A Supply Chain Framework for the Analysis of the Recovery of Biogas and Fatty Acids from Organic Waste

Abstract

We present a supply chain optimization framework to analyze economic and environmental benefits of recovering biogas, caproic acid (C6), and caprylic acid (C8) from different sources of organic waste. The framework makes simultaneous decisions on technology selection, sizing and placement, and transportation logistics. We consider livestock manure, wastewater sludge, and food waste generated in urban areas, dairy farms, wastewater treatment facilities, and landfills. Case studies for the State of Wisconsin reveal that the deployment of biogas recovery technologies offers the most environmental benefits but it is not economically viable while the deployment of C6/C8 recovery technologies is economically viable but provides limited environmental benefits. The simultaneous deployment of biogas/C6/C8 technologies (in the form of hybrid recovery systems) achieves both objectives. We also show how to use our framework to guide experimental research by providing yield targets for technologies that would achieve desired social welfare levels and rates of return.