A Hybrid Simulation Model for Green Logistics Assessment in Automotive Industry

Life cycle assessment of biodiesel production by using impregnated magnetic biochar derived from waste palm kernel shell

Biodiesel is renewable, biodegradable, biocompatible (non-toxic) and environmentally friendly, which emits less pollution than traditional fossil-based diesel, making it the most promising and ideal option. However, biodiesel is facing many current issues, mostly related to the utilisation of homogeneous catalytic technology, and this circumstance obstructs its potential development and advancement. Therefore, new pathways for biodiesel production need to be explored, and the aforementioned issues need to be addressed. Recently, a study was conducted on the impregnated magnetic biochar derived from a waste palm kernel shell (PKS) catalyst that can replace conventional catalysts due to its reusability property. Nevertheless, the environmental impacts of impregnated magnetic biochar derived from waste PKS catalyst for biodiesel production are yet to be studied. This study focuses on the evaluation of the life cycle assessment (LCA) of palm-based cooking oil for biodiesel production catalysed by impregnated magnetic biochar derived from waste PKS. Simapro was used in this study to evaluate the impact assessment methodologies. Case 1 (6.64 × 10² Pt) has contributed less to environmental impacts than Case 2 (1.83 × 10³ Pt). This indicates purchasing refined palm oil for biodiesel production may reduce environmental impacts by 64% compared to producing biodiesel from raw fruit bunches. In the midpoint assessment, the transesterification process was identified as the hotspot and marine aquatic ecotoxicity as the highest impact category with a value of 1.00 × 10⁶ kg 1,4-DB eq for 1 tonne of biodiesel produced. The endpoint results showed that Case 1 revealed the greatest impact on the transesterification process, with cumulative damage of 461 Pt. Scenario without processing the raw palm fruit bunches to obtained palm oil was better than Case 2. Further research should be conducted on life cycle cost and sensitivity analysis to evaluate the economic feasibility and promote sustainable biodiesel production.

Towards a sustainable waste-to-energy pathway to pequi biomass residues: Biochar, syngas, and biodiesel analysis

The waste-to-energy (WTE) valorization pathway of Caryocar brasiliense (pequi) seeds was investigated via pyrolysis, gasification, and transesterification to understand its potential as biochar, syngas, and biodiesel. First, the pyrolysis (300-700 °C) was conducted in N₂ atmosphere for pequi seeds (PS) and pequi seeds without its extractives (PSWE), characterizing its biochar properties. The PSWE was then gasified at 1000 °C under O₂/N₂, O₂/CO₂/N₂ and O₂/H₂O/N₂ atmospheres to evaluate the characteristics of the producer gas. The PS extractives were then transesterified and characterized for biodiesel production. Finally, a multiple-criteria decision analysis assessed the PS products' potential within the thermochemical routes. The results evidenced better biochar (up to 22.29% HHV enhancement, higher mass and energy yield, up to 75.9 and 85.5% reduction of O/C and H/C, respectively, and enriched N content) via PSWE pyrolysis than PS considering biofuel application and optimistic perceptions for soil amendment. This indicates that the preceding extraction of vegetal fat from PS strengthens the WTE by including further processing of extracted oil. The produced syngas under O₂/H₂O/N₂ gasification atmosphere showed better applicability as a biofuel (16.37 MJ·kg^-1 lower heating value, 107.33% cold gas efficiency, and 113.55% carbon conversion efficiency) with up to 24% higher success rate. The transesterification of the extractives revealed its potential (98% conversion rate) for use as feedstock for in situ power generation, or blended for biodiesel production. The results provide insights into the circular economy in agro-extractivist communities that may support Brazil's small and medium agro-food industries with their energy demands.

Study on Comprehensive Assessment of Environmental Impact of Air Pollution

Pollutants discharged from irrational energy consumption pose a serious threat to urban ecological security. The Western Taiwan Straits Economic Zone is an important part of China’s coastal economy. With the rapid development of the economy in this area, the atmospheric environmental pollution problem, caused by energy consumption, has become increasingly serious. Therefore, the study of the environmental impact assessment of air pollution in the Western Taiwan Straits Economic Zone has reference value to prevent ecological risks. This paper constructed a regional-scale environmental impact assessment model that includes pollution sources, pollution stress, and evaluation results, and evaluated the environmental impact of SO2, NO2, CO, PM10, and PM2.5 from three perspectives: regional integration, different energy consumption sectors, and different cities. The results showed that the regional environmental impact level of the research area was high, and the main pollutants transformed from SO2 to NO2, PM10, and PM2.5 from 2008 to 2016. According to the results of different sectors, the transportation sector contributes the most to NO2 and remains unchanged, and the industrial sector contributes the most to SO2, PM10, and PM2.5. Combined with the research results of different cities, cities concentrated in the coastal areas contribute more pollution than other cities do.

Analyzing the diffusion of eco-friendly vans for urban freight distribution

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the diffusion dynamics of electric and hybrid commercial vans and its enabling factors in the city logistics (CL) contexts. The case of parcel delivery in Torino, Italy, is considered. Attention is paid to the influence on the choice of low impact vehicles of not only public strategies but also operational aspects characterizing urban freight distribution systems.

Design/methodology/approach

A System Dynamics model based on the Bass diffusion theory computes the number of adopters of low-emission vehicles together with the quantity of vans required and the associated economic savings. The model includes variables about freight demand, delivery frequency, van carrying capacity, routes, stops, distances traveled, and vehicle charging stations. A sensitivity analysis has been completed to identify the main diffusion levers. The focus is on advertising and other drivers, such as public contributions, taxes traditional polluting vehicles are subjected to, as well as on routing optimization strategies.

Findings

Advertising programs, green image, and word-of-mouth drive market saturation, although in a long time period. In fact, low-impact vehicles do not offer any economic advantage over traditional ones requiring higher investment and operating costs. Public incentives to purchase both green vehicles and charging stations, together with carbon taxes and a congestion charge affecting polluting vehicles, are able to shorten the adoption time. In particular, public intervention reveals to be effective only when it unfolds through a number of measures that both facilitate the use of environmentally friendly vehicles and discourage the adoption of traditional commercial vans. Route optimization also hastens the complete market saturation.

Research limitations/implications

This work fosters research about the mutual relationships between the diffusion of low-emission commercial vehicles and the operational and contextual CL factors. It provides a structured approach for investigating the feasibility of innovative good vehicles that might be part of assessments of CL measures and requirements. Finally, the model supports studies about the cooperation among stakeholders to identify effective commercial vehicle fleets.

Practical implications

This study fosters collaboration among CL players by providing a roadmap to identify the key factors for the diffusion of environmentally friendly freight vehicles. It also enables freight carriers to assess the operational and economic feasibility of adopting low-impact vehicles. Finally, it might assist public authorities in capturing the effects of new urban transportation policies prior to their implementation.

Originality/value

Most of the current CL literature defines policies and analyzes their effects. Also, there are several contributions on the diffusion of low emission cars. The present study is one of the first works on the diffusion of low-impact commercial vehicles in urban areas by considering the associated key operational factors. A further value is that the proposed model combines operational variables with economic and environmental issues.