Integrated Biomass Supply Analysis Research Articles

A simplified logistics model for integrating BIMAT and IBSAL to estimate harvest costs, energy input and emissions

The Agriculture and Agri-Food’s Biomass Inventory Mapping and Analysis Tool (BIMAT) provides internet-based GIS functionality to query and visualize biomass inventory data in Canada. The Integrated Biomass Supply Analysis and Logistics (IBSAL) model is a modularized simulation of biomass supply chain. In this study, IBSAL modules are assembled to simulate harvesting of straw, stover, and switchgrass yields. The operations in this study started from combining for grain crop residues and ended in stacking bales on the field side. The equation C=aR^b Y^c was fitted to the simulated data to estimate constants a, b, and c for cost in $/dry tonne, energy input in MJ/dry tonne, and carbon emissions in kg CO2/dry tonne. Variable R is the fraction of above ground biomass removed during harvest and Y is the yield defined as biomass above ground (dry tonne/ha). These functions are supplied to the BIMAT portal and developed specific values for costs, energy input, and emissions on the map. The farm gate cost cost for the stacked bales ranged from $20 per dry tonne for high yielding regions of southwest Edmonton and Ontario to $27 per dry tonne for the eastern Ottawa region, and $31 per dry tonne for low yielding regions of central Saskatchewan. The costs are validated with published custom rates. It is recommended that the next step is to integrate IBSAL and BIMAT codes so the logistics values are generated and shown automatically on the map.

Development of the IBSAL-SimMOpt Method for the Optimization of Quality in a Corn Stover Supply Chain

Variability on the physical characteristics of feedstock has a relevant effect on the reactor’s reliability and operating cost. Most of the models developed to optimize biomass supply chains have failed to quantify the effect of biomass quality and preprocessing operations required to meet biomass specifications on overall cost and performance. The Integrated Biomass Supply Analysis and Logistics (IBSAL) model estimates the harvesting, collection, transportation, and storage cost while considering the stochastic behavior of the field-to-biorefinery supply chain. This paper proposes an IBSAL-SimMOpt (Simulation-based Multi-Objective Optimization) method for optimizing the biomass quality and costs associated with the efforts needed to meet conversion technology specifications. The method is developed in two phases. For the first phase, a SimMOpt tool that interacts with the extended IBSAL is developed. For the second phase, the baseline IBSAL model is extended so that the cost for meeting and/or penalization for failing in meeting specifications are considered. The IBSAL-SimMOpt method is designed to optimize quality characteristics of biomass, cost related to activities intended to improve the quality of feedstock, and the penalization cost. A case study based on 1916 farms in Ontario, Canada is considered for testing the proposed method. Analysis of the results demonstrates that this method is able to find a high-quality set of non-dominated solutions.

Simulation of logistics to supply Corn Stover to the Ontario Power Generation (OPG) Plant in Lambton, Ontario.

The overall goal of this research is to investigate the logistics of agricultural biomass in Ontario, Canada using the Integrated Biomass Supply Analysis and Logistics Model (IBSAL). The supply of corn stover to the Ontario Power Generation (OPG) power plant in Lambton is simulated. This coal-fired power plant is currently not operating and there are no active plans by OPG to fuel it with biomass. Rather, this scenario is considered only to demonstrate the application of the IBSAL Model to this type of scenario. Five scenarios of delivering corn stover to the Lambton Generating Station (GS) power plant in Lambton Ontario are modeled: (1) truck transport from field edge to OPG (base scenario); (2) farm to central storage located on the highway, then truck transport bales to OPG; (3) direct truck transport from farm (no-stacking) to OPG; (4) farm to a loading port on Lake Huron and from there on a barge to OPG; and (5) farm to a railhead and then to OPG by rail. The net amount of annual biomass demand at the power plant was set to be 124,264 dry tonnes (dt) to produce 5% of the baseload fuel requirement of the power plant. For Scenario 1 the amount of biomass required to be harvested is 160,123 dt per year with delivery cost of $37/t. For Scenario 2 the amount of biomass is 155,730 dt per year with delivery cost of $48/t. For Scenario 3 the amount of biomass is 151,141t per year with delivery cost of $33/t. The differences in the amount of biomass and cost are due to dry matter loss and transport distance. For Scenario 4 the amount of biomass is 172,480 t per year with delivery cost of $94/t. Eight barges are required to deliver the entire supply of biomass to the power plant within a time period of 6 months. For Scenario 5 the amount of biomass is 170,686 t per year with delivery cost of $81/t. The required biomass could be delivered using 264 trips. The purchase cost of biomass is not included in this output.

Evaluation of a Modular System for Low-Cost Transport and Storage of Herbaceous Biomass

A conceptual system adopting features from cotton, silage, and container shipping systems was evaluated between 2008 and 2011. The evaluation included both simulations of the anticipated full-scale system and field trials of forming, transporting, and storing biomass modules containing energy sorghum. The simulations utilized Integrated Biomass Supply Analysis and Logistics (IBSAL) and incorporated the anticipated module forming machine that would operate in partnership with a forage harvester, as well as a machine to load the modules onto a flatbed semi-trailer. When compared to the DOE target for logistics costs of $38.59/Mg, the estimated cost was lower for distances up to 80 km. Field results were promising, with biomass modules of up to 5.2 Mg formed, stored for up to 12 months, loaded on a truck in 2 min or less, and transported for 96 km with no significant change of shape or size. Difficulty in field drying of energy sorghum was consistent over 3 years of harvest, as was the ability to use field drying in windrows without increasing the ash content of the biomass. The manually formed module packages did not maintain an anaerobic environment throughout the storage period, and excessive biomass degradation occurred. In addition, the dry matter density in the modules was approximately 180 kg/m3 rather than the 240 kg/m3 targeted in the simulation. Despite the conceptual evaluation not achieving all the desired features, these studies demonstrated the economic and logistical advantages of a system based upon large packages of chopped biomass.

Soil and Variety Effects on the Energy and Carbon Balances of Switchgrass-Derived Ethanol

This study examined the effects of soil and switchgrass variety on sustainability and eco-friendliness of switchgrass-based ethanol production. Using the Agricultural Land Management Alternatives with Numerical Assessment Criteria (ALMANAC) model, switchgrass biomass yields were simulated for several scenarios of soils and varieties. The yields were fed to the Integrated Biomass Supply Analysis and Logistics (IBSAL) model to compute energy use and carbon emissions in the biomass supply chain, which then were used to compute Net Energy Value (NEV) and Carbon Credit Balance (CCB), the indicators of sustainability and eco-friendliness, respectively. The results showed that the values of these indicators increased in the direction of heavier to lighter soils and on the order of north-upland, south-upland, north-lowland, and south-lowland varieties. The values of NEV and CCB increased in the direction of dry to wet year. Gaps among the varieties were smaller in a dry year than in a wet year. From south to north, NEV and CCB decreased for lowland varieties but increased for upland ones. Thus, the differences among the varieties decreased in the direction of lower to higher latitudes. The study demonstrated that the sustainability and eco-friendliness of switchgrass-based ethanol production could be increased with alternative soil and variety options.

A new simulation model for multi-agricultural biomass logistics system in bioenergy production

This paper presents the development of a new logistics model and its application to supply a mixture of agricultural feedstocks to a proposed cellulosic ethanol plant. The new model, IBSAL-MC (Integrated Biomass Supply Analysis &Logistics– Multi Crop), is developed based on the framework of IBSAL. IBSAL-MC is a hybrid push-pull logistics model which pushes the field operations to harvest and collect as much biomass as possible within the harvest season while pulling downstream operations to meet the daily demand of the ethanol plant. The proposed ethanol plant would be located near Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada. Despite the abundance of wheat straw in the region (more than five times the annual demand), the daily demand of the ethanol plant would be fully met for only 104 days. In terms of the total annual demand, only 92% of it would be met. The logistics cost varies between $62.06 and $63.46t−1 with 90% confidence level. The capacity of the required on-farm storage and at-plant storage are estimated at 400 t and 3500 t of biomass, respectively. Several managerial insights were also given to improve the biomass logistics system in terms of demand fulfilment, logistics costs and resource utilisation.

Forest biomass supply logistics for a power plant using the discrete-event simulation approach

This study investigates the logistics of supplying forest biomass to a potential power plant. Due to the complexities in such a supply logistics system, a simulation model based on the framework of Integrated Biomass Supply Analysis and Logistics (IBSAL) is developed in this study to evaluate the cost of delivered forest biomass, the equilibrium moisture content, and carbon emissions from the logistics operations. The model is applied to a proposed case of 300 MW power plant in Quesnel, BC, Canada. The results show that the biomass demand of the power plant would not be met every year. The weighted average cost of delivered biomass to the gate of the power plant is about C$ 90 per dry tonne. Estimates of equilibrium moisture content of delivered biomass and CO 2 emissions resulted from the processes are also provided.

The impact of agricultural residue yield range on the delivered cost to a biorefinery in the Peace River region of Alberta, Canada

Agricultural residue feedstock availability in a given region can vary significantly over the 20–30+ year lifetime of a biorefinery. Delivered cost of biomass feedstock is dependent upon transportation distance and equipment optimisation, both of which are largely dictated by biomass productivity. This makes productivity the primary determinant of feedstock cost. Using the Integrated Biomass Supply Analysis and Logistics (IBSAL) dynamic model and a round bale, small grains residue scenario, harvest and delivery cost were modelled for minimum, average, and maximum biomass yields at four potential biorefinery sites in the Peace River region of Alberta, Canada. Biorefinery capacities ranged from 50 000 to 500 000 tonnes of feedstock input per year. Delivery cost is a linear function of transportation distance and can be combined with a harvest power function to create a generalised delivered cost function for agricultural residues. The range in delivered cost is substantial and is an important consideration for the operating costs of a biorefinery.

Techno-economic analysis of using corn stover to supply heat and power to a corn ethanol plant – Part 1: Cost of feedstock supply logistics

Abstract Supply of corn stover to produce heat and power for a typical 170 dam 3 dry mill ethanol plant is proposed. The corn ethanol plant requires 5.6 MW of electricity and 52.3 MW of process heat, which creates the annual stover demand of as much as 140 Gg. The corn stover supply system consists of collection, pre-processing, transportation and on-site fuel storage and preparation to produce heat and power for the ethanol plant. Economics of the entire supply system was conducted using the Integrated Biomass Supply Analysis and Logistics (IBSAL) simulation model. Corn stover was delivered in three formats (square bales, dry chops and pellets) to the combined heat and power plant. Delivered cost of biomass ready to be burned was calculated at 73 $ Mg −1 for bales, 86 $ Mg −1 for pellets and 84 $ Mg −1 for field chopped biomass. Among the three formats of stover supply systems, delivered cost of pelleted biomass was the highest due to high pelleting cost. Bulk transport of biomass in the form of chops and pellets can provide a promising future biomass supply logistic system in the US, if the costs of pelleting and transport are minimized.

Development and implementation of integrated biomass supply analysis and logistics model (IBSAL)

This paper describes the framework development of a dynamic integrated biomass supply analysis and logistics model (IBSAL) to simulate the collection, storage, and transport operations for supplying agricultural biomass to a biorefinery. The model consists of time dependent events representing the working rate of equipment and queues representing the capacity of storage structures. The discrete event and queues are inter-connected to represent the entire network of material flow from field to a biorefinery. Weather conditions including rain and snow influence the moisture content and the dry matter loss of biomass through the supply chain and are included in the model. The model is developed using an object oriented high level simulation language EXTEND™. A case of corn stover collection and transport scenario using baling system is described.

Switchgrass ( Panicum vigratum, L.) delivery to a biorefinery using integrated biomass supply analysis and logistics (IBSAL) model

This study develops cost, energy input and carbon emissions for a number of switchgrass supply options. The Integrated Biomass Supply Analysis and Logistics (IBSAL) model developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is used to evaluate the delivery systems. Three biomass collection systems: baling, loafing and ensiling are evaluated. The number and operational performance of equipment are specified to complete collection operations within 120 days of harvest after August 1. Bales are stacked and tarped on the farm side. The transport of biomass from the farm side to a biorefinery takes place over a full year cycle, i.e. 365 days. Supply quantities range from 454 to 4540 dry tonnes/day (500–5000 dry tons/day). Delivered costs to a biorefinery with capacity of 1814 dry tonnes/day (2000 dry tons/day) are: $44–$47/dry tonne for delivered bales (round and square); $37/dry tonne for delivered loafs (size 2.4 m × 3.6 m × 6 m); $40/dry tonne for chopped biomass; and $48/dry tonne for ensiled chops. These costs do not include any payment to the farmers or switchgrass farming cost. Based on the data from literature, the switchgrass farming cost can range from $30 to $36/dry tonne. These costs would be additional to the switchgrass collection and transportation cost. Switchgrass collection is generally less expensive than collection of straw or corn stover because of the assumed high yield of 11 dry tonnes/ha and a denser biomass. Energy consumption for delivery systems at this capacity ranges from 4.8% to 6.3% of the energy content of switchgrass. Additional 1% of the energy content of switchgrass is consumed in its farming. At 1814 dry tonnes/day (2000 dry tons/day) capacity, greenhouse gas emissions ranges from 75 to 100 kg of CO 2/dry tonne of switchgrass delivered.