An Integer Programming Model for Alternative Selection and Planning Stages for Cleaner Production Programs: a Case Study for Greenhouse Gases Reduction

Abstract

The selection of subjects (such as waste stream, process, apparatus, ect.) for improvement and development their alternatives when implementing cleaner production (CP) programs at the company in order to achieve the highest efficiency is a complex and time-consuming process, especially in case when there are many subjects to be improved, and many alternatives for each subject. The problem in this case is which subject and its respective alternative is to be selected in order to obtain maximal waste reduction objective with minimization cost. To solve this problem, this article proposes an optimization mathematical model to support alternatives selection for CP programs. In this study, an integer programming model is applied for defining theselection steps of alternatives and setting the implementing plan within CP program. The proposed model is investigated in a real case study at a cassava starch factory in Tay Ninh, Vietnam (where is the most concentrated area of cassava processing in the country) with purpose to propose the measures for reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and electricity consumption. The results show that this model can be considered as a new effective method for alternative CP selection and planning for CP implementation, especially in case of many subjects and alternatives. The solution of this model can be generalized to apply in any cases with unlimited number of subjects and alternatives.