Optimizing sustainable bio-fuel supply chain: a multi-objective model utilizing micro-algae resources
Narayan Sharma, Anand Chauhan, Anubhav Pratap Singh, Ritu Arora
Abstract
Abstract As energy demands continue to rise and concerns about the impact on the environment of fossil fuels, renewable energy sources have emerged as viable alternatives. Bio-fuels can replace non-renewable energy sources. Micro and macro-algae, animal fat, leftover cooking oil and vegetable oil can be utilised to make bio-diesel. Micro-algae is readily available and affordable, making it a viable alternative to these sources. A bio-diesel supply chain that supports large-scale production must be developed quickly. A multi-objective framework is used to construct a sustainable micro-algal bio-diesel supply chain. Bio-diesel supply chain economic objective and environmental impact is minimized in the proposed approach. Bio-diesel is advertised as a fossil fuel replacement. Bio-refineries, bio-diesel depositories, multi-harvesting centres and supply sites for micro-algae ( Chlorella , chlamydomonas and Scenedesmus ) are considered. The suggested multi-objective model is optimized by implementing the $$Genetic-Algorithm$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mrow> <mml:mi>G</mml:mi> <mml:mi>e</mml:mi> <mml:mi>n</mml:mi> <mml:mi>e</mml:mi> <mml:mi>t</mml:mi> <mml:mi>i</mml:mi> <mml:mi>c</mml:mi> <mml:mo>-</mml:mo> <mml:mi>A</mml:mi> <mml:mi>l</mml:mi> <mml:mi>g</mml:mi> <mml:mi>o</mml:mi> <mml:mi>r</mml:mi> <mml:mi>i</mml:mi> <mml:mi>t</mml:mi> <mml:mi>h</mml:mi> <mml:mi>m</mml:mi> </mml:mrow> </mml:math> . The framework and solution technique are validated using numerical illustrations. Findings indicate that bio-diesel production facility starting expenses comprise 59% of overall costs, showing high installation costs in the supply chain. Additionally, their environmental impact accounts for 67% of total environmental installation impact. A sensitivity analysis is performed to determine the feasibility of this study. The suggested paradigm could potentially be beneficial for traders and governing bodies with an interest in bio-fuel industry.