Skip to main content

Estimating the environmental profile of early design concepts

  • Conference paper

Abstract

The Eco-PaS methodology supports anticipative weak point analysis of a product’s life cycle environmental impact. Using quantitative information on functional parameters available in early design stages, the order of magnitude of an environmental indicator is estimated. This result is obviously influenced by a number of uncertain factors. However, a critical analysis of these factors allows to point the designer at promising design directions at a time of the design process when many degrees of freedom remain available. This paper recapitulates the principles of the Eco-PaS methodology, and applies the method to a design concept of an electric fruit juicer. The validity of the Eco-PaS approach is assessed by comparing the results with a streamlined Life Cycle Assessment study performed on a detailed product design.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Andreasen, M.M., Hein, L., 1987, Integrated Product Development, IFS Publications, Bedford.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Duflou, J., Dewulf, W., Al-Bender, F., Sas, P., Vermeiren, C., 2002, Parametric Eco-Efficiency Analysis: A DfE Support Tool, Proc. of 9th CIRP International Seminar on Life Cycle Engineering, Erlangen, April 9–10, 121–127.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Dewulf, W., 2003, A Pro-Active Approach to Ecodesign: Framework and Tools, Ph.D. Dissertation 2003D06, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Mechanical Engineering Department, Leuven.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Goedkoop, M., Effting, S., Collignon, M., 2000, The Eco-Indicator99 - Manual for Designers, Pré Consultants, Amersfoort.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Dick, M., Dewulf, W., Birkhofer, H., Duflou, J., 2004, Estimating the environmental impacts of similar products, Proc. of International Design Conference - Design 2004, Dubrovnik, May 18–21, 1515–1520.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Ashby, M., 1992, Materials Selection in Mechanical Design, Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Pahl, G., Rieg, F., 1984, Kostenwachstumsgesetze für Baureihen (Cost Growth Laws for Size Ranges), Hanser, Munich.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Voß, M., Birkhofer, H., 2004, Using Similarity Relations for Determining Environmental Impacts, Proc. of Global Conference on Sustainable Product Development and Life Cycle Engineering, Berlin, September 29 – October 1, 399–402.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Huijbrechts, M., Application of Uncertainty and Variability in LCA, Part I: A General Framework for the Analysis of Uncertainty and Variability in Life Cycle Assessment, International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment 3 (5), 273–280.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Huijbrechts, M., Application of Uncertainty and Variability in LCA, Part II: Dealing with Parameter Uncertainty and Uncertainty due to Choices in Life Cycle Assessment, International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment 3 (6), 343–351.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Björklund, A.E., Survey of Approaches to Improve Reliability in LCA, International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment 7 (2), 64–72.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Dewulf, W., Duflou, J.R., 2004, Estimating environmental impact scores and related uncertainties using the Eco-PaS methodology, Proc. of Electronics Goes Green 2004+, Berlin, September 6–8, 447–452.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Dewulf, W., 2004, Verfijnen en toepassen van de pro-actieve eco-design methode Eco-PaS met bijzondere aandacht voor het werken met onzekerheden (Refining and applying the pro-active eco-design method Eco-PaS while paying special attention to dealing with uncertainties), K.U.Leuven internal working document, (in Dutch).

    Google Scholar 

  14. Neter, J., Kutner, M., Nachtsheim, C., Wasserman, W., 1996, Applied Linear Statistical Models, 4th Edition, IRWIN, Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2006 Springer

About this paper

Cite this paper

Dewulf, W., Willems, B., Duflou, J. (2006). Estimating the environmental profile of early design concepts. In: Brissaud, D., Tichkiewitch, S., Zwolinski, P. (eds) Innovation in Life Cycle Engineering and Sustainable Development. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-4617-0_22

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-4617-0_22

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-4601-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-4617-9

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics