WIT Press


The Economic Theory Of Environmental Life Cycle Inventory Models

Price

Free (open access)

Volume

29

Pages

10

Published

1998

Size

871 kb

Paper DOI

10.2495/ENVMAN980101

Copyright

WIT Press

Author(s)

T. Pento

Abstract

This paper shows that Life Cycle Inventory theory can be derived directly from the theories of production functions and methods of Input-Output analysis of economics. Linear Economic-Environment (EEP) production functions are formed into a Leontief Input-Output matrix A, which shows the transition of physical quantities of materials through the processes and flows along a product's life cycle. The Life Cycle Inventory E* is then calculated as = { [I - A]" x Y } x E= the total quantity vector of effluents produced, where Y is the functional unit vector, I an identity matrix, and E the amount of effluents emitted per unit quantity of a product produced. This formulation is usable with both one product and multi-product functional units. Construction principles of dynamic LCI and material flow models are then discussed. Examples and results of dynamic LCI scen

Keywords