Supply chain network design and operation: Systematic decision-making for centralized, distributed, and mobile biofuel production using mixed integer linear programming (MILP) under uncertainty
File(s)Manuscrript & ESM.pdf (2.41 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Sharifzadeh, M
Cortada Garcia, M
Shah, N
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Biomass resources are dispersed and subject to seasonal and geographical uncertainties. Therefore, supply chain network design and management can significantly influence the economic viability of a biofuel technology. Fast pyrolysis offers several advantages for biofuel production. It is a relatively cheap process and can be conducted in centralized, decentralizes, or even mobile configurations. Furthermore, it does not overlap with the human food supply chain, using wastes or lignocellulosic feedstocks. In this article, a mixed integer (piece-wise) linear program (MILP) was developed to determine the optimal supply chain design and operation, under uncertainty. Rigorous process modelling and detailed economic analysis were coupled with exhaustive search of potential production locations and biomass resources in order to enhance the fidelity of the solution. The optimisation results suggest that a combination of geographically centralized pyrolysis and upgrading centres would suffice for supply chain management under deterministic conditions. However, under uncertain scenarios, it is advantageous to deploy mobile pyrolyzers to add extra flexibility to the process operation. Further analysis suggested that as the mobile pyrolyzers are commercialized and their unit price is reduced, this technology has the potential to become a key member of the biofuel supply chain.
Date Issued
2015-08-01
Date Acceptance
2015-07-19
Citation
Biomass and Bioenergy, 2015, 81, pp.401-414
ISSN
0961-9534
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
401
End Page
414
Journal / Book Title
Biomass and Bioenergy
Volume
81
Copyright Statement
© 2015, Elsevier. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Sponsor
The Carbon Trust
Grant Number
N/A
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Technology
Agricultural Engineering
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Energy & Fuels
Agriculture
Supply chain network
Deterministic and stochastic optimisation
Fast pyrolysis of biomass
Upgrading pyrolysis oil
Case study of biofuel production in the United Kingdom
BIOMASS FAST PYROLYSIS
CATALYTIC FAST PYROLYSIS
FLUIDIZED-BED REACTOR
BIO-OIL PRODUCTION
TRANSPORTATION FUELS
TECHNOECONOMIC ANALYSIS
NMR CHARACTERIZATION
ECONOMIC-EVALUATION
FOREST BIOMASS
PLASTIC WASTE
Energy
09 Engineering
10 Technology
07 Agricultural And Veterinary Sciences
Publication Status
Published