Abstract
This paper analyzes the rural Chinese biomass supply system and models supply chain operations according to U.S. concepts of logistical unit operations: harvest and collection, storage, transportation, preprocessing, and handling and queuing. In this paper, we quantify the logistics cost of corn stover and sweet sorghum in China under different scenarios. We analyze three scenarios of corn stover logistics from northeast China and three scenarios of sweet sorghum stalks logistics from Inner Mongolia in China. The case study estimates that the logistics cost of corn stover and sweet sorghum stalk to be $52.95/dry metric ton and $52.64/dry metric ton, respectively, for the current labor-based biomass logistics system. However, if the feedstock logistics operation is mechanized, the cost of corn stover and sweet sorghum stalk decreases to $36.01/dry metric ton and $35.76/dry metric ton, respectively. The study also includes a sensitivity analysis to identify the cost factors that cause logistics cost variation. Results of the sensitivity analysis show that labor price has the most influence on the logistics cost of corn stover and sweet sorghum stalk, with a variation of $6 to $12/dry metric ton.
Highlights
The rapid development of a global economy and an increase in population and living standards has imposed a great burden on energy resources and the environment
The results show that mechanization in feedstock logistics could reduce logistic cost by 14% and 32%
This work analyzes the rural Chinese biomass supply system and the model of supply chain operations according to U.S concepts of logistical unit operations: harvest and collection, storage, transportation, preprocessing, and handling and queuing
Summary
The rapid development of a global economy and an increase in population and living standards has imposed a great burden on energy resources and the environment. In particular, is an important renewable energy source because it is readily available and can reduce carbon emissions. Extensive research has been conducted to develop crop residues and energy crops to meet the rapidly increasing demand for liquid biofuels. In China, large quantities (i.e., 774 million metric tons) of agricultural residues are available with a potential energy production of 14.7 EJ [2]. Corn stover is the most abundant agricultural residue in China and could be a potential feedstock for bioethanol production. The Chinese government is currently researching the development and utilization of biomass to meet growing energy needs [2,3]. Biomass, such as corn stover and sweet sorghum stalks, is used inefficiently in China because it is geographically dispersed with low energy density. The main reason for unfavorable economics is the high logistics cost, which includes harvesting, baling, collecting, and transportation
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