Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Preprocessing: Appropriate preprocessing technologies need to be developed for
the novel crops such as Miscanthus, switchgrass, and energy cane. This includes
new size reduction as well as densifi cation equipment based on fundamental
understanding of the feedstock properties. From an operational standpoint, the
optimal locations for setting up these preprocessing facilities in the supply chain
must also be determined.
Biorefi nery: The biorefi nery faces a number of challenges in improving the bio-
mass conversion effi ciency. However, from the BFPP system standpoint, the
feedstock quality and physical form specifi cations need to be standardized.
These will have implications on the BFPP system design and operations. Ideally,
these specifi cations should also consider the constraints of the BFPP system in
addition to processing requirement.
Biomass feedstock properties and characterization: The biomass feedstock prop-
erties play a crucial role in the performance of the individual tasks mentioned
here. For example, moisture content impacts the effi ciency of harvesting, size
reduction, and storage. Similarly, bulk density impacts storage and transportation
effi ciencies. Systematic characterization of the biomass and the quantifi cation of
its properties are, therefore, essential. However, biomass feedstock may exhibit
signifi cant variability in these properties [ 22 ]. Standardized methods to estimate
these properties for different feedstock are needed but currently lacking.
In addition to addressing these task-specifi c challenges, the broad system-level
challenges must also be addressed. These are highly interdependent tasks with impli-
cations on upstream and downstream design decisions. We must, therefore, go
beyond the optimization of the individual operations and focus on the compatibility
of various tasks, which will lead to the overall optimal value chain confi guration.
Systems-based approaches that integrate systems informatics and analysis tech-
niques, such as database design, simulation modeling, and optimization, must be
used to develop new decision-making tools. The models should account for the inher-
ent uncertainties in the system such as weather, yield, maturity schedule, and equip-
ment breakdown. These tools must be made widely accessible, not only to experts
but also to various other stakeholders in the system. Figure 1.1 , therefore, shows the
role of systems informatics and analysis as central to the complete BFPP system.
Finally, sustainability considerations will be very important. Biofuels and bioen-
ergy in general have been proposed as more sustainable alternatives to the nonrenew-
able fossil fuels. However, these are highly complex systems in which the economic,
environmental, social, and policy issues intersect. An example of this is the issue of
indirect land use change due to biofuel production that has been intensely debated in
academic as well as policy forums [ 8 , 23 ]. The social implications of biofuels are
especially important because the feedstock providers are farmers whose livelihoods
will depend on the success of this sector. The environmental and ecological issues,
such as species invasiveness, fertilization and irrigation requirements, and biodiversity
maintenance, must also be considered. These challenging issues must be addressed by
specifi cally conducting sustainability-focused assessments using a holistic approach.
Search WWH ::




Custom Search