A comprehensive MCDM-based approach using TOPSIS and EDAS as an auxiliary tool for pyrolysis material selection and its application

Abstract

In the current period of energy development, it is very complex to produce energy from agricultural wastes due to the involvement of multiple criteria such as social, economical and environmental factors. In this study, a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model based on the weight obtained from analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) has been utilized for ranking. Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and Evaluation based on Distance from Average Solution (EDAS) are proposed to evaluate the possibilities of utilizing locally available biomass. For this purpose, a number of criteria are defined from the viewpoint of yielding maximum bio-oil during pyrolysis. The proposed methods are having excellent agreement with each other, and they are exactly matched with the experimental results. This study consists of seven biomass alternatives with seven evaluation criteria. Out of seven selected biomass materials, sugarcane bagasse is ranked top. The experimental results confirmed the prediction with maximum bio-oil yield of 48.5 wt% obtained from sugarcane bagasse. At the end of the study, the obtained bio-oil from top ranked biomass material was analysed for physical, elemental and chemical compositions using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography (GC) for its utility assessment. This study gives new insights into decision-making, specifically thermochemical conversion process.