Modeling and Optimization of Biomass Supply Chains: Top Down and Bottom Up Assessment for Agricultural, Forest and Waste Feedstock provides scientific evidence for assessing biomass supply and logistics, placing emphasis on methods, modeling capacities, large data collection, processing and storage. The information presented builds on recent relevant research work from the Biomass Futures, Biomass Policies and S2Biom projects. In addition to technical issues, the book covers the economic, social and environmental aspects with direct implications on biomass availability. Its chapters offer an overview of methodologies for assessing and modeling supply, biomass quality and requirements for different conversion processes, logistics and demand for biobased sectors. Case studies from the projects that inspire the book present practical examples of the implementation of these methodologies. The authors also compare methodologies for different regions, including Europe and the U.S. Biomass feedstock-specific chapters address the relevant elements for forest, agriculture, biowastes, post-consumer wood and non-food crops. Engineers in the bioenergy sector, as well as researchers and graduate students will find this book to be a very useful resource when working on optimization and modeling of biomass supply chains. For energy policymakers, analysts and consultants, the book provides consistent and technically sound projections for policy and market development decisions. - Provides consistent ratios and indicators for assessing biomass supply and its logistical component - Explores assumptions behind the assessment of different types of biomass, including key technical and non-technical factors - Presents the existing modeling platforms, their input requirements and possible output projections

Decision-Making for Biomass-Based Production Chains: The Basic Concepts and Medothologies presents a comprehensive study of key-issues surrounding the integration of strategic, tactical and operational decision levels for supply chains in the biomass, biofuels and biorefining sectors. Comprehensive sections cover biomass resources, harvesting, collection, storage and distribution systems, along with the necessary technical and technological background of production systems. In addition, the basics of decision-making, problems and decision levels encountered in design, management and operation phases are covered. Case studies are supplied in each chapter, along with a discussion and comparative analysis of topics. The book presents a clear vision of advances in the field. Graduate students and those starting in this line of research will also find the necessary information on how to model this kind of complex system. Finally, this comprehensive resource can be used as a guide for non-expert industry decision-makers and government policymakers who need a thorough overview on the industry. - Examines analytic methodologies for complex decision-making when designing, deploying and managing biomass and bio-based products supply chains - Includes real-life examples of main sustainability indicators, standards and certification schemes from the European Union, United States and worldwide - Explores the progress of decision-making procedures to provide a detailed perspective for effective selection of the most reliable solutions for each kind of problem - Provides detailed, in-depth analyses of various models and frameworks for their implementation, challenges and solutions - Presents multi-criteria and multi-objective decision-making and modeling approaches, including mathematical modeling, simulation-based modeling, and artificial intelligence-based modeling

Biomass Supply Chains for Bioenergy and Biorefining highlights the emergence of energy generation through the use of biomass and the ways it is becoming more widely used. The supply chains that produce the feedstocks, harvest, transport, store, and prepare them for combustion or refinement into other forms of fuel are long and complex, often differing from feedstock to feedstock. Biomass Supply Chains for Bioenergy and Biorefining considers every aspect of these supply chains, including their design, management, socioeconomic, and environmental impacts. The first part of the book introduces supply chains, biomass feedstocks, and their analysis, while the second part looks at the harvesting, handling, storage, and transportation of biomass. The third part studies the modeling of supply chains and their management, with the final section discussing, in minute detail, the supply chains involved in the production and usage of individual feedstocks, such as wood and sugar starches, oil crops, industrial biomass wastes, and municipal sewage stocks. - Focuses on the complex supply chains of the various potential feedstocks for biomass energy generation - Studies a wide range of biomass feedstocks, including woody energy crops, sugar and starch crops, lignocellulosic crops, oil crops, grass crops, algae, and biomass waste - Reviews the modeling and optimization, standards, quality control and traceability, socioeconomic, and environmental impacts of supply chains

Biofuels for a More Sustainable Future: Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment and Multi-criteria Decision Making provides a comprehensive sustainability analysis of biofuels based on life cycle thinking and develops various multi-dimensional decision-making techniques for prioritizing biofuel production technologies. Taking a transversal approach, the book combines life cycle sustainability assessment, life cycle assessment, life cycle costing analysis, social life cycle assessment, sustainability metrics, triple bottom line, operations research methods, and supply chain design for investigating the critical factors and key enablers that influence the sustainable development of biofuel industry. This book will equip researchers and policymakers in the energy sector with the scientific methodology and metrics needed to develop strategies for viable sustainability transition. It will be a key resource for students, researchers and practitioners seeking to deepen their knowledge on energy planning and current and future trends of biofuel as an alternative fuel. - Provides an innovative approach to promoting sustainable development in biofuel production by linking supply chain design and decision support with the life cycle perspective - Features case studies and examples that illustrate the theory and methods developed - Includes material on corporate social responsibility and economic analysis of biofuels that is highly useful to policy-makers and administrators in both government and enterprise sectors

Biomass, Biofuels, Biochemicals: Biofuels: Alternative Feedstocks and Conversion Processes for the Production of Liquid and Gaseous Biofuels, Second Edition, provides general information, basic data and knowledge on one of the most promising renewable energy sources—liquid and gaseous biofuels—and their production and application. The book delineates green technologies for abating environmental crisis and enabling the transformation into a sustainable future. It provides date-based scientific information on the most advanced and innovative technology on biofuels, as well as the process scale-up and commercialization of various liquid and gaseous biofuels, detailing the functional mechanisms involved, various operational configurations, influencing factors and integration strategies. All chapters have been updated, with new chapters covering topics of current interest, including sustainability and biohydrogen. - Presents a holistic view of biofuels in research, operation, scale-up and application - Widens the scope of the existing technologies, providing state-of-the-art information and knowledge - Provides strategic integrations of various bioprocesses that are essential in establishing a circular biorefinery - Contains interdisciplinary knowledge on the environment, molecular biology, engineering, biotechnology, microbiology and economic aspects - Integrates various subjects, including biotechnology, bioengineering, molecular biology, environmental science, sustainability science and chemical engineering

The utilisation of biomass is increasingly important for low- or zero-carbon power generation. Developments in conventional power plant fuel flexibility allow for both direct biomass combustion and co-firing with fossil fuels, while the integration of advanced technologies facilitates conversion of a wide range of biomass feedstocks into more readily combustible fuel. Biomass combustion science, technology and engineering reviews the science and technology of biomass combustion, conversion and utilisation.Part one provides an introduction to biomass supply chains and feedstocks, and outlines the principles of biomass combustion for power generation. Chapters also describe the categorisation and preparation of biomass feedstocks for combustion and gasification. Part two goes on to explore biomass combustion and co-firing, including direct combustion of biomass, biomass co-firing and gasification, fast pyrolysis of biomass for the production of liquids and intermediate pyrolysis technologies. Largescale biomass combustion and biorefineries are then the focus of part three. Following an overview of large-scale biomass combustion plants, key engineering issues and plant operation are discussed, before the book concludes with a chapter looking at the role of biorefineries in increasing the value of the end-products of biomass conversion.With its distinguished editor and international team of expert contributors, Biomass combustion science, technology and engineering provides a clear overview of this important area for all power plant operators, industrial engineers, biomass researchers, process chemists and academics working in this field. - Reviews the science and technology of biomass combustion, conversion and utilisation - Provides an introduction to biomass supply chains and feedstocks and outlines the principles of biomass combustion for power generation - Describes the categorisation and preparation of biomass feedstocks for combustion and gasification

The chapter discusses the biomass supply chain, which is responsible for supplying an energy conversion plant with the correct quantity and quality of biomass at the correct time. The chapter first categorizes the biomass and waste streams and presents analytically the biomass supply chain, discussing its structure and characteristics. It then reviews the latest advances in biomass supply chains. The issue of integrating biomass energy conversion into waste management systems is tackled and the advantages and limitations of using biomass, in supply chain terms, are presented. The chapter concludes with future trends in biomass supply chains and logistics, and proposes sources of further information.

Sustainability of Products, Processes and Supply Chains: Theory and Applications presents the recent theoretical developments and applications on the interface between sustainability and process systems engineering. It offers a platform for cutting-edge, holistic analyses of key challenges associated with computer-aided tools for incorporating sustainability principles and approaches into the design and operations of multi-scale process systems, ranging from molecular and products systems, to energy and chemical processes, and supply chains. - Presents recent theoretical developments and applications on the interface between sustainability engineering and process engineering - Offers cutting-edge, holistic analyses of key challenges associated with computer-aided tools for incorporating sustainability principles and approaches into the design and operations of multi-scale process systems - Brings together the perspectives of leading researchers to stimulate innovative thinking in terms of sustainability

Advances of Artificial Intelligence in a Green Energy Environment reviews the new technologies in intelligent computing and AI that are reducing the dimension of data coverage worldwide. This handbook describes intelligent optimization algorithms that can be applied in various branches of energy engineering where uncertainty is a major concern. Including AI methodologies and applying advanced evolutionary algorithms to real-world application problems for everyday life applications, this book considers distributed energy systems, hybrid renewable energy systems using AI methods, and new opportunities in blockchain technology in smart energy. Covering state-of-the-art developments in a fast-moving technology, this reference is useful for engineering students and researchers interested and working in the AI industry. - Looks at new techniques in artificial intelligence (AI) reducing the dimension of data coverage worldwide - Chapters include AI methodologies using enhanced hybrid swarm-based optimization algorithms - Includes flowchart diagrams for exampling optimizing techniques

Industry 4.0 is changing how we manage operations to drive systems more intelligently. Technologies and applications are rapidly evolving. Disruptive technologies, such as artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing and digital twin, are shaking up different industries and have motivated us to revisit engineering and management tools for improving system design, efficiency, effectiveness, reliability, and responsiveness. While these emerging technologies have powered new applications, novel industrial engineering methodologies are required to achieve the goals. Industrial Engineering was sprouted from major engineering disciplines that called for better professional understanding of industrialization. Ever since, the discipline of Industrial Engineering has been the star role player in confronting emerging industries; be it manufacturing, service, high tech products, outer space technology, information technology, industrial policy, ergonomics, and now the world’s greatest concern, sustainable development. This book presents the state-of-the-art in industrial engineering research from different countries and cities around the globe. The book covers a wide range of topics in industrial engineering, including: Demand Chain Management, E-business / Information Technology, Evolutionary Algorithm, Green Manufacturing/Management, Health Care Systems and more.