Implementation and Field Validation of a Digital Twin Methodology to Enhance Production and Service Systems in Waste Management

The sustainable management of organic waste is a global priority due to its environmental impact and the increasing pressure on urban and rural systems, particularly in regions with limited technological infrastructure. This study introduces and validates a comprehensive methodology based on Digital...

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Main Authors: Jhonathan Mauricio Vargas, Omar Danilo Castrillon, Jaime Alberto Giraldo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/12/6733
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author Jhonathan Mauricio Vargas
Omar Danilo Castrillon
Jaime Alberto Giraldo
author_facet Jhonathan Mauricio Vargas
Omar Danilo Castrillon
Jaime Alberto Giraldo
author_sort Jhonathan Mauricio Vargas
collection DOAJ
description The sustainable management of organic waste is a global priority due to its environmental impact and the increasing pressure on urban and rural systems, particularly in regions with limited technological infrastructure. This study introduces and validates a comprehensive methodology based on Digital Twins (DTs) to optimize production and service systems in organic waste management. The methodology includes contextual and propositional phases and is built on a modular three-layer architecture (physical, cloud, and virtual) that enables real-time monitoring, simulation, and feedback. It was validated through a field implementation in a composting facility in Cajamarca, Colombia. The results showed a 10% increase in composting efficiency and a monthly gain of 1200 kg of compost. A statistical analysis confirmed a significant increase in process efficiency (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and a reduction in performance variability (<i>p</i> < 0.01). The return on investment reached 18,957.6% using low-cost technology. These findings demonstrate the viability and adaptability of the proposed methodology for low-tech environments and support its potential for scaling in circular economy applications across waste management and agriculture.
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spelling doaj-art-55f5ff26f9a24d7286dd7f1e81df0e522025-08-20T02:24:18ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-06-011512673310.3390/app15126733Implementation and Field Validation of a Digital Twin Methodology to Enhance Production and Service Systems in Waste ManagementJhonathan Mauricio Vargas0Omar Danilo Castrillon1Jaime Alberto Giraldo2Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Industrial Engineering Universidad Nacional de Colombia—Sede Manizales, Campus La Nubia, Manizales 170001, ColombiaFaculty of Engineering and Architecture, Industrial Engineering Universidad Nacional de Colombia—Sede Manizales, Campus La Nubia, Manizales 170001, ColombiaFaculty of Engineering and Architecture, Industrial Engineering Universidad Nacional de Colombia—Sede Manizales, Campus La Nubia, Manizales 170001, ColombiaThe sustainable management of organic waste is a global priority due to its environmental impact and the increasing pressure on urban and rural systems, particularly in regions with limited technological infrastructure. This study introduces and validates a comprehensive methodology based on Digital Twins (DTs) to optimize production and service systems in organic waste management. The methodology includes contextual and propositional phases and is built on a modular three-layer architecture (physical, cloud, and virtual) that enables real-time monitoring, simulation, and feedback. It was validated through a field implementation in a composting facility in Cajamarca, Colombia. The results showed a 10% increase in composting efficiency and a monthly gain of 1200 kg of compost. A statistical analysis confirmed a significant increase in process efficiency (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and a reduction in performance variability (<i>p</i> < 0.01). The return on investment reached 18,957.6% using low-cost technology. These findings demonstrate the viability and adaptability of the proposed methodology for low-tech environments and support its potential for scaling in circular economy applications across waste management and agriculture.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/12/6733digital twinsimplementation methodologywaste managementcompostingcircular economylow-tech environments
spellingShingle Jhonathan Mauricio Vargas
Omar Danilo Castrillon
Jaime Alberto Giraldo
Implementation and Field Validation of a Digital Twin Methodology to Enhance Production and Service Systems in Waste Management
Applied Sciences
digital twins
implementation methodology
waste management
composting
circular economy
low-tech environments
title Implementation and Field Validation of a Digital Twin Methodology to Enhance Production and Service Systems in Waste Management
title_full Implementation and Field Validation of a Digital Twin Methodology to Enhance Production and Service Systems in Waste Management
title_fullStr Implementation and Field Validation of a Digital Twin Methodology to Enhance Production and Service Systems in Waste Management
title_full_unstemmed Implementation and Field Validation of a Digital Twin Methodology to Enhance Production and Service Systems in Waste Management
title_short Implementation and Field Validation of a Digital Twin Methodology to Enhance Production and Service Systems in Waste Management
title_sort implementation and field validation of a digital twin methodology to enhance production and service systems in waste management
topic digital twins
implementation methodology
waste management
composting
circular economy
low-tech environments
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/12/6733
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AT omardanilocastrillon implementationandfieldvalidationofadigitaltwinmethodologytoenhanceproductionandservicesystemsinwastemanagement
AT jaimealbertogiraldo implementationandfieldvalidationofadigitaltwinmethodologytoenhanceproductionandservicesystemsinwastemanagement