Cost analysis for high-volume and long-haul transportation of densified biomass feedstock

Daniela Gonzales, Erin M. Searcy and Sandra D. Ekşioğlu

Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 2013, vol. 49, issue C, 48-61

Abstract: Using densified biomass to produce biofuels has the potential to reduce the cost of delivering biomass to biorefineries. Densified biomass has physical properties similar to grain, and therefore, the transportation system in support of delivering densified biomass to a biorenery is expected to emulate the current grain transportation system. By analyzing transportation costs for products like grain and woodchips, this paper identifies the main factors that impact the delivery cost of densified biomass and quantifies those factors’ impact on transportation costs. This paper provides a transportation-cost analysis which will aid the design and management of biofuel supply chains. This evaluation is very important because the expensive logistics and transportation costs are one of the major barriers slowing development in this industry.

Keywords: Densified biomass; Barge transportation; Rail transportation; Truck transportation; Regression analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (25)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2013.01.005

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