Biomass logistics analysis for large scale biofuel production: Case study of loblolly pine and switchgrass. (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lu, Xiaoming; Withers, Mitch R.; Seifkar, Navid; Field, Randall P.; Barrett, Steven R.H.; Herzog, Howard J.
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 183(2015)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 9
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Biofuel production -- Biomass logistics -- Biomass costs -- GHG emissions -- Biomass transportation; Biomass -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; Déchets agricoles -- Périodiques; Déchets industriels -- Périodiques; Déchets organiques -- Périodiques; Déchets (Combustible) -- Périodiques; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.02.032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Highlights: Biomass logistics model was developed from biomass harvest through transportation. Costs, energy consumption and GHG emissions are determined by the logistics model. Biomass transportation modes including truck, rail and barge were investigated. Loblolly pine and switchgrass were examined as energy crops for biofuel production. Loblolly pine has 40% and 70% lower gate cost and GHG emissions than switchgrass. Abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the costs, energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions throughout the biomass supply chain for large scale biofuel production. Two types of energy crop were considered, switchgrass and loblolly pine, as representative of herbaceous and woody biomass. A biomass logistics model has been developed to estimate the feedstock supply system from biomass production through transportation. Biomass in the form of woodchip, bale and pellet was investigated with road, railway and waterway transportation options. Our analysis indicated that the farm or forest gate cost is lowest for loblolly pine whole tree woodchip at $39.7/dry tonne and highest for switchgrass round bale at $72.3/dry tonne. Switchgrass farm gate GHG emissions is approximately 146 kgCO2 e/dry tonne, about 4 times higher than loblolly pine. The optimum biomass transportation mode and delivered form are determined by the tradeoff between fixed and variable costs for feedstock shipment.