ORL-32306 Biobased Logistics

Profile:

The aim of the course is to deliver an interrelated mixture of qualitative and quantitative methods to support complex decision processes in Bio-based economies.
The starting point of bio-based logistics is a systematically new way of harvesting and processing. Main issues: Geographical allocation of processing steps: instead of separating valuable parts of crops from the remaining biomass the total production of biomass needs to be allocated to make the logistical process effective and efficient. Impact of waste (by product flows) and return flows. Due to reduced local losses of minerals, small scale return loops improve the quality of the soil while large scale loops might cause a scarcity of minerals in the soil. These issues will lead to a redesign of production, harvesting and processing of biomass.

The retrieved qualitative knowledge serves as a foundation for building optimization models, i.e. to perform as well as possible. Main issues: getting familiar with and acquiring basic insight and understanding of optimization models. Recognize where typical problems in Bio-based supply chains may occur, develop appropriate models to support decision making, solve the developed models on a computer including the interpretation of the generated solutions. From a modelling point of view, the focus will be on modelling techniques for (non)linear and (mixed) integer programming.

Learning outcomes:

- apply the concepts of bio-based logistics to evaluate bio-based supply chains on its efficiency and sustainability;
- evaluate new design concepts and their effect on the bio-based supply chains;
- recognize situations in which typical decision problems occur in bio-based supply chains;
- construct optimization models based on a verbal description of decision problems;
- translate optimization models in state of the art, design oriented optimization software;
- demonstrate basic skills of interpreting the generated solutions to cases in bio-based supply chains.

Activities:
The course consists of lectures, working classes, computer tutorials, computer practical's and self-study; all related to the development of Bio-based (food)supply chains, taking into account aspect of sourcing, (pre)processing.

Examination:
- written exam with open questions;
- reporting on cases by groups.
Relative weights (± 75-80% vs 25-20%) will be announced in the course guide.

Literature:
Reader.

Compulsory for: 
WUBTR BSc Minor Biobased Transition Period: 6AF

Course Guide:
Course guide Biobased Logistics