Optimal design of treatment and logistic networks for the integrated management of urban and rural wastes with energy recovery

GONZÁLEZ, JULIÁN M.; MORERO, BETZABET; CAFARO, DIEGO C.

Buenos Aires (virtual)

Congreso; XXXVII Congreso Interamericano VIRTUAL de Ingeniería Sanitaria y Ambiental de AIDIS; 2021

AIDIS

This work presents a comprehensive mathematical model for the optimal configuration of waste treatment processes and the associated transportation network, accounting for co-digestion of cattle manure and municipal solid waste. Anaerobic digestors proposed for waste treatment can be fed with different mixing ratios of residues. The input flows for every digestor can be carried from different locations. A mixed-integer mathematical programming formulation is proposed to find the optimal process and network design, maximizing the net present value of investment. Results for a real-world case study show the predominance of co-digestion processes which are conditioned by the location of waste sources and rural facilities. Co-digestion of the stream of cattle manure and municipal solid waste leads to an integrated waste-to-energy process that maximizes the economic value and reduces environmental impacts of waste by producing electricity, heat and fertilizer.