Download or read book Techno economic Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment for Guiding Bioenergy Pathway Development written by Rebecca Hanes and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page 1 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Techno Economic Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment for Guiding Bioenergy Pathway Development written by and published by . This book was released on 2018 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Center for Bioenergy Innovation (CBI) is a bioenergy research center recently launched by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science's Biological and Environmental Research program. CBI's objective is to enable innovations across the bioenergy supply chain through development of poplar and switchgrass phenotypes, microorganisms for consolidated bio-processing (CBP), in which biomass fermentation and conversion is accomplished in a single unit operation, and lignin valorization processes. In addition to basic science, CBI's activities involve the application of techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) to the bioenergy pathways under study. TEA and LCA is used to quantify the impacts that research and development breakthroughs have on the economic viability and sustainability of a bioenergy pathway, and to identify drivers for reducing costs and improving sustainability through targeted research efforts. Combining TEA and LCA allows for understanding the economic and sustainability benefits and trade-offs of these integrated bioenergy systems. The focus of this presentation is a parameterized, integrated TEA-LCA model, which will be discussed along with an application to bioenergy pathways currently under study. The model combines data and information developed by CBI researchers into a superstructure of potential bioenergy pathways and their life cycles. Model parameters include feedstock species and phenotype, farming, harvesting, storage and transportation practices, and the microbes used for biomass conversion and lignin valorization, among others. The parameterized TEA-LCA model allows for the rapid quantification of pathway economic and sustainability metrics such as minimum fuel selling price, payback period, fossil fuel consumption and net greenhouse gas emissions. To demonstrate the model, economic and sustainability metrics for a bioenergy pathway utilizing CBP will be quantified and compared to the same metrics for a conventional bioenergy pathway. Results of the comparison will be used to identify and prioritize high-impact research areas within the CBP pathway. fermentation and conversion is accomplished in a single unit operation, and lignin valorization processes. In addition to basic science, CBI's activities involve the application of techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) to the bioenergy pathways under study. TEA and LCA is used to quantify the impacts that research and development breakthroughs have on the economic viability and sustainability of a bioenergy pathway, and to identify drivers for reducing costs and improving sustainability through targeted research efforts. Combining TEA and LCA allows for understanding the economic and sustainability benefits and trade-offs of these integrated bioenergy systems. The focus of this presentation is a parameterized, integrated TEA-LCA model, which will be discussed along with an application to bioenergy pathways currently under study. The model combines data and information developed by CBI researchers into a superstructure of potential bioenergy pathways and their life cycles. Model parameters include feedstock species and phenotype, farming, harvesting, storage and transportation practices, and the microbes used for biomass conversion and lignin valorization, among others. The parameterized TEA-LCA model allows for the rapid quantification of pathway economic and sustainability metrics such as minimum fuel selling price, payback period, fossil fuel consumption and net greenhouse gas emissions. To demonstrate the model, economic and sustainability metrics for a bioenergy pathway utilizing CBP will be quantified and compared to the same metrics for a conventional bioenergy pathway. Results of the comparison will be used to identify and prioritize high-impact research areas within the CBP pathway.
Download or read book Life Cycle Assessment of Biorefineries written by Edgard Gnansounou and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2016-12-20 with total page 324 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Life-Cycle Assessment of Biorefineries, the sixth and last book in the series on biomass-biorefineries discusses the unprecedented growth and development in the emerging concept of a global bio-based economy in which biomass-based biorefineries have attained center stage for the production of fuels and chemicals. It is envisaged that by 2020 a majority of chemicals currently being produced through a chemical route will be produced via a bio-based route. Agro-industrial residues, municipal solid wastes, and forestry wastes have been considered as the most significant feedstocks for such bio-refineries. However, for the techno-economic success of such biorefineries, it is of prime and utmost importance to understand their lifecycle assessment for various aspects. Provides state-of-art information on the basics and fundamental principles of LCA for biorefineries Contains key features for the education and understanding of integrated biorefineries Presents models that are used to cope with land-use changes and their effects on biorefineries Includes relevant case studies that illustrate main points
Download or read book Developing the Global Bioeconomy written by Patrick Lamers and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2016-05-02 with total page 221 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Developing the Global Bioeconomy: Technical, Market, and Environmental Lessons from Bioenergy brings together expertise from three IEA-Bioenergy subtasks on pyrolysis, international trade, and biorefineries to review the bioenergy sector and draw useful lessons for the full deployment of the bioeconomy. Despite the vast amount of politically driven strategies, there is little understanding on how current markets will transition towards a global bioeconomy. The question is not only how the bioeconomy can be developed, but also how it can be developed sustainably in terms of economic and environmental concerns. To answer this question, this book’s expert chapter authors seek to identify the types of biorefineries that are expected to be implemented and the types of feedstock that may be used. They also provide historical analysis of the developments of biopower and biofuel markets, integration opportunities into existing supply chains, and the conditions that would need to be created and enhanced to achieve a global biomass trade system that could support a global bioeconomy. As expectations that a future bioeconomy will rely on a series of tradable commodities, this book provides a central accounting of the state of the discussion in a multidisciplinary approach that is ideal for research and academic experts, and analysts in all areas of the bioenergy, biofuels, and bioeconomy sectors, as well as those interested in energy policy and economics. Examines the lessons learned by the bioenergy industry and how they can be applied to the full development of the bioeconomy Explores different transition strategies and how the current fossil based and future bio-based economy are intertwined Reviews the status of current biomass conversion pathways Presents an historical analysis of the developments of biopower and biofuel markets, integration opportunities into existing supply chains, and the conditions that would need to be created and enhanced to achieve a global biomass trade system
Download or read book Biofuels and Bioenergy written by Baskar Gurunathan and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2021-10-17 with total page 562 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Biofuels and Bioenergy: Opportunities and Challenges is the first of two volumes that address the technological developments and challenges in the production of a broad range of biofuels and bioenergy products from renewable feedstock. The book emphasizes the opportunities and challenges involved in various processes including fermentation, transesterification, microbial fuels cells, liquefaction, gasification, and pyrolysis. These are also considered from a biorefinery perspective and discuss all common biomass feedstocks. In addition, the book presents new research on microalgae from waste water treatment, large scale production of microalgae, microbial biooil production, biogas production, computational tools for manipulation of metabolic pathway for enhanced biogas production, production of biofuel from genetically modified microalgal biomass, techno-economic analysis, environmental impact and life cycle analysis. Biofuels and Bioenergy is an ideal reference on the latest research for researchers and students working in the area of biofuels and renewable energy. Addresses biological and chemical methods of biofuel and bioenergy production Provides industry case studies alongside in-depth techno-economic analysis, environmental impact, and life cycle assessment of biofuels production Focuses on the commercial viability of production processes
Download or read book Techno economics and Life Cycle Assessment of Bioreactors written by Puranjan Mishra and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2022-06-14 with total page 247 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Techno-economics and Life Cycle Assessment of Bioreactors: Post-Covid19 Waste Management Approach covers the emerging trends in bioreactor research, including techno-economics and life cycle assessment perspectives, both key considerations in making the anaerobic-digestion process technically feasible, economically viable and environmentally sustainable. The book is divided into three sections, with an introductory chapter on the impact of COVID-19 on existing practices of waste and resource management. Sections cover advances in bioreactor development for enhanced valorization of waste, the techno-economics of the different bioreactor systems, the life cycle assessment of bioreactors, their methodological challenges and future perspectives. Providing a holistic overview of bioreactors and taking into account recent trends in their design, the chapters also highlight the advances needed to manage COVID-19 waste in a sustainable manner. With contributions from leading experts in bioreactor and life cycle assessment, this book will be an invaluable reference source for academics working on anaerobic digesters and energy sustainability, as well as for research and development professionals in the renewable energy industry, and scientists and engineers working on clean and efficient energy generation from wastes. Reinforces our understanding of the basic concepts and applications of bioreactors Includes a comprehensive evaluation of “Techno-economics and “Environmental impact analysis through a life cycle assessment approach Covers bioreactor advancements and a prognosis for the maximum utilization of waste for the increase transformation of waste to wealth Enables the broad range spectrum of potential technological and environmental impacts occurring across product generation
Download or read book 4 2 1 31 Integrated Life Cycle Sustainability Analysis written by Patrick Lamers and published by . This book was released on 2021 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Bioenergy Engineering written by Krushna Prasad Shadangi and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2023-06-20 with total page 588 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Bioenergy Engineering: Fundamentals, Methods, Modelling, and Applications presents the fundamental principles, recent developments, innovative state-of the-art technologies, challenges, solutions and future perspectives on the production of biofuels and bioenergy. Balancing the scientific and engineering aspects of biofuels production, the book guides readers through the chemical kinetics, modeling, thermodynamics, unit operations and technological advancements in fuel processing from conventional and alternative resources. Each chapter of the book starts with the fundamentals and goes on to assess the latest technologies for the production of renewable fuels on topics. Sections cover biomass utilization, biomass-to-liquid conversion technologies (pyrolysis, liquefaction, solid-state fermentation and submerged fermentation), biomass-to-gas conversion technologies (thermochemical gasification, subcritical and supercritical water gasification, and methanation), gas-to-liquid conversion technologies (Fischer-Tropsch synthesis), carbonization, transesterification, organic transformation, carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom coupling reactions, oxidation, reforming, hydrotreating technologies (hydrogenation, hydrodesulfurization, hydrodenitrogenation, hydro dearomatization and hydro demetalization), nanocatalysis and biocatalysis (enzymatic hydrolysis), and much more. Analyzes emerging technologies for the sustainable conversion of various waste and non-waste materials into bioenergy and biofuels Examines a wide range of feedstocks and conversion pathways for liquid and gaseous biofuels Offers practical guidance and data on how to conduct lifecycle assessment, techno-economic analysis, and utilize GIS modeling for a range production pathways
Download or read book The Role of Bioenergy in the Emerging Bioeconomy written by Carmen Lago and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2018-10-30 with total page 584 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Role of Bioenergy in the Bioeconomy: Resources, Technologies, Sustainability and Policy provides the reader with a complete understanding on how bioenergy technologies fit into the new bioeconomy paradigm. Sections focus on the main resources and technologies for bioenergy and its integration in energy systems and biorefining chains, analyze the available methodologies for assessing the sustainability of bioenergy, and address and the propose approaches that are demonstrated through concrete case studies. Additionally, the implications of bioenergy in the water-energy and land nexus is presented, along with new challenges and opportunities. This book’s strong focus on sustainability of bioenergy, both as a standalone, and in the larger context of a bio-based economy, makes it a useful resource for researchers, professionals and students in the bioenergy field who need tactics to assess the lifecycle and sustainability of bioenergy technologies and their integration into existing systems. Presents a complete overview of the main challenges that bioenergy will have to overcome in order to play a key role in future energy systems Explores sustainability aspects in detail, both qualitatively and by applying proposed methodologies to concrete bioenergy case studies Covers, in detail, the water-energy-land nexus implications and governance aspects
Download or read book Life Cycle Assessment of Renewable Energy Sources written by Anoop Singh and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2013-09-02 with total page 301 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Governments are setting challenging targets to increase the production of energy and transport fuel from sustainable sources. The emphasis is increasingly on renewable sources including wind, solar, geothermal, biomass based biofuel, photovoltaics or energy recovery from waste. What are the environmental consequences of adopting these other sources? How do these various sources compare to each other? Life Cycle Assessment of Renewable Energy Sources tries to answer these questions based on the universally adopted method of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). This book introduces the concept and importance of LCA in the framework of renewable energy sources and discusses the key issues in conducting their LCA. This is followed by an in-depth discussion of LCA for some of the most common bioenergy sources such as agricultural production systems for biogas and bioethanol, biogas from grass, biodiesel from palm oil, biodiesel from used cooking oil and animal fat, Jatropha biodiesel, lignocellulosic bioethanol, ethanol from cassava and sugarcane molasses, residential photovoltaic systems, wind energy, microalgal biodiesel, biohydrogen and biomethane. Through real examples, the versatility of LCA is well emphasized. Written by experts all over the globe, the book is a cornucopia of information on LCA of bioenergy systems and provides a platform for stimulation of new ideas and thoughts. The book is targeted at practitioners of LCA and will become a useful tool for researchers working on different aspects of bioenergy.
Download or read book Progress in Life Cycle Assessment 2019 written by Stefan Albrecht and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2020-09-21 with total page 245 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book covers the latest developments in life cycle assessment LCA both in terms of methodology and its application in various research areas. It includes methodological questions as well as case studies concerning energy and mobility, materials and engineering, sustainable construction and future technologies. With numerous research articles from leading German and Austrian research institutes, the book is a valuable source for professionals working in the field of sustainability assessment, researchers interested in the current state of LCA research, and advanced university students in various scientific and technical fields. Chapter “Life Cycle Assessment of a Hydrogen and Fuel Cell RoPax Ferry Prototype” is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.
Download or read book Microalgal Biofuels written by Krishna Kumar Jaiswal and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2024-11-01 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Microalgal Biofuels: Sustainable Production and Conversion is a comprehensive guide to the latest advancements in microalgal biofuels. The book provides systematic coverage of the processes of biofuel production, from microalgae biomass resources to biomass conversion processes and catalytic materials. It delves into the critical topic of sustainability, addressing LCA approaches to evaluate the environmental impacts of microalgal-based biofuels. It provides practical information and guidance on the latest strategies, opportunities, and challenges in the transition to sustainable bioenergy. This is an invaluable reference for students, researchers, and industrial practitioners working on biofuels, biotechnology, bioprocess engineering, and biomass conversion. Divided into four sections, the first section introduces the principles of microalgal biology and cultivation, including an overview of the different types of microalgae, their growth requirements, and the cultivation systems used for large-scale production. The second section explains the conversion of microalgal biomass into biofuels, including biodiesel, bioethanol, biogas, and hydrogen. Each chapter in this section covers a different biofuel pathway, highlighting the technological advancements, challenges, and opportunities for scaling up production. The third section of the book explores the sustainability aspects of microalgal biofuel production, including the use of waste streams and the integration of biofuel production with other industries. This section also covers the LCA approaches used to evaluate the environmental impacts of microalgal biofuels and the strategies for enhancing their sustainability. The fourth and final section of the book examines the commercialization and prospects of microalgal biofuels. This section covers the market potential of microalgal biofuels, the regulatory landscape, and the challenges and opportunities for the industry. Presents the latest advancements in microalgal-based biofuel production and sustainability Offers comprehensive coverage of microalgal biomass resources, conversion processes, and catalytic materials Provides sustainability and environmental impacts using lifecycle assessment (LCA) approaches Includes a detailed analysis of the commercialization and prospects of microalgal biofuels
Download or read book Carbon Dioxide Utilisation written by Peter Styring and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2014-09-13 with total page 337 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Carbon Dioxide Utilisation: Closing the Carbon Cycle explores areas of application such as conversion to fuels, mineralization, conversion to polymers, and artificial photosynthesis as well as assesses the potential industrial suitability of the various processes. After an introduction to the thermodynamics, basic reactions, and physical chemistry of carbon dioxide, the book proceeds to examine current commercial and industrial processes, and the potential for carbon dioxide as a green and sustainable resource. While carbon dioxide is generally portrayed as a "bad" gas, a waste product, and a major contributor to global warming, a new branch of science is developing to convert this "bad" gas into useful products. This book explores the science behind converting CO2 into fuels for our cars and planes, and for use in plastics and foams for our homes and cars, pharmaceuticals, building materials, and many more useful products. Carbon dioxide utilization is a rapidly expanding area of research that holds a potential key to sustainable, petrochemical-free chemical production and energy integration. Accessible and balanced between chemistry, engineering, and industrial applications Informed by blue-sky thinking and realistic possibilities for future technology and applications Encompasses supply chain sustainability and economics, processes, and energy integration
Download or read book Negative Emissions Technologies and Reliable Sequestration written by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2019-04-08 with total page 511 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: To achieve goals for climate and economic growth, "negative emissions technologies" (NETs) that remove and sequester carbon dioxide from the air will need to play a significant role in mitigating climate change. Unlike carbon capture and storage technologies that remove carbon dioxide emissions directly from large point sources such as coal power plants, NETs remove carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere or enhance natural carbon sinks. Storing the carbon dioxide from NETs has the same impact on the atmosphere and climate as simultaneously preventing an equal amount of carbon dioxide from being emitted. Recent analyses found that deploying NETs may be less expensive and less disruptive than reducing some emissions, such as a substantial portion of agricultural and land-use emissions and some transportation emissions. In 2015, the National Academies published Climate Intervention: Carbon Dioxide Removal and Reliable Sequestration, which described and initially assessed NETs and sequestration technologies. This report acknowledged the relative paucity of research on NETs and recommended development of a research agenda that covers all aspects of NETs from fundamental science to full-scale deployment. To address this need, Negative Emissions Technologies and Reliable Sequestration: A Research Agenda assesses the benefits, risks, and "sustainable scale potential" for NETs and sequestration. This report also defines the essential components of a research and development program, including its estimated costs and potential impact.
Download or read book Economic Risk Analysis and Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Bio energy Systems written by Zaman Sajid and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Being depletable, scarce, hostile to the environment and non-renewable in nature, petroleum-based fossil fuels are diminishing much faster than a decade ago. These scarcity concerns, negative environmental consequences and the gradual depletion of petroleum fuels have led to explore alternate, inexhaustible and renewable energy resources. One promising energy resource is biofuel, which is produced from renewable biomass feedstock. The reasons for sustainability and viability of biofuels are that they are economically feasible to produce and have positive environmental impacts. Since biofuels research is quite diversified, the sustainability and viability of biofuels face many challenges. This thesis investigates existing and future technological and knowledge challenges and proposes new methods to improve bio-energy sustainability both economically and environmentally. The economic viability of biofuels is associated with biofuel cost estimation, the revenue earned, and the profit gained. This research evaluates the cost risk escalation and identifies the key cost factors associated with the economic viability of biofuels. To achieve this objective, this research presents an innovative methodology to perform probabilistic economic risk analysis of biofuel, and particularly biodiesel. Being stochastic in nature, the proposed methodology addresses the shortcomings of traditional biodiesel process economics and provides flexibility to deal with uncertainty in biodiesel process economics. The environmental aspects covered in this research are environmental impacts caused by all inputs to the biodiesel production process, including biomass feedstock, fresh or recycled materials and energy streams and outputs such as biodiesel, by-products and waste materials discharged into the soil and air. To address the influences of potential risks on biodiesel production and its environmental impacts, this thesis presents a new approach to perform probabilistic economic modelling, qualitative and quantitative risk assessment of biodiesel key performance indicators (KPIs) and life cycle assessment (LCA) of biodiesel fuel. Interpretive structural modelling (ISM) is used to model causation behaviour of the biodiesel process, operations and design risk factors. The basic premise of ISM is that qualitative interdependent relationships among various risk factors are achieved through experts' opinions and a scientific approach. This thesis develops an objective risk analysis approach to integrate ISM and uses a Bayesian network (BN) to define the relationship and the strength of relationship among various cost related risk factors and studies their impact on biodiesel process economics. Addressing global environmental issues and considering the vital need of edible oil for food, this thesis also presents the LCA of biodiesel being produced from inedible oils and waste cooking oil (WCO) and performs the investigation using a systematic approach of life cycle thinking. The negative environmental consequences of biodiesel fuels on climate change (global warming), ecosystem quality and human health are explored in detail. The study also identifies the total environmental impacts of using these biomass feedstocks. A comparative LCA study of technological processes identifies which biodiesel production process has the most and the fewest ecological impacts and energy requirements. Finally, this research develops advanced methods for biodiesel process economics such as process value at risk (VaR), to be used in assessing the performance of biodiesel systems. The stochastic modelling process and interdependence of a BN format help to investigate the most significant risk factors in the biodiesel process and operations. The results facilitate the decision-making process for new product development (NPD) and process development, especially at a large industrial scale. Applications of the proposed economic risk assessment framework along with an LCA study help to develop effective biodiesel policy-making by describing scientific uncertainties related to process economics and the environmental impact of biodiesel production technologies. In another arena of application, this thesis helps to develop a strategic decision-making process for supply chain management of biomass feedstock as well as biodiesel. It also enhances the biodiesel process-based risk informed decision-making process by incorporating techno-economic and life cycle accounting decisions.
Download or read book Techno Economic Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment of Large Scale Biogas to Methanol Production written by Godfrey Okeohene Pedro and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The development of renewable energy products is essential as the world progresses toward sustainability. Renewables are energy collected from sources, which are filled naturally on a human scale. On the other hand, it is impossible to renew non-renewable energy sources only after several hundred million years, leading to many problems, including but not limited to environmental contamination, issues in public health, rising costs and their enduring lifetime. For example, after several hundred million years, when the earth's supplies of fossil fuel get exhausted, it cannot be renewed. This study focused on a techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment of using a renewable energy source (biogas) to produce methanol. The process design was performed using Aspen HYSYS version 10. Aspen HYSYS is a chemical process simulator used in the mathematically modeling of chemical processes from unit operations to full chemical plants. In doing this, the feed composition of biogas produced from Landfill was used as the material input, and the layout was well detailed and modeled close to industrial application. The results from the plant design indicate that dry reforming using biogas plus partial oxidation can produce methanol with > 99% purity. Parametric sensitivity analysis was performed to determine the appropriate temperature and pressure required for a high conversion of methanol; the parametric sensitivity showed that methanol production is favored at medium temperature and high pressure. Preliminary equipment sizing was done on the heat exchangers in the process to determine the heat-transfer area required; the heat transfer area was defined as 1027m2 and 735.1m2, respectively. The techno-economic analysis revealed that the process is profitable and has an Internal Rate of Return of 20%, Payback Period of 4.76years, Production Cost of US$0.293/kg of produced methanol and Economic Constraint of 0.68. The life-cycle assessment gave a detailed insight on the interaction between the process and the environment and demonstrated that biogas should be cleaned from hydrogen sulphide and ammonia contaminants to prevent the acidification and human toxicity potential caused by those gases. It also suggests the utilization of the inert nitrogen gas purged from the process to prevent the eutrophication potential caused by its presence.
Download or read book Life Cycle Assessment Handbook written by Mary Ann Curran and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2012-10-08 with total page 634 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The first book of its kind, the Life Cycle Assessment Handbook: A Guide for Environmentally Sustainable Products will become an invaluable resource for environmentally progressive manufacturers and suppliers, product and process designers, executives and managers, and government officials who want to learn about this essential component of environmental sustainability. As the last several decades have seen a dramatic rise in the application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in decision making, the interest in the life cycle concept as an environmental management and sustainability tool continues to grow. The LCA Handbook offers a look at the role that life cycle information, in the hands of companies, governments, and consumers, may have in improving the environmental performance of products and technologies. It concisely and clearly presents the various aspects of LCA in order to help the reader better understand the subject. The content of the book was designed with a certain flow in mind. After a high-level overview to describe current views and state-of-the-practice of LCA, it presents chapters that address specific LCA methodological issues including creating life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment, and capturing eco-systems services. These are followed by example applications of LCA in the agri-food industry; sustainable supply chain management; solid waste management; mining and mineral extraction; forest products; buildings; product innovation; and sustainable chemistry and engineering. The international success of the sustainability paradigm needs the participation of many stakeholders, including citizens, corporations, academia, and NGOs. The handbook links LCA and responsible decision making and how the life cycle concept is a critical element in environmental sustainability. It covers issues such as building capacity in developing countries and emerging economies so that they are more capable of harnessing the potential in LCA for sustainable development. Governments play a very important role with the leverage they have through procurement, regulation, international treaties, tax incentives, public outreach, and other policy tools. This compilation points to the clear trend for incorporating life cycle information into the design and development processes for products and policies, just as quality and safety concerns are now addressed throughout product design and development.
