INTRODUCTION 3: LCA Example

Overview 

This reading covers a worked example targeted at a general audience that wishes to understand how to apply Life Cycle Assessment Guidelines for CO₂ Utilization (Zimmermann, et al., 2018) (from now on referred to as only “the guidelines” in this work). The results should not be used in comparative assertions or quoted by third parties. In this worked example the stakeholder wishes to introduce a new bio-fertilizer to the market. This bio-fertilizer relies on CO₂ captured from anaerobic digestion that reacts with aqueous ammonia and calcium nitrate to produce a fertilizer with 10 % N, 0.6 % P and 0.3 K content. If this bio-fertilizer is a successful example of a CO₂ utilization technology, then at the very least, carbon emissions shall not be worse than the alternative processes. If carbon emissions are at least neutral, then all other possible environmental impacts also shall be screened. For purposes of this worked example, the final product is classified and treated as a CO₂ based chemical. 

 

Module Objectives

In this module, the activities, content, and assignments will guide your learning process to ensure you can:

• • Employ methods and techniques to the elaboration of life cycle assessments
  • Apply critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills to complex sustainability problems
  • Communicate Life Cycle Assessment results to a wide audience using appropriate technical language, formatting, and writing conventions.
  • Critically review and discuss scientific literature
  • Apply the content presented in this course to real world problems
  • Exhibit global awareness of environmental sustainability issues

 

Module To-Do List

Here's everything you need to do and remember for this module:

• Read the articles in the Resources section
• Annotate the assigned reading in Perusall
• Come prepared to the Live Session to discuss the assigned reading