150 Introduction to Renewable Biomaterials
Details for Glue laminated beam processing, at plant, US PNW
Flow Category Type Unit Amount
Melamine urea formaldehyde
resin, at plant
Chemical
manufacturing
PRODUCT_FLOW kg 1.64E-03
Natural gas, combusted in
industrial boiler
Utilities/steam and
air-conditioning supply
PRODUCT_FLOW m3 8.23E-03
Rough green lumber,
softwood, at sawmill, US
PNW
Wood product manu-
facturing/sawmills
PRODUCT_FLOW kg 3.08E-01
Transport, combination
truck, average fuel mix
Truck
transportation/general
freight trucking
PRODUCT_FLOW t*km 2.51E-01
Water, unspecified natural
origin
Resource/in water ELEMENTARY_FLOW L 7.38E-02
Problem 3 Identify a reasonable functional unit for different wall constructions.
Clearly define the specifications that the wall must meet to provide the necessary
function. Then describe several wall constructions including one that is a log cabin
wall, a normal wall with drywall and 2 by 4 wooden studs, and a concrete block wall.
For the desired function, define for each of these cases the reference flow that would
satisfy the functional unit.
5.3.2 Life-Cycle Inventory
Learning objectives
- Be able to describe the different types of flows
- Understand the concept of and draw unit processes
- Understand the concept of mass and elemental component balance
- Distinguish between primary and secondary data
- Be able to describe product allocation and system expansion
- Describe the difference between biogenic and anthropogenic carbon
LCI data describes the material flows into and out of a system or to and from
the environment as a result of a product or service. These data alone provide useful
information such as water use; however, it is not directly correlated to how the emissions
or resource uses impact the environment. Some studies only determine the LCI and do
not proceed further to the LCIA step, such as water footprint or energy analysis. The
goal and scope of the study will define what parameters are tracked and calculated for
the studied system. For example, greenhouse gas emissions and energy use are common
metrics that are examined without other impact categories. In these studies, data
surrounding energy and GHG are collected while other data describing other resource
uses and emissions are not collected. Alternatively, when the goal and scope are set
for a cradle-to-gate analysis, the product use and end of life steps are not included
in the inventory analysis. The goal and scope define what data will be included and
excluded.
