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Integrated Modeling
Framework for Algae Logistic
Systems
1
st
International Conference on
Algal Biomass, Biofuels, & Bioproducts
St. Louis, MO
July 17-20, 2011
Deborah T. Newby, Ph.D.
Biofuels and Renewable Energy Technologies Department
Purpose
Development of a modular algae logistics model (ALM)
Development of a integrated modeling framework by
coupling to resource and production model(s)
Integration of disparate toolsets and databases
Multi-scale performance and cost assessments of
algae farm and supply chain systems
Regional and national scale assessments
Identification of gaps in current technologies
Incorporation of conceptual or new technologies
Evaluation impacts of various cultivation scenarios on
supply chain systems
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/pdfs/mypp.pdf
Approach
Build on experience designing and performing comprehensive
assessments for herbaceous and woody biomass supply systems
Establish baseline unit farm and supply chain system configuration
Raceway design
Nutrient/CO
2
sources
Harvesting and dewatering methods
Storage and transportation
Develop unit farm and logistics model
Stand-alone application
Performs assessments at process level
Develop integrated modeling framework
Facilitate plug-and-play design
Enable coupling of toolsets and databases such as those from
resource assessment, production, and siting models
Algae Unit Farm Design
1200 acre plot
1000 acres of open ponds (10 acre raceways)
200 acres infrastructure (buildings, roads, storage, etc.)
Co-located with wastewater and CO
2
sources
10 acre raceways
Fed via inoculum ponds
Paddle wheel system
Nutrient/CO
2
delivery system
Algae Supply Chain Logistics Design
Harvest/Dewatering (Flocculation, Centrifugation, Filtration,
Floatation)
Drying (Rotary, Solar)
Storage (Tank, Silo, Pile)
Transportation (Truck, Railroad, Barge)
Algae Logistics Model Concept
Comprised of unit operation process modules
Infrastructure (Unit Farm)
Harvesting/Dewatering
Drying
Storage
Transportation
Developed in Powersim
TM
Commercial system dynamics software package
Software Development Kit (SDK)
Create web-based models
Create desktop interfaces
Databases
Process equipment data (e.g. cost, capacity, repair/maint. energy requirements)
State specific data (e.g. transportation, utility costs)
Labor input data
ALM Modules
Each module designed to specification
Consistent module inputs and outputs
Enables consistent information and data flow
Facilitates mass and energy balancing
Module evaluation
Economic assessment
Capital cost assessed for peak production
Operational cost assessed daily
Performance assessment
Energy use
Losses
ALM Application
ALM compiled in to a Dynamic Link Library (DLL)
Allows model to be easily updated
Facilitate redistributions with updates
Reusable within multiple applications
Allows coupling of resource assessments and tools
Integrated Assessment Framework
Enables coupling of toolkits and databases
Manages flow of information and data
Manages distribution of data
Enables consistent data across all modules
System dynamics functionality through Powersim
TM
SDK
Initialization and modification of integrated model parameters
Analysis at daily time step
Results Algae Logistics Model
Comprised of unit operation modules
Modularity enables flexible logistical supply chain system
design
Cost and performance assessments at process level
Built as a stand-alone application
Easily updated and redistributed
Reusable in multiple applications
Couples to any production and siting models
Investigate various production scenarios impact on supply
chain system
Assess supply chain system design for specific locations
Results Integrated Assessment Framework
Site specific assessments
Facilitates data management and analysis between integrated
models
Fully coupled, system dynamics enabled analysis
Promotes investigation of new conceptual and innovative
technologies
Plug-and-Play design environment
Cost and performance assessments at process/system level
Novel assessments achieved through model integration
First spatially-explicit estimate of open pond microalgae production
potential and resource demands for the conterminous United
States
Future Work
Continue development of modules
Water treatment, Anaerobic digesters, etc.
Develop user interfaces for ALM modules
Allow dynamic updates of cost and performance parameters
Output analysis to database
Develop user interfaces for IAF
Configure supply chain system
Initialize system parameters
Site parameters (location, climate, etc.)
Nutrient/CO
2
supply
Algae characteristics
Acknowledgments
INL Team
Dave Muth
Jared Abodeely
Daniel Stevens
Allison Ray
PNNL Team
Richard Skaggs
Mark Wigmosta
Andre Coleman
OBP Program Manager
Joyce Yang
Contact Information
Deborah Newby, Ph.D.
deborah.newby@inl.gov
208-526-7779