Thermodynamical Material Networks for Modeling, Planning, and Control of Circular Material Flows

TL;DR

This paper introduces a thermodynamic graph-based modeling approach for designing sustainable, circular material flows in industrial networks, integrating control strategies to enhance sustainability and resource efficiency.

Contribution

It generalizes traditional network modeling with thermodynamics and graph theory to enable flexible design of circular material flows in industrial systems.

Findings

Proposes a novel thermodynamic compartmental modeling framework.

Demonstrates the approach with practical examples.

Provides a physics-based definition of circularity.

Abstract

Waste production, carbon dioxide atmospheric accumulation, and dependence on finite natural resources are expressions of the unsustainability of the current industrial networks that supply fuels, energy, and manufacturing products. In particular, circular manufacturing supply chains and carbon control networks are urgently needed. To model and design these and, in general, any material networks, we propose to generalize the approach used for traditional networks such as water and thermal power systems by using compartmental dynamical thermodynamics and graph theory. The key idea is that the thermodynamic compartments and their connections can be added, removed or modified as needed to achieve a circular material flow. The design methodology is explained and its application is illustrated through examples. In addition, we provide a physics-based definition of circularity and, by implementing a nonlinear compartmental control, we strengthen the connection between "Industry 4.0" and "Sustainability". The paper source code is publicly available.