4d34e371-35fc-48cb-8631-585079c476aaSpray Foam Life Cycle - Medium Density 1industry mix for different thicknesses / applications of spray polyurethane foamproduction mix, at installation siteSystemsConstructionThe Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA) conducted this industry average LCA of 5 different foam types based on the functional unit of 1 m2 of insulation material with a thickness that gives an average thermal resistance Rsi = 1 (Rip = 5.68). Primary data was collected from six formulation locations, literature provided by chemical suppliers, and six installation contractors to attain an industry average of energy and material usage. The LCI covers formulation through manufacturing , delivery, and installation at a job-site.
This product is a medium density foam (closed cell foam). It is a type of spray polyurethane foam expanded with non-reactive blowing agents to yield a rigid cellular structure. It is characterized by a predominance of closed-cells and a density between 1.5 and 2.5 lb/ft3.
The data set covers all relevant process steps / technologies over the supply chain of the represented cradle to gate inventory with a good overall data quality. The inventory is mainly based on industry data and is completed, where necessary, by secondary data. This dataset is based on primary data from internationally prevalant production processes, connected with regional precursor chains.633The data set represents the US specific situation, focusing on the main technologies, the region specific characteristics and / or import statistics.Foreground system:
Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) is created by mixing equal volumes of two batches of chemicals, commonly referred to as A-side and B-side. “A-side” is the industry term for the isocyanate component of foam; in this case Polymeric Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (PMDI). The “B-side” is a mixture of polyols, fire retardants, blowing agents, catalysts, and other additives that, when mixed with “A-side,” creates foam used for insulation.
It is important to note that the nominal density of each product is used to describe the core density, but the actual overall density is considerably higher because of densification. Since the foam is sprayed on in multiple passes, thin films of more dense foam form between the layers. For ease of reporting, the nominal density is used.
The background system is addressed as follows:
Electricity, Thermal energy: The electricity (and thermal energy as by-product) used is modelled according to the individual country-specific situation. The country-specific modelling is achieved on multiple levels. Firstly the individual power plants in service are modelled according to the current national grid. This includes net losses and imported electricity. Second, the national emission and efficiency standards of the power plants are modelled. Third, the country-specific fuel supply (share of resources used, by import and / or domestic supply) including the country-specific properties (e.g. element and energy contents) are accounted for. Fourth, the import, transport, mining and exploration processes for the energy carrier supply chain are modelled according to the specific situation of each power-producing country. The different mining and exploration techniques (emissions and efficiencies) in the different exploration countries are accounted for according to current engineering knowledge and information.
Steam: The steam supply is modelled according to the individual country-specific situation with regard to the technology efficiencies and energy carriers used. Efficiencies range from 84% to 94% in relation to the representative energy carrier (gas, oil, coal). Coal, crude oil and natural gas used for the generation of steam are modelled according to the specific import situation (see electricity).
Transports: All relevant and known transport processes used are included. Overseas transport including rail and truck transport to and from major ports for imported bulk resources are included. Furthermore all relevant and known pipeline and / or tanker transport of gases and oil imports are included.
Energy carriers: Coal, crude oil, natural gas and uranium are modelled according to the specific import situation (see electricity).
Refinery products: Diesel, gasoline, technical gases, fuel oils, basic oils and residues such as bitumen are modelled via a country-specific, refinery parameterized model. The refinery model represents the current national standard in refinery techniques (e.g. emission level, internal energy consumption,...) as well as the individual country-specific product output spectrum, which can be quite different from country to country. Hence the refinery products used show the individual country-specific use of resources. The supply of crude oil is modelled, again, according to the country-specific crude oil situation with the respective properties of the resources.Provision of a standard Spray Polyurethane Foam product, installed in a building for its insulating properties.Construction_EN_Spray Foam Life Cycle - Medium Density 1LCI resultAttributionalNoneAllocation - market valueAllocation - net calorific valueAllocation - exergetic contentAllocation - massFor details please see the document "GaBi Databases Modelling Principles"All data used in the calculation of the LCI results refer to net calorific value.NoneThe cut-off criteria for including or excluding materials, energy and emissions data of the study are as follows:
• Mass – If a flow is less than 1% of the cumulative mass of the model it may be excluded, providing its environmental relevance is not a concern.
• Energy – If a flow is less than 1% of the cumulative energy of the model it may be excluded, providing its environmental relevance is not a concern.
• Environmental relevance – If a flow meets the above criteria for exclusion, yet is thought to potentially have a significant environmental impact, it was included.
The sum of the excluded material flows must not exceed 5% of mass, energy or environmental relevance.None.Primary data was collected from six formulation locations and six installation contractors, then combined in a production weighted average.None.Data was collected and treated to ensure the resulting inventory is representative for the average SPF production.None.95.02009 - 2010The data set represents a cradle to gate inventory. It can be used to characterise the supply chain situation of the respective commodity in a representative manner. Combination with individual unit processes using this commodity enables the generation of user-specific (product) LCAs.No statementThe LCI method applied is in compliance with ISO 14040 and 14044 and was taken through an official Critical Review Panel. The documentation includes all relevant information in view of the data quality and scope of the application of the respective LCI result / data set. The dataset represents the state-of-the-art in view of the referenced functional unit. thinkstepGaBi conformity systemFully compliantFully compliantFully compliantFully compliantFully compliantNot definedUNEP SETAC Life Cycle InitiativeNot definedNot definedNot definedNot definedNot definedNot definedILCD Data Network - Entry-levelNot definedNot definedFully compliantNot definedNot definedNot definedthinkstepThe data set represents a cradle to gate inventory. It can be used to characterise the supply chain situation of the respective commodity in a representative manner. Combination with individual unit processes using this commodity enables the generation of user-specific (product) LCAs. The data set does not necessarily fit for any possible specific supply situation - especially if significantly different technology routes exist - but is representative for a common supply chain situation.2019-02-01T00:00:00.000ILCD format 1.1thinkstepNo official approval by producer or operator2019-02-01T00:00:00.00000.00.001Data set finalised; entirely publishedGaBi databasesthinksteptrueOtherGaBi (source code, database including extension modules and single data sets, documentation) remains property of thinkstep AG. thinkstep AG delivers GaBi licenses comprising data storage medium and manual as ordered by the customer. The license guarantees the right of use for one installation of GaBi. Further installations using the same license are not permitted. Additional licenses are only valid if the licensee holds at least one main license. Licenses are not transferable and must only be used within the licensee's organisation. Data sets may be copied for internal use. The number of copies is restricted to the number of licenses of the software system GaBi the licensee owns. The right of use is exclusively valid for the licensee. All rights reserved.Polyurethane spray foam, installed (PUR)Output1.079267743557651.079267743557650Mixed primary / secondaryUnknown derivationvaluable