A Study of the Hybrid Method of LCA Combining the Process Analysisand the I-O Analysis

There are two well-known LCA inventory analysis methods, which are called the process analysis and the I-O analysis methods. In this paper, the hybrid method, which combines these two analysis methods, is described as a mathematical form. There are two approaches of the enlargement of the hybrid method based on I-O analysis to compensate the weak points of these methods. One approach is to collect and use more foreground inventory data of the LCA target system and the other is to make background inventory data more precise. The LCA study of a refrigerator is also conducted to indicate usefulness of the hybrid method.