(27c) Investigating the Distributed and Centralized Preprocessing Depot in the Supply Chain Network Design of a Biorefinery Designed for Biochemical Conversion

This research develops an optimization model to investigate distributed and centralized preprocessing depot in the supply chain design of a biorefinery designed for biochemical conversion. The distributed depot in the supply chain network of a biorefinery deploys distributed preprocessing depots near biomass resources whereas centralized depot in the supply chain network deploys a primary centralized depot co-located with biorefinery to meet feedstock demand. The optimization model determines optimal supply chain network (e.g. optimal depot locations, required number of depots and size) while identifying the least cost feedstock blend of a biorefinery based on resource availability, quality requirements, and logistics cost for a biochemical conversion. A mixed-integer linear programming model is developed to determine optimal supply chain structure of a biorefinery sourcing multiple feedstocks. A case study—based on a biorefinery located in western Kansas, USA that uses three pass corn stover, two-pass corn stover, switchgrass, and municipal solid waste fraction to meet biochemical carbohydrate specifications and feedstock demand—shows that utilizing a distributed depot in the supply chain network is more economical than the centralized depot in the supply chain network.