Biofuels supply chain characterization
Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2007.
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | eng |
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2008
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/40111 |
| _version_ | 1826214533282136064 |
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| author | Banerjee, Anindya, M. Eng. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Noguer, José Luis |
| author2 | Chris Caplice. |
| author_facet | Chris Caplice. Banerjee, Anindya, M. Eng. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Noguer, José Luis |
| author_sort | Banerjee, Anindya, M. Eng. Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| collection | MIT |
| description | Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2007. |
| first_indexed | 2024-09-23T16:07:15Z |
| format | Thesis |
| id | mit-1721.1/40111 |
| institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| language | eng |
| last_indexed | 2024-09-23T16:07:15Z |
| publishDate | 2008 |
| publisher | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | mit-1721.1/401112019-04-12T12:32:08Z Biofuels supply chain characterization Banerjee, Anindya, M. Eng. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Noguer, José Luis Chris Caplice. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division. Engineering Systems Division. Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2007. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 84-89). Ethanol can be made from agricultural residues like wheat straw and from crops dedicated to energy use, like switchgrass. We study the logistics aspects of this transformation and determine the main characteristics of the supply chain making ethanol from cellulose. Important to the final acceptability of ethanol as a transportation fuel is both the economics as well as the environmental aspect of using ethanol. In this study we analyze the buildup of cost as biomass is transformed into fuel. We also look at all the steps involved and describe them from a supply chain perspective We have found that the main cost components in the cellulosic ethanol production are biomass production, harvesting and ethanol refining. We have also found that the main factor in reducing the overall production cost is the biomass to ethanol conversion factor. The development of new technologies to convert biomass into ethanol becomes a critical issue to achieve the cost targets imposed in order to make ethanol more competitive with other sources of energy such as fossil fuels. An increase in the current conversion factor of 42% could potentially yield to a decrease of nearly 15% in the: total production cost of cellulosic ethanol. (cont.) Other factors such as increasing the refining plant size and biomass yield can also help to reduce the production cost but we found its impact to be lower than that of the conversion factor. Finally, we also performed a strategic analysis of the entire supply chain to determine how is this industry likely to develop and who will have more bargaining power and therefore will realize most of the value and profits in the supply chain. Our analysis shows that in such a dynamic scenario as in the alternate energy industry, the best option is to build sustained advantage by strong alliances with different partners within the supply chain. by Anindya Banerjee [and] José Luis Noguer. M.Eng.in Logistics 2008-02-04T20:47:26Z 2008-02-04T20:47:26Z 2007 2007 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/40111 184987027 eng M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission. http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582 89 leaves application/pdf Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| spellingShingle | Engineering Systems Division. Banerjee, Anindya, M. Eng. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Noguer, José Luis Biofuels supply chain characterization |
| title | Biofuels supply chain characterization |
| title_full | Biofuels supply chain characterization |
| title_fullStr | Biofuels supply chain characterization |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biofuels supply chain characterization |
| title_short | Biofuels supply chain characterization |
| title_sort | biofuels supply chain characterization |
| topic | Engineering Systems Division. |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/40111 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT banerjeeanindyamengmassachusettsinstituteoftechnology biofuelssupplychaincharacterization AT noguerjoseluis biofuelssupplychaincharacterization |