An economic analysis of industrial wastewater treatment systems using multi-attribute decision-making methods (Case study: Toos industrial estate, Mashhad, Iran)

Abstract

With the world’s remarkably fast industrial development over the recent decades, the strictly controlled treatment of industrial wastewaters and effluents is becoming increasingly essential for preserving our environment. Given the importance of ensuring the compliance of industrial zones with environmental standards, it is indispensable to predict suitable wastewater treatment systems for these zones. Economic analysis of available systems, including the assessment of construction and operating costs, can greatly contribute to the selection of the treatment solution that fits a given area or application. One of the challenges in managing the treatment facilities of industrial estates, similar to the Toos Industrial Estate studied in this paper, is how to upgrade the aerobic treatment units of an existing treatment plant. In this study, the options available for upgrading the aerobic treatment unit of the studied treatment plant are reviewed and the best alternative is chosen by the use of multi-attribute decision-making methods with emphasis on operating cost minimization. The results suggest that using the economically optimum option in the studied plant will result in more than 80% reduction in the operating, energy and maintenance costs of its secondary treatment stage.