Selection of Raw Material for Biodiesel Production in Turkey

Abstract

Selection of the appropriate raw material for biodiesel production is a complex problem and requires an extensive evaluation process. In this paper, as raw materials of biodiesel production, sunflower, safflower, canola, algae, cottonseed, soybean, and palm plants are taken into consideration. These decision alternatives are evaluated with respect to several criteria such as price adequacy, suitability of the plant to the climate, land or area, benefits of the plant after processing (the sediment), and suitability of the raw material for technological processing. As the multiple attributes decision-making method; a fuzzy TOPSIS method is implemented in order to select the appropriate raw material for biodiesel production in Turkey.