calculation and two plugins, i.e., a format converter and an
uncertainty module, can be implemented and conducted. Relevant LCA data formats can be converted to the other in a lossless procedure using the format converter, while uncertainty in
LCA algal fuel systems can be diagnosed, measured, visualized,
and interpreted using the uncertainty module.
2.2 Databases
In order to comparatively assess different databases used in LCA of
algal fuel systems, a set of crucial features including scope, completeness, transparency, comprehensiveness, update, and license as
elaborated by Martı ´nez-Rocamora et al. [20] should be considered
prior to their selection.
1. Check scope of an LCA database representing first the territory
in which algal fuels are produced and second the categories of
materials like metals, plastics, chemicals, etc., used in different
steps of algal fuels production.
2. Check completeness of database showing how the groups of
materials are covered, while also taking into consideration
whether all the existing diversities of materials in algal fuel
production chains within the categories are considered.
3. Check transparency of database that is the core of LCA of algal
fuel production systems. This step will measure the traceability
and the explicit outline of the methodological process in which
the material life cycle in algal fuel production projects, i.e., flow
diagrams and life-cycle inventories, is determined. Notably,
traceability will be higher if literature references are shown.
4. Check comprehensiveness of database measuring the completeness of the insights given for each material in algal fuel production systems. Notably, further to flow charts and inventories in
algal fuel production systems, a huge amount of insights is
often presented on the influential factors. Using this information, modifications can easily be made and the data can simply
be adapted to other studies.
5. Check update of database determining the consistency between
the latest update of the entries in the database and the process
under investigation.
6. Check license details of database indicating whether a paid
license is needed to access and obtain the database.
Out of more than 40 LCA databases available in the published
literature [20], the most suitable databases for LCA of algal fuel
production systems are presented below:
1. Use EcoInvent databases [which is available directly, or embedded within different LCA software (e.g., SimaPro and openLCA)] when secondary data on the algal fuel production
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Homa Hosseinzadeh-Bandbafha et al.
uncertainty module, can be implemented and conducted. Relevant LCA data formats can be converted to the other in a lossless procedure using the format converter, while uncertainty in
LCA algal fuel systems can be diagnosed, measured, visualized,
and interpreted using the uncertainty module.
2.2 Databases
In order to comparatively assess different databases used in LCA of
algal fuel systems, a set of crucial features including scope, completeness, transparency, comprehensiveness, update, and license as
elaborated by Martı ´nez-Rocamora et al. [20] should be considered
prior to their selection.
1. Check scope of an LCA database representing first the territory
in which algal fuels are produced and second the categories of
materials like metals, plastics, chemicals, etc., used in different
steps of algal fuels production.
2. Check completeness of database showing how the groups of
materials are covered, while also taking into consideration
whether all the existing diversities of materials in algal fuel
production chains within the categories are considered.
3. Check transparency of database that is the core of LCA of algal
fuel production systems. This step will measure the traceability
and the explicit outline of the methodological process in which
the material life cycle in algal fuel production projects, i.e., flow
diagrams and life-cycle inventories, is determined. Notably,
traceability will be higher if literature references are shown.
4. Check comprehensiveness of database measuring the completeness of the insights given for each material in algal fuel production systems. Notably, further to flow charts and inventories in
algal fuel production systems, a huge amount of insights is
often presented on the influential factors. Using this information, modifications can easily be made and the data can simply
be adapted to other studies.
5. Check update of database determining the consistency between
the latest update of the entries in the database and the process
under investigation.
6. Check license details of database indicating whether a paid
license is needed to access and obtain the database.
Out of more than 40 LCA databases available in the published
literature [20], the most suitable databases for LCA of algal fuel
production systems are presented below:
1. Use EcoInvent databases [which is available directly, or embedded within different LCA software (e.g., SimaPro and openLCA)] when secondary data on the algal fuel production
124
Homa Hosseinzadeh-Bandbafha et al.