A Software Application For The Selection Of Temperature Measuring Sensors Using The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)

This study presents a computer program that applies analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method to objectively select the best temperature sensors for various applications from multiple nominated alternatives. The underlying decision method based on AHP methodology, ranks temperature sensors with different features with a score resulting from the synthesis of relative preferences of each alternative to the others at different levels considering independent evaluation criteria. At each level, relative preferences of each candidate alternative with respect to the upper immediate level are calculated from pair-wise comparisons among the candidate alternative sensors based on the specifications of sensors with respect to a selected application. These pair-wise relative comparison weights are embedded in the computer software and are retrieved whenever the user specifies the application, the restrictions, and the available alternative sensors that meet these restrictions. AHP method proves to provide a quantitative and rational alternative performance evaluation method; it permits simpler, easier and more organized decision making process than subjective opinions that are subject to erroneous judgments. In this study, the application of AHP method in selecting the best temperature sensor for a particular application is embedded via the use of a computer program built using C# programming language to help perform the selection process in an easy graphical user interface GUI, ready-to-use, and computerized way and thus provides aid to those working in industry and in need of such a software tool. The proposed computer program is versatile and applicable to multitude of temperature sensors selection situations. A case study from the automotive industry which is the catalytic convertor application is presented. This application demands the use of temperature sensors capable of monitoring high temperatures in the order of 500°C-750°C, with a maximum temperature of ~870°C [1]. The selection process is conducted from among three alternative sensor categories, these are: thermocouples, thermisters, and RTD thermometers. The computer program is robust and applicable to a wider range of temperature sensors selection situations with a variety of applications and different arrays of candidate sensors

Selection of Temperature Measuring Sensors Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process

This study presents an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method to objectively select the best temperature sensor from among different alternative sensors in a certain industrial application. The underlying decision method based on AHP methodology, ranks temperature sensors with different features with a score resulting from the synthesis of relative preferences of each alternative with respect to the others at different levels considering independent evaluation criteria and sub-criteria. At each level, relative preferences of each candidate alternative with respect to the upper immediate level are calculated from pair-wise comparisons among the candidate alternative sensors with respect to a selected application. Pair-wise comparison matrices are compiled based on views of experts in this field. Seven alternative sensors were considered: the thermocouple, the thermister, the resistance temperature detector (RTD), the bimetallic strip thermometer, the mercury-in-glass thermometer, the optical disappearing filament pyrometer, and the liquid crystal display semi conductor thermometer (LCD). Three industrial applications were also considered: Automotives, Chemical Processes, and Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning. A case study is conducted which involves selecting the best sensor for an automotive catalytic converter. The thermocouple is found to be the most preferred sensor for this application with the largest score of 0.37849, the second ranked sensor is the RTD with a score of 0.34589, and the least preferred sensor is the thermister with a score of 0.27560. To test the robustness of the proposed work, a sensitivity analysis was conducted in which variations in the relative preferences of the alternative sensors against sub-criteria and criteria were employed

Selection of Temperature Measuring Sensors Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process

This study presents an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method to objectively select the best temperature sensor from among different alternative sensors in a certain industrial application. The underlying decision method based on AHP methodology, ranks temperature sensors with different features with a score resulting from the synthesis of relative preferences of each alternative with respect to the others at different levels considering independent evaluation criteria and sub-criteria. At each level, relative preferences of each candidate alternative with respect to the upper immediate level are calculated from pairwise comparisons among the candidate alternative sensors with respect to a selected application. Pair-wise comparison matrices are compiled based on views of experts in this field. Seven alternative sensors were considered: the thermocouple, the thermister, the resistance temperature detector (RTD), the bimetallic strip thermometer, the mercury-in-glass thermometer, the optical disappearing filament pyrometer, and the liquid crystal display semi conductor thermometer (LCD). Three industrial applications were also considered: Automotives, Chemical Processes, and Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning. A case study is conducted which involves selecting the best sensor for an automotive catalytic converter. The thermocouple is found to be the most preferred sensor for this application with the largest score of 0.37849, the second ranked sensor is the RTD with a score of 0.34589, and the least preferred sensor is the thermister with a score of 0.27560. To test the robustness of the proposed work, a sensitivity analysis was conducted in which variations in the relative preferences of the alternative sensors against sub-criteria and criteria were employed

A Software Application for the Selection of Temperature Measuring Sensors Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)

This study presents a software application that applies the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to objectively select the best temperature sensors. Three industrial applications and seven sensor alternatives are considered. The developed application performs the selection process in a computerised, easy–to–use graphical user interface. The underlying decision method ranks temperature sensors with scores resulting from the synthesis of relative preferences of each alternative at different levels considering independent evaluation criteria. Pair–wise relative comparison matrices collected from experts are embedded and are retrieved according to user specifications. A case study is conducted which involves selecting the best sensor for an automotive catalytic converter. The thermocouple is found to be the most preferred sensor with the largest score of 0.37849, the second ranked sensor is the RTD with a score of 0.34589, and the least preferred sensor is the thermister with a score of 0.27560. Sensitivity analysis shows that the selection of the best sensor is dependent on the relative weights of the criteria as well as the chosen application. AHP is shown to provide a quantitative evaluation method which is simpler, easier and more organised than subjective opinions