Biomass Supply Chain Research Articles

Machine Performance and Hog Fuel Quality Evaluation in Olive Tree Pruning Harvesting Conducted Using a Towed Shredder on Flat and Hilly Fields

Pruning residues from olive groves represent an important biomass source. Until now, the management of pruning residue has generally represented a disposal problem rather than an opportunity for additional revenue. The main problem is the lack of a well-organized pruning biomass supply chain. In particular, harvesting is a key stage that influences the product quality, the type of logistics chain, and the economic sustainability of the pruning supply chain. The aim of the present paper was the evaluation of the machine performance of the Facma Comby TR200 towed shredder. The harvesting tests took place in Agios Konstantinos, Fthiotida, Central Greece. Two different experimental fields were used for the evaluation of this harvesting system; these fields were characterized by different slopes to check the convenience of using such a towed shredder on both hilly slopes and flat terrains. Analysis was conducted focusing on both the work productivity and costs. Moreover, an evaluation of the obtained hog fuel quality was performed. The Facma Comby TR200 showed good work performances on both flat (2.60 tdm·h−1) and hilly (2.74 tdm·h−1) land, even if a consistent influence of the pruning biomass yield on the work performances was reported. The biomass quality could be consistently improved by modifying the pick-up systems to avoid the collection of inert materials (soil and rocks). In fact, the analysis showed a high ash content in the comminuted material (4% dry basis). Finally, the economic aspects of this study’s results were in line with those reported in the literature. The applied harvesting system showed a cost equal to 29.88 and 16.59 €·tfm−1 on flat and hilly land, respectively.

Supply Chain Network Carbon Footprint of Forest Biomass to Biorefinery

ABSTRACT Forests are capable of carbon sinks or act as carbon sources. Woody (forest) biomass is considered as carbon-neutral by combustion of the biomass if the source comes from sustainable forests. From forests to end-user supply chain management of forest biomass has its complexities due to bulk density and uneven distribution. However, beyond that, an integrated approach to biomass supply chain network considers the elements of each stage. Although numerous studies have investigated greenhouse gases causing carbon footprint of biomass energy supply systems, the main points of the studies often differ. Besides, research that focuses on forest biomass supply chain is minimal. Therefore, this study describes the entire carbon footprint of forest biomass to biorefinery supply chain network in total. Characteristics of raw material harvest method, differences in processing, storage method, transport type, and distance give rise to differences in the carbon footprint of the forest biomass supply chain. Briefly, this study shows us the potential of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, focusing on the key variables such as harvesting and transportation forest biomass supply chain network. Thus, the biorefinery end products add value in low carbon economy which then helps and the biorefinery products to become greener.

Bi-objective optimization of biomass supply chains considering carbon pricing policies

Bi-objective optimization models considering carbon pricing policies are developed in this paper to obtain the trade-off between cost and emissions of biomass supply chain models, which is important for decision making. Solving bi-objective optimization models to obtain the set of trade-off solutions can be time consuming. To avoid the computational effort, in this paper, a new algorithm is developed to obtain the solutions for the bi-objective models with carbon pricing policies using the solutions of the bi-objective model without carbon pricing. The algorithm is based on mathematical properties of optimum solutions of bi-objective models with and without carbon pricing policies. These properties are proved mathematically. The developed algorithm is applied to a case study of a biomass-fed district heating system. Results indicate that the number of optimum solutions to the bi-objective models decrease when emissions are priced compared to when emissions are not priced. The increase in total cost for mitigating a given quantity of emission is more for the carbon offset model compared to the carbon tax and the carbon cap-and-trade models. Pair-wise comparison of the models indicates that the carbon tax model has more cost than the carbon cap-and-trade and the carbon offset models. The algorithm and results of this study are independent of the case study; therefore, they can be applied to other cases and industries.

A Review on Optimization Methods for Biomass Supply Chain: Models and Algorithms, Sustainable Issues, and Challenges and Opportunities

The urgent desire to relieve the pressure of dependence on petroleum in energy industry and the growing demand for protection of our environment stimulate the researches and practices in biomass supply chain management. Due to special characteristics of biomass, this particular kind of supply chain is different from the classic supply chains in different ways. The optimization methods, including mathematical programming and heuristic algorithms are widely used in the domain of biomass supply chain management in both tactical and practical manners. In this review, literatures are classified by different components throughout the entire supply chain: harvesting and collection, storage, transportation, pretreatment, and conversion. In order to achieve a robust biomass supply chain and also to enable wide applications of classic and well-studied optimization models, the connections between them are analyzed and reviewed. The classic optimization models include network design problem, scheduling problem, facility location problem, vehicle routing problem, and technology selection problem. Additionally, environmental and sustainable issues, uncertainties, and challenges and opportunities in biomass supply chain are discussed. A bibliometric analysis is also performed in this review to obtain comprehensive understanding of this area.

The Development of Straw-Based Biomass Power Generation in Rural Area in Northeast China—An Institutional Analysis Grounded in a Risk Management Perspective

Given a lack of consideration for the role and importance of stakeholders and the importance of stakeholders in the operation of biomass power plants in China, a comprehensive analysis oriented toward stakeholder risk management is needed to further develop the country’s biomass energy industry. Accordingly, we analyzed institutional factors that contribute to or constrain progress in biomass power generation in China. Data were collected from 275 straw suppliers (farmers) living around a biomass power plant, 15 middlemen, five power plant managers, and five local government officers. Interviews were held with all the participants, but questionnaires were additionally administered to the straw suppliers. Results showed that: (1) risk transfer in the biomass supply chain is one of the reasons why farmers are unwilling to supply straw; (2) middlemen are vital intermediaries between biomass power plant managers and farmers as a middleman-based biomass supply system is necessary to guarantee the quantity of straw supply, and; (3) the institutional structure that underlies the Chinese biomass energy industry is immature.

Lifecycle Assessment of Biomass Supply Chain with the Assistance of Agent-Based Modelling

Even though biomass is characterised as renewable energy, it produces anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, especially from biomass logistics. Lifecycle assessment (LCA) is used as a tool to quantify the GHG emissions from logistics but in the past the majority of LCAs have been steady-state and linear, when in reality, non-linear and temporal aspects (such as weather conditions, seasonal biomass demand, storage capacity, etc.) also have an important role to play. Thus, the objective of this paper was to optimise the environmental sustainability of forest biomass logistics (in terms of GHG emissions) by introducing the dynamic aspects of the supply chain and using the geographical information system (GIS) and agent-based modelling (ABM). The use of the GIS and ABM adds local conditions to the assessment in order to make the study more relevant. In this study, GIS was used to investigate biomass availability, biomass supply points and the road network around a large-scale combined heat and power plant in Naantali, Finland. Furthermore, the temporal aspects of the supply chain (e.g., seasonal biomass demand and storage capacity) were added using ABM to make the assessment dynamic. Based on the outcomes of the GIS and ABM, a gate-to-gate LCA of the forest biomass supply chain was conducted in order to calculate GHG emissions. In addition to the domestic biomass, we added imported biomass from Riga, Latvia to the fuel mixture in order to investigate the effect of sea transportation on overall GHG emissions. Finally, as a sensitivity check, we studied the real-time measurement of biomass quality and its potential impact on overall logistical GHG emissions. According to the results, biomass logistics incurred GHG emissions ranging from 2.72 to 3.46 kg CO2-eq per MWh, depending on the type of biomass and its origin. On the other hand, having 7% imported biomass in the fuel mixture resulted in a 13% increase in GHG emissions. Finally, the real-time monitoring of biomass quality helped save 2% of the GHG emissions from the overall supply chain. The incorporation of the GIS and ABM helped in assessing the environmental impacts of the forest biomass supply chain in local conditions, and the combined approach looks promising for developing LCAs that are inclusive of the temporal aspects of the supply chain for any specific location.

Biomass supply chain for power generation in southern part of Thailand

The development of rubberwood into electricity generation for biomass power plant is one of the most interested renewable energy options in Southern part of Thailand. This research presents a biomass supply chain for power generation is Southern part of Thailand focusing on only rubberwood in Southern region including three border provinces and the survey on one rubberwood power plant. The results show that the remaining potential of biomass from rubberwood in three border provinces for electricity generation is approximately 40.2 MW and the amount of biomass in other provinces within the radius of 200-km, 187.62 MW is remaining. Therefore, only 40.2 MW remaining potential for NEW power plant in three border provinces from rubberwood, more rubberwood needs to be imported from other provinces. The policy recommendation from this research is import the rubberwood from other provinces or long-term contract with supplier.

Cost-effectiveness of small scale biomass supply chain and bioenergy production systems in carbon credit markets: A life cycle perspective

Numerous tools and policies are being developed to promote and incentivize the development and deployment of clean fuel technologies. Carbon emission trading is known as one of the most effective market-based tools to control the generation of carbon emissions. Evaluating the best scenarios to deploy, clean energy solutions must include technology, supply chain, carbon emission and investments analyses. There is still a debate about the feasibility and sustainability of bioenergy scenarios for the different markets. Adapting life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA) tools, this study compared the cost-effectiveness of four bio-based energy generation pathways with a diesel-based power generation as the baseline scenario within the context of Canadian remote and rural communities. This analysis provides a ranking of these bioenergy pathways and highlights the potential carbon offsets and credits of the bio-based pathways in comparison with the baseline scenario. Additional tools including multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) are required to provide a complete decision-making platform.

Sustainable biomass supply chain network design with biomass switching incentives for first-generation bioethanol producers

Sustainable energy requires renewable energy sources to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. As a renewable energy source, first-generation bioethanol has been produced from corn. However, the production of such a biofuel increases corn-based food prices resulting in serious food versus fuel debates. Financial incentives would motivate first-generation bioethanol producers switching to second-generation bioethanol production. This study investigates the effects of two financial incentives (incentive payments and emissions penalties) motivating first-generation bioethanol producers to use second-generation biomass. These financial incentives are integrated into linear programming models to maximize the profit of the bioethanol supply chains in the state of North Dakota. Numerical results indicate that first-generation bioethanol production is more efficient than the second-generation bioethanol. Hence, the social value of using corn as a source for food instead of fuel must be at least $2.38/bushel. Furthermore, to switch from the first to the second-generation biofuel production, bioethanol producers must either receive at least an incentive payment of $0.8495 per gallon of second-generation bioethanol or pay at least a penalty of $3.2573 per Kg CO2e emitted due to first-generation bioethanol production. The results of this study support policymaker decisions in developing incentive programs to promote sustainable second-generation bioethanol in the US.

Transportation system analysis of empty fruit bunches biomass supply chain based on delivery cost and greenhouse gas emissions

The future of sustainable energy supply and production is moving toward the use of renewable sources like biomass. It is important to develop sustainable biomass supply chain (BSC) by enhancing energy security, decreasing air pollution, and reduction of total cost. The main barriers in the sustainable development of BSC are transportation cost and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that represent substantial proportion of the total cost of the BSC. This paper aims to examine the delivery cost and GHG emissions of different transportation modes (train and truck) of oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) biomass supply chain. To achieve this goal, we used the data of three EFB suppliers in Malaysia as a case study. We then developed a dynamic simulation model using AnyLogic software to predict the delivery cost and greenhouse gas emissions. Results showed that the highest GHG emissions were associated with train transportation mode while it was lowest with truck. Cost analysis showed that highest cumulative transportation cost is associated with truck while train has the lowest cumulative transportation costs. These results highlight the opportunity for decision makers to minimize the delivery cost and GHG emissions by optimizing the transportation systems for BSC.

Unlocking the potential of BECCS with indigenous sources of biomass at a national scale

Secondary sources of biomass (forest residue, crop residue, MSW and waste wood) will play an important role in improving the negative emissions potential of BECCS by reducing carbon emissions along the biomass supply chain.

Modeling and optimization of biomass quality variability for decision support systems in biomass supply chains

A feasible alternative to the production of fossil fuels is the production of biofuels. In order to minimize the costs of producing biofuels, we developed a stochastic programming formulation that optimizes the inbound delivery of biomass. The proposed model captures the variability in the moisture and ash content in the biomass, which define its quality and affect the cost of biofuel. We propose a novel hub-and-spoke network to take advantage of the economies of scale in transportation and to minimize the effect of poor quality. The first-stage variables are the potential locations of depots and biorefineries, and the necessary unit trains to transport the biomass. The second-stage variables are the flow of biomass between the network nodes and the third-party bioethanol supply. A case study from Texas is presented. The numerical results show that the biomass quality changes the selected depot/biorefinery locations and conversion technology in the optimal network design. The cost due to poor biomass quality accounts for approximately 8.31$$\%$$ of the investment and operational cost. Our proposed L-shaped with connectivity constraints approach outperforms the benchmark L-shaped method in terms of solution quality and computational effort by 0.6$$\%$$ and 91.63$$\%$$ on average, respectively.

Hybrid optimization-simulation for integrated planning of bioenergy and biofuel supply chains

Traditionally, biomass supply chain planning has been done hierarchically at the strategic, tactical, and operational levels. Hierarchical planning might result in inconsistent or infeasible solutions at lower planning levels because short-term variations, e.g., those in biomass supply and demand, are not considered in long-term plans. To address this issue, an integrated strategic, tactical, and operational plan is developed in this paper in to consider the variations and details of lower planning levels. The integrated plan is developed as a hybrid model based on the recursive optimization-simulation approach. The optimization model integrates the strategic and tactical plans, while the simulation model incorporates the variations at the operational level. A procedure is developed to adjust the plans according to the variations in the model parameters using a feedback mechanism between the operational and the strategic/tactical level plans. The hybrid model is applied to a case study in British Columbia, Canada. The results show that the operational level variations and constraints could affect the long-term investment decisions and their profitability. For the given case study, the operational level variations decreased the estimated net present value by 21% due to the higher demand for logging residues. However, compared with the initial solution considered in the hybrid model, the final solution has a 17% higher net present value. The final design from the hybrid model suggests small-scale bioenergy and biofuel conversion facilities rather than large-scale ones as their demand for biomass could be met using more sawmill residues and less roadside logging residues.

Bioethanol supply chain network design considering land characteristics

Biomass is becoming an increasingly widespread source of energy. Yet land, as one of the most important resources in biomass production, is surprisingly understudied in the literature of biomass supply chain planning. This study proposes a novel framework that combines the literature of bioethanol supply chain design with agricultural land planning to simultaneously address optimal supply chain planning and sustainable land use in a bioethanol supply chain. A bi-objective mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model is proposed to formulate the optimal design and planning of a bioethanol supply chain network considering competition of food and biomass feedstock over the available croplands. The proposed model is capable of making strategic decisions (i.e. locations and capacities of facilities, sourcing and allocation of biomass feedstocks to biorefineries), along with some tactical decisions (i.e. land planning, inventory and production of both biomass feedstock and bioethanol). The model incorporates the two objectives of minimum cost and maximum suitability of crops with their assigned croplands. A novel integration of the FAO framework, the best-worst multi-criteria decision-making method, PROMETHEE II and GIS is used to determine the suitability of available croplands according to the croplands’ soil and topographical characteristics. The performance of the proposed model is demonstrated through a multi-feedstock bioethanol supply chain in Fars province, Iran. It is concluded that the proposed integrated land planning-network design framework outperforms hierarchical approaches in which network design and land planning problems are solved separately in a sequential manner. Also, the case study shows that conditional on implementing second generation bioethanol production, Fars province has the potential to satisfy three percent of the fuel demand for transportation in the country.

Plant capacity level and location as a mechanism for sustainability in biomass supply chain

Biomass is an important energy source that has the ability to reduce dependencies on fossil fuels, while providing a greener source of energy and helping achieve sustainability. Among the most commonly used biomass feedstock is corn stover, corn residue remaining in the fields after harvesting. One of the biggest challenges of using corn stover as biomass feedstock is that burning it in field is the fastest and cheapest way for many growers so as to remove it and grow new crops. This leftover corn stover could be, instead, converted to bioethanol. In this work, we propose a decision support system for expanding existing biorefineries or building new ones to help stakeholders design a supply chain network model that converts all of the available corn stover to bioethanol. Two configurations presented in this study which is the existing plant expansion (EP) configuration and the combination of existing and new plant configuration (ENP), by exploring the incentive and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission price value for the bioenergy plant to achieve the goal. The aim of converting all corn stover is successfully achieved along with the other goals of achieving sustainability by reducing the amount of GHG emissions in the supply chain. Our results reveal that we can achieve a minimum amount of GHG emissions, while maximizing profit from the supply chain, when expanding existing plants and building new plants (ENP configuration) leading to a reduction of GHG emissions by 4%.

Transport in the biomass supply chain for a power plant

The article discusses the planning of biomass supply chain for combined heat and power plants in the context of energy security. In order to guarantee the continuity of energy and heat supplies, the biomass CHP plant must have adequate raw material reserves. Properly selected supply processes can significantly reduce the operating costs of a CHP plant. In a crisis situation, the logistics chain boils down to supply logistics. This ensures combined heat and power plant’s security of energy supply continuity through proper formulation of biomass supply procedures, as well as supporting its efficiency.

Wild and cultivated biomass supply chain for biofuel production. A comparative study in West Africa

Limited access to energy has led to interest in biofuels in most West African countries where Jatropha curcas (jatropha) has been the most widely studied energy crop. However, due to difficulties in obtaining enough jatropha seed at acceptable costs, Balanites aegyptiaca (B. aegyptiaca) could be an alternative feedstock for biofuel production at lower costs.We report the results of a comparative study of the optimal supply cost and supply network configuration of a cultivated and a wild energy crop. These optimal items were determined using a mixed integer linear programming model designed to help decision making concerning biomass supply chains for biofuel production. The model was applied to a case study on jatropha and B. aegyptiaca seed supply chains in Burkina Faso. By considering different options for location and technologies used for pre-processing as well as different cropping systems for jatropha cultivation, the case study showed that in contexts like those found in Burkina Faso, a wild energy crop like B. aegyptiaca cannot be competitive compared to cultivated energy crops like jatropha because of its costly logistic operations.

Municipal Solid Waste as a valuable recycled asset for small-scale electricity production in rural communities

Municipal solid waste provides an opportunity for electricity production. This strategy provides the rural communities a potential waste-to-energy opportunity to manage its costly residues problem, turning them into a valuable recycled asset. To address this issue, a techno-economic study of an integrated system comprising gasification of Acacia residues and Portuguese Municipal Solid Waste (PMSW) with an Internal Combustion Engine-Generator (ICEG) for electricity generation at small-scale (100 kW) was developed. Current studies only devote attention to biomass residues and do not explore MSW potential to eschew biomass supply shortage. Conventional systems are generally part of biomass supply chains, limiting flexibility and all year operation for their operators. Experimental data was gathered at a downdraft gasifier to provide a clear assessment of particle and tar concentration in the syngas and levers conditioning a satisfactory ICE operation. Once the potential of using Acacia residues and PMSW has been proven during gasification runs testing, and validation, a set of new conditions was also explored through a high-fidelity CFD model. We find that residues blends have the highest potential to generate high-quality syngas and smallest exposure to supply disruption. Despite both substrates showing potential at specific conditions, they also present individual drawbacks which will be best mitigated by executing a hybrid supply comprising the mix of substrates. An economic model coupling the financial indicators of net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR) and the payback period (PBP) considering a project lifetime of 25 years was developed. Cost factors include expenses with electricity generation, initial investment, amortizations and operation and maintenance (containing fuels costs). Revenues were estimated from electricity generated and sales to the national grid. A sensitivity analysis based on the Monte Carlo method was used to measure the economic model performance and to determine the risk in investing in such venture. The risk appraisal yielded favorable investment projections, with an NPV reaching positive values, an IRR superior to the discount rate and PBP lower than the project life span. This work allowed to confirm the positive effect of the generation of energy from downdraft gasification plants on a small-scale. Regardless of the project’s feasibility, the economic performance depended to a large extent on the electricity prices which present considerable variability and are subject to political decisions.

Advanced Methodologies for Biomass Supply Chain Planning

Renewable energy resources have received increasing attention due to environmental concerns. Biomass, one of the most important renewable energy resources, is abundant in agricultural-based countries. Typically, the biomass supply chain is large due to the huge amount of relevant data required for building the model. As a result, using a standard optimization package to determine the solution for the biomass supply chain model might not be practical. In this study, the focus is on developing and applying advanced methodologies that can be used to determine a solution for the biomass supply chain model efficiently. The decisions related to plant selection, and distribution of biomass from suppliers to plants require optimization. The methodologies considered in this research are based on stochastic programming, parameter search, and simulation-based optimization. Computational results and managerial insights based on case studies from different regions of Vietnam are provided. The results show that parameter search is suitable for small problems only, while stochastic programming is suitable for small and medium problems. For large problem, simulation-based optimization performs better when considering the quality of the solution and the run time, although, this method does not guarantee an optimal solution. It provides good solutions where the gaps to the optimal solutions are between 0.59% and 8.41%.

Poplar as Biofiber Reinforcement in Composites for Large-Scale 3D Printing.

The economic viability of the biofuel industry could be improved by adding a high-value revenue stream for biomass supply chains: bioderived composites for the rapidly expanding large-scale additive manufacturing industry (i.e., 3D printing). Using fibrillated fibers derived from biomass (e.g., Populus) to reinforce polymers for 3D printing applications would be less expensive compared to using conventional carbon fibers. Poplar fibers of different mesh sizes (<180, 180-425, 425-850, and 850-2360 μm) were used to prepare poplar-polylactic acid (PLA) composites. The poplar/PLA composites were successfully printed using a large-scale 3D printer to create a podium support. The tensile strength of the composites increased from 34 to 54 MPa as the poplar fiber size decreased. The fracture surfaces of composites derived from smaller poplar fibers (<180 μm) were more compact with fewer voids compared with the composites made with larger poplar fibers. Because of the porous and hollow microstructures, smaller poplar fibers contained more pores on their outer surfaces, which were available for the access and penetration of PLA. Poplar has potential for use as a thermoplastic reinforcement for large-scale 3D printing.