On this page we will guide you through an example of how to use ECOCLASS. Only basic functions will be explained here, further details can be found in the other chapters of this tutorial. The glossary helps to explain many topics.
In our little example we will investigate the emissions of Ms. Smith when she drives to work. Usually, she goes by bus, but sometimes she uses her diesel-powered car. To do this, we will first create a new project called "Smith", which shall contain two product systems, "bus.model" and "diesel.model". This will be done in the Navigator area:
In the product system editors (PSE) we'll now start to model the different ways how Ms. Smith can go to work. To get started click on the little triangle at the upper edge of the 'Palette' bar right besides the current PSE. Enlarge the palette by dragging the vertical line that separates the palette from the PSE. Click on the entry "Bus (50 seats)", drag it to the PSE and drop it there. This will generate the utilization process "Bus (50 seats)". Likewise, create a "reference flow". Clicking on "Flow" changes the mouse pointer and allows you to connect the output connector of "Bus (50 seats)" to the input connector of reference flow. Finally, we'll have to enter the length of the way Ms. Smith has to go: just double click on the white field of reference flow and change the default value from "1.0" to "5.0".
Next, select the PSE of "diesel.model" and repeat the
above steps, exept that now the utilization process
"Car (diesel)" is applied.
Congratulations: you just created two complete product systems!
To evaluate the two product systems you'll need at least one graphics display. You'll get this by selecting the "Window" menu in the menubar:
To start the calculation click the Evaluate button in one of the
graphics views. You'll get a graphical visualization of the emissions
of greenhouse gases (as CO2 equivalents), acidification potential (as
SO2 equivalents) and ozone formation potential (as tropospheric ozone
precursor potential, TOPP), which serves as a measure for smog formation.
The bar chart shows absolute emission values and (for vehicles not powered by electricity) the share of emissions that is set free during production of vehicle and fuels (indicated as "Anteil Vorkette"). In the star chart, the emissions from all considered product systems are shown relative to each other: for each of the three dimensions the product system with the highest emissions is assigned the value 1 (=100%). This allows for easy comparison of the product systems.