Green Design of a Cellulosic Bio-butanol Supply Chain Network with Life Cycle Assessment

The incentives and policies spearheaded by the U.S. government have created abundant opportunities for renewable fuel production and commercialization. Bio-butanol is a very promising renewable fuel for the future transportation market. Many efforts have been made to improve its production process, but seldom has bio-butanol research discussed the integration and optimization of a cellulosic bio-butanol supply chain network. This study focused on the development of a physical supply chain network and the optimization of a green supply chain network for cellulosic bio-butanol. To develop the physical supply chain network, the production process, material flow, physical supply chain participants, and supply chain logistics activities of cellulosic bio-butanol were identified by conducting an onsite visit and survey of current bio-fuel stakeholders. To optimize the green supply chain network for cellulosic bio-butanol, the life cycle analysis was integrated into a multi-objective linear programming model. With the objectives of maximizing the economic profits and minimizing the greenhouse gas emissions, the proposed model can optimize the location and size of a bio-butanol production plant. The mathematical model was applied to a case study in the state of Missouri, and solved the tradeoff between the feedstock and market availabilities of sorghum stem bio-butanol. The results of this research can be used to support the decision making process at the strategic, tactical, and operational levels of cellulosic bio-butanol commercialization and cellulosic bio-butanol supply chain optimization. The results of this research can also be used as an introductory guideline for beginners who are interested in cellulosic bio-butanol commercialization and supply chain design.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Forest Products

Department dc:contributor.department

Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2017

Author dc:creator

• Liang, Li

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Quesada, Henry Jose

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Kline, David E.
• Bish, Douglas R.
• Smith, Robert L.

• Cellulosic Bio-butanol
• Supply Chain Network Design
• Multi-objective Linear Programming Model
• Life Cycle Assessment

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

vt_gsexam:12941

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/79488