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SCREENING LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF GASOLINE ADDITIVES
Citation:
Curran*, M A. SCREENING LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF GASOLINE ADDITIVES. AIChE - 2002 Annual Meeting, Indianapolis, IN, 11/4-8/2002.
Description:
The EPA's ORD is conducting a screening of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of selected automotive fuel (i.e., gasoline) systems. Although no specific guidelines exist on how to conduct such a streamlined approach, the basic idea is to use a mix of qualitative and quantitative generic data. The intent of screening is to provide 'directional' information regarding the environmental trade-offs between alternatives and highlight where the more significant impact areas occur. Screening can identify knowledge/data gaps and identify where to focus future data collection and impact assessment efforts, e.g., risk assessment of a chemical. In short, a screening LCA is comprehensive in coverage, but generally is conducted with less detail. It can be done in a shorter period of time and with less resources than it takes to conduct a detailed LCA. This article describes the three gasoline systems (gasoline with MTBE, gasoline with ethanol, and a non-oxygenate blend) that are being studied and presents a suggested approach to screening LCA by using a simplified impact assessment scheme to interpret life cycle inventory results.