1,721,096 research outputs found
Call for papers: Special Volume of the Journal of Cleaner Production on: “Improved resource efficiency and cascading utilisation of renewable materials”
No full textA Framework to Compare OR Models for Humanitarian Logistics
No full textAbstractA multitude of OR models – mainly mathematical programs – has been published in relevant journals to support decision-making in the field of humanitarian logistics. Due to the effort that comes with their application, these models are often not adapted by practitioners in humanitarian organizations. Clearly, one part of the effort relates to the comparison process in which the decision-maker has to choose the most appropriate model out of the available OR models. In this contribution, a framework is presented that should help decision-makers in the field of humanitarian logistics to compare available OR models. Three different ways how to compare OR models are introduced: based on the decision they support, based on the decision criteria and metrics they use, and based on their underlying methodology and assumptions. To serve as an illustration, two mathematical programs for the specification of stationary warehouses for relief items are compared with the help of this framework. In the long run, this framework will guide users of a methodological toolkit for humanitarian logistics to the most appropriate OR model for their decision problem. The development of such a methodological toolkit is the overarching goal of this work-in-progress
Multi-criteria decision support based on iterative comparisons with reference points
No full textSmall and medium sized enterprises have a wide influence in many economic sectors. They provide a substantial part of the jobs and goods while at the same time emitting huge amounts of pollutants. Existing research could prove that there is a lot of emission reduction potential available, but at the same time show that most enterprises do not implement cleaner production measures. One major obstacle is the absence of tools that provide easy to understand decision support for sustainability decisions in conjunction with corporate environmental management information systems, which also fit the requirements of small and medium sized enterprises. This article presents a multi-criteria decision support system and its integration into a corporate environmental management information system to overcome this barrier. The decision support approach is based on reference points, which makes it relatively easy to understand. Reference points may be adjusted by the decision maker in form of saturation levels to match his/her preferences more closely. To increase user acceptance the final results will be investigated with sensitivity analyses and an explanation system. This will enable decision makers in small and medium sized enterprises who have only a limited amount of time and are not familiar with the concept of multi-criteria decision making to implement the concept of cleaner production and examine whether the use of renewable resources or a cascade utilization of materials is beneficial. (c) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
Supply planning for processors of agricultural raw materials
No full textMaterial use of agricultural raw materials as renewable resources is gaining increasing importance in industrial production. Seasonal availability as well as variations in raw material quantity and quality and of market prices need to be considered in supply planning. This research depicts the planning problem of a processor of agricultural raw materials and illustrates it with data on the industrial use of linseed oil, which is a promising raw material for the production of new polymers. A two-stage stochastic program provides decision support and is applied to the example. The approach can be used for a variety of planning problems concerning the supply of agricultural raw materials. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.European Union [246647]; German Research Foundation (DFG) [GRK 1703/1
Assessment of product-service systems for increasing the energy efficiency of compressed air systems
No full textEnergy-optimised system operations should be a cornerstone for cleaner production in industry. However, the high energy consumption of compressed air systems (CASs) is often ignored. Product-service systems (PSSs) represent a method to improve energy efficiency, but can only be successful if they offer a win-win situation for both parties, namely the supplier and the customer. When selecting the most appropriate PSS, different quantitative or qualitative criteria have to be taken into account. Asymmetric information and differing objectives between the supplier and the user of a technology, characterise this decision problem. Like the two sides of a coin, investment in an energy-efficient production technology is judged differently by the manufacturer than by the customer. This paper presents a new approach offering multi-criteria group decision support based on the PROMETHEE method, which clearly depicts conflicting targets of decision-makers, and thus supports articulating criteria, preferences and weights of various stakeholders. This method was applied in a case study evaluating different concepts of leakage management, which were compared to the traditional business concept - acquisition and use of the compressed air system by the end-user. Within the context of the decision problem of choosing a best CAS, some further methodological developments are proposed
Efficient cogeneration and district heating systems in bioenergy villages: an optimization approach
No full textThe availability of renewable energy sources and highly efficient technologies are two major considerations when evaluating a sustainable energy supply with low carbon emission. Bioenergy villages combine the use of biomass as a renewable energy source with the efficient cogeneration of heat and power; The planning of these bioenergy villages using biomass as a source of electricity and heat calls for the simultaneous identification of facility location, capacity planning, and network design for the heating grid. A linear mathematical model is presented, that optimizes the local bioenergy production and distribution system and considers various parameters such as biomass availability, the number of heat customers, or heat loss in the system. The model is applied and validated using a case study in a small village in Lower Saxony (Germany). (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
Papers
No full textRenewable raw materials are becoming increasingly important as an alternative resource base in industrial networks. Consequently, research for methods improving the efficient use of renewable resources in production processes with by-products is crucial. The aim is cascade utilization, thus the multiple utilization of a raw material before its conversion into energy. The International Conference on Resource Efficiency in Interorganizational Networks (ResEff) brings together interdisciplinary researchers developing strategies and solution concepts for efficient resource utilization. It is therefore a platform for scientific exchange both between experts as well as interdisciplinary groups from agricultural and forestry science, mathematical optimization, operations research, marketing, business informatics, production and logistics. The following facets of the challenging topic of resource efficiency in interorganizational networks are covered: Materials, technologies, planning of production and value-added networks for renewable resources as well as governance, coordination and sale of products from renewable resources
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