Designing sustainable waste conversion value chain using decision support models

Start Date Research: 10/01/2023
The main research project is developing the optimal circular value chain network that connects actors in waste conversion processes (e.g waste collectors/producers, innovative technology providers and users of products) to close the carbon cycles of various bulk and platform chemicals, while at the same time utilizing and valorizing the complex waste streams as much as possible. In other words, converting residues/waste/side streams from one industry into a building block chemical that can be used for another industry. Hence, it is critical to identify which routes are available and how the routes could be connected optimally. The optimal route within the value chain network will be evaluated using multiple objective indicators: economic, environmental, and social sustainability. This topic also involves careful analysis on the complexity and varying quality of the waste streams, additional technologies that might be needed for separation and purification before and after conversion process, possible combination as well as the yield performance of the conversion technologies. These factors will add uncertainty dimension to the main issue and will need to be addressed when determining the optimal routes for the conversion process.
Supervisors: Renzo Akkerman, Argyris Kanellopoulos, Ellen Slegers