Glossary
Thermal Engine and Climate Change Challenge

Spark-ignition

The combustion reaction is triggered by the addition of an energy source via a device external to the mixture (e.g. spark plug).

Allumage par compression; compression ignition

Triggering of the combustion reaction by exceeding the self-ignition limits (temperature and pressure) of a reactive mixture.

Life-cycle assessment; Analyse du cycle de vie

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a standardized method (ISO 14040 and 14044) to assess the multiple environmental impacts of a system (product, service, company or process) over its entire life cycle. It covers the extraction of raw materials for manufacture, transformation and end-of-life treatment (landfill, recycling, etc.), as well as use, maintenance and transportation. It is a standardized procedure.