Valorization of Biomass Through Anaerobic Digestion and Hydrothermal Carbonization: Integrated Process Flowsheet and Supply Chain Network Optimization

Utilization of biomass through anaerobic digestion and hydrothermal carbonization is crucial to maximize resource efficiency. At the same time, supply chain integration ensures sustainable feedstock management and minimizes environmental and logistical impacts, enabling a holistic approach to a circ...

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Main Authors: Sanja Potrč, Aleksandra Petrovič, Jafaru M. Egieya, Lidija Čuček
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/2/334
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author Sanja Potrč
Aleksandra Petrovič
Jafaru M. Egieya
Lidija Čuček
author_facet Sanja Potrč
Aleksandra Petrovič
Jafaru M. Egieya
Lidija Čuček
author_sort Sanja Potrč
collection DOAJ
description Utilization of biomass through anaerobic digestion and hydrothermal carbonization is crucial to maximize resource efficiency. At the same time, supply chain integration ensures sustainable feedstock management and minimizes environmental and logistical impacts, enabling a holistic approach to a circular bioeconomy. This study presents an integrated approach to simultaneously optimize the biomass supply chain network and process flowsheet, which includes anaerobic digestion, cogeneration, and hydrothermal carbonization. A three-layer supply chain network superstructure was hence developed to integrate the optimization of process variables with supply chain features such as transportation modes, feedstock supply, plant location, and demand location. A mixed-integer nonlinear programming model aimed at maximizing the economic performance of the system was formulated and applied to a case study of selected regions in Slovenia. The results show a great potential for the utilization of organic biomass with an annual after tax profit of 23.13 million USD per year, with the production of 245.70 GWh/yr of electricity, 298.83 GWh/yr of heat, and 185.08 kt/yr of hydrochar. The optimal configuration of the supply chain network, including the selection of supply zones, plant locations and demand locations, transportation links, and mode of transportation is presented, along with the optimal process variables within the plant.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2025-01-01
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series Energies
spelling doaj-art-5a741c2bc02d4f9fbd422e2ecf2d90ad2025-01-24T13:31:05ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-01-0118233410.3390/en18020334Valorization of Biomass Through Anaerobic Digestion and Hydrothermal Carbonization: Integrated Process Flowsheet and Supply Chain Network OptimizationSanja Potrč0Aleksandra Petrovič1Jafaru M. Egieya2Lidija Čuček3Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, SloveniaFaculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, SloveniaTexas A&M Energy Institute, College Station, TX 77845, USAFaculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, SloveniaUtilization of biomass through anaerobic digestion and hydrothermal carbonization is crucial to maximize resource efficiency. At the same time, supply chain integration ensures sustainable feedstock management and minimizes environmental and logistical impacts, enabling a holistic approach to a circular bioeconomy. This study presents an integrated approach to simultaneously optimize the biomass supply chain network and process flowsheet, which includes anaerobic digestion, cogeneration, and hydrothermal carbonization. A three-layer supply chain network superstructure was hence developed to integrate the optimization of process variables with supply chain features such as transportation modes, feedstock supply, plant location, and demand location. A mixed-integer nonlinear programming model aimed at maximizing the economic performance of the system was formulated and applied to a case study of selected regions in Slovenia. The results show a great potential for the utilization of organic biomass with an annual after tax profit of 23.13 million USD per year, with the production of 245.70 GWh/yr of electricity, 298.83 GWh/yr of heat, and 185.08 kt/yr of hydrochar. The optimal configuration of the supply chain network, including the selection of supply zones, plant locations and demand locations, transportation links, and mode of transportation is presented, along with the optimal process variables within the plant.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/2/334anaerobic digestionhydrothermal carbonizationsupply chain optimizationprocess flowsheet optimizationmathematical programming
spellingShingle Sanja Potrč
Aleksandra Petrovič
Jafaru M. Egieya
Lidija Čuček
Valorization of Biomass Through Anaerobic Digestion and Hydrothermal Carbonization: Integrated Process Flowsheet and Supply Chain Network Optimization
Energies
anaerobic digestion
hydrothermal carbonization
supply chain optimization
process flowsheet optimization
mathematical programming
title Valorization of Biomass Through Anaerobic Digestion and Hydrothermal Carbonization: Integrated Process Flowsheet and Supply Chain Network Optimization
title_full Valorization of Biomass Through Anaerobic Digestion and Hydrothermal Carbonization: Integrated Process Flowsheet and Supply Chain Network Optimization
title_fullStr Valorization of Biomass Through Anaerobic Digestion and Hydrothermal Carbonization: Integrated Process Flowsheet and Supply Chain Network Optimization
title_full_unstemmed Valorization of Biomass Through Anaerobic Digestion and Hydrothermal Carbonization: Integrated Process Flowsheet and Supply Chain Network Optimization
title_short Valorization of Biomass Through Anaerobic Digestion and Hydrothermal Carbonization: Integrated Process Flowsheet and Supply Chain Network Optimization
title_sort valorization of biomass through anaerobic digestion and hydrothermal carbonization integrated process flowsheet and supply chain network optimization
topic anaerobic digestion
hydrothermal carbonization
supply chain optimization
process flowsheet optimization
mathematical programming
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/2/334
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