Robust Programming Models for Design and Optimization of Microalgae-Based Biofuel Supply Chain Under Uncertainty

The sharp decline in oil resources and environmental pollutions are the most important motivations for the development of green fuels in Iran. Among the different raw materials used for the production of green fuels, microalgae is considered as one of the most important resources and have attracted a lot of attentions globally. In order to accelerate the development of this industry, it is essential to design an efficient microalgae-based biofuel supply chain. For this purpose, this paper proposes robust programming approaches for the design and optimization of the microalgae biofuel supply chain under uncertainty. The proposed supply chain optimization model is formulated based on two robust optimization approaches under different uncertainty sets. In a case study, the performance of the two robust supply chain design models is evaluated by considering the different degrees of conservatism level of decision makers. The results of the robust models and sensitivity analysis show that the developed supply chain model can be used for the development of microalgae biofuel in the future.