Supply chain and logistic optimization of industrial Spent Microbial Biomass distribution as a soil amendment for field crop production

• Published in: Resources, conservation and recycling Vol. 146; pp. 218 - 231
• Main Authors: He-Lambert, Lixia, Shylo, Oleg, English, Burton C., Eash, Neal S., Zahn, James A., Lambert, Dayton M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.07.2019
• Subjects: Bioeconomy; Bioprocessing; Closed-loop supply chain (CLSC); Coproducts; Spent Microbial Biomass (SMB); Coproducts; Spent Microbial Biomass (SMB); Bioprocessing; Closed-loop supply chain (CLSC); Bioeconomy
• ISSN: 0921-3449; 1879-0658
• DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.03.028

•Study on Spent Microbial Biomass distribution network in Eastern Tennessee of U.S.•Application and delivering N rich industrial coproduct to crop field.•Solved for optimal distribution routes and storage facility characteristics.•Results suggest on-farm storage minimizing material transport and storage costs. Advancement of a sustainable bioeconomy requires strategic planning and development of new markets for coproducts. This research develops a least cost transportation model to deliver Spent Microbial Biomass (SMB) to farm fields as a soil amendment and fertilizer substitute. SMB is a coproduct resulting from the production of Bio-PDO™ – a certified biobased 1,3-propanediol made from corn glucose. SMB is bulky, but high in organic matter and other important plant nutrients. Distribution of SMB requires storage sites and truck transportation. The location of storage sites and serviceable coverage area are important factors determining supply logistic costs. This case study focuses on a Bio-PDO™ processing facility in East Tennessee. Stochastic programming and Monte Carlo simulation were used to evaluate the least-cost distribution of SMB under uncertain farmer demand. Farmer interest and participation rates affect the number and location of storage facilities, the system’s total storage capacity and costs, and transportation costs. The results suggest that on-farm storage of SMB minimizes material transport and storage costs.