SUMMARY An important problem in decision analysis is the evaluation of the difference between two or more different rankings for a set of alternatives. A novel model based on the aggregation technique for combining group member's preferences into one consensus ranking is suggested in this article. The model developed may be used to develop consensus and evolve ranking of alternatives. The application of the model is demonstrated through a case for supplier rating. The advantages of the proposed approach are also highlighted.

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BACKGROUND: The existence of natural organic colloids causes membrane fouling, which decreases the flux rate. Hence, membrane modification and lake water pretreatment were carried out to improve membrane performance. In this study, important preparation parameters such as solvents (N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP)), coagulant bath temperature (CBT) (10, 20 and 30 ∘ C) and coagulant (sodium dodecyl sulfate SDS): 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 g L −1 ) were optimized for the fabrication of high flux polyethersulfone (PES) membrane. Cloisite was used for the pretreatment of lake water. RESULTS:The highest water permeability and pore radius of 393.03 × 10 −9 m s −1 kPa −1 and 4.43 nm, respectively, were observed for the PES/DMAc membrane combination at coagulant bath temperature of 10 ∘ C and non-solvent containing 1.5 g L −1 SDS solution. Morphology analysis also displayed large pore size and macrovoid formation for such combination. Pretreated lake water had highest natural organic matter (NOM) rejection of 93% for PES/DMF membrane made at a coagulant bath temperature of 20 ∘ C and non-solvent containing water. CONCLUSION: High flux PES membrane formation is achieved through the DMAc solvent with SDS as non-solvent solution at lower coagulation bath temperature. Pretreated lake water showed an increase of membrane flux and fouling resistance. Performance of lower MWCO membranesAmong the LMWCO membranes, CBT1 and S4 membrane have the highest average flux of 29.93 and 13.15 L m −2 h −1 for the J Chem Technol Biotechnol 2016; 91: 2568-2581

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Purpose -The total productive maintenance concept provided a quantitative metric -overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), for measuring the effectiveness of individual equipment in a factory, which is significant but insufficient since world class manufacturing (WCM) system focus on product line involving machines in series. This paper aims to present an approach to measure the overall line effectiveness (OLE) in continuous line-manufacturing system. Design/methodology/approach -Systematic methodology, based on OEE metrics, is developed to model the productivity of a line manufacturing system in terms of OLE. The general and step-by-step method of OLE measurement in the line consisting of n number of processes is explained using a flow chart. Findings -Computer simulation has been carried out for the evaluation of OLE in product line manufacturing system with n number of machines. It also identifies the bottle-neck machines and the effect of specific contributing parameter for improvement. Practical implications -The result of this research makes it possible to represent the overall product line effectiveness as a benchmark for WCM to compare the performance of the various continuous product line manufacturing-based industries. Originality/value -This paper presents a successful and effective evaluation of OLE which will provide a useful guide to aspects of the production process where inefficiencies can be targeted for doing improvements in the product line.