Adapted tools for tackling environmental issues are necessary but they are still missing in industry. Indeed, the introduction of ecodesign practices in the process industry is hindered by the lack of realism and flexibility of related tools. The main objectives of this research work were the development of a fully integrated tool for Process Modelling & Life Cycle Assessment (PM-LCA), and the formulation of an affiliated methodological approach for process ecodesign. The software tool and the methodological approach are meant to be applied to water treatment technologies. The literature review leads to a better comprehension of the required research efforts. The main guidelines for the development of the software tool are stated accordingly. The developed tool, named EVALEAU, consists in a library of unit process models allowing life cycle inventory calculation in function of process parameters. The tool is embedded in Umberto® LCA software and is complementary to Ecoinvent database. A sensitivity analysis toolbox, based on the Morris method, was included for the identification of the process parameters mainly affecting the life cycle impact assessment results. EVALEAU tool was tested through two case studies - two existing drinking water plants. The reliability of the modelling approach was demonstrated through water quality simulation, energy and materials inventory simulation, compared with site real data. An ecodesign procedure was experienced on a complex water treatment chain, demonstrating the relevance of simulation results and the usefulness of sensitivity analysis for an optimal choice of operation parameters. This first developed PM-LCA tool is dedicated to foster the introduction of ecodesign practices in the water industry.
