Cradle to grave analysis

The terms LCA and cradle-to-grave analysis indicate that it is not the products per se that are analyzed, but in fact product systems in the sense of the production-consnmption-waste treatment systems (Bousead and Hancock, 1989). However, the function of the product as it is used remains the point of reference to which the environmental impacts are attributed. LCAs assist in evaluating proposed changes to product or process designs so that a tradeoff can be identified. 

Recently, terms such as life cycle inventory (LCI), cradle-to-grave-analysis, eco-balancing, and material flow analysis have come into use. 

The environmental burden covers all impacts on the environment and includes extraction of raw materials, emission of hazardous and toxic materials, land use, and disposal. In certain cases, the analysis only takes into account the burden up to the "gate" of the producing facility and, in other cases, the analysis takes into account the actual disposal of the product. In the former case, the analysis is termed a "cradle-to-gate" analysis, while in the latter case it is referred to as a "cradle-to-grave" analysis. 

Dehydrogenation routes to propylene also increase the amount of carbon emissions relative to the production of propylene from naphtha. Increasing propylene output from FCC operations also increases emissions. Although this is the case for a standalone facility, it is not clear if a full cradle-to-grave analysis would ameliorate or exacerbate the emissions relative to naphtha cracking. 

However, a recently performed LCA benchmarking study by van der Velden et al. (2014) on textiles made from cotton, polyester, nylon, acryl and elastane revealed that the environmental effects of different products depend not only on the base materials but also on the thickness (linear density) of the yam. The environmental burden of different textile processes such as spinning, weaving and knitting decreases with the increase in the linear density of yam. According to the cradle-to-grave analysis, cotton fibre textiles have the highest environmental impacts, followed by nylon, elastane. 

The LCA results of cradle-to-grave analysis from raw material extraction to discarded textiles revealed that the textiles made out of acryl and PET have the least impact on the environment, followed by elastane, nylon and cotton. Additionally, it was also found out from this study that the use phase has less relative impact than is suggested in the classical literature (van der Velden et al., 2014). There were many other conclusions, which will not be discussed here. 

Sinclair et al. (79) have compared the environmental (primarily carbon) footprint of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) production facility using traditional stainless steel bioreactors with that of a facility utilizing disposable equipment for cell culture, mixing solutions, holding tanks, and liquid transfer. The mAbs are intended for use in therapeutic applications and are produced in a facility containing three 2000-L disposable bioreactors. The authors cradle-to-grave analysis took into account facility... 

Life-cycle analysis A technique for assessing the environmental aspects and potential impacts associated with a product, by (1) compiling an inventory of relevant inputs and outputs of a process, from the extraction of raw resources to the final disposal of the product when it is no longer usable (so called from cradle to grave analysis) (2) evalnating the potential environmental impacts associated with those inputs and outputs and (3) interpreting the results of the inventory and impact phases in relation to the objectives of the study. 

Cradle to grave analysis, /tesuming lull oxidation without any credits. 

Process design engineers should be concerned not only about the enviroiunental impacts that are directly generated in the designed process, but also consider the environmental impacts that are associated with the provision of the raw materials and services they specify as inputs to their processes. In recent years, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has been given a lot of attention as an environmental indicator of chemical processes [24], LCA is a comprehensive technique that covers both upstream and downstream effects of the activity or product under examination, thus often being referred to as cradle-to-grave analysis [25]. 

Life cycle assessment (also known as life cycle analysis, eco balance, and cradle-to-grave analysis) is a technique to assess environmental impact associated with all the stages of a product>s life from cradle to grave (i.e., from raw material extraction through materials processing, manufacture, distribution, use, repair and maintenance, and disposal or recycling). LCAs can help avoid a narrow outlook on environmental concerns by ... 

FIGURE 33 life cycle inventory process for cradle-to-grave analysis. 

Cradle-to-grave analysis was used. End-of-life options include landfilling and waste to energy. 

The second LCA study, from the paper industry in Hong Kong, compares the environmental effects of single-use paper and plastic bags. The cradle-to-grave analysis includes the environmental impacts of plastic and paper bags over the life cycle of the product. 

The third LCA study, from Hyder Consulting Pty Ltd of Victoria, Australia, is a cradle-to-grave analysis that includes EOL and transportation impacts. It compares the LCA of single-use plastic and paper bags with reusable plastic and cotton bags. 

The cradle-to-grave analysis can illustrate the environmental benefits of reusing the plastic bag and the benefits of using recycled plastic. 

Cradle-to-grave analysis was used. End-of-life options include landfilling (80%), waste to energy (20%), and recycling of PET at a rate of 23.5%. 

---