Title: System dynamics to assess the financial impact through the use of recycled kitchen oil in solid waste collection vehicles

Authors: Glauco Oliveira Rodrigues; Eugênio De Oliveira Simonetto; Daniel Luis Arenhardt

Addresses: Center of Social and Humans Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil ' Center of Social and Humans Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil ' Center of Social and Humans Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, Av. Roraima, 1000, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil

Abstract: This paper aims to understand, develop and execute computational models to analyse the cost benefit of the use of different percentages of biodiesel in urban solid waste collection and to verify the biodiesel production viability by organisations. For the models' development, the system dynamics method was used. Mathematically, System Dynamics model is a system of linear equations. Through Vensim software, it was possible to develop, document, simulate, and analyse the models, noting the financial impact caused by waste collection in seven municipalities in southern Brazil. For the modelling, nine scenarios were developed and divided into 3 groups: simulation with different percentages of biodiesel, simulation using BIOBOT 20 processor, and simulation through a plant construction by the company. As a result, it was found that, in the long term, the best scenario for the company analysed is the use of BIOBOT 20 processor with 15% biodiesel percentage, followed by the construction of its own plant, also using 15% biodiesel. Results were satisfactory and met the designers' expectations.

Keywords: biodiesel; complex systems; computational modelling; sustainability; systems dynamics; Vensim.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISD.2021.115973

International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, 2021 Vol.15 No.3, pp.305 - 321

Accepted: 31 Jan 2020
Published online: 06 Jul 2021 *

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