ABSTRACT
A decision support tool has been developed in order to assist the procedure of selecting the “optimum” technology among several alternatives using multivariable assessment techniques. The developed tool has been implemented in the case of energy utilization systems that use RDF, a fuel derived from municipal waste. The specific criteria adopted in the selection procedure, have been selected so that to highlight the contribution of each proposed technology in the concept of sustainability. The comparative analysis has shown that while the superiority of “classical” RDF combustion technologies is unquestionable using “conventional” assessment criteria, more “modern” methods like pyrolysis and gasification could emerge as viable alternatives, if environmental issues would be given high priority. Overall, it has been demonstrated that multi-criteria methodologies can be effectively used in evaluating thermal utilization and energy recovery systems.
