Use of linear programming to ‐optimize the social, −environmental, and economic impacts of using woody feedstocks for pellet and ‐torrefied pellet production

Abstract

Linear programming was used to optimize the economic, environmental, and social impacts of forest biomass used for bioenergy production. Sixteen scenarios (combinations of feedstocks, products, markets, and end use) were studied. Two feedstocks (roundwood and wood residues), two densifi ed bioenergy products (white pellet, torrefi ed pellet), two markets (domestic, international), and two end uses (power generation, district heating) were evaluated. The social, environmental, and economic sustainability attributes were quantifi ed and monetized using peer-reviewed literature to analyze the trade-offs. Using the economic criteria alone, the model showed that the best solution was use of 70% roundwood and 30% forest residue feedstock to produce torrefi ed pellets (TP) sold for district heating in the EU. The model predicts $5.4 million annual profi t which is driven by the use of lower cost forest residue feedstocks, and relatively higher prices for the heating market in the EU. Inclusion of all three sustainability attributes led to a different optimized solution. TP produced from roundwood and sold to the EU market for heating was the optimum, due to the social benefi ts derived from increased local income to landowners and reduced shipping costs. It also had added benefi ts of reductions in emissions across the transportation system on an energy basis. TP consistently had higher social benefi ts than WP due to the need for more biomass per unit of fi nal product, and providing more local jobs and income from feedstock production. The increasing costs of carbon emissions increased the environmental benefi ts of TP compared to WP or coal.

Optimal Design of Bioenergy Supply Chains Considering Social Benefits: A Case Study in Northeast China

“…In deterministic models, all parameters are given and deterministic. The optimal design and operation of bioenergy supply chains are formulated deterministically as linear programming [13,14], mixed integer linear programming [15,16], and mixed integer non-linear programming [17]. Deterministic models have been widely used for decades but have limitations because they are too idealistic in that all parameters or constraints have to be known and deterministic.…”

Systematic Review of Torrefied Wood Economics

“…Although all of these processes have several unit operations in common, there are also some noteworthy differences between different designs. (Radics et al 2016) All torrefaction processes require some common unit of operations: a drier, some additional screening and size reduction, a torrefaction system, a system for combustion of torrefaction gases (and potentially biomass dust and drier vent gases), a cooling system, and a system for additional grinding and consolidation of the torrefied product. In addition, almost all of the systems move the biomass through the hot zone in a counter current with cold biomass being introduced in the lowest temperature zone.…”

Evaluating sustainable product alternatives by combining life cycle assessment with full-cost accounting: A highway guardrail case study

“…Their study provided monetary values ranging from €0.10 to €128.20 per milligram of active ingredient and highlighted the significant cost differences between medication types and the different water sources into which they were being emitted. Radics et al (2016) found that bioenergy production from woody biomass carried environmental costs ranging from $3.60 to $4.50 per million BTUs. Lastly, Tol's (2018) review of the economic impacts of climate change found that "a global mean temperature rise of 2.5°C would make the average person feel as if she had lost 1.3% of her income."…”