franklin associates, a division of erg the us lci database moving toward full lci data by material...

FRANKLIN ASSOCIATES,A Division of ERG

The US LCI Database Moving Toward Full LCI Data by

Material and ProductBy

William E. Franklin

And

Beverly J. Sauer

Franklin Associates,

A Division of ERG

FRANKLIN ASSOCIATES, A Division of ERG

Background

The US LCI database is underway, as described by Greg Norris in the preceding presentation.

Franklin Associates’ role in the database project is data development and input of unit process data into the database.


Key Elements of Data Development

Unit Processes Transparency

o Sources of datao Utilization of data

Data Qualityo Time-related coverage, geographical coverage,

technology coverageo Representativeness (degree to which the data set

reflects the true population of interest)


Our Data Development Role

Fuels and Energy Unit Processes (under the NREL contract)o Extraction, processing, delivery and combustion of

fuels for process energy and transportationo Includes electricity generation (national grid, 3

regional grids)o Includes precombustion burdens to produce and

deliver fuels used (iterative process)o Derived largely from public data sources


Our Data Development Role (cont’d)

Transformation Processeso Athena International Contract with Vehicle Recycling

Partnership (Ford, GM, DaimlerChrysler)o Automotive transformation processes such as

aluminum casting, iron casting, steel stamping, etc.o Data collected by VRP, reviewed and aggregated by

Franklin Associates


Industry Participation is Vital

American Plastics Council Committed to be a part of the process Contract with Franklin Associates to develop data

on 11 plastic resins and up to 5 polyurethane precursors for the database.


Key Issues Related to Industry Data

Primary data collected by participating companies, reviewed and aggregated by consultant.

Procedure for protecting confidentiality. Using individual company data sets to develop

data set representative of industry. Procedure for assuring data quality and

transparency via unit process.


Example Cradle-to-Resin Process Tree for GPPS

N atural G asP ro duc tio n

N atural G asP ro c e s s ing

C rude O ilP ro duc tio n

E thyl e neP r o duc t i o n

D is t i l lat io n/D e s al t ing/

H ydro tre at ing

E thyl be nze ne /Styr e ne

P r o duc t i o n

G e ne r al P ur po s eP o l ys tyr e ne

R e s i nM anufac tur e

M ixe d X yle ne s

B e nze ne P roduc tion(A rom a tic e xtra c tion

a nd to lue ned ealk y lat io n )

F lo w d iag ra m fo r th e p ro d u c tio n o f gen e ra l p u rp o s e p o ly s ty ren e re s in .S h ad e d b o x es re p re s en t re cen tly u p d a te d d a ta fo r th e U S L C I D a tab as e .D a rke r b o x e s w ith w h ite tex t rep re s en t d a ta ex p ec ted fro m A P C m e m b ers .


APC Contribution to US LCI Database

Develop unit process data for all steps from raw material extraction through production of resin or precursor Primary data provided by member companies and suppliers Secondary data from public sources

Utilize fuels and energy data developed under NREL contract.

Cradle-to-resin linked process trees will be developed.


Payoff for Database Users

Cradle-to-resin process trees available in a readily accessible and usable form.

User-friendly – users will not need LCI consultant or software to assemble process trees themselves.

Data for individual unit processes in the process tree still accessible to ensure transparency (as opposed to “black box” typical of most rolled-up LCI data sets).


Payoff for Database Users (Cont’d)

When completed, this will be a major step in demonstrating how LCI database can be used to develop process trees while maintaining transparency

Sets stage for participation of other material industries Provides a jump-off point for modeling the remaining

steps in a complete product life cycle: Product fabrication Use End of life.

franklin associates, a division of erg the us lci database moving toward full lci data by material...

Documents