Application of analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to assess options of energy recovery from municipal solid waste: a case study in Tehran, Iran

Abstract

In the current study, a model was established based on AHP method for assessment of different alternatives for energy recovery from the waste in Tehran. The selected criteria include water quality, soil quality, air quality, habitat depletion, occupational health and safety, aesthetic, noise, technical feasibility, and economic issues. To establish a database for an assessment in this case study, a questionnaire survey for lay person and institutional experts in central Tehran municipality was carried out. Determining the relative importance of each alternative of energy recovery from waste (including LFG energy, anaerobic digestion, incineration, TPS Termiska gasification, and Columbus Battelle gasification) in terms of each criterion was assessed. Finally, to ascertain the robustness of the obtained results, sensitivity analyses were performed. The results indicated the best suitable alternative is anaerobic digestion due to better environmental and economic aspects comparing to the other options while LFG energy was ranked as the last alternative due to significant environmental challenges. Moreover, the results of sensitivity analyses show anaerobic digestion is the most stable alternative in comparison to the other alternatives and LFG energy is the least stable alternative with great weights fluctuations.