(341j) An Efficient Lcsoft Tool for Life Cycle Assessment of Chemical Process Case Studies

Life Cycle Assessment or LCA is a technique to evaluate and analyze environmental impacts through the entire life cycle of products and its associated processes. A computer-aided tool, LCSoft has been developed for a thorough and reliable LCA related calculations. Although several commercial tools for LCA analysis are available, a simple, easy to use tool that is integrated with other computer-aided tools that are needed for the LCA calculation, can help to perform LCA based analysis more efficiently and reliably. Therefore, LCSoft is integrated with other tools such as process simulation & design software, economic analysis and sustainability analysis as data from these tools are needed for the LCA related calculations. Options for normalization of data, sensitivity analysis, uncertainty of estimations, alternative comparison and eco-efficiency evaluation (water scarcity and ecological footprints) are also available as results. LCA related calculations, are based on Life Cycle Impact categories (LCIA), including midpoint and endpoint impacts. Also, LCSoft can estimate water scarcity footprint and ecological footprint at different locations and periods of time. For a given problem, LCsoft will analyze the production with respect to raw material sources, for all stages of product life, for every section of the manufacturing processes, calculate the emissions and wastes. It will also point out the process hotspots such that targets for improvement can be defined. The presentation will highlight the software architecture, the different options that are available and its application will be highlighted through three case studies: Bioethanol production, Cumene production and Hydrodealkylation of Toluene (HDA processes).