (50%) 2 (50%) 2 (50%) 0 product designer 0 0 0 0 staff researcher 4 (50%) 0 2 (50%) 1 (25%) management 1 (13%) 0 1 (100%) 0 other, please specify: student 1 (13%) 0 0 1 (100%)

* Experience percentages based on the number of responses for that employee.

4. Has support from the software vendor been required? yes 7 (88%) no 1 (13%)

And, has that support been adequate? yes 7 (88%) no 0 NA 1 (13%)

5. What other software tools, if any, were evaluated before selecting the software tool you use? SimaPro, Okobilans Boustead

TEAM, Ecopack 2000 Ecobalance, PRe'

None

6. What were the primary software characteristics that determined your selection? see Table PEMS2

7. What data are used for your LCA evaluations? (check one)ÿ exclusively the data supplied by the software package 1 (13%)ÿ exclusively data collected at your facility/facilities 0


7

ÿ a combination of data (e.g., facility-specific data supplemented by life-cycle data fromsoftware package) 7 (88%)

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8

8. Since working with your selected software tool, what are the features/capabilities which you findmost attractive? see Table PEMS3


To those completing this table, what is your experience with LCA? (circle one) high medium low1 (13%) 1 (13%) 0

Feature LearningCurve

Ease ofUse

easy ave. diff. easy ave. diff.Software interface and life-cycle system development 4 (50%) 4 (50%) 0 6 (75%) 2 (25%) 0User-defined database Importing 4 (50%) 3 (38%) 0 3 (38%) 4 (50%) 0 Manual entry 5 (63%) 3 (38%) 0 3 (38%) 5 (63%) 0Editing System 1 (13%) 6 (75%) 0 2 (25%) 5 (63%) 0 Data and database(s) 2 (25%) 6 (75%) 0 2 (25%) 6 (75%) 0Use of descriptive fields anddata quality indicators 2 (2%) 3 (38%) 1 (13%) 1 (13%) 4 (50%) 1 (13%)Customized calculations, ifapplicable Sensitivity analysis 4 (50%) 1 (13%) 3 (25%) 4 (50%) 2 (25%) 1 (13%) Impact assessment 7 (88%) 1 (13%) 0 8 (100%) 0 0 Comparison of results 7 (88%) 1 (13%) 0 7 (88%) 1 (13%) 0Customized output (i.e.,tables/graphs)

3 (38%) 2 (25%) 1 (13%) 5 (63%) 0 1 (13%)

10. Other Comments:

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9

PEMS1 - Frequency of Use

Survey # Response1 two studies to date

2, 3, 6 three studies per year4 two studies per year5 daily

7, 8 several times per month

PEMS2 - Characteristics that Determined Selection of Software

Survey # Response1 continuous development of methodology through a recognized research organ.2 quality of data, flexibility of assessment methodologies3 previous experience with PIRA (before PEMS)4 user interface5 transparency of model, compatibility with existing hardware/software6 ease of use, database7 flexibility, ease of use, graphical interface, database8 materials database, modeling for products


10

PEMS3 - Most Attractive Features

Survey # Response1 graphical interface2 graphical interface for system modeling, ease of use, fast calculations3 graphical interface for flowsheet generation, user friendliness4 graphical interface, mass balance checking feature5 transparency6 presentation of analysis7 graphical interface, continuous development of software and database, good

support8 graphical user interface, graphical results output, link to spreadsheet

Note: Features repeated between surveys are in italicized type.


11


1. For what purpose is the LCA software tool used? (check all that apply)ÿ product evaluationÿ materials selectionÿ product design/redesignÿ management decision-making/corporate positioningÿ researchÿ other, please specify

2. How frequently is the software tool used for these purposes? varies, on a per product basis


ÿ environmental staff experience: high medium lowÿ product designer experience: high medium lowÿ staff researcher experience: high medium lowÿ management experience: high medium lowÿ other, please specify experience: high medium low


5. What other software tools, if any, were evaluated before selecting the software tool you use?CUMPAN

6. What were the primary software characteristics that determined your selection?availability of data, product modeling capabilities, user friendliness


software package)

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12

8. Since working with your selected software tool, what are the features/capabilities which you findmost attractive? graphical interface






10. Other Comments:

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Number of Responses: 1 Survey #: TEAM

13


1. For what purpose is the LCA software tool used? (check all that apply)ÿ product evaluationÿ materials selectionÿ product design/redesignÿ management decision-making/corporate positioningÿ researchÿ other, please specify

2. How frequently is the software tool used for these purposes? no answer given


ÿ environmental staff experience: high medium lowÿ product designer experience: high medium lowÿ staff researcher experience: high medium lowÿ management experience: high medium lowÿ other, please specify experience: high medium low


5. What other software tools, if any, were evaluated before selecting the software tool you use?EcoManager, REPAQ

6. What were the primary software characteristics that determined your selection?modeling and scenario evaluation capabilities, material inventory database, technical

support


software package)

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Number of Responses: 1 Survey #: TEAM

14

8. Since working with your selected software tool, what are the features/capabilities whichyou find most attractive? scenario evaluation capability, database, link to Excel

9. For the following features, please evaluate your experience with the software tool. Theease of learning curve and ease of use are the two factors included in the table below. Please circle the appropriate response for each feature. If the feature does not apply to thesoftware, please enter a 'NA' to indicate as such.





10. Other Comments: I have been very happy with the tool - the most significant drawback is being weak in user friendliness. However, we have been assured that plannedupgrades will address our concerns.

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Appendix CIn-Depth Evaluation of Full LCA Software Tools

1

TABLE C1 - COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS AND INTERFACE

Hardware Software InterfaceKCL-ECO PC-model 486 SX CPU or better.

At least 8 megabytes of memory.At least 3 megabytes of free hard drive space.

Microsoft Windows 3.1 or subsequent versions. Graphical interface with click, drag, and dropmouse capabilities.Flow sheet (i.e., graphical interface) and reportsheet (i.e., underlying spreadsheet) can beaccessed side by side.

LCAiT At least 2 megabytes of memory.At least 2.5 megabytes of free hard disk space.

Microsoft Windows 3.1 or subsequent versions. Graphical interface with click, drag, and dropmouse capabilities.System "blocks" for processes andtransportation are distinguishable by color(process = gray; transport = yellow).

PEMS IBM-compatible 386 or above.Minimum of 4 megabytes of RAM if runningExcel 4; minimum of 6 megabytes of RAM ifrunning Excel 5.At least 2 megabytes of free hard disk space inaddition to that required for Windows andExcel.

MS-DOS 3.1 or subsequent versions.Microsoft Windows 3.1 or subsequent versions.Microsoft Excel version 4 or 5.

Graphical interface with click, drag, and dropmouse capabilities.Five types of system "blocks" aredistinguishable by block graphics.Underlying Excel spreadsheet can be accessedside by side with graphical interface.

SimaPro IBM-compatible 286 processor or higher.Minimum of 4 megabytes main memory.

MS-DOS DOS program with Windows-like templates.Menu commands can be accessed by keyboardor mouse.

TEAM PC-model 486/33 CPU.At least 8 megabytes of RAM.At least 10 megabytes of free hard disk space.

TEAM version 1.15: Windows 3.1, 3.11, or95TEAM version 2.0: Windows 95 or NTTEAMTool is supplied by the software(includes WN-Tool , XL-Tool, andTEAMPlus).

TEAM 1.15 is a Windows program withvarious templates or worksheets to developsystem. Menu-driven application; no graphicalinterface.TEAM 2.0 has a graphical interface on whichis placed System Nodes (i.e., sub-systems) andAtomic Nodes.

2

TABLE C2 - SYSTEM DEFINITION

System Development System Editing ArchivingKCL-ECO Modules, or system blocks, typically represent

manufacturing processes, but can also representdistribution blocks, life cycle stages (i.e., a generic'use' stage), etc.Modules are placed on graphical flow sheet frompull-down menu or by clicking tool bar button.Transportation and material flows are associatedwith arrows (i.e., links) between modules.Associated with each module is a Specify Modulecard. Here, the module name, inputs and outputsare specified. Module notes (e.g., description ofprocess with references) and input/outputequations are entered in subsequent details cardsaccessed though active buttons on the SpecifyModule card.One equation within one Specify Module cardmust be assigned a reference equation (i.e.,functional flow) in the form, 'variable = constant.'

Using the mouse, process blocks can behighlighted to view and edit details, or todelete process.System arrows can also be highlighted andedited or deleted using the mouse.New process variables (e.g., inputs/outputs)can be added to variables list from SpecifyModule card, or from menu options.

Modules and modes of conveyance can besaved to a user-defined library for use in newsystems.Modules and linked systems can also becopied to a clip board from one system andpasted into a new system using common key-strokes or menu commands. All links andflow names are maintained.

LCAiT System blocks represent either process ortransportation steps.Blocks are placed on the graphical worksheet froma pull-down menu.Each block has a Card which allows the user todefine the system. Process Cards define: 1)emissions, wastes and resources resulting from orused in the process; 2) energy carriers andconsumption; and 3) resource flows betweensystem blocks. Links must be established beforeresource flows can be defined. TransportationCards defined the mode, distance, and utility oftransport.Arrows between blocks represent material flows.Activation of one system block defines thereference flow.

Using the mouse, process blocks can behighlighted to view and edit details, or todelete process.System arrows can also be highlighted anddeleted using the mouse. A warning messageis posted if this operation is performed, askingif the user wants to continue.To calculate an inventory, the system must becompiled. If the system is over-defined, orunder-defined, an error messages is posted,with no guidance as to where a problemexists.

A sequence of saving, exporting, andimporting allows systems to be used in part orin whole as inputs into separate life cycles.Inventory profiles of saved and exportedsystems can be imported as the details of asingle process block in a newly developedsystem (reference flow must be 1 kg and thesystem can not include recycling). Recalculation of this imported subsystem isnot required.Single process blocks and entire system flowscan also be imported into a new flow sheetand recalculated with the newly developedsystem.

(Continued)

3

TABLE C2 - SYSTEM DEFINITION (Continued)

System Development System Editing ArchivingPEMS System blocks represent materials, processes,

energy, waste management options, and externalflows.System blocks are placed on graphical worksheetfrom pull-down menu.Transport of either energy or materials isassociated with flow arrows (i.e., links) betweenblocks.Associated with each block are Object Propertiescards in which inputs, outputs, and burdens arespecified by the user, as well as a descriptiveinformation in a supporting Information card.An arrow between system blocks is used to definethe system's functional flow.

System blocks and arrows can be highlightedand edited/deleted using the mouse.When a block is deleted, all connections toand from the block are also deleted.To calculate an inventory, the system must becompiled. If the system is under-defined, anerror messages is posted, and the processblock(s) which is not adequately defined isvisually identified in the graphical flowdiagram.

Archiving materials, processes, and systems issupported by the software. See User-DefinedData for more details.Use of saved system in more complex productlife cycles is possible through an importoption offered in the File menu of thegraphical interface.

SimaPro Boxes, or working templates, are used to developthe system to be evaluated. Assembly boxes (i.e., SimaPro's version ofmanufacturing process units) are developed byspecifying material/assembly inputs and theprocesses in which these inputs are manipulated. Transport and energy requirements are included asprocesses.Emissions for these specified materials/assembliesand processes are contained and drawn from thesupporting database to calculate the inventory.Life Cycle boxes complete the life cycle of thesystem by specifying use and disposal scenarios.Disassembly and Reuse boxes also exist which canbe combined within Disposal Scenario boxes, tomodel end-of-life options and practices.

All boxes and databases can be accessed andedited at any time within the program. Frommenu options any box can be opened andaccessed.

Previously defined and saved assemblies canbe used in any other systems (i.e., asMaterials/ Assemblies in new Assemblyboxes).Within the set of five databases, the user canalso define complex scenarios, allowing fortheir continual use.Links between processes within the Processesdatabase are possible.

(Continued)

4

TABLE C2 - SYSTEM DEFINITION (Continued)

System Development System Editing ArchivingTEAM In TEAM version 1.15, the creation of and access to

objects of the LCA system (i.e., Articles, Modules andNodes) is accomplished from the Project window. The details of each object are contained in supportingwindow templates. Using menu options or activebuttons on the tool bar, the user defines systems andsub-systems in a nested, hierarchical fashion.At the inner-most level of every system/sub-systemare defined Atomic Nodes, in which the user definedall inputs and outputs. Atomic Nodes can be derivedfrom Modules contained in either the DEAM or user-defined database ('derived'). Changes to underlyingModules data will change all derived nodes. A freeAtomic Node allows the user to specify/detail allinputs and outputs via an Atomic Node window.All sub-systems must be specified and compiled fromthe lowest level to the highest. Flows betweensystems and underlying sub-systems can then bedefined. Designating a Node or Module as a transportNode/Module is possible.Version 2.0 was not made available for thisevaluation. However, this newest version of thesoftware allows the user to define System and AtomicNodes as blocks on a graphical interface. Whendoubled-clicked, the details of a system node arerevealed in supporting graphical worksheets. Aswith version 1.15, the life cycle must be defined fromthe lowest level to the highest level. Material flowsare defined by connecting an arrow between blocks.The details of Atomic Nodes are specified in AtomicNode windows (as described above).Functional flows are defined for every Atomic Node(an Article and corresponding flow is activated with a ), as well as within the system Consistency check. This feature of TEAM allows inventory propagationfrom anywhere within the life cycle.

From the Project window, all objects(Articles, Modules and Nodes) can beaccessed and edited by the user.Articles can be added and Modules can becreated/defined from anywhere within theprogram (i.e., Project window or supportingwindows).Nodes derived from Modules will bechanged when the supporting Module ischanged. Articles and Modules can not be deleted ifthey are linked to the system beingdeveloped; an error message is offered ifusers attempts to perform this function.Functional flows and connections betweenobjects can be changed at any time.Each system/sub-system can be checked forconsistency (e.g., functional flows, linksetc.). If the system is inconsistent, an errormessages is posted and the location of theproblem is stated.

An Atomic Module can be derived from anEcobalance which represents the inflowsand outflows of that Ecobalance. ThisModule can then be used to derive Nodes inother developed systems. 'Tracking'information records the Modules origin anddate of creation.Though only one project can be used at atime, and only one Project can be defined bya given database, on Import/Export functionallows the movement/transfer of Articles,Modules, and Nodes between projects.

5

TABLE C3.1 - DATA AND DATA MANAGEMENT

Types of Embedded Data Data Quality Indicators Other Descriptive FieldsKCL-ECO The extent of the database, KCL-ECODATA,

is determined by the user. At a cost, thecomplete database can be purchased with thesoftware tool.Data includes forestry, pulp and paper, andsupporting power production and transportoperations.

Aggregation of data quality indicators is not afunction of the software. See OtherDescriptive Fields for other options.

A Notes option for each module allows the user todescribe the module, including references andother data quality indicators. These notes, as well as other module information(i.e., no. of inputs, outputs, and equations) can beinvoked on the graphical flow sheet by pressing theright mouse button while the mouse arrow ispositioned over a module. Notes are also printedwith the inventory details of each process block inthe results. Two additional descriptive text fields are includedwith each database entry.

LCAiT Energy and transportation are represented byseparate, though limited databases.Complete cradle-to-gate life-cycles for alimited number of chemicals, plastics, pulpand paper products are also included with toolfor import into developing system.Data consists of primary information gatheredby the authors, and secondary data from thegeneral European data set shared by mostpractitioners (e.g., IDEA, BUWAL).


Each Process and Transport card has a Notes, ordocumentation text field which allows the user todescribe the current system and any assumptionsmade. Full references are given for database information. References are given for each emission and energycarrier in supporting description cards.A File menu option, LC Information, allows theuser to define and name the system underdevelopment.

PEMS Materials, energy, transportation, and wastemanagement options (with and withouttransportation) are all represented by separatedatabases.Databases consist mainly of secondaryinformation that has been derived and adaptedfrom IDEA.

No formal data quality indicators areincorporated into the software's accessibledatabases.Manual contains explanations of assumptionsand calculations methods for most of theembedded data.Aggregation of data quality indicators is not afunction of the software. See OtherDescriptive Fields for other options.

Documentation of data quality and processdescriptions can be entered in a notes box on eachprocess card.Users can add any information in the free textfields available in each of the Object Propertiescards.Title and description text fields are automaticallyopened when creating any new system to allowuser to easily define system.

6

TABLE C3.1 - DATA AND DATA MANAGEMENT (Continues)

Types of Embedded Data Data Quality Indicators Other Descriptive FieldsSimaPro Though SimaPro contains five databases

(processes, methods, substances, units, andquantities), the Process database is the only onewhich contains resource use, emissions, andproduct data for seven different categories(materials, energy, transport, processing, use,waste, and waste treatment).The vast majority of the data are for European(more specifically, Dutch) conditions.

A Source field is available for each databaseentry to specify data quality. Access to thisinformation is only available through thedatabase menu option.Aggregation of data quality indicators is not afunction of the software. See OtherDescriptive Fields for other options.

Textual comment fields are available for eachdatabase entry for user explanations.Each entry within an Assembly box hasassociated with it a comment field forcustomized descriptions within a complexsystem.

TEAM The extent of the database, DEAM, is determinedby the user. At a cost, the complete DEAMdatabase can be purchased with the software tool. Database includes materials, transportation, energyand waste scenarios.


Detailed information for a project can beentered in a supporting Info text field withinthe Project window. Information text fields for Articles, Modules,Nodes, and systems/subsystems, are alsoavailable.Within an Atomic Node window, each flowhas associated with it an information textfield.Reminder fields can also be entered in AtomicModules or Nodes to flag flows which maynot be identified as inflow to or outflows fromthe system (e.g., steam generated by a processand used by the same process).

7

TABLE C3.2 - DATA AND DATA MANAGEMENT

Data Protection Data Editing User-Defined DataKCL-ECO No data protection exists.

Limiting user access to certain portions ofdata is not possible.

Access to data and the ability of data editingis fully supported.While in Specify Module cards, variables canbe added to the Variable list, rather thanclosing card, opening Edit\Variables, addingvariables, and reversing process.

User can define emissions and energy requirementsfor any process block within Specify Module cards.

Variable names and the code under which each islisted (e.g., energy sources, or emissions to air,etc.) are defined by user. Emissions are calculatedand entered for each module via equations definedby user.

LCAiT No data protection exists.Limiting user access to certain portions ofdata is not possible.

Data editing within the two databases, as wellas within the process and transport cards issupported.

Emissions, wastes, resources, and energy carriersassociated with process blocks can be specified inProcess cards.The databases can be edited and expanded toinclude user-defined data; data input must beperformed manually within the database edit modeusing software supplied templates.

PEMS Data in embedded data files can be viewedbut not edited.Limiting user access to certain portions ofdata is not possible.

No database editing is possible withinembedded database files.From the graphical interface, ObjectProperties and Transportation cards can beaccessed within which full editing capabilitiesof information is supported.Underlying Excel spreadsheet can be accessedat any time to edit inventory of each block.

The details entered by the user in ObjectProperties cards can be exported to the user'sdatabase. Complete systems which produce a material can besaved in the user's Materials database; theemissions from the entire process would thenbecome the details of a system block. Process blocks, once detailed, can be exported tothe Process database.Energy and transportation databases must bedeveloped/defined using software suppliedtemplates.Waste scenarios can be created as well using anExternal block as the input.

(Continued)

8

TABLE C3.2 - DATA AND DATA MANAGEMENT (Continued)

Data Protection Data Editing User-Defined DataSimaPro No data protection exists.

Limiting user access to certain portions ofdata is not possible.

Access and editing capabilities to all data issupported.

Though import from existing data managementapplications is not supported, user can easilydefine unique processes by accessing databases,and entering inputs, outputs and linking to existingdatabase entries. Units and assessment methodscan also be defined by user through databases.

TEAM DEAM database offers a full range of dataprotection options. 'Full Lock,' 'Read Only,'and 'Open' represent the three primary levelsof protection. Users can specify the level of protection forall defined data.User names and passwords allow variouslevels of access to users within the same site.DEAM is a completely separate database. Data files (Atomic Modules) must beimported from DEAM to the project for use.

Full Lock data can not be accessed or viewed. Read Only data can be copied, pasted andthen modified.Complete data editing capabilities aresupported for Open data.Straight access to the DEAM database is notsupported, though editing of individualModules is possible within Atomic Nodeswindows.

The inputs to and outputs from Atomic Nodes (i.e.,Articles) can be completely defined by the user. These Nodes and subsequent sub-systems can beexported and saved as Atomic Modules within thedatabase for use in other developed systems.

9

TABLE C4 - FLEXIBILITY

Unit Flexibility Use of Formulas AllocationKCL-ECO Unit convention is metric; material flows in

kilograms (kg), energy flows in mega-joules (MJ),transportation is specified as kilogram fuelconsumed pre kilometer.tonne (kg/km.t), andemissions in grams (g). User-defined units are supported in variables list. Once a unit is defined for a variable, it must beused consistently throughout the program. If unitsare changed, equations containing them may nolonger be applicable.Functional flows must be represented in units ofkg.

The quantitative flows of materials, energy,and emissions are specified by linearequations defined by the user. Equations canbe as simple as 'variable = number,' or includethe mathematical functions of +, -, and *.

Version 1 of KCL-ECO does not supportallocation. The user must pre-allocate all databefore entering it into the model's database.Version 2, expected in mid-1996, will offerallocation and impact assessment capabilities.

LCAiT Material flows must be entered in units ofkilograms (kg).Energy flows must be entered in units of mega-joules (MJ).Transportation must be entered in units of km.Functional flows must be represented in units ofkg.

System is static; formulas are not used. LCAiT does not support allocation. User-defined allocation scenarios can be created bycreating an "allocation scenario file; the usermust pre-allocate all data before entering itinto the system.

PEMS Material flows must be entered in units ofkilograms (kg).Energy flows must be entered in units of mega-joules (MJ).Transportation must be entered in units of km.Functional flows must be represented in units ofkg.

System is static; formulas are not used. Option of entering "Open Loop Output" asburden within system block.Option of using "External" block to representopen loop materials/energy leaving system.Option of using Distribution Box to splitflows.Allocation of co-product and open-looprecycling burdens is by weight. Various co-production/recycling allocation schemes arediscussed in detail in manual, butcalculations must be performed by the user.

(Continued)

10

TABLE C4 - FLEXIBILITY (Continued)

Unit Flexibility Use of Formulas AllocationSimaPro Within the Units and Quantities databases (see

Types of Embedded Data), users can define anyunit and its conversion to the standard unitsused by the program: mass (resources andemissions), kilograms (kg); energy, mega-joules(MJ); transportation, tonne.kilometers (t.km).

System is static; formulas are not used.Process entries is the database, however, arelinked, and changes in one process can causechanges to linked processes as well.

Allocation is accomplished/specified by theuser within database files. For all inputs andoutputs of a process, a percentage can be linkedto each flow to allocate emissions; percentagesmust add up to 100.SimaPro also supports the concept of avoidedemissions; reused and recycled materialsincluded in the defined system can be creditedback to the inventory.

TEAM Unit convention is metric; material flows inkilo-grams (kg), energy flows in mega-joules(MJ), and emissions in grams (g). User-defined units are supported, andappropriate conversion factors can be specifiedto bring all flows to the common metricconvention.Once a unit is defined for an article, it must beused consistently throughout the program.

Formulas and the use of variables are fullysupported within software tool. Arithmetic, boolean, relational , and bitwiseoperators, and mathematical functions aresupported (e.g., +, -, *, /, %, and ^, <, <=, etc.).Variables, both internal and external must firstbe defined. Variable aid in data processing anddata entry when describing process units inModules and Atomic Nodes. External variablescan be exported to a spreadsheet, linked to acontrol panel, and imported back into TEAMfor simulation calculations (see also SensitivityAnalysis in Table C5)Equations can use variable names which in turncan be defined by variables.Formulas are supported within Atomic Nodesand Modules for both flows and allocationmethods.

Allocation of burdens between co-products andfor recycle streams can be fully defined on aflow-by-flow basis. The user can defineallocation with allocation variables andequations within each Atomic Node andModule window.TEAM also supports the concept of avoidedemissions; reused and recycled materialsincluded in the defined system can be creditedback to the inventory.

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TABLE C5 - CALCULATIONS AND COMPARISONS

Uncertainty Analysis Impact Assessment Comparison of ResultsKCL-ECO Sensitivity Analysis allows the user to select

equations which contain variable(s) for whichuncertainty exists.Uncertainty (+/- X%) can be specified for eachvariable and each equation. The defaultdistribution of uncertainty is normal; user canalso define randomly uniform or unevendistributions (e.g., +10%, -0%).The number of analysis cycles is user-defined(between 100 and 8000).A distribution plot of variable outputs or inputsis then created at the bottom of the full reportsheet.

Impact assessment is not a function of thesoftware tool. Version 2 of KCL-ECO,expected out in mid-1996, will offer impactassessment capabilities.

Comparison of results is not a function of thesoftware tool.

LCAiT Uncertainty analysis within the softwarepackage does not exist.

Indices are used to assess emissions from thelife-cycle inventory. The user can define themultiplication factor (i.e., value [1/kg]) whichis used to weight each inventory emission.Formal impact assessment (i.e., classification,characterization, and valuation) is not afunction of the software.

Comparison of results is not a function of thesoftware tool.

PEMS Different scenarios must be created as separatesystems, compiled and saved. Sensitivityanalysis is then accomplished graphicallybetween two systems for various user-definedparameters (+ and - % difference).

Two impact assessment approaches arepossible within software tool: problem oriented- equivalent values, and media oriented -critical volumes. Problem-oriented approach includes 10 classification factors.Media-oriented approach aggregates emissionsinto 4 criteria.Weighting factors for each criteria, under eachapproach can be assigned by the user.Opportunities for user to define criteria islimited.

Up to six system inventories can be comparedin a tabular or graphic format. ComparisonReports present total mass and energy inputsand outputs of each system. Other comparisonoptions include log, relative, restricted (user-defined parameters), and energy graphs.

(Continued)

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TABLE C5 - CALCULATIONS AND COMPARISONS (Continued)Uncertainty Analysis Impact Assessment Comparison of Results

SimaPro Uncertainty analysis within the softwarepackage does not exist.

Characterization (classification), normalization,and evaluation of inventory results are accessibleat any point within the program - the system doesnot have to be completed. Eleven environmentalimpacts are included in the impact assessment. Under characterization, the relative contributions(% of total) each material and process have on the11 impacts are presented in a bar graph. From thisbar graph Normalization expresses effects as aproportion of the total profile, and Evaluation shows the weighted distribution of effects.Indicators (i.e., a single figure for theenvironmental impacts) for each component of anassembly can be invoked under the Assemblyboxes or as a graphic display at any point withinthe program. Different methods to calculateindicators can be defined by user.Each process and materials block of the processtree displays a thermometer with gives the relativecontribution of that block to the indicator value ofthat assembly. Other, user-specifiedequations/information can be displayed by thethermometer.

Developed assemblies and life cycles can becompared at any time utilizing the Comparemenu. Substances (i.e., inventories for thesystem as a whole, or for assemblies),characterization, normalization, evaluation,and indicators (graph and values) can becompared.All boxes (Assembly, Life Cycle, Disposal,Waste, Reuse, and Disassembly) can beopened and compared using the Comparemenu option.

TEAM Uncertainty analysis (e.g., sensitivity analysis,simulation, etc.) within TEAM isaccomplished through the use of Externalvariables and the TEAMPlus application. When defined by the user, External variablescan be exported, manipulated in TEAMPlus,and imported back to the project . A newEcobalance is created for each run using thesenew variables, and the resulting inventorysaved/exported. This process can beautomated.Direct comparison of various simulation runsis not supported by the software tool.

Impact assessment is possible using the TEAMPlusapplication. Within this application there is anAssessment menu option which evaluates thecontribution to standard environmental parametersof each Article of a life-cycle inventory(Ecobalance).Only system-defined weighting factors can be usedin TEAM 2.0. Subsequent versions of thesoftware will support user-defined weightingfactors and parameters.

Comparison of results is accomplishedthrough the use of the TEAMPlus application. Single attributes (i.e., Articles or emissions)can be compared between two separateEcobalance files. The comparison ispresented as a bar graph within TEAMPlus.Further comparative treatment is achievedthrough the export of data to a spreadsheet, asis possible with all evaluated tools.

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TABLE C6 - OUTPUTS AND EXPORTS

System Tables and Graphs Export OptionsKCL-ECO System can be printed. Text and the mass

flows associated with each arrow can also beincluded in the diagram and printed.

Tabular reports can be fully customized by user.

Default Report sheet presents moduleinformation (inputs, outputs, equations andnotes), transportation information (betweenwhat two modules, wt. and distance traveleddetails, inputs and outputs), summaryinformation (variable names, input and outputvariables), variable names, and modes ofconveyance. If a sensitivity analysis wasperformed, the graphical distribution is addedto the bottom of this default report.No graphical depictions of results aresupported.

As stated above, modules and systems, oncecreated and saved, can be used (copied, cut andpasted, or drawn in from the menu options) in anew system.Reports can be exported as text files to beopened in Excel or other such applications.

LCAiT Can print graphical representation of system(i.e., process tree).Process trees can be cut/pasted to a wordprocessing application.

Inventory profiles are an aggregated set ofemissions and energy parameters presented in abar graph format.Inventory matrices are tables which presentemission and energy parameters by systemblock.Life Cycle Data menu option prints inflows andoutflows for each process and transport block.Energy Carriers and Transport databases (i.e.,inflows and outflows) can also be printed in fullwith the File/Print menu option.

Matrices and raw, bar-graph data can beexported and manipulated in Excel.Inventory profiles can be cut/pasted to a wordprocessing application.Printing of life-cycle data (all informationincluding mass flows), energy carrier data,transport data, matrices and profiles issupported.Text export of life-cycle data, matrices andprofiles is also supported.

PEMS Can print graphical representation of system(i.e., process flow) as draft only.Process flows can be selected from graphicalinterface, clipped, and pasted in a Window'sgraphics or word application.

Tables in an underlying Excel spreadsheet arecreated for all system inputs/outputs for eachblock of the system (materials, processes,transport and energy).User-defined bar graphs and summary resultscan be created for any compiled system.

All tables can be opened outside of PEMS inExcel for manipulation by user.

(Continued)

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TABLE C6 - OUTPUTS AND EXPORTS (Continued)

System Tables and Graphs Export OptionsSimaPro Process trees, which represent material flows

and process steps as identical inputs, can beprinted in various degrees of detail (e.g., boxesonly, boxes and top-processes, boxes, top-processes and extended disposal tree, etc.)

Results can be displayed in text or graphicform.Inventories of materials, air emissions, wateremissions, and land emissions can be viewedfor the system as a whole or for process blocks.Editing capabilities to incorporate user-definedformats of displays are limited.

Inventory and impact assessment results can beexported as text only files and opened in anyspreadsheet application as a text delimited file.Graphical displays can be viewed as valuesonly and exported.

TEAM Version 1.15: A graphical image of the systemis not an option supported by the software tool.Version 2.0: Allows printing of graphicalsystem.

The Ecobalance within TEAM represents theLCA inventory generated for the developedsystem. Default settings present the results as a three-column table which presents all Articles, units,and flow values for the entire system.Including sub-systems and Nodes within thetable format is supported.Table format can be specified by the userthrough Templates. Grouping, eliminating anddeleting, and rearranging of flows can bespecified within the Template editing window. Reminders included in Atomic Modules andNodes can be included in Ecobalance.Ecobalances must be exported as a delimitedtext file to print.No graphical depiction of results is supported.

Export of generated table creates a text filewhich can be opened in any word processing orspreadsheet application.Atomic Modules and a listing of all definedArticles can also be exported andprinted/manipulated as a text file.Variables defined as 'external' can be exportedand manipulated in a spreadsheet application.

Note: Appendix D presents default printouts (system, inventory, and impact assessment, if applicable) for each software tool.

Appendix D

Default Printouts

1

The default printing options of each LCA software tool are presented here in Appendix D. Belowis a list of each printout included for each software tool.

KCL-ECO Process Tree - graphical representation of system as developed by the user (1 page) Inventory - standard tabulation of calculated inventory results with process block notes

and uncertainty analysis (3 pages)

LCAiT Process Tree - graphical representation of system as developed by the user (1 page) Inventory - standard graphical display of aggregated inventory results (1 page) LC Data - tabular display of inflows to and outflow from each system block (2 pages) Inventory Matrix - a list of each system block and its corresponding contributions to

environmental parameters; for example, CO, NOx, solid waste, etc. (3 pages of 7) Energy Carrier Database - an aggregated list of emission variables included in the energy

carrier database followed by a display of 'emissions at final use,' 'emissions at extraction,''energy type,' and 'notes' for each energy carrier included in the database (2 pages of 19)

Transport Database - a list of each mode of conveyance within the transportation databasealong with the corresponding energy carrier consumption in units of MJ/kg.km. (1 page)

PEMS Process Tree - graphical representation (draft only) of system as developed by the user (1

page) Inventory - standard tabular display of calculated inventory results, aggregated and by

process and transport step (2 pages) Normalized Impact Assessment - graphical display of problem-oriented impact assessment

results (1 page)

SimaPro Process Tree - software developed display of assembly and life-cycle system with

thermometer gauge for each block (1 page) Process Tree - focused view of a portion of software developed system with impact details

(1 page) Normalized Impact Assessment - graphical display of impact assessment results;

contributions to each environmental parameter from each life-cycle stage is (should be)depicted (1 page)

Valuation Impact Assessment (1 page) Assembly Box with Impact Values displayed (1 page)

TEAM does not support direct printing of results within software tool. An Ecobalance isincluded here which was created in TEAM, exported to Excel and manipulated to clearlypresent inventory results. (2 pages)

2

Note: Unfortunately the printouts for each software tool are not available electronically. If yourequire a paper copy please contact:

Kevin Brady or Andie PaynterEnvironment Canada

Hazardous Waste BranchOttawa, ONK1A 0H3

Tel.: (819) 953-1108FAX: (819) 953-6881

Email: [email protected]: [email protected]

evaluation of life cycle assessment tools

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