Prioritizing of industrial wastewater management processes using an integrated AHP-CoCoSo model: comparative and sensitivity analyses

The increase in individuals' consumption and needs and the rapid development of technology result in different types of industrial wastewaters. A vast majority of industrial wastewaters are harmful to humans and other animals, as well as the environment. This study aimed to identify the priorities for the industrial wastewater management processes based on multiple contradictory criteria. For this purpose, the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and combined compromise solution (CoCoSo) techniques were used. Sensitivity analyses were conducted by changing the criteria weights, and comparative analyses were conducted using the Multi-Objective Optimization on the Basis of Ratio Analysis, the Combinative Distance-Based Assessment, and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution. Although the criteria weights were obtained using the AHP, alternative rankings were determined using the CoCoSo. Within the scope of the study, alternatives were determined for industrial wastewater management based on four groups-physical, chemical, biological, and thermal-that were further divided into 3 main and 14 subcriteria. Although the AHP method revealed that the most important criterion was operating costs, the membrane processes, electrochemical oxidation, membrane bioreactor and supercritical water oxidation/gasification were determined to be priorities for the physical, chemical, biological, and thermal alternatives, respectively, which provide high efficiency and comply with environmental impact criteria. As a result, it is suggested that membrane bioreactor is the top ranking alternative, followed by electrochemical oxidation.