Authors: Niec, Jay H.; Margheim, Waldo; Umble, Art K.

Source: Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation, WEFTEC 2011: Session 31 through Session 40 , pp. 2021-2032(12)

Publisher: Water Environment Federation

Abstract:

Evaluating and selecting the best alternative from a set of alternatives can be a difficult and complex task, especially when each alternative has notable merit. Setting objective boundaries is imperative in order to arrive at the best possible choice. Greeley and Hansen LLC utilized the Unranked-Paired Comparison Technique (Dean and Nishry, 1965) to evaluate and select an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system for a wastewater treatment plant. The technique allowed for a comprehensive evaluation of UV equipment from several vendor/manufacturers involving forty-five decision factor parameters. The results of the analysis indicated that the preferred alternative was not the system of lowest price. The analysis was undertaken to minimize subjectivity that can be present when a preference for a particular UV (or other system) in the decision-making process may be present. This paper details the technique by providing specific examples of its application and demonstrates the proper interpretation of results for decision-making using the Unranked-Paired Comparison Technique.

Keywords: Decision matrix; disinfection; procurement; ultraviolet radiation

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2175/193864711802713108

Publication date: 2011-01-01

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