Reverse logistics network design for a biogas plant: An approach based on MILP optimization and Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP)

• The complex problem of logistics network design of a biogas plant is stated.
• Mixed Integer Linear Programming approach is used to evaluate different scenarios.
• Resultant scenarios are evaluated through a Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP).
• The proposed approach is applied to a biogas plant in Nancy France.

Among sustainable energy production processes, methanation (anaerobic co-digestion) has a high potential to valorize organic residual waste by exploiting its energetic capacities in the form of biogas. Nevertheless, at the early stage of the project, decisions must be made concerning the network used to supply biomass to the anaerobic co-digestion facility. However, these decisions involve complex hierarchical processes, taking into account the best compromise to be found among diverse factors and actors (economic, social, environmental, etc.). In this article a systematic approach integrating Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) optimization and Analytical Hierarchical Process is proposed. It will allow project managers to evaluate possible scenarios for the implementation of an anaerobic co-digestion logistics network in order to facilitate the integration of the preferences of the stakeholders involved in the project. The approach proposed is then illustrated by the design of a municipal biogas facility in Nancy, France.