Algorithms of Life Cycle Inventory Analysis

Abstract

Algorithms are an essential part of a life cycle assessment (LCA) study. In this chapter, algorithms for calculating and analyzing life cycle inventory (LCI) results are described. These algorithms transform the inventory data of a product system into the information on which the impact assessment is based. It is shown how product systems can be translated into computable structures and how the latter are used to algorithmically compute the inventory results. It is also demonstrated how this formalism allows linking the product system to background databases containing thousands of unit process datasets. In this way, sources of impacts can be tracked down deeply in the supply chain paths.