Application of Computer Software SimaPro5.1 - Report Example

Methodology for Application of Computer Software SimaPro5 Introduction: The powerful and versatile Simo Pro 5 Software is, basically designed for the study of the processes dealing with the collection, analysis and monitoring of the impact of manufacturing processes on the environment. The necessity for this Software has arisen because of need to forecast the cascading effects, adverse or otherwise, of manufacturing processes and services on the surrounding environment as a significant part of global environmental audit and the need to preserve the ecological life systems. This software has been structured according to the ISO Guidelines for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). It has a repository of features that help to measure and analyze the life cycle of products and services.” A common accepted solution is equally important and needed whether addressing the areas of e.g. Environmental Management System (EMS), eco-labelling, life cycle assessment (LCA), design for Environment (DfE) or Supply Chain Management. (Christin and Flemstrom 2004). Usage and Application of this Software Programme. Extended impact of Assessment Calculation Contribution Analysis Varieties of analytical functions like cut-off etc Lot more data on inventory management and several inventory databases Differential quality analysis Allocation of multiple output processes This software could also be used for receiving and sending details of different databases and processes. Analysis of take-back and disassembly of products as well as study of intricate waste treatment and recycling processes. This software could also be used in terms of attaching tables, graphs, etc., on to spreadsheets and word processors. (Simpro 2007). Data Collection: could be done by joining the Simapro internet group by which it is possible to gain chat facility and the client could thus gain access to similar Simapro users who could share data information for mutual benefits. Procedure for use The following procedure could be then used for creating a New Project: 1. Creation of a new project by selecting “File→New Project“and then the choice of a suitable file name. 2. Creation of an assembly by choosing “Product stages/Assembly” and select “new’. Next, the data needs to be edited accordingly. 3. Creation of a life cycle by selecting “Product stage/Life cycle” and choosing “New”. The data sheets need to be edited accordingly. 4. Choosing impact assessment method by selecting “Impact Assessment Method” and selection of whichever method is chosen. Under this software, one could allow access to existing live projects or libraries. Although editing of the library contents is not possible, the information and data could be used for projects. Upon opening of the library, the SimoPro Life Assessment would give one an idea about the different data available in the software. Defining the goal: This could be done either by use of Sima Pro Description or as a separate word document. The choice of the appropriate library from the software is to be made. Under the “Library Section” one could define, before hand, the choice of libraries with standard data that needs to be part of the project. By turning off the superfluous data, one could pre-empt, accidental or unintentional inclusion of the unwanted data in the project. The choice of special characteristics of the data like colour, contrast etc. could be done through the “Data Quality Section.” Inventory of SimaProis : The new processes could be done in the “Process Section” the existing projects would have to be copied and edited. By the use of product stages, the life cycle model could be constructed.First, it is necessary to define the construction of the product. The utilization and disposal of wastes need to be created. The next stage is that the test run should be conducted, in order to determine which aspects have significant bearing on the total results and need to be isolated. SimaPro in Impact Assessment: Under the “Methods Section” all the plausible methods are deliberated from which an appropriate method could be selected. The editing work on a method could be carried out by copying the same to the top of the project. Under the “Report Section” it is necessary to define which life cycle, processes and assembly need to be constantly analyzed and monitored on a regular basis. A variety of Impact Assessment Methods like CML are available. “ It is added to make use of ‘end point’ such as the eco-indication 99 and the EPS 2000 Method.” (Sima Pro Database Manual 2004). It is also possible to devise an entirely new method keeping in view the special requirements of the client. SimaProIn :Interpretation: After the project work has been completed, it is possible to infer conclusions by use of the “Interpretation” part of the study. The utility of this software could be judged from the following: 1. Script: This could be used to develop Macro like procedures and new forms in order to present the data in just a single overview. 2. Process Trees: The brief description of all the required processes of the life cycle could be made by use of process trees. The interconnectivity between the relevant processes could also be generated through this process. SimaPro houses two building blocks: 1. Processes → this takes into account only the flow of materials without noting the features of the products. Under this, it is necessary to concentrate only on the flow of materials. 2. Product stages→ under this the building blocks do not contain information about the environment, but contain data about the product and life cycle. Waste & Disposal Models: This could be said to be an advanced set of tools to model the waste processes. 1. Waste Models → takes into account only the flow of materials without noting features of the products. Thus, there is need to concentrate only on materials in the Waste Sections. 2. Disposal Model→ takes into account only the product flow. Data about the product in sub-assemblies are recorded which could be utilized to model certain disassemblies and reuse processes. Graphical representation of process structure: This system provides automatic production of schematic diagrams and pictorial representations. There are, primarily, two ways in which this could be affected: 1. Laying of the data in a Tree formation. (Tree Method): First, the choice of the process or product stage is made and then, by pushing of a button, the optimal layout of the tree would be generated. 2. Presenting of the data in a network method (Network Method); first the selection of the process or product stage→ Push the network button→ display of the optimal layout of the tree. Under this method, each process is depicted only once. The main difference lays in that the latter method (2) accounts for each process only once whereas; in the former (1) it is frequently depicted, depending on number of occurrences. Therefore, under the former the data depiction would tend to be long, complicated and abstruse. Also there are possibilities of use of loops only in latter method. Cut off criteria: The quality of process trees could be enhanced by use of cut-off features and this could significantly reduce the incidence of constant repetitions. Advantages of this software: 1. Simapro is designed for Windows 98 or higher and is also compatible with Windows XP Service Pack 2. (Sima Pro LCA software demo download). 2. It possesses an inbuilt, intelligent and self-generating result interpretation system which caters to LCA models. 3. It is user friendly and amenable to complex processes of LCA. Further, it could be edited, revised and upgraded effortlessly. 4. The evaluation system of Simo Pro 5.1 is designated by the user which is proof of its versatile applicability. 5. By effective use of this software, Waste treatment solutions need not be made on conventional lines. 6. Has the inbuilt ability to make suitable comparisons between discrete data sets. Disadvantages of system 1. It is available only on Windows Pc. Operation ability on other systems without support systems 2. It has limited applicability when compared to advanced systems 3. It is not amenable to interface linkage with other Interfaces like Web, CASD or ERP. Despite these limitations Sima Pro could be seen as the preferred choice for assessing environmental audit and life cycle assessment studies. “First released in 1990, SimaPro is a proven, reliable and flexible tool used by major industries, consultancies and universities. With users in over 50 countries, SimaPro continues to be the most successful LCA software worldwide, and is used for the assessment of products, processes and services.” (SimaPro 7). Works cited PALSSON, Christin and FLEMSTROM, Karolina. (2004). Quality Mgmt of Environmental data and Information. Gap analysis of the documents in the ISO 14000-series with regard to quality management of environmental data and information. [online]. Last accessed 13 October 2007 at: http://www.imi.chalmers.se/Publications/CPM_Report_2004_3_GapAnalysis_.pdf Sima Pro Database Manual. (2004). Structure of Method in Sima Pro. [online]. Last accessed 13 October 2007 at: http://www.pre.nl/download/manuals/DatabaseManualMethods.pdf Simapro. (2007). Software evaluation. Data Compatibility. Asia IT & C Force Last accessed 13 October 2007 at: http://www.asia-itc-force.de/evaluation/software/Software-Evaluation_Sima%20Pro.pdf Sima Pro LCA software demo download. [online]. Last accessed 13 October 2007 at: http://www.earthplatform.com/pre/pack?Terms=pre%20pack%20host:www.pre.nl SimaPro 7. [online]. Last accessed 13 October 2007 at: http://www.pre.nl/simapro/simapro_lca_software.htm Read More