Selection of an industrial boiler for a soda-ash production plant using analytical hierarchy process and TOPSIS approaches

Abstract

Task of selecting the most suitable industrial steam boiler for a given process industry is a critical decision and becoming increasingly complex. That is why; the present research focuses on the use of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and TOPSIS in the selection of boiler for a soda ash industry. First the problem is prearranged in the typical AHP hierarchy, and then TOPSIS technique is employed. Soda ash industry experts are consulted to prioritize the parameters influencing in the selection of boilers. Boiler alternatives available in the market are evaluated for these parameters. TOPSIS method has been used on the bases of AHP pairwise comparison weights. The results indicates that experts looks more concerned about factors like steam capacity, working temperature and designed working pressure of boilers as compared to its cost. Final results also indicate that factors like weight and area of heating surfaces of boiler are very low on the priority list of industry experts. Moreover, it is concluded that the first, second and the fifth alternative ranks are the same in both methods. The way in which AHP and TOPSIS have been utilized will significantly help industrial managers involving in the selection process of a steam boiler.