LCI Data Modelling and a Database Design

Journal article, 1998

A large scale operative data format for transparent storage, administration and retrieval of environmental Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) data has been implemented by applying data modelling and database design. Key concepts in the design are ‘activity’ and flow’: An activity is a technical system, such as a process or a transport, or an aggregate of different processes or transports. A flow is any matter entering or leaving an activity, such as natural resources, energywarc, raw material, emission, waste or products. Any numerical data set on an activity can he thoroughly described by supplying meta data. Meta data fields are prepared for a wide set of commonly known LCA-data aspects, such as descriptions of data acquisition methods, system boundary conditions and relevant dates.