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T. Bratec et al.
treatment routes, harvesting sites, processing and markets. Through the application of
the model to a case study of a multi-product biorefinery in Mexico, the authors show
how the variation of several parameters at different stages of a biorefinery supply
chain can influence the results on environmental, social and economic issues considered simultaneously. The authors consider various biomass feedstocks at different
harvesting sites, multiple potential geographical locations for processing plants, various production technologies and storage facilities, as well as different transport
modes between the supply chain components and market options. Nine types of bioresource (wood chips, sugar cane, corn grain, sunflower, etc.) are involved in the
study producing two final products (bioethanol and biodiesel). Six different possible
sites are considered for raw material production and processing. Four different processing technologies are considered. Finally, five possible locations are included for
the sale of the products. The measurement of environmental impacts is performed
using the life-assessment technique (Eco-indicator 99), while the social effects are
studied by quantifying the number of jobs generated. The results show that the selection of year-round feedstock could bring cost-effective solutions. From the economic
point of view, it is better to use wood chips for the ethanol production, while from
the environmental and social points of view, sugar cane and sorghum present more
benefits.
According to López-Díaz et al. (2017), the key parameters that must be taken into
account for the optimal biorefinery location are the type of biomass to be cultivated,
available land, water resources, energy, infrastructure and socio-economic aspects.
The authors indicate that the location of cultivation areas is directly connected with
the location of end-use biorefineries. The biomass availability depends significantly
on geographical location and seasonal variability. However, the construction and
operation of a biorefinery could expand the cultivation areas necessary for the raw
material production. The authors propose considering different potential processing
location sites and feedstock selection, as well as potential markets. Nevertheless,
water is used within almost all biorefinery chain stages (cultivation and harvesting
sites, pretreatment and processing), this study gives priority to the impact of interactions of biorefinery systems on water resources. A material flow analysis formulation
is used for the modeling of the surrounding watershed interacting with the biorefinery
system, through water use and wastewater discharge.
Harvey and Pettersson (2014) have proposed more detailed criteria that may influence the choice of the biorefinery location. The authors suggest taking into account
the following parameters: proximity of raw materials and envisaged market, presence of heat sources, existing experience and know-how available in the territory.
The proximity of raw materials enables shorter transport distances and, therefore,
reduces associated environmental effects and economic costs. Closeness to the market/consumer could also reduce impacts. The opportunity for heat integration is one
of the most significant driving forces for biorefinery location, ameliorating its overall
efficiency. The heat integration of a biorefinery with an already existing industrial
process or a district heating system could avoid excess heat use, and therefore, reduce
the heating costs. The re-use or co-use of existing process units or infrastructures
reduces investment costs. Moreover, it leads to reduced technical risks since the expe-
T. Bratec et al.
treatment routes, harvesting sites, processing and markets. Through the application of
the model to a case study of a multi-product biorefinery in Mexico, the authors show
how the variation of several parameters at different stages of a biorefinery supply
chain can influence the results on environmental, social and economic issues considered simultaneously. The authors consider various biomass feedstocks at different
harvesting sites, multiple potential geographical locations for processing plants, various production technologies and storage facilities, as well as different transport
modes between the supply chain components and market options. Nine types of bioresource (wood chips, sugar cane, corn grain, sunflower, etc.) are involved in the
study producing two final products (bioethanol and biodiesel). Six different possible
sites are considered for raw material production and processing. Four different processing technologies are considered. Finally, five possible locations are included for
the sale of the products. The measurement of environmental impacts is performed
using the life-assessment technique (Eco-indicator 99), while the social effects are
studied by quantifying the number of jobs generated. The results show that the selection of year-round feedstock could bring cost-effective solutions. From the economic
point of view, it is better to use wood chips for the ethanol production, while from
the environmental and social points of view, sugar cane and sorghum present more
benefits.
According to López-Díaz et al. (2017), the key parameters that must be taken into
account for the optimal biorefinery location are the type of biomass to be cultivated,
available land, water resources, energy, infrastructure and socio-economic aspects.
The authors indicate that the location of cultivation areas is directly connected with
the location of end-use biorefineries. The biomass availability depends significantly
on geographical location and seasonal variability. However, the construction and
operation of a biorefinery could expand the cultivation areas necessary for the raw
material production. The authors propose considering different potential processing
location sites and feedstock selection, as well as potential markets. Nevertheless,
water is used within almost all biorefinery chain stages (cultivation and harvesting
sites, pretreatment and processing), this study gives priority to the impact of interactions of biorefinery systems on water resources. A material flow analysis formulation
is used for the modeling of the surrounding watershed interacting with the biorefinery
system, through water use and wastewater discharge.
Harvey and Pettersson (2014) have proposed more detailed criteria that may influence the choice of the biorefinery location. The authors suggest taking into account
the following parameters: proximity of raw materials and envisaged market, presence of heat sources, existing experience and know-how available in the territory.
The proximity of raw materials enables shorter transport distances and, therefore,
reduces associated environmental effects and economic costs. Closeness to the market/consumer could also reduce impacts. The opportunity for heat integration is one
of the most significant driving forces for biorefinery location, ameliorating its overall
efficiency. The heat integration of a biorefinery with an already existing industrial
process or a district heating system could avoid excess heat use, and therefore, reduce
the heating costs. The re-use or co-use of existing process units or infrastructures
reduces investment costs. Moreover, it leads to reduced technical risks since the expe-