Fuzzy based decision support method for selection of sustainable wastewater treatment technologies

Authors

  • Martin Igecha Kamami Biomechanical and Environmental Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
  • George M. Ndegwa Biomechanical and Environmental Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering,Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
  • Patrick G. Home Biomechanical and Environmental Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25165/ijabe.v4i1.299

Keywords:

Decision support method, ED-WAVE tool, Wastewater treatment technologies, Environmental indicators, Fuzzy logic.

Abstract

Abstract: Inadequate decision support tools have led to selection of inappropriate wastewater treatment technologies.  The objectives of this research were to investigate performance data for wastewater treatment technologies, develop a Decision Support Method (DSM) for evaluating performance of technologies, and to validate the developed method.  The method was developed through evaluation of performance of wastewater treatment technologies against environmental and economic indicators.  Fuzzy logic techniques in form of linguistic variables were applied in order to support decision making under uncertainty.  The DSM relied on performance evaluation in order to rate effectiveness of wastewater treatment technologies. DSM was validated through a training tool in ED-WAVE, a model developed by a consortium of European and Asian countries. The reliance of the DSM on performance evaluation was an improvement on the existing decision support tools such as ED-WAVE that relied on retrieval of past performance data.  As DSM integrated environmental and economic factors in evaluating wastewater treatment technologies, it was thus able to select a process that was not only environmentally sustainable but also economically affordable.

 

Keywords: decision support method, wastewater treatment technologies, environmental indicators, performance rating, fuzzy logic, ED-WAVE

DOI: 10.3965/j.issn.1934-6344.2011.01.041-051

 

  Citation: Martin I. Kamami, George M. Ndegwa, Patrick G. Home.  Fuzzy based decision support method for selection of sustainable wastewater treatment technologies.  Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2011; 4(1): 41

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Published

2011-04-12

How to Cite

Kamami, M. I., Ndegwa, G. M., & Home, P. G. (2011). Fuzzy based decision support method for selection of sustainable wastewater treatment technologies. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, 4(1), 41–51. https://doi.org/10.25165/ijabe.v4i1.299

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 1 (2011): IJABE

Section

Structures and Bio-environmental Engineering

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