A simplified model for evaluating best biodiesel production method: Fuzzy analytic hierarchy process approach

•A simpler triangular conversion system was used.•A simplified fuzzy AHP approach was used to predict the best biodiesel production methods.•Biodiesel production methods are compared based on parameters.•Weights of each parameter were found.

Biodiesel refers long chain alkyl esters that are derived from vegetable or animal based sources. There are various feasible production methods of biodiesel known to mankind. Selection of the most appropriate method of biodiesel production is important for both economic and environmental reasons. Optimization is achieved using Buckley's method to arrive at the best method for biodiesel production. The proposed method attempts to choose the best method of biodiesel production based on parameters -acid value, viscosity, glycerol separation, conversion, sulphur content, emission characteristics and cost. The production methods considered are-acid, alkali and enzymatic catalyst method, microwave and ultrasound assisted method, micro emulsion and supercritical method. The conventional analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method fails to accommodate vagueness in answers, in order to overcome the problem fuzzy AHP approach was used. The parameters conversion and cost dominated the parameter and based on these parameters, supercritical alcohol method proved to be the best fit.