Technology selection and siting of a biogas plant for OFMSW via multi-criteria decision analysis

Abstract

Abstract: Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) techniques were applied to choose a biogas digester technology and a site from a list of potential alternatives for an anaerobic digestion (AD) system utilising the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) based on a case study at the University of Johannesburg’s Doornfontein campus in South Africa. The simple multi-attribute rating technique (SMART) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) techniques of MCDA were used to select a suitable biodigester model and site respectively. From a list of 14 biodigester technologies to be established at 1 of 3 potential sites in the study area, the most preferred model was the Puxin digester to be sited near the Aurum ladies’ residence within the school campus to supply biogas for heating purposes