a8344653-727c-4425-bc43-a5eea4587fa1C16-18 Alcohol (oleo) Ethoxylate, >20 moles EO (No. 14 - Matrix)Oxidation of C16-18 fatty alcohols with ethylene oxide, >20 mole EOProduction mix, at plant100% active ingredient; CAS number: 68439-49-6Non-ionic surfactant, C16-18 AE ≥ 20Materials productionOrganic chemicalsThe data set covers all relevant process steps / technologies over the supply chain of the represented cradle to gate inventory with a good overall data quality. It represents an production average based on the year 2011. The inventory is mainly based on industry data and is completed, where necessary, by secondary data. This data set is based on primary data from European adopted production processes, connected with regional precursor chains. The data set is based on primary production data for C16-18 AE ≥ 20 production is from four different suppliers, either Germany or Sweden, representing the imported and produced C16-18 AE ≥ 20 in Europe. Transportation was just considered for the main materials (covers about 90% of the mass of all inputs), other transportation was not considered.536Primary production data for C16-18 AE ≥ 20 production is from four different suppliers in Europe.Foreground system: Alcohol ethoxylates are produced by the reaction of alcohols with ethylene oxide. The addition of ethylene oxide to detergent range alcohols leads to a distribu-tion of homologue polyethylene glycol ether groups. The ethoxylation reaction can be cata-lyzed by alkaline catalysts as e.g. potassium hydroxide or by acidic catalysts as e.g. boron trifluoride or zinc chloride. For alcohol ethoxylates, the alkaline catalysis is normally used. In this case, the corresponding fatty alcohol to react with ethylene oxide is C16-18 fatty alcohol (oleo).
Background system:
Electricity: Electricity is modelled according to the individual country-specific situations. The country-specific modelling is achieved on multiple levels. Firstly, individual energy carrier specific power plants and plants for renewable energy sources are modelled according to the current national electricity grid mix. Modelling the electricity consumption mix includes transmission / distribution losses and the own use by energy producers (own consumption of power plants and "other" own consumption e.g. due to pumped storage hydro power etc.), as well as imported electricity. Secondly, the national emission and efficiency standards of the power plants are modelled as well as the share of electricity plants and combined heat and power plants (CHP). Thirdly, the country-specific energy carrier supply (share of imports and / or domestic supply) including the country-specific energy carrier properties (e.g. element and energy content) are accounted for. Fourthly, the exploration, mining/production, processing and transport processes of the energy carrier supply chains are modelled according to the specific situation of each electricity producing country. The different production and processing techniques (emissions and efficiencies) in the different energy producing countries are considered, e.g. different crude oil production technologies or different flaring rates at the oil platforms.
Thermal energy, process steam: The thermal energy and process steam supply is modelled according to the individual country-specific situation with regard to emission standards and considered energy carriers. The thermal energy and process steam are produced at heat plants. Efficiencies for thermal energy production are by definition 100% in relation to the corresponding energy carrier input. For process steam the efficiency ranges from 85%, 90% to 95%. The energy carriers used for the generation of thermal energy and process steam are modelled according to the specific import situation (see electricity above).
Transports: All relevant and known transport processes are included. Ocean-going and inland ship transport as well as rail, truck and pipeline transport of bulk commodities are considered.
Energy carriers: The energy carriers are modelled according to the specific supply situation (see electricity above).
Refinery products: Diesel fuel, gasoline, technical gases, fuel oils, lubricants and residues such as bitumen are modelled with a parameterised country-specific refinery model. The refinery model represents the current national standard in refining techniques (e.g. emission level, internal energy consumption, etc.) as well as the individual country-specific product output spectrum, which can be quite different from country to country. The supply of crude oil is modelled, again, according to the country-specific situation with the respective properties of the resources.C16-18 AE ≥ 20 is a non-ionic surfactant, belonging to the group of alcohol ethoxylates.ERASM_C16_18 AE_20.JPGLCI resultAttributionalNoneAllocation - market valueAllocation - net calorific valueAllocation - exergetic contentAllocation - massNot applicableFOREGROUND system: No allocation was applied in the production processes.
Some important transports were estimated by European standard due to lack of valuable information.
Background system: For the combined heat and power production, allocation by exergetic content is applied. For the electricity generation and by-products, e.g. gypsum, allocation by market value is applied due to no common physical properties. Within the refinery allocation by net calorific value and mass is used. For the combined crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids production allocation by net calorific value is applied.
For details please see the document "GaBi Databases Modelling Principles"All data used in the calculation of the LCI results refer to net calorific value.NoneGaBi Modelling PrinciplesCut-off rules for each unit process: Coverage of at least 95% of mass and energy of the input and output flows, and 98% of their environmental relevance (according to expert judgment). Excluded from the analysis are:
The construction of major capital equipment (infrastructure)
Maintenance and operation of sup-port equipment
Human labor and employee transport and
PackagingNoneSeveral data sources have been averaged. Average values are the ones used in the inventory. Whenever intermediates may constitute a reasonable sub-system boundary, a hybrid of vertical and horizontal averages were used. Data for the production of C16-18 AE ≥ 20 at the production sites in either Germany or Sweden of the different companies, that are member of the ERASM associacion, was collected by data questionnaires. Data was subsequently verified in telephone conferences and meetings with specialist staff from the companies. The GaBi 6 software system was used for generating the model of the production and as the source of background LCA information. The average environmental burdens of the national power grid mix in the production countries are used in the model. In case of steam or energy supply at the production site, the data is based on the GaBi data base. Data sets for the C16-18 AE ≥ 20 production as main input material and auxiliary materials as e.g. water were also taken from the GaBi data base.No SOM method landuse included as the SOM method is not used elsewere in the GaBi database.Data was collected and treated to ensure the resulting inventory is representative for the average European C16-18 AE ≥ 20 production. Namely, the data was collected from 4 producing companies and covers > 70% of the European C16-18 AE ≥ 20 production. Data collection period: one year production. The datset is representative for the state of technology in 2011. The datasets are considered to be valid until substantial technological changes in the production chain occur.NoneERASM Surfactant Life Cycle and Ecofootprinting (SLE) ProjectGaBi databases70.02012-2014NoneThe dataset covers cradle-to-gate system of C16-18 AE ≥ 20 production. Dataset includes primary data onC16-18 AE ≥ 20 production and the overall quality is very good. Dataset can be used as representative for average European production of theC16-18 AE ≥ 20 production. Dataset should be reviewed for potential technology changes in 10 years.
This cradle-to-gate LCI includes assimilated carbon dioxide also referring to carbon uptake due to the renewable feedstock. The assimilated carbon dioxide corresponds to the input flow "Carbon Dioxide [Renewable Ressources]". In case this LCI is used in cradle to grave assessments the incorporated carbon dioxide should be modeled as release to environment during the use and/ or end of life stage in addition to other use and/ or end of life treatment emissions.No statementThe LCI method applied is in compliance with ISO 14040 and 14044. The documentation includes all relevant information in view of the data quality and scope of the application of the respective LCI result / data set. The dataset represents the state-of-the-art in view of the referenced functional unit.
Prof. Dr. Walter KlöpfferCharlotte PetiotJannick Schmidt Two independent external reviewers, focusing on the LCA methodology conformity and the technology representativeness respectively, supported the project from the beginning till completion. This approach ensures traceability and quality of the results.
Both reviewers check all reports and relevant decisions which the group might take to as-sure consistency and conformity to standards. They also participate on project meetings to follow the project’s progress.
The critical review is performed according to the ISO 14040 (chapter 7.3.2) [ISO 14040: 2006 ] and ISO 14044 (chapter 6.1) [ISO 14044: 2006 ] standards.
In addition the oil palm and coconut based renewable precursors are reviewed by a third independent external expert, who is familiar which such products in particular and an ex-pert in the field of evaluating land use and land use change emissions.
As no comparative assertions to be disclosed to the public are intended to be made within this study, no review panel of interested parties is required.
The LCI method applied is in compliance with ISO 14040 and 14044. The documentation includes all relevant information in view of the data quality and scope of the application of the respective LCI result / data set. The dataset represents the state-of-the-art in view of the referenced functional unit.
thinkstepIABP-GaBiOverall quality according to different validation schemes:
GaBi = 1,8 interpreted into "very good overall quality" in the GaBi quality validation scheme [ISO 14040/44]
PEF = 2,0 interpreted into "very good overall quality" in the PEF quality validation scheme
GaBi conformity systemFully compliantFully compliantFully compliantFully compliantFully compliantNot definedUNEP SETAC Life Cycle InitiativeNot definedNot definedNot definedNot definedNot definedNot definedILCD Data Network - Entry-levelNot definedNot definedFully compliantNot definedNot definedNot definedERASMERASM Surfactant Life Cycle and Ecofootprinting (SLE) Project: Updating the life cycle inventory data of commercial surfactant productionThe main goals of the study are to jointly update the existing LCI inventories [Franklin Ass 1995] for the production of major surfactant groups and possibly their main precur-sors/intermediates, as well as to generate new inventories for a selection of market-relevant surfactants not presently covered. A total of 32 LCI datasets are generated.thinkstep2018-02-01T00:00:00.000ILCD format 1.1thinkstepNo official approval by producer or operator2018-02-01T00:00:00.00000.00.001Data set finalised; entirely publishedERASMtrueOtherGaBi (source code, database including extension modules and single data sets, documentation) remains property of thinkstep. thinkstep delivers GaBi licenses comprising data storage medium and manual as ordered by the customer. The license guarantees the right of use for one installation of GaBi. Further installations using the same license are not permitted. Additional licenses are only valid if the licensee holds at least one main license. Licenses are not transferable and must only be used within the licensee's organisation. Data sets may be copied for internal use. The number of copies is restricted to the number of licenses of the software system GaBi the licensee owns. The right of use is exclusively valid for the licensee. All rights reserved.C16-18AE>20Output1000.01000.00Mixed primary / secondaryMeasured