Tutorial: How to create flows, processes, product systems & projects in openLCA

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This video tutorial shows you how to create flows, processes, product systems and projects in openLCA using a practical example. It takes you through the steps of creating a simple product system and shortly illustrates how to carry out scenario analyses using openLCA's "Projects" feature.
To learn more about using Parameters in openLCA, see the video tutorial here: • Tutorial: Creating Par...
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Comments on this video or suggestions for future topics? Contact me at [e-mail] or @SarahWWinter

[@LuisGeorge]

I really enjoy your clear and concise explanation great job!!!

[@20Agneta]

Very clear explanation, especially on the use of parameters. Thank you

[@gabrielamoah6598]

Thanks so much, i understood how to open a new Project.

[@openLCA]

Thanks for your input, we're glad to hear this is helpful!

[@vierwhey]

I dont understand how to follow the steeps, since when it comes into the process i cant find the same titles/modules as with the freighter or even electricity. I have the 1.10.2 version and downloaded the latest module 1.5.7 Any help here please

[@abhi8deesh]

Hi! Thank you for the useful presentation. Is there any database containing data for concrete manufacture in UK please

[@openLCA]

You are welcome! I invite you to check our online repository for an infinity of datasets: nexus.openlca.org/databases

[@joachimjentoft5471]

So you have to have a paid database like ecoinvent for this to work? None of the free databases seem to work with this tutorial.

[@PAULTHOMASMEE]

can we do bioenergy power production from digester??

[@pedrodavidpuente]

Hello, thanks a lot for the help. I have a problem with the Project section. I tried to compare the 1,000 vs 10,000 bottles but kept getting the same GWP for both scenarios. Thanks for your reply.

[@pierlucavitale3876]

Hi, thanks for the video, I have the OpenLCA 1.9 version. When I try to create my Process it doesn't recognize the Flow, that I created just a while before, in the quantitative reference line. Can you help me? Do you know how I can solve this problem? Thanks in advance.

[@anpingna1557]

can you solve the problem? I have right now the same problem too!

[@pierlucavitale3876]

@@anpingna1557 not yet, I am working to solve it...if I will get it I let you know...

[@anaramos4750]

Hi, nice tutorial...the only thing I miss here is how to perform the LCA for a system that has several interconnected processes (lets call them "steps"). I created a process for each step but now I don't know how to generate the product system in a way that all the steps are linked… also, most of my inputs do not show any provider, how can I overcome this and move on to the impact calculation? Thanks in advance!

[@monikuntaladas]

Hello, were you able to figure this out? I am facing a similar problem. I have multiple processes and need to make a linked product system. Should I bring everything to one process and then proceed?

[@victoriafinlayson1874]

Hi, did either of you figure this out? Having a similar problem!@@monikuntaladas

[@mayaj5421]

very clear explanation thank you so much ! but can you tell us what's the definition of the provider exactly ? and in my process there's no provider even when i had combined the two databases i have , what should i do ?

[@openLCA]

Dear Maya, the "provider" is the process who is providing the product flow you are using on the input side of your process. In openLCA the same product flow can be produced by several processes which is why you should define the providing process in the column "provider". When creating the product system, the software then knows which processes to connect. You can also manually draw the connections in the model graph of the product system. In case you do not have a provider for a product (i.e. you are using a "dummy" product), its supply chain is not taken into account which means no environmental impact are associated with its production. You could either create the supply chain yourself, or use an existing product flow from the database you are working in (if one exists). Best regards

[@pramuditatriatmojo1575]

i see u have minning & quariying database, where i can find them?

[@yanthisiagian2111]

I have a assigment about LCA of Textile, but I don't know the database for textile that I should import... please help me!!!!

[@rosecoloredgrl]

i need tutorials with subtitles in Spanish, i can't understand how to use the program

[@bhanupongphrommarat9585]

that is very helpful...thanks

[@dstiitmsolarenergyharnessi2378]

Hi, can you give the details of the data base which you used in this video and link associated with it so that we can download to add to our OpenLCA. Thank you

[@AlejandroRodriguez-dk9ic]

Please, how can I use a process contribution?

[@cinziaborgia9138]

i don't understand why I don't have all your outputs. When I see the results they are not divided into categories as electricity and so on but I just have a red graph with water bottle case that's all. can you help me?

[@Aniinh4]

You guys can put some subtitles? in portuguese, spanish... I'm from Brazil and this could really helping the latino americans.

[@Aniinh4]

[...] or just add the automatic subtitles... It's a good software, I need use in my engineering course.

[@openLCA]

Hi Luana da Rocha, subtitles for the videos will not be available at the moment, but thank you for your input, we will consider this in the future. Also, have in mind that openLCA is available in brazilian portuguese in the 1.5 version, and we also have a partner in Brazil who can e.g. provide services in brazilian language: www.openlca.org/partners

[@Anuradha-ov2mr]

Hi, could you please do a model for product which use recycled materials.I am struggling to creat recycling data records for one of my product

[@mustafaali6949]

Two questions 1. Should we use GLO or RoW inputs for developing countries? 2. What should be the reference flow for food/kitchen waste?

[@marcosguedes8748]

GLO means GLOBAL and RoW means Rest of the World. It's a hard decision, you should look into the inside parameters and decides wish is best for your country reality

[@adhisadhisty479]

How about simapro?

[@esoa1000]

Hi, where did you get the flow options from? I have the newest methods file installed and am using openLCA 1.5.0. Thanks

[@undoomed]

how do i even get the flow folder?

[@marcosguedes8748]

You must create a database and import data. OpenLCA has some free databases, you should look into the website

[@emanassef823]

After creating a product system, I clicked on the model graph, but the process appears simply in a plain box with no input output sections associated

[@piak2025]

Why are you using unit process instead of system processes to build your prduction process?

[@openLCA]

It is a matter of preference to use unit process instead of system process. A model with unit process will outline all of the processes down the supply chain in the impact assessment results, whilst the system process approach impact assessment results does not distinguish what the process down the supply chain are. Instead, a system process approach only distinguishes the inputs and outputs flows down the supply chain.

[@dariat2765]

Could you give me some advices about create LCA for a fridge? I have a hugh problem with that. Any tips ?

[@rufaidajewon6513]

I am in need of help. I am currently working with openlca and any of these databases do not apply to my country (Mauritius). However, since there are some products that we actually import, i'm thinking of using some on the products on the database i'm using and to add the others manually (like transport and electricity). My question is how do i add the data manually (I have the impression that i have to work with the composition of the product that i want to add and then i have to create a process with the elementary flows.) And also, how do i add a provider if i'm adding manual processes? Thank you!

[@FarhanAli-md1kn]

I m pursuing Master in chemical engineering and doing a project on lca of manufacturing of vinyl sulphon so how I can solve it with openLCA

[@eniyewabebaw3816]

WONDERFUL

[@emanassef823]

thank you!

[@noelleabomo5189]

how can you choose about the lifespan of the product

[@ardaisldar6758]

Is it possible to add processes manually to the database? Thanks!

[@openLCA]

Of course you can also add (i.e. create new) processes manually to the database.

[@anpingna1557]

HI is here anyone who can help me to create an LCA of an cotton t-shirt production?

[@onnchuen3283]

at 6:02, you didn't confirm your "m" input.

[@openLCA]

Dear onn chiu chuen, the parameters are always defined in the parameters tab before using them in the Inputs/Outputs (see 4:30)

[@onnchuen3283]

openLCA if you refer to 6:02, your mass is 1.0kg, not 0.06kg (M)

[@openLCA]

onn chiu chuen you´re right, that´s a mistake, in that moment the value was not saved!

[@philibertehrhart853]

Why do i have any provider ?

[@jhoanescobarcordoba2998]

por favor un tutorial en español, seria de gran ayuda. o alguien conoce alguno, alguien me puede colaborar ??

[@camilogomez6301]

el vídeo no tiene opción de subtitulos por favor facilitarla o traducir al españollllllll

[@annasander8947]

Am I the only one who sees the video completely blurred?

[@rdyjur]

yes

[@mehmetsolak9086]

Dear people, Your tutorials are really not useful. You are skipping little blocks with ease which is a mountain to climb for beginners. Really someone should do a very simplified step by step tutorial.

[@openLCA]

Sorry for that! For this matter, we will publish new detailed video tutorials for beginners this evening at 8 pm. You are welcome to check that :)