Supply chain optimisation of pyrolysis plant deployment using goal programming

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) Vol. 68; pp. 262 - 271
• Main Authors: Nixon, J.D., Dey, P.K., Davies, P.A., Sagi, S., Berry, R.F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 15-04-2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Alcohols: methanol, ethanol, etc; Alternative fuels. Production and utilization; Applied sciences; Energy; Energy recovery from waste (EfW); Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Goal programming; India; Multi-criteria decision-analysis (MCDA); Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM); Optimization; Plants (organisms); Power plants; Pyrolysis; Supply chains; Waste-to-energy (WtE); Wastes; Asia; India; India, Punjab; Multi-criteria decision-analysis (MCDA); Pyrolysis; Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM); Waste-to-energy (WtE); Energy recovery from waste (EfW); Goal programming; Rural area; Biofuel; Multicriteria analysis; Decision making
• ISSN: 0360-5442
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2014.02.058

This paper presents a goal programming model to optimise the deployment of pyrolysis plants in Punjab, India. Punjab has an abundance of waste straw and pyrolysis can convert this waste into alternative bio-fuels, which will facilitate the provision of valuable energy services and reduce open field burning. A goal programming model is outlined and demonstrated in two case study applications: small scale operations in villages and large scale deployment across Punjab's districts. To design the supply chain, optimal decisions for location, size and number of plants, downstream energy applications and feedstocks processed are simultaneously made based on stakeholder requirements for capital cost, payback period and production cost of bio-oil and electricity. The model comprises quantitative data obtained from primary research and qualitative data gathered from farmers and potential investors. The Punjab district of Fatehgarh Sahib is found to be the ideal location to initially utilise pyrolysis technology. We conclude that goal programming is an improved method over more conventional methods used in the literature for project planning in the field of bio-energy. The model and findings developed from this study will be particularly valuable to investors, plant developers and municipalities interested in waste to energy in India and elsewhere.
•Goal programming is used to optimise the deployment of pyrolysis plants in India.•A model is outlined and applied in two case study applications.•Optimal decisions are made for feedstock type and plant size, location and numbers.•Stakeholder requirements are incorporated into the decision rationale.•Fatehgarh Sahib is the best place in Punjab to generate bio-fuels from waste straw.