Abstract
Assuming a bio-ethanol production facility using rice straw, characteristics of field-to-facility transportation were examined through simulation modeling and trial calculations. The conversion rate from straw to ethanol, the quantity of straw collected, and the ratio of the field area to that around the facility all affected the fuel consumption, the number of trucks needed, and other factors.Standard conditions were assumed based on reported data and actual observations: 15 ML/yr ethanol production, 0.3 kL output of ethanol from 1 t of dry straw, 53.6 d/yr working days, 2.7 t truck load capacity, and 0.128 as the ratio of field to the area around the facility. The calculation results revealed that a quantity of 50 kt dry straw necessitated the following: 2.78 L fuel consumption for transportation of 1 t of dry straw, 109.5 trucks, and a 19.1 km collection area radius.The total travel distance was found to be proportional to the quantity of straw to the 1.5 power, but inversely proportional to the ratio of he 0.5 power. Furthermore, the fuel consumption for transportation was found to be proportional to the quantity of straw to the 0.5 power, but inversely proportional to the ratio of field to the 0.5 power.The rate of increase in the necessary number of trucks collecting straw increases with the decrease in the ratio of the field to the area around the facility.
