Fuel Supply Chain Research Articles

Research on Technology Economy Based on Centralized Gas Supply of Crop Fuel Energy

The crop fuel supply chain is the basic guarantee for the transformation of crop fuel resources, and it is the key to realizing the development and utilization of large-scale crop fuel energy in the future. This paper analyzes the technical issues related to crop fuels, and introduces the current status and existing problems of crop fuel harvesting, collection, storage, pretreatment and transportation. At the same time, it summarizes the technical economy of the supply chain, and compares the research methods that are often used in China. It is the main way of current research to establish energy-based gas supply by establishing quantitative technical and economic indicators. How to make full use of crop fuels and convert them into high-grade energy to meet the energy needs of farmers living and producing, and to promote the improvement of agro-ecological environment is of great significance.

Fuel supply chains in the Western Interconnect: Evaluating availability during extreme weather events

During the winter of 2017, the eastern continental United States experienced an extreme weather event resulting in below average temperatures and consistently overcast skies. This event, referred to as a bombogenesis or “Bomb Cyclone” (BC), is one of a handful of extreme weather events experienced in the U.S. in recent years in which signif- icant strain is placed on U.S. electric interconnections. A U.S. Department of Energy study summarizing the impact of the BC indicated that coal and fuel oil/dual-firing plants provided sufficient reserves to prevent severe electricity shortages which would have otherwise resulted in significant widespread outages in the Eastern Interconnect (EI). A large regional transmission organization issued several responses to address the report’s concern regarding fuel supply security, highlighting the importance of timely fuel supply policy, and initiating a cross-institutional conversation to this end. The resultant policy conversations are not unique to the EI and generalizations are therefore of great interest to stakeholders in the western United States; a similar analysis is used to investigate the impact of a BC-like event placing strain of similar magnitude on the Western Interconnect, while introducing a resilience metric associated with the storability of fuel.

A comparison of alternative vehicle fueling infrastructure scenarios

The evolution of alternative vehicles is leading to an evolution in fuel, from electricity to hydrogen, and the associated fueling infrastructure. Using California as an example and a variety of tools (e.g., vehicle and electric grid simulation, travel surveys, census data, and GIS analyses), fueling supply chain and dispensing scenarios are evaluated and compared for conventional internal combustion vehicles (ICVs), vehicles bridging from conventional to alternative vehicles such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and alternative vehicles including battery electric vehicles (BEVs), fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), and plug-in fuel cell electric vehicles (PFCEVs). When assessed for a 2050 timeframe, PFCEVs require less electric infrastructure compared to BEVs, and less hydrogen infrastructure compared to FCEVs. In addition, until 100% zero-emission fuel supply chains are achieved, PFCEVs reduce GHG and CAP emissions to a greater extent than BEVs and FCEVs.

Handling of forest fuel from a logistical point of view, - a critical scrutinizing

Today there are too great losses in the forest fuel supply chain from the forest to the consumer. Although if 150MWh/ha can be collected after a clear cut, maybe only 55% of that is used for combustion. Better logistic is needed with better focus on upgrading at each node. With good packaging technique 65-75% may be reachable and with long tops maybe 5% more forest fuel can be delivered for combustion. On top there could also be a better fuel quality with packaging of the material giving better handling utility.

Life Cycle Assessment of LNG Fueled Vessel in Domestic Services

This research was focused on a comparative analysis of using LNG as a marine fuel with a conventional marine gas oil (MGO) from an environmental point of view. A case study was performed using a 50K bulk carrier engaged in domestic services in South Korea. Considering the energy exporting market for South Korea, the fuel supply chain was designed with the two largest suppliers: Middle East (LNG-Qatar/MGO-Saudi Arabia) and U.S. The life cycle of each fuel type was categorized into three stages: Well-to-Tank (WtT), Tank-to-Wake (TtW), and Well-to-Wake (WtW). With the process modelling, the environmental impact of each stage was analyzed based on the five environmental impact categorizes: Global Warming Potential (GWP), Acidification Potential (AP), Photochemical Potential (POCP), Eutrophication Potential (EP) and Particulate Matter (PM). Analysis results reveal that emission levels for the LNG cases are significantly lower than the MGO cases in all potential impact categories. Particularly, Case 1 (LNG import to Korea from Qatar) is identified as the best option as producing the lowest emission levels per 1.0 × 107 MJ of fuel consumption: 977 tonnages of CO2 equivalent (for GWP), 1.76 tonnages of SO2 equivalent (for AP), 1.18 tonnages of N equivalent (for EP), 4.28 tonnages of NMVOC equivalent (for POCP) and 26 kg of PM 2.5 equivalent (for PM). On the other hand, the results also point out that the selection of the fuel supply routes could be an important factor contributing to emission levels since longer distances for freight transportation result in more emissions. It is worth noting that the life cycle assessment can offer us better understanding of holistic emission levels contributed by marine fuels from the cradle to the grave, which are highly believed to remedy the shortcomings of current marine emission indicators.

Spatial and temporal optimization of hydrogen fuel supply chain for light duty passenger vehicles in British Columbia

British Columbia is well positioned to capitalize on its natural resources and its carbon policies towards the development of a hydrogen fueling network. A multi-period optimization model was developed to design a hydrogen fuel supply chain based on a mixed integer linear programming formulation. The model was applied to the light duty passenger vehicle sector in British Columbia under three hydrogen demand scenarios. As part of the objective function, the model incorporated the current provincial emissions mitigation policies, i.e., a carbon tax and a low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS). Based on cost, our model indicates that steam methane reforming (SMR) is the least costly hydrogen production technology even with carbon policies in place. However, SMR would result in higher emissions (compared to other pathways). Coupling the carbon tax with the LCFS can be a suitable policy option when hydrogen price and GHG emissions are weighted equally.

Natural gas and BECCS: A comparative analysis of alternative configurations for negative emissions power generation

There is a reliance on negative emissions technologies (NETs), primarily in the form of Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) in most Integrated Assessment Model (IAM) scenarios which are capable of limiting the maximum global temperature rise to 1.5–2 °C. Two currently independent features of transition pathways are fuel switching from a coal to gas, and the deployment of BECCS. The former makes natural gas an important transition fuel which at the same time could be combined with biomass to further abate emissions. To date the majority of studies have considered BECCS in the context of a conversion from coal-fired base configuration. There is therefore a pressing need to identify routes for the effective utilization of biomass-derived fuels in the context of gas-fired power generation infrastructure. In this contribution, we study three distinct CCS-based processes which combine natural gas and biomass capable of producing low-, or carbon-negative power. Both fuel supply chains are considered in order to quantify the net overall CO2 emissions. An important insight is the configuration-specific impact of biomass co-combustion on the overall carbon intensity of power generated. We found that an external biomass combustion configuration was the most carbon negative, removing between 0.5–1 ton of CO2 per MWh of power generated. Results revealed a trade-off between carbon negativity and efficiency of the processes. The generation of net carbon negative power is observed to be highly sensitive to the carbon footprint of the biomass supply chain.

Cost and Profitability Analysis of a Prospective Pennycress to Sustainable Aviation Fuel Supply Chain in Southern USA

This study evaluates biorefinery bio-oil feedstock costs at the plant gate for a prospective field pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supply chain. The biorefinery would supply SAF to the Nashville, Tennessee international airport. Supply chain activities include pennycress production, transporting oilseed to a crushing facility, processing of oilseed into bio-oil, and transporting bio-oil to the biorefinery. The analysis shows profit potential for economic agents in the prospective supply chain. Estimated breakeven cost (profit = 0) of growing, harvesting, and transporting oilseed to a crushing facility is 17.7 ¢ kg−1. A crushing facility can pay up to 23.8 ¢ kg−1 for pennycress oilseed during the first year of production and provide investors 12.5% annual rate of return. Therefore, a profit margin of up to 6.1 ¢ kg−1 is available for the crushing facility to induce prospective pennycress producers to supply oilseed for SAF production. However, the estimated profit margin was sensitive mainly to uncertain oilseed yields, changes in field production costs, and pennycress meal and bio-oil prices. A spatial biorefineries sitting model, the Biofuels Facility Location Analysis Modeling Endeavor, estimated that the least-cost supply chain configuration is to establish three crushing facilities located in Union City, Huntington, and Clarksville, TN, to supply bio-oil to the biorefinery, with the biorefinery sited in an industrial park about 24.14 km from the Nashville international airport aviation fuel storage. Estimated total costs of bio-oil at the biorefinery plant gate are between 83 and 109 ¢ kg−1 if crushing facility oilseed procurement costs are between 17.7 and 23.8 ¢ kg−1 for oilseed.

The impact of supply chain management practices on industry competitiveness: A mixed-methods study on the Zimbabwean petroleum industry

Effective supply chain management practices can enhance competitiveness along the supply chain. Fuel supply chain competitiveness requires a reliable flow of product and customer satisfaction. Competitiveness eluded the Zimbabwean petroleum industry over time and so this research looked at the impact of supply chain management practices on industry competitiveness. Owing to the complex nature of the petroleum industry’s supply chain, the concurrent parallel mixed methods research design was adopted for its robustness and suitability for researching complex situations. In the qualitative research, in-depth interviews were held with six experienced and knowledgeable executives who were strategically positioned in the petroleum industry. In the quantitative research, data were collected through objective questionnaires from 57 managers who were in charge of supply chain practices in the participating petroleum companies. The research results revealed that the unfriendly business environment that was driven by the shortage of foreign currency, a restrictive tax regime, a weak regulatory system and the lack of stable government policy on fuel industry operations resulted in financial, procurement, inventory, logistics and communication challenges and the weakening of all the supply chain practices. Therefore, the resultant high cost of products, expensive and bureaucratic logistics, lack of investment in fuel distribution technology and poor customer service negatively impacted the petroleum industry’s competitiveness. The study recommends the strengthening of the petroleum industry’s supply chain management strategies, international benchmarking of industry processes, adopting international best practices and carrying out further research in the industry’s supply chain areas like procurement and pricing models for landlocked states.

Managing waste quality in industrial symbiosis: Insights on how to organize supplier integration

Reusing waste materials of other industries, a practice known as industrial symbiosis, attracts growing attention by industry. However, the waste materials are often of lower quality than the virgin materials they substitute. When production processes are intolerant for lower quality materials, production issues may occur. This paper sets out to explore how firms can manage the waste quality through supplier integration with the waste supplier. As suppliers have to learn new knowledge, the construct of absorptive capacity is used as an interpretive lens. An in-depth longitudinal exploratory case study approach is used to examine the involvement of different individuals and departments in the supplier integration activities in the context of the waste-based fuel supply chain of a global cement producer. Qualitative and quantitative data was gathered at both the buyer and the supplier. The data show that buyers can increase the absorptive capacity of the suppliers by aligning their own knowledge bases with the scope of the supplier integration. The increased absorptive capacity enables the suppliers to align waste quality with production requirements. Managing waste quality is an important capability of industrial symbiosis, especially when firms want to go beyond the low-hanging fruits and increase the effectiveness of their industrial symbiosis activities. The research concludes with theoretical and managerial insights into how firms can organize the supplier integration to manage waste quality in the context of industrial symbiosis.

Characteristics of wood pellets mixed with torrefied rice straw as a biomass fuel

Utilization of rice straw as an alternative fuel source to fossil fuel has been considered. However, properties such as water content, low heating value, less grindability, high bulk density, and high ash content are problems in such a biomass fuel supply chain. This study attempted to produce wood pellets mixed with torrefied rice straw (WPTRS) to solve the problems related to using rice straw as fuel. For that, preferred torrefaction conditions, such as torrefaction temperature and holding time, were determined by indicators of the grindability, energy loss, and heating value. As a result, the preferred grindability was found at torrefaction temperatures of over 220 °C. In terms of energy, we derived two viewpoints: i.e., if minimum energy loss is prioritized, the preferred torrefaction temperature is 220 °C, and for an increase in the heating value of rice straw, 280 °C was preferred. Next, WPTRS was produced using rice straw torrefied at 220 °C and 280 °C, and by changing the mixing ratio of rice straw to wood. Burning tests were conducted to clarify the WPTRS characteristics and the results revealed that the torrefaction at a temperature of 280 °C increased WPTRS’s heating value. In addition, the basicity can be used as a good indicator for clinker production when wood and rice straw are used as fuel.

Supply chain coordination of biomass moulding fuel under random supply and cyclical demand

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to design a contract to coordinate the biomass molding fuel supply chain consisting of a supplier with uncertain supply and a producer with cyclical demand as well as improve the profit of this supply chain. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, the supply chain model was build and all the variables and assumptions are set. Stackelberg game model was used to analyze and solve the problem. Furthermore, the authors give numerical examples and result analysis on the basis of data coming from field study and online information about a real biomass fuel supply chain. Findings The wholesale price with shortage penalty contract the authors proposed can coordinate the supply chain. And as the dominator of the supply chain, the producer can realize the redistribution of profits within the supply chain by determine the contract parameters. Research limitations/implications This one-to-one supply chain is a basic of complex supply chain system. Multi-to-one, one-to-multi and multi-to-multi supply chain can be studied in the future. Originality/value The results obtained in this paper can be used as a reference for enterprises in biomass energy supply chain to make contracts and realize the long-term co-operations among supply chain members.

3E-Analysis of a Bio-Solar CCHP System for the Andaman Islands, India—A Case Study

Energy services are especially expensive on remote islands due to longer and more unstable fuel supply chains. In this paper, different renewable energy systems utilizing locally available biomass and solar energy are proposed as alternatives for a hotel resort on Neil Island, India. Based on local demand data, commercial information, and scientific literature, four cases are modelled with the simulation software HOMER and their economic, energetic, as well as ecological (3E) performances are compared. The robustness of each case configuration is tested with a sensitivity analysis. The results show that a biomass-based, solar-assisted combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) system offers an economic saving potential of more than 500,000 USD over twenty years and could decrease CO2 emissions by 365 t per year. When not applying CCHP measures, system performance is significantly worsened. A solar and battery-assisted diesel generator system shows similar economic outcomes as the CCHP system but worse ecological performance. Implementing the biomass-based CCHP system could improve the ecological footprint of the island, substantially decrease expenditure for the hotel owner, and generate a new source of income for surrounding farmers through biomass selling.

Impact of storage on energy performance of laricio pine wood chips: A case study in Italy

This study evaluated the influence of storage method on the physical and chemical properties of laricio pine wood chips for energy generation in the region of Basilicata, Italy. The storage of wood chips is a key factor in the wood fuel supply chain because it allows to compensate temporal differences between production and consumption stages. Experimental trials were performed analyzing three storage methods of wood chips: uncovered pile, under vapour-permeable and waterproof cover (PP sheet), and under waterproof PVC cover (PVC sheet). During six months of storage (from August 2016 to January 2017), only the wood chips pile covered under PP sheet registered a decrease in moisture content (about -19%). Use of cover made of vapour-permeable material was also found to improve the heating value of biomass (about +15%). However, the ash content was observed to increase throughout the storage period, reaching the maximum value for the uncovered wood chips pile (about +74%). No statistically significant differences between PP and PVC sheets were detected for dry matter losses, while significant energy losses were found in every kind of storage system. As a result of the analyzed weather conditions, open-air uncovered storage is suitable for short-term storage periods (less than 2 months), while for long-term period the use of permeable covers is more profitable.

Exploring the emergence of a biojet fuel supply chain in Brazil: An agent‐based modeling approach

AbstractThe aviation industry accounts for more than 2% of global CO2 emissions. Biojet fuel is expected to make an essential contribution to the decarbonization of the aviation sector. Brazil is seen as a key player in developing sustainable aviation biofuels owing to its long‐standing experience with biofuels. Nevertheless, a clear understanding of what policies may be conducive to the emergence of a biojet fuel supply chain is lacking. We extended a spatially explicit agent‐based model to explore the emergence of a biojet fuel supply chain from the existing sugarcane–ethanol supply chain. The model accounts for new policies (feed‐in tariff and capital investment subsidy) and new considerations into the decision making about production and investment in processing capacity. We found that in a tax‐free gasoline regime, a feed‐in tariff above 3 R$/L stimulates the production of biojet fuel. At higher levels of gasoline taxation (i.e., 2.46 R$/L), however, any feed‐in tariff is insufficient to ensure the production of biojet fuel. Thus, at these levels of gasoline taxation, it is needed to introduce regulations on the production of biojet fuel to ensure its production. Given the current debate about the future direction of the biofuel policy in Brazil, we recommend further research into the effect of market mechanisms based on greenhouse gas emissions on the emergence of a Brazilian biojet fuel supply chain.

Two-stage supply chain contract coordination of solid biomass fuel involving multiple suppliers

In the drive for energy structure optimization and sustainable development, the industrialization of biomass energy is undergoing constant improvements. The coordination of biomass solid fuel supply chain will improve both the profitability and efficiency for all participants. It will also promote the development of the biomass energy sector. In this paper, we take solid biomass fuel as the object, and build a supply chain model consisting of farmers, a middleman and a manufacturer. Farmers decide the supply to the manufacturer and the supply to the middleman. The middleman decides the supply to the manufacturer. The supply chain considers both random supply and stochastic demand due to random order times. Combining mathematical modeling with field research, we design a “protection price + subsidy” contract between farmers and the manufacturer, and a “buyback + revenue sharing” contract between the middleman and the manufacture that achieve the coordination of the supply chain. The research has solved the problem of insufficient supply of raw materials, and also avoided the risk of the middleman’s unjust increase in price.

Vulnerability analysis of Manhattan's motor fuel supply chain network

We extend the concept of a critical infrastructure (CI) network's vulnerability and advance a methodological approach for identifying the vulnerability of a CI extended over a large expanse of space - Manhattan's motor fuel supply chain - in the face of extreme weather events. In the methodological approach, we search for the network's disrupted component(s) having the maximum impact on the spatially extensive network's operability if maintained or repaired. To do so, we developed a bi-stage mixed integer stochastic mathematical program to rank disrupted elements that are the best candidates for fortifying investments. Simulation experiments with the model reveal that its solution identifies a different set of vulnerable components than are identified through the most commonly employed approach. Model results also indicate that a CI network's vulnerability in the face of extreme weather events is highly responsive to network topology in time of disaster and the objective function defined by the modeller.

Vulnerability analysis of Manhattan's motor fuel supply chain network

We extend the concept of a critical infrastructure (CI) network's vulnerability and advance a methodological approach for identifying the vulnerability of a CI extended over a large expanse of space - Manhattan's motor fuel supply chain - in the face of extreme weather events. In the methodological approach, we search for the network's disrupted component(s) having the maximum impact on the spatially extensive network's operability if maintained or repaired. To do so, we developed a bi-stage mixed integer stochastic mathematical program to rank disrupted elements that are the best candidates for fortifying investments. Simulation experiments with the model reveal that its solution identifies a different set of vulnerable components than are identified through the most commonly employed approach. Model results also indicate that a CI network's vulnerability in the face of extreme weather events is highly responsive to network topology in time of disaster and the objective function defined by the modeller.

The financial viability of artificial drying of forest chips, a case study from Northern Finland

The generation of energy from biomass has a relevant role in current international strategies to mitigate climate change. Particularly forest biomass is considered to be one of the leading renewable energy sources in European Union (EU) in the next few decades. Thus, every innovative solution contributing towards meeting the long-term renewable targets is called for. This study tackled a new approach: artificial drying of forest chips by applying the reserve heat from district-heating loop. We focused on estimating the effect of using an artificial drying system in a container on the financial incentives of heat entrepreneurs. Traditional forest fuel supply chain was compared to a fast forest fuel supply chain in which artificial drying was applied. In this study a heat entrepreneur is financially responsible for all the costs related to both forest fuel supply chains. A break-even price for energy used for artificial drying was determined so that the fast forest fuel supply chain would equal the traditional forest fuel supply chain in monetary terms, i.e. profitability. The case study covered seven end-use facilities located in Northern Finland and presenting an entity of app. 13–14 Gigawatt hours, GWh produced per annum. The results of financial analysis indicated that artificial drying of forest chips is financially viable for the heat entrepreneur if the productivity of the container exceeds ca. 3.6 dried bulk-m3 hour−1, given the observed moisture content (before and after artificial drying) in test runs. However, the results were considerably sensitive to the energy price of delivered stem chips (euros per Megawatt hour, € MWh−1). Furthermore, new technical solutions to increase the productivity of the container are welcomed since at the current productivity level (range from 2.5 to 3.6 bulk-m3 hour−1) artificial drying is barely financially attractive for a heat entrepreneur.

Chemical Fuel Supply Chain Integration and Optimization under the Influence of Uncertain Factors

The petrochemical industry belongs to the dangerous chemical industry. The optimization of supply chain can significantly improve the overall profits of enterprises, reducing costs and risks. Based on the value-at-risk theory, this paper proposes an optimal dispatching model for chemical fuel supply chain, which is used to solve the uncertainty of market demand and capacity scale. The sample mean estimation method is used to calculate the optimal demand risk threshold and capacity risk threshold. The calculation results show that the higher the risk threshold is, the lower the supply chain cost will be. The impact of chemical fuel market demand risk threshold on the supply chain object function is greater than that of capacity risk threshold on the supply chain object function. Therefore, the supply chain optimal dispatching should take the market demand as a priority. According to calculation results, the optimal values of demand risk threshold and capacity risk threshold are set to 0.26 and 0.1, respectively. This research can provide theoretical reference for the large-scale supply chain optimal dispatching under the condition of uncertain factors.