Multi-objective optimization of the sugarcane-based bioethanol supply chain using the Analytical Hierarchy Process

WHEELER, JONATHAN; MELE, FERNANDO DANIEL; COPADO MÉNDEZ, PEDRO J.; GUILLÉN-GOSÁLBEZ, GONZALO

Lima

Conferencia; Sixth International Conference on Life Cycle Assessment (CILCA 2015); 2015

Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú

This work addressesthe need for a structured and comprehensive methodology for assessing the performance of the sugarcane-based bioethanol production chain in Argentinafrom a multi-criteria point of view. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) isused as the basic framework for providing the necessary weighting factors toconsider simultaneously an economic indicator together with severalenvironmental indexes. The Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) is chosen as a suitabletool for assessing the environmental aspects. Results of a traditionalmulti-objective optimization approach are compared to a single-objective approach using the set of AHP-based weighting factors in the objectivefunction. The advantages and disadvantages of both approaches are illustratedthrough its application to a case study, in which a trade-off exists betweenthe economic and environmental performance of the supply chain network. Ourmethod demonstrates in which degree the multi-objective optimization could be replaced by the single-objective approach.