LAPSE:2025.0269
Published Article

LAPSE:2025.0269
A Forest Biomass-to-Hydrogen Supply Chain Mathematical Model for Optimizing Carbon Emissions and Economic Metrics
June 27, 2025
Abstract
This study introduces a mathematical programming approach to optimize biomass-to-hydrocarbon supply chain design and planning, aiming to balance economic and environmental outcomes. The model incorporates a range of residual biomass types from forestry, sawmills, and the pulp and paper industry, with the option to establish various processing facilities and technologies over a multi-period planning horizon. The analysis involves selecting forest areas, identifying biomass sources, and determining the optimal locations, technologies, and capacities for facilities converting wood-based residues into methanol and pyrolysis oil, which can be further refined into biodiesel and drop-in fuels. Using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in a gate-to-gate analysis, forest supply chain carbon emissions are estimated and integrated into the optimization model, extending previous research. A multi-objective framework is employed to minimize CO2-equivalent emissions while minimizing present costs, with efficient Pareto points evaluated in a case study focused on the Argentine forest industry.
This study introduces a mathematical programming approach to optimize biomass-to-hydrocarbon supply chain design and planning, aiming to balance economic and environmental outcomes. The model incorporates a range of residual biomass types from forestry, sawmills, and the pulp and paper industry, with the option to establish various processing facilities and technologies over a multi-period planning horizon. The analysis involves selecting forest areas, identifying biomass sources, and determining the optimal locations, technologies, and capacities for facilities converting wood-based residues into methanol and pyrolysis oil, which can be further refined into biodiesel and drop-in fuels. Using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in a gate-to-gate analysis, forest supply chain carbon emissions are estimated and integrated into the optimization model, extending previous research. A multi-objective framework is employed to minimize CO2-equivalent emissions while minimizing present costs, with efficient Pareto points evaluated in a case study focused on the Argentine forest industry.
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Suggested Citation
Piedra-Jimenez F, Mehta R, Larnaudie V, Rodriguez MA, Torres AI. A Forest Biomass-to-Hydrogen Supply Chain Mathematical Model for Optimizing Carbon Emissions and Economic Metrics. Systems and Control Transactions 4:729-734 (2025) https://doi.org/10.69997/sct.110922
Author Affiliations
Piedra-Jimenez F: Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, CONICET, Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos y Química Aplicada, Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
Mehta R: Carnegie Mellon University, Department of Chemical Engineering, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Larnaudie V: Universidad de la República, Facultad de Ingeniería, Departamento de Bioingeniería, Montevideo, Uruguay
Rodriguez MA: Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, CONICET, Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos y Química Aplicada, Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
Torres AI: Carnegie Mellon University, Department of Chemical Engineering, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Mehta R: Carnegie Mellon University, Department of Chemical Engineering, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Larnaudie V: Universidad de la República, Facultad de Ingeniería, Departamento de Bioingeniería, Montevideo, Uruguay
Rodriguez MA: Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, CONICET, Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos y Química Aplicada, Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina
Torres AI: Carnegie Mellon University, Department of Chemical Engineering, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Journal Name
Systems and Control Transactions
Volume
4
First Page
729
Last Page
734
Year
2025
Publication Date
2025-07-01
Version Comments
Original Submission
Other Meta
PII: 0729-0734-1177-SCT-4-2025, Publication Type: Journal Article
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LAPSE:2025.0269
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https://doi.org/10.69997/sct.110922
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References Cited
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