Logistics Cost Optimization for Straw Biomass Supply and its Application in Heilongjiang Province, China

Abstract:

The operation of many biomass-based power plants in China have demonstrated that biomass supply logistics system is a key part to achieve economic, stable, and safe operation for such plants. In this paper, the straw biomass supply system of a biomass-based power plant located in Wangkui County, Heilongjiang Province was analyzed, and a mathematical model was established to optimize the fuel supply system. In consideration of the current straw biomass fuel supply system in China, that is "fuel origin – purchasing station - power plant", appropriate hypothesis and simplification were made on the linear transportation model. The logistics parameters for the biopower plant were obtained through the model analysis. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to analyze the optimal delivered cost of biomass under different operation scenarios, which enhanced the reliability of the final results. The optimal model proposed in this paper can also be used as a reference for the other biopower plants in the other regions.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 608-609)
• Pages: 254-260
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.608-609.254
• Online since: December 2012
• Authors: Jin Zhuo Wu, Li Hai Wang, Lin Ma
• Keywords: Biomass, Collection-Storage-Transportation Mode, Delivered Cost, Optimization

References

[1] S. Huang, X. Sun, W. Zhang, B. Zhang and Y. Hu: Environmental impacts analysis on China coal development and utilization. http://www.wwfchina.org/wwfpress/publication/climate/mtyxbg.pdf. Accessed on January 18, 2012. (in Chinese)

[2] C. Wu, Z. Zhou, X. Yin, and W. Yi: Current status of biomass energy development in China. Transactions of the Chinese Society for Agricultural Machinery Vol. 40 (2009), pp.91-99. (in Chinese)

[3] J. Wang, L. Dai, Y. Tian and S. Qin: Analysis of the development status and trends of biomass energy industry in China. Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering Vol 23 (2007), pp.276-282. (in Chinese)

[4] Z. Zhang, L. Wang, P. Zhang, and Y. Guo: Collection path optimization and transportation cost analysis of regional stalk resource. Renewable Energy Resources Vol. 27 (2009), pp.102-106. (in Chinese)

[5] G. Liu, D. Hao and Y. Dong: Straw biomass collection cost analysis and case study. Technology Economics No. 2(2006), pp.85-88. (in Chinese)

[6] A. Xing, G. Liu, Y. Wang, F. Wei and Y. Jin: Economic, energy and environment analysis on biomass collection process. The Chinese Journal of Process Engineering Vol. 8 (2008), pp.305-313. (in Chinese)

[7] H. Liu, X. Yin and C. Wu: Cost analysis of crop residue supplies. Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Machinery Vol. 42 (2011), pp.106-112. (in Chinese)

[8] X. Yu and F. Fan: Simulation analysis on fuel collection, processing, storage and transportation used in straw power plant in China. Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering Vol. 25 (2009), pp.215-219. (in Chinese)

[9] J. Wu, J. Wang, and J. McNeel: Economic modeling of woody biomass utilization for bioenergy and its application in central Appalachia, USA. Canadian Journal of Forest Research Vol. 41 (2011), pp.165-179.

DOI: 10.1139/x10-197

[10] G. Tembo, F.M. Epplin, and R.L. Huhnke: Integrative investment appraisal of a lignocellulosic biomass-to-ethanol industry. Journal of Agricultural Ressource Economics Vol. 3 (2003), pp.611-633.

[11] J. Cundiff, N. Dias and H. Sherali: A linear programming approach for designing a herbaceous biomass delivery system. Bioresource Technology Vol. 59 (1997), pp.47-55.

DOI: 10.1016/s0960-8524(96)00129-0

[12] A. Brooke, D. Kendrick, A. Meeraus and R. Raman: GAMS: A User's Guide. (GAMS Development Corporation, Washington, D.C. 1998).

[13] K. Jensen, J. Menard, B. English, W. Park and B. Wilson: The wood transportation and resource analysis system (WTRANS): an analysis tool to assist wood residue producers and users. Forest Products Journal Vol. 52 (2002), p.27–33.