Multiple-Criteria Decision Analysis to Select the Feedstocks for Efficient Blend in the Biomass Gasification Process

Abstract

Proper selection of a fuel is an essential activity for satisfying the criteria of gasification. The number of biomass fuel with different properties are available in the Saurashtra region. The proximate properties were tested for four biomasses to evaluate the percentages of volatile matter, fixed carbon, ash content, moisture content, and Calorific Value. Methods of multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) is becoming extremely popular in solving the selection of biomass fuel because these problems include various and often confusing criteria. This study provided comparative knowledge on Biomass ranking analysis for the efficient blend, using three Methods for MCDM – Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), and Grey Relation Analysis (GRA). There are three methods of MCDM which are used for Quantitative assessment to rank all available for biomasses (Cotton stalk, ground nut shell, Sugarcane bagasse, and Coconut shell) alternatives to select the most suitable preference. The results showed Coconut shell and Cotton stalk appear to have the best biomass choice for efficient blend in the biomass gasification Process for the three multi-criteria decision making (MCMD).