ST3-13: An economic and multi criteria analysis of algal biodiesel production

We have carried out a detail life cycle analysis of algal biodiesel production considering residual biomass management option, nutrient recycling and waste glycerol utilization. Various life cycle allocation procedures have been applied for distribution of impacts in various products. It is seen that allocation procedures affect the global warming and energy demand of the algal biofuel production. However, irrespective of allocation procedure economics, global warming potential and energy are the three primary parameters affect the decision making. Therefore, we have carried out a detail multicriteria decision analysis taking above mentioned three parameters as variables. An Excel based tool was also developed to carry out the analysis. For multicriteria  decision analysis, the user needs to put the weighing factors for each variable. The tool gives results in pictorial and tabular form.