Conclusion

In order to improve the quality of the data used to produce the LCI for the conventional steel production process, we have proposed and developed a methodological coupling between the LCA and the Aspen Plus process engineering software.

Using this software, simplified physico-chemical models were developed for each unit of the conventional steel production process. Validation of the results using industrial data demonstrated the robustness of the model and lent credibility to the methodological coupling strategy developed.

It is also important to point out that such a model saves a significant amount of time in carrying out the inventory, compared with the conventional LCA method. The fact that emissions are calculated on the basis of physico-chemical equations, even simplified ones, lends considerable credibility to the inventory produced....