Material Flow Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment

The Material Flow Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment course covers the following topics:

• System and life cycle thinking
• Material flow networks
• Material and energy flow balancing
• Modelling of material flows
• Life cycle assessment
• Target and scope definition
• Life cycle inventories (LCI)
• Life cycle impact assessment (LCIA)
• Interpretation and disclosure
• Current trends and developments

In addition, some case studies are dealt with.Software systems and databases for material flow analyses and life cycle assessments

The following course/module was developed at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg.

Learning outcomes / Competencies:

• analyse material and energy flows from a system’s and from a product/service perspective
• use the standardized terminology
• name and describe the steps for conducting MFA & LCA studies
• discuss the achievements and shortcomings of common methodological toolsets and data bases in the field
• gather necessary information, choose suitable methods, and apply these for simple MFA & LCA studies
• discuss the quality of material flow analysis studies and life cycle assessment studies