title: Development of a multicriteria assessment model for ranking biomass feedstock collection and transportation systems.
abstract: This study details multicriteria assessment methodology that integrates economic, social, environmental, and technical factors in order to rank alternatives for biomass collection and transportation systems. Ranking of biomass collection systems is based on cost of delivered biomass, quality of biomass supplied, emissions during collection, energy input to the chain operations, and maturity of supply system technologies. The assessment methodology is used to evaluate alternatives for collecting 1.8 x 10(6) dry t/yr based on assumptions made on performance of various assemblies of biomass collection systems. A proposed collection option using loafer/ stacker was shown to be the best option followed by ensiling and baling. Ranking of biomass transport systems is based on cost of biomass transport, emissions during transport, traffic congestion, and maturity of different technologies. At a capacity of 4 x 10(6) dry t/yr, rail transport was shown to be the best option, followed by truck transport and pipeline transport, respectively. These rankings depend highly on assumed maturity of technologies and scale of utilization. These may change if technologies such as loafing or ensiling (wet storage) methods are proved to be infeasible for large-scale collection systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2216 Main Mall, Vancouver, Canada V6T 1Z4. Amit.Kumar@ualberta.ca
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Shahab
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sokhansanj
authors.forename: Peter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Flynn
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002170:Canada; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000379:methods; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000191:economics* / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D004736:Energy-Generating Resources / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018803:Models, Economic; D014186:Transportation / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D007220:Industrial Waste