Valorization of Biomass Through Anaerobic Digestion and Hydrothermal Carbonization: Integrated Process Flowsheet and Supply Chain Network Optimization

Sanja Potrč (), Aleksandra Petrovič, Jafaru M. Egieya and Lidija Čuček ()
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Sanja Potrč: Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
Aleksandra Petrovič: Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
Jafaru M. Egieya: Texas A&M Energy Institute, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Lidija Čuček: Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 2, 1-24

Abstract: Utilization of biomass through anaerobic digestion and hydrothermal carbonization is crucial to maximize resource efficiency. At the same time, supply chain integration ensures sustainable feedstock management and minimizes environmental and logistical impacts, enabling a holistic approach to a circular bioeconomy. This study presents an integrated approach to simultaneously optimize the biomass supply chain network and process flowsheet, which includes anaerobic digestion, cogeneration, and hydrothermal carbonization. A three-layer supply chain network superstructure was hence developed to integrate the optimization of process variables with supply chain features such as transportation modes, feedstock supply, plant location, and demand location. A mixed-integer nonlinear programming model aimed at maximizing the economic performance of the system was formulated and applied to a case study of selected regions in Slovenia. The results show a great potential for the utilization of organic biomass with an annual after tax profit of 23.13 million USD per year, with the production of 245.70 GWh/yr of electricity, 298.83 GWh/yr of heat, and 185.08 kt/yr of hydrochar. The optimal configuration of the supply chain network, including the selection of supply zones, plant locations and demand locations, transportation links, and mode of transportation is presented, along with the optimal process variables within the plant.

Keywords: anaerobic digestion; hydrothermal carbonization; supply chain optimization; process flowsheet optimization; mathematical programming (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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