Document Type

Thesis

Date of Award

Spring 5-31-1999

Degree Name

Master of Science in Computer Engineering - (M.S.)

Department

Electrical and Computer Engineering

First Advisor

MengChu Zhou

Second Advisor

Reggie J. Caudill

Third Advisor

Edwin Hou

Abstract

This thesis introduces the concept of Multi-lifecycles and a Multi-lifecycle assessment (MLCA) methodology for evaluating the energy consumption and environmental emissions of a product. MLCA quantifies materials, energy, and environmental burdens associated with end-of-life options, as well as obtains the value of returning parts and materials back to use, through demanufacturing, reengineering and remanufacturing.

A Multi-lifecycle Assessment software is developed as a tool to implement MLCA methodologies. By this software, one can practice a full life-cycle analysis on a product, or compare the environmental impacts of different products. Detailed designs on MLCA software including the databases, user interfaces, and algorithm designs are presented in this thesis. The initial prototype version of the multilifecycle assessment software tool has been completed with three major components: Product Description, Lifecycle stages, and Analysis and Results.

This thesis also applies the MLCA software tool to four generations of business telephones. Relevant characteristics such as raw materials, energy consumption, and environmental burdens were used to analyze the environmental performance of the telephones based on lifecycle data stored in MLCA software databases.

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