Location problem of lignocellulosic bioethanol plant - Case study of Serbia

Abstract

© 2017 Elsevier Ltd Lignocellulosic bioethanol (LCB) is a biofuel produced from the nonfood feedstock, with the great potential of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions savings. Crop residues are considered to be suitable feedstock for its production, however, the amount of the feedstock needed for a production is large, making the supply of the plant rather complex and expensive. Therefore, selection of an optimal LCB plant location plays an important role in reducing supply costs and GHG emissions. The main objective of this study was to define the adequate approach for determining the location of LCB plant. As an appropriate basis, the p median mathematical model was selected and further adapted. The general objective of the model is minimization of both internal and external biomass transport costs. The necessary input for the model testing is selection of biomass and mapping of its potentials. The model was tested for the problem of LCB plant location in Serbia, considering both road and inland waterway transport of biomass. Novi Sad was selected as the optimal macro location of the plant in Serbia. The comparative analysis pointed out that, in the case of Serbia, depending on the selected location and transport mode, the biomass transport costs can range from 7 €/t to 18 €/t and have a share from 13.5% to 30% in the plant supply costs. Additionally, the costs savings in the case of applying multimodal instead of road transport can be from 1 €/t up to 9 €/t of biomass, respectively 5 €/t up to 45 €/t of produced bioethanol. Based on the results, effectiveness of the defined approach for the selection of LCB plant location can be verified. The results directly pointed out the importance of the transport costs analysis at the selection of a LCB plant location and the positive effects of using inland waterways for the biomass transportation. Obtained results can be further used for detailed analysis of environmental impacts, first of all GHG emissions saving.