I had downloaded 6 ecoinvent databases with 6 different names,

Question

As a beginner, I really don't know the difference between them, and I don't know how to choose a suitable database for calculation (I want to calculate the environmental impact of one ton of pig iron).

1. ecoinvent_391_cutoff_upr_regionalized
2. ecoinvent_391_cutoff_upr_n3_20230629
3. ecoinvent_391_cutoff_lci_n2
4. ecoinvent_391_consequential_upr_regionalized
5. ecoinvent_391_consequential_upr_n3_20230629
6. ecoinvent_391_consequential_lci_n2
7. ecoinvent_391_apos_upr_n3_20230629
8. ecoinvent_391_apos_upr_n3_20230629

Answer 1

With all of them you can calculate the impact of 1t of pig iron, the life cycle modeling is different in APOS, cutoff, and consequential, and LCI means aggregated processes while upr means unit processes. APOS, cutoff and consequential are the ecoinvent system models, which are explained here: https://ecoinvent.org/the-ecoinvent-database/system-models/.

In short, APOS links to previous and next life cycles, while cutoff "cuts this off", so that you get e.g. recyclates such as scrap without any burden. Consequential is only if you are to model systems with a non-marginal, larger scale change. I hope this helps!

Andreas

Comments

This is really helpful, I think cut-off or APOS model is more suitable for environmental impact of one ton pig iron. But I am still a little confused, what is the difference between ecoinvent_391_cutoff_upr_regionalized, ecoinvent_391_cutoff_upr_n3_20230629, and  ecoinvent_391_cutoff_lci_n2.
Could you recommend some courses about performing LCA of iron and steel? I can pay for them. The training on the official website is not very targeted, not what I want (iron and steel).
Thanks alot

---

so if i choose cut-off model,that mean the system is gate to gate?

---

no, only cut from previous life cycles and from next life cycles. To your other question: LCI means system processes, upr unit processes.