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Material Flow Optimization in By‐product Synergy Networks

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  • Emrah Cimren
  • Joseph Fiksel
  • Marc E. Posner
  • Kieran Sikdar

Abstract

By‐product synergy (BPS) is an industrial ecology practice that involves utilization of industrial by‐products as feedstocks for other industrial processes. A novel decision support tool is developed to analyze BPS networks that involve material processing and transport among regional clusters of companies. Mathematical programming techniques are used to determine the optimal network design and the material flows that minimize total cost or environmental impacts. This methodology is incorporated into a graphical software package called Eco‐Flow™. The tool has been applied to model and analyze available synergies in an existing BPS network centered in Kansas City, Missouri. A base case, which assumes no synergies, is compared with the optimal BPS solution found by Eco‐Flow™. The results for Kansas City suggest that when companies in the network cooperate to optimize the system profitability, up to $15 million per year of savings are possible. The findings also indicate that the BPS approach would result in 29% reduction in total cost, 25.8% reduction in average company cost, 30% reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and 37% reduction in waste to landfill. The modeling approach is being extended to better represent the dynamics of industrial and ecological processes.

Suggested Citation

  • Emrah Cimren & Joseph Fiksel & Marc E. Posner & Kieran Sikdar, 2011. "Material Flow Optimization in By‐product Synergy Networks," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 15(2), pages 315-332, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:15:y:2011:i:2:p:315-332
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-9290.2010.00310.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Kumar Mangla, Sachin & Börühan, Gülmüş & Ersoy, Pervin & Kazancoglu, Yigit & Song, Malin, 2021. "Impact of information hiding on circular food supply chains in business-to-business context," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 1-18.
    2. Pan, Ming & Sikorski, Janusz & Akroyd, Jethro & Mosbach, Sebastian & Lau, Raymond & Kraft, Markus, 2016. "Design technologies for eco-industrial parks: From unit operations to processes, plants and industrial networks," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 305-323.
    3. Vadenbo, Carl & Hellweg, Stefanie & Guillén-Gosálbez, Gonzalo, 2014. "Multi-objective optimization of waste and resource management in industrial networks – Part I: Model description," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 52-63.

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