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Development of a multicriteria assessment model for ranking biomass feedstock collection and transportation systems

  • Session 1A Feedstock Supply and Logistics
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Abstract

This study details multicriteria assessment methodology that integrates economic, social, environmental, and technical factors in order to rank alternatives for biomass collection and transportation systems. Ranking of biomass collection systems is based on cost of delivered biomass, quality of biomass supplied, emissions during collection, energy input to the chain operations, and maturity of supply system technologies. The assessment methodology is used to evaluate alternatives for collecting 1.8×106 dry t/yr based on assumptions made on performance of various assemblies of biomass collection systems is based on cost of delivered biomass, quality of biomass supplied, emissions during collection, energy input to the chain operations, and maturity of supply system technologies. The assessment methodology is used to evaluate alternatives for collecting 1.8×106 dry t/yr based on assumptions made on performance of various assemblies of biomass collection systems. A proposed collection option using loafer/stacker was shown to be the best option followed by ensiling and baling. Ranking of biomass transport systems is based on cost of biomass transport, emissions during transport, traffic congestion, and maturity of different technologies. At a capacity of 4×106 dry t/yr, rail transport was shown to be the best option, followed by truck transport and pipeline transport, respectively. These rankings depend highly on assumed maturity of technologies and scale of utilization. These may change if technologies such as loafing or ensiling (wet storage) methods are proved to be infeasible for large-scale collection systems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2216 Main Mall, V6T 1Z4, Vancouver, Canada

    Amit Kumar & Shahab Sokhansanj

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, T6G 2G8, Edmonton, Canada

    Peter C. Flynn

Authors
  1. Amit Kumar
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  2. Shahab Sokhansanj
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  3. Peter C. Flynn
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Correspondence to Amit Kumar.

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Kumar, A., Sokhansanj, S. & Flynn, P.C. Development of a multicriteria assessment model for ranking biomass feedstock collection and transportation systems. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 129, 71–87 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1385/ABAB:129:1:71

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/ABAB:129:1:71

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