Developing a life cycle composite footprint index for sustainability prioritization of sludge-to-energy alternatives

Sludge-to-energy technologies can achieve sewage sludge treatment and energy recovery simultaneously. Having a comprehensive assessment for the related contribute to decision-making process sustainable development of management industry. In this paper, life cycle composite footprint index was proposed, including recovery, carbon emissions, water consumptions, nitrogen sulfur flows. Related methodology framework constructed evaluate sustainability performance sludge-to-energy alternatives on index. Fuzzy Best-Worst Method (BWM) fuzzy AHP method were applied obtain weights overall scores. A case study carried out applying established assess six scenarios, covering dewatering, composting, drying, incineration, incinerated ash melting, dewatered melting by energy-carbon-water Results showed that most preferred option owing considerable quantity production, while drying undesired one because unsatisfactory emissions. Sensitivity analysis uncertainty impacts changing different aspects influence amount from anaerobic digestion, lower heating value content in toward technologies.