Sewage Sludge Thermal Treatment Technology Selection by Utilizing the Analytical Hierarchy Process

: Sewage sludge management has gained signiﬁcance in the last several years, due to its nutrient and energy content. However, technology selection is one of the greater challenges because it is not possible to implement a technology that covers all the requirements of the considered environments. Consequently, this paper shows an example of the utilization of an analytical hierarchy process, as a decision-making tool in terms of technology selection, for sewage sludge management in Rijeka, Croatia. The criteria structuring and evaluation process with the description of several possible alternatives for thermal treatment technologies are deﬁned within this research. For the case of Rijeka, the best and most suitable technology for sewage sludge treatment is gasiﬁcation, which coincides with the results obtained from the analysis of the literature review. According to the results in this paper, the possibilities of the use of this scientiﬁc method on the national level for the selection of sewage sludge treatment technology should be considered, due to the simplicity of its use and capability of its adaptation to various situations and areas.


Introduction
An increase of the population and urbanization has contributed to a significant increase of generated sewage sludge. The annual production of sewage sludge is constantly growing and will continue to grow in the future. The produced amount of sewage sludge in the European Union (EU) in 2010 was estimated as 11.5 million tons of dry matter (DM) and is expected to rise to 13.0 million tons DM in 2020 [1]. In the EU, the production of sewage sludge that is generated in primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) amounts to an average of 90 g daily per capita [2]. In order to solve this problem, many EU countries are intensively working on the development of new process technologies for the treatment of sewage sludge and are developing processes in order to close the linearity of waste production and implement a circular economy of waste management. Although sewage sludge represents only 1-2 vol.% of treated wastewater, its management is very complex and treatment costs amount to 20-60% of WWTP's total operating costs [3].
Sewage sludge is a complex heterogenous mixture of microorganisms; undigested organic matter such as paper; vegetable residues or feces; inorganic materials; and moisture [4]. Even though the sludge content and characteristics can be determined for wastewater entering the WWTP through parameters, such as the biological oxygen demand, total suspended solids, dissolved solids, volatile

State of Art: Republic of Croatia and Rijeka
The Republic of Croatia currently has 43% of the population connected to the public sewage system and only around 27% of the wastewater is treated [28]. More than half of the wastewater and sewage sludge are produced in the four major agglomerations (Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, and Osijek), as shown in Figure 1. Croatia's regulations are completely harmonized with the provisions of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), and full implementation is expected by 2023. This will lead to a larger number of WWTPs that will produce a significant increase in the amounts of sewage sludge, which needs to be managed and treated. This paper investigated the situation in the city of Rijeka, in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County. Rijeka currently contains a WWTP with mechanical pre-treatment, after which wastewater is released to the sea (WWTP Delta), which has been operational since 1994 and sized to a 540,000 population equivalent (PE), from which the wastewater is released to the sea after treatment.
However, WWTPs operating in larger urban agglomerations are also subject to oscillations in hydraulic and pollutant loads, although to a smaller extent than those operating in touristic agglomerations. For example, the wastewater properties at the existing WWTP in Rijeka (pre-treatment only), collected as 24-h composite samples during three days in 2017, are given in Table 1. These values need to be within the limits of the minimum required pollutant removal rates for WWTPs in Croatia ( Table 2). This paper investigated the situation in the city of Rijeka, in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County. Rijeka currently contains a WWTP with mechanical pre-treatment, after which wastewater is released to the sea (WWTP Delta), which has been operational since 1994 and sized to a 540,000 population equivalent (PE), from which the wastewater is released to the sea after treatment.
However, WWTPs operating in larger urban agglomerations are also subject to oscillations in hydraulic and pollutant loads, although to a smaller extent than those operating in touristic agglomerations. For example, the wastewater properties at the existing WWTP in Rijeka (pre-treatment only), collected as 24-h composite samples during three days in 2017, are given in Table 1. These values need to be within the limits of the minimum required pollutant removal rates for WWTPs in Croatia (Table 2).  Although the current system satisfies the minimum removal rates for WWTPs in Croatia, an upgrade is required in order to reduce the pollutants and satisfy the upcoming regulations that will be stricter in the field of environment protection and the growing amounts of wastewater.
Therefore, as a second final phase of the WWTP upgrade, Rijeka will implement a physicochemical and biological treatment, with a planned total load of 200,000 PE. The location for WWTP Rijeka is described in general development plans (GenDP), which determines an area of 2.2 ha (22,000 m 2 ) for WWTP. However, only 50% of the determined area is set for construction purposes and the WWTP is designed to cover an area of around 9700 m 2 (Figure 2), which includes all the required equipment to treat wastewater and produced sewage sludge [29].
The operation of WWTP Rijeka is divided in four activities: 1.
Sewage sludge treatment-contains sludge thickener and container, anaerobic digestors and digestate container, mechanical sludge dehydration, mechanical sludge drying, and dry sludge storage; 4.
Submarine outfall-contains pipelines that discharge treated water in the sea.
The produced sewage sludge will be treated through the AD process, in order to reduce the biological contamination of the surrounding area, when storing the remaining waste from the process (sludge/digestate). Depending on the storage capacity for digestate and the digester capacity in the AD process, it is possible that both digestate and raw sewage sludge will be present at the same time at WWTP. Therefore, it is necessary to find a solution to treat both waste residues, if possible, and considered in this paper, in the same manner (thermal treatment). The produced biogas will be used in a cogeneration plant (CHP), where produced thermal energy will be used to dry the by-product (digestate/sludge), while electricity will be used to power the WWTP or sold to the electrical power system. 3. Sewage sludge treatment-contains sludge thickener and container, anaerobic digestors and digestate container, mechanical sludge dehydration, mechanical sludge drying, and dry sludge storage; and 4. Submarine outfall-contains pipelines that discharge treated water in the sea. The produced sewage sludge will be treated through the AD process, in order to reduce the biological contamination of the surrounding area, when storing the remaining waste from the process (sludge/digestate). Depending on the storage capacity for digestate and the digester capacity in the AD process, it is possible that both digestate and raw sewage sludge will be present at the same time at WWTP. Therefore, it is necessary to find a solution to treat both waste residues, if possible, and considered in this paper, in the same manner (thermal treatment). The produced biogas will be used in a cogeneration plant (CHP), where produced thermal energy will be used to dry the by-product (digestate/sludge), while electricity will be used to power the WWTP or sold to the electrical power system. Produced sludge, which will be in significant amounts compared to the current situation, needs to be managed in an adequate way.
However, as Croatia is a country where sewage sludge from WWTPs is usually landfilled or transported abroad and only few WWTPs manage their sludge adequately (e.g., Zagreb and Koprivnica) [30], it is necessary to select an appropriate technology for sewage sludge management in each WWTP.
Since Rijeka is located in the coastal area of Croatia, it does not have the possibility of utilizing the generated sludge directly or digestate produced in the AD process as a low-quality fertilizer. Sewage sludge or digestate transport to other parts of Croatia where this option is possible (e.g., Slavonia) is expensive and impractical. Therefore, thermal treatment methods are considered as solutions for future sludge problems (either in raw or digestate form), that will occur in Rijeka when WWTP is constructed and operational. Produced sludge, which will be in significant amounts compared to the current situation, needs to be managed in an adequate way.
However, as Croatia is a country where sewage sludge from WWTPs is usually landfilled or transported abroad and only few WWTPs manage their sludge adequately (e.g., Zagreb and Koprivnica) [30], it is necessary to select an appropriate technology for sewage sludge management in each WWTP.
Since Rijeka is located in the coastal area of Croatia, it does not have the possibility of utilizing the generated sludge directly or digestate produced in the AD process as a low-quality fertilizer. Sewage sludge or digestate transport to other parts of Croatia where this option is possible (e.g., Slavonia) is expensive and impractical. Therefore, thermal treatment methods are considered as solutions for future sludge problems (either in raw or digestate form), that will occur in Rijeka when WWTP is constructed and operational.
Some of the commercial thermal methods will be described in the following section, which are selected by the authors as possible technologies utilized in Rijeka (based on the situation in Rijeka and future plans for wastewater treatment sector), due to their similarities with regions where they are utilized [31,32].

Possible Thermal Methods for Sewage Sludge Management in Rijeka
The technologies of thermal treatment of sewage sludge have been extensively researched. Based on the overview of these studies and existing commercial plants that are operational [33][34][35], the four most common and utilized thermal technologies were selected for review in this paper. Technologies considered as alternatives belong to the sewage sludge thermal treatment category: incineration, gasification, pyrolysis, and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC).
Incineration is currently one of the most researched and applied thermal technologies for sewage sludge treatment. The circulating fluidized bed is especially appropriate for the incineration of dried sewage sludge with a high heat calorific value [36]. The main advantages of this technology are a significant reduction of the sewage sludge volume, thermal degradation of toxic components, high energy efficiency, and relatively low investment compared to other technologies. However, the process requires a high sludge DM content, up to 35% [37], which means that a pre-treatment is necessary (e.g., drying, pelletization, etc.). Moreover, during the incineration process, ash is produced, which can contain accumulated heavy metals from the sludge [30]. Therefore, it requires appropriate treatment in order to prevent pollution of the environment.
Pyrolysis is a chemical degradation process during high temperatures in anaerobic conditions [33]. The main products are liquid, gaseous, and solid fraction (biochar), whose ratio depends on the process parameters. In comparison to the incineration process, pyrolysis is a very endothermic process, which requires 100 KJ el /kg DM [38]. This process also requires a pre-treatment in the form of drying.
Gasification is a process very similar to pyrolysis [30]. During gasification, only one gas is produced, which can be utilized locally and generally without additional treatment. The process is conducted in the presence of air (in the form of pure oxygen or air). The total process is self-sufficient and stable, without any need for energy input [1,20].
The HTC process is a thermochemical carbonization of sewage sludge during high temperatures and without an oxygen presence. The process requires lower temperatures than pyrolysis but very high pressure [39,40].
This paper investigated energy recovery from the products and the HTC of sewage sludge, and covers the scale-up and sustainability of the process for large-scale operation. This makes the process more expensive in comparison with the aforementioned alternatives [41][42][43]. However, the process does not require pre-treatment due to the fact that it is conducted in the presence of water. The product is hydro-char with 70% DM and contains valuable nutrient but also inert heavy metals, which makes it easy to transport and usable as a fertilizer [44].
The parameters of the mentioned four technologies are shown and compared in Table 3: Similar to pyrolysis, but only produces one flammable gas, which can be utilized locally.

Hydro-char
Potentially harmful substances produced Accumulation of heavy metals in ash (requires special treatments of flue gases.
Most heavy metals are completely contained in solid fraction.
Fixation of hazardous substances occurs, such as Cd, Co, As, Hg in char and remaining ash and slag.
Harmful substances can be produced during the process. Some of those are benzenes, phenols, furans, aldehydes, and ketone.

Other comments
Relatively low investment compared to other similar technologies. Requires removal of water content.
Requires removal of water content.
Fuel characteristics, such as surface area, size, shape, moisture content, volatile compounds and carbon content can affect the process. Requires removal of water content.
HTC process is conducted in liquid media, so it does not require pre-treatment (drying).
Based on the GenDP, the remaining area for other purposes is amounted to around 1200 m 2 and is limited with the plants'/buildings' height (30 m). Therefore, this area could be designated for sludge/digestate treatment that is planned to be transported to another waste management facility. The amount of waste generated is estimated to around 7000 t/year, which includes dried sewage sludge/digestate and remains from the mechanical treatment (grates) [29]. This means that it is possible to construct only a small plant, due to the lack of raw material for energy recovery and the negative aspect of general opinion towards waste import from other municipalities.

Methods: AHP Model Description
The model was developed through the analytic hierarchy process, which is one of the most used decision support methods within the industry. It enables scenario analysis and the possibility of the teamwork of several experts at the same time, with consistent hierarchy evaluation. Its mathematical model was implemented in an Expert Choice software, which is very user-friendly and enables wide use by both experts from the field and ordinary management or workers within various organizations (utility companies, ministries, municipalities, etc.). The online teamwork possibilities improve the model and increases the accuracy of the results [48]. In the current research, AHP implementation was observed through four steps [49]: Development of a hierarchical model for a decision-making problem, with criteria, sub-criteria, and alternatives.

2.
Each junction of the hierarchical structure is assessed by the Saaty scale, pairwise, on the level 1 to 9 (where 1 determines equal importance and 9 the largest difference), in which each element is compared to the other directly above it, and local weights are calculated. Quantitative criteria and alternatives are evaluated with imported data, as shown in Table 3, while the evaluation of qualitative data is shown in Table 4.

3.
From assessments of the relative importance elements of the relevant hierarchical level of the problem, local criteria and sub-criteria weights are calculated, which are later processed with the AHP mathematical model, which results in the decision of the best suitable alternative for the case.

4.
Sensitivity analysis is conducted in the last phase of the research.
In order to select the appropriate technology in the case of Rijeka and Croatia, criteria and sub-criteria were chosen based on a literature review of the scientific papers related to laboratory and commercial utilization of incineration, pyrolysis, gasification, and HTC technologies [3,13,[50][51][52]; the situation in Croatia regarding wastewater and sewage sludge management; and expert judgement.
The selected criteria and sub-criteria are shown in Table 4 and were chosen due to the local situation, environment, and socio-economic standards, based on the available data for Croatia and Rijeka (national statistics: [53]). The measurement of criteria and sub-criteria were determined by the decision-makers and organizations that will use the AHP for the selection of sewage sludge treatment technology in their designated areas in Croatia. Due to the simplicity of the AHP method and Expert Choice software, it is possible to change the criteria and sub-criteria based on the needs and wishes of decision-makers that are conditioned by the situation in the area they wish to implement sewage sludge treatment technology.
In the case of Rijeka, the criteria and sub-criteria described in Table 4 were used. After setting the criteria and sub-criteria and selected alternatives (thermal technologies mentioned in Table 3), criteria were evaluated pairwise using a Saaty scale (Figure 3) in Expert Choice software.
The evaluation was performed based on the literature quantitative data [54,55] for each criterion and the qualitative needs of the experts from both industry and science [54][55][56][57][58], taking into account the environmental impact and products and by-products that are produced during thermal processes. Multiple judgments were given so the accuracy of the results was increased, with an emphasis on the consistency.  The evaluation was performed based on the literature quantitative data [54,55] for each criterion and the qualitative needs of the experts from both industry and science [54][55][56][57][58], taking into account the environmental impact and products and by-products that are produced during thermal processes. Multiple judgments were given so the accuracy of the results was increased, with an emphasis on the consistency.

Results from the AHP Model
Considering the local community, national regulatory framework and socio-economic conditions of the observed environment, the chosen criteria are mentioned in Table 4. In order of importance, the criteria are arranged in the following order (from the most important to less important): environmental, socio-economic, and technical. This order was selected because of the ever-growing importance of environmental and socio-economic factors that are considered by decision-makers, who will use this selection method. Due to the stricter regulatory framework and increase in the awareness of the population on environmental protection and the impacts of hazardous substances on water, soil, and air, environmental criteria are becoming the most important criteria during the technology selection within waste and wastewater management [59,60].
Technical criteria were considered the least important, assuming that the considered technologies are all technically highly developed and commercially available in Europe but also due to the simplicity and possibility of adaptation of commercial technologies to various conditions [3,13,[50][51][52].
According to the results from the mathematical calculation with the decision support AHP method, with the criteria and alternative priority levels explained in Section 3, implemented in Expert Choice software, and set methodology, gasification is the best option for the considered local environment, considering the importance of the environmental criteria selected for the purpose of this paper based on the mentioned and available data. The order of the best technologies after gasification is following: HTC, pyrolysis, and incineration. Figure 4 shows the results according to the criteria. This overview shows that gasification technology is the most suitable technology for sewage sludge thermal utilization in Rijeka, while incineration and pyrolysis follow the same pattern, considering each criterion. This means that pyrolysis is more suitable for conditions in Rijeka than incineration, regarding the selected criteria.

Results from the AHP Model
Considering the local community, national regulatory framework and socio-economic conditions of the observed environment, the chosen criteria are mentioned in Table 4. In order of importance, the criteria are arranged in the following order (from the most important to less important): environmental, socio-economic, and technical. This order was selected because of the ever-growing importance of environmental and socio-economic factors that are considered by decision-makers, who will use this selection method. Due to the stricter regulatory framework and increase in the awareness of the population on environmental protection and the impacts of hazardous substances on water, soil, and air, environmental criteria are becoming the most important criteria during the technology selection within waste and wastewater management [59,60].
Technical criteria were considered the least important, assuming that the considered technologies are all technically highly developed and commercially available in Europe but also due to the simplicity and possibility of adaptation of commercial technologies to various conditions [3,13,[50][51][52].
According to the results from the mathematical calculation with the decision support AHP method, with the criteria and alternative priority levels explained in Section 3, implemented in Expert Choice software, and set methodology, gasification is the best option for the considered local environment, considering the importance of the environmental criteria selected for the purpose of this paper based on the mentioned and available data. The order of the best technologies after gasification is following: HTC, pyrolysis, and incineration. Figure 4 shows the results according to the criteria. This overview shows that gasification technology is the most suitable technology for sewage sludge thermal utilization in Rijeka, while incineration and pyrolysis follow the same pattern, considering each criterion. This means that pyrolysis is more suitable for conditions in Rijeka than incineration, regarding the selected criteria.
HTC shows deviation from the other technologies, mainly because this technology is expensive and technically quite demanding. However, as it was determined that the main importance criterion is environmental, this gives HTC technology a higher importance factor (closed process, low concentration of flue gases, possibility of water recycling, etc.) and makes it a better choice than pyrolysis or incineration.
The selected technology suitable for sewage sludge treatment in Rijeka is eligible, taking into account various factors that affected the selection process. The current WWTP in Rijeka only uses mechanical treatment of the mixed collected wastewater (sanitary and drainage wastewater), where the chemical composition of the wastewater is within the allowed limits (available data on the physicochemical composition of wastewater in WWTP Delta). This means that the production of synthetic gas, which will have less impurities, is possible, and produced bio-char can be utilized for various purposes (energy generation, fertilizer for low-quality soils, etc.). Pyrolysis, which is a process similar to gasification, is also applicable; however, the amount of produced synthetic gas is smaller and the energy balance benefits the gasification process more, without a negative impact on the environment and additional costs that are related to the purification of synthetic gas from the gasification process (due to high concentrations of impurities in syngas, which are not present in the case of Rijeka, as mentioned before). HTC shows deviation from the other technologies, mainly because this technology is expensive and technically quite demanding. However, as it was determined that the main importance criterion is environmental, this gives HTC technology a higher importance factor (closed process, low concentration of flue gases, possibility of water recycling, etc.) and makes it a better choice than pyrolysis or incineration.
The selected technology suitable for sewage sludge treatment in Rijeka is eligible, taking into account various factors that affected the selection process. The current WWTP in Rijeka only uses mechanical treatment of the mixed collected wastewater (sanitary and drainage wastewater), where the chemical composition of the wastewater is within the allowed limits (available data on the physicochemical composition of wastewater in WWTP Delta). This means that the production of synthetic gas, which will have less impurities, is possible, and produced bio-char can be utilized for various purposes (energy generation, fertilizer for low-quality soils, etc.). Pyrolysis, which is a process similar to gasification, is also applicable; however, the amount of produced synthetic gas is smaller and the energy balance benefits the gasification process more, without a negative impact on the environment and additional costs that are related to the purification of synthetic gas from the gasification process (due to high concentrations of impurities in syngas, which are not present in the case of Rijeka, as mentioned before).
The final results of the software Expert Choice are shown in Figure 5. It was already mentioned that gasification technology is the best choice according to the selected criteria presented in Table 4. However, Figure 5 provides the best overview of the difference between the selected technologies in the case of the selected criteria. This generated model with selected criteria has an overall consistency below 10% (in this case, 0.03), which means that it can be used in other regions and cities (other than Rijeka), which will use the same criteria and sub-criteria as was the case in this paper. This fact makes the generated model potentially applicable on the national level of the Republic of Croatia. The final results of the software Expert Choice are shown in Figure 5. It was already mentioned that gasification technology is the best choice according to the selected criteria presented in Table 4. However, Figure 5 provides the best overview of the difference between the selected technologies in the case of the selected criteria. This generated model with selected criteria has an overall consistency below 10% (in this case, 0.03), which means that it can be used in other regions and cities (other than Rijeka), which will use the same criteria and sub-criteria as was the case in this paper. This fact makes the generated model potentially applicable on the national level of the Republic of Croatia. However, it was mentioned that the decision-makers who will use this model have the possibility of adjusting it to their conditions, e.g., in other parts of Croatia, creating a situation where technical criteria will play a larger role in the decision-making process than environmental criteria. Therefore, there is a possibility that the results obtained in this paper could be different in some other region or city in Croatia.
Additionally, the model uses criteria that do not require quantitative factors to select the sewage sludge treatment method. This is very important since it can result in a significant difference between the results obtained from the model and the results obtained from factual studies delivered by experts. Therefore, this model is adjusted to accommodate the needs of decision-makers; however, they do require basic knowledge on the situation in their geographical (municipality, county, etc.) and work area (wastewater and sewage sludge management). Therefore, this model is applicable on the national (Croatian) level, but only taking into account the factors that will be used by decision-makers, in order to accommodate the sewage sludge thermal management technology applicable for their designated area. However, it was mentioned that the decision-makers who will use this model have the possibility of adjusting it to their conditions, e.g., in other parts of Croatia, creating a situation where technical criteria will play a larger role in the decision-making process than environmental criteria. Therefore, there is a possibility that the results obtained in this paper could be different in some other region or city in Croatia.

Analysis of Thermal Treatment Options for Rijeka
Additionally, the model uses criteria that do not require quantitative factors to select the sewage sludge treatment method. This is very important since it can result in a significant difference between the results obtained from the model and the results obtained from factual studies delivered by experts. Therefore, this model is adjusted to accommodate the needs of decision-makers; however, they do require basic knowledge on the situation in their geographical (municipality, county, etc.) and work area (wastewater and sewage sludge management). Therefore, this model is applicable on the national (Croatian) level, but only taking into account the factors that will be used by decision-makers, in order to accommodate the sewage sludge thermal management technology applicable for their designated area.

Analysis of Thermal Treatment Options for Rijeka
The analysis of the criteria and treatments from the previous chapter is very simple and intended for decision-makers, who do not have much experience and knowledge in conducting an extensive analysis of the thermal treatment options. For a deeper analysis, the presence and knowledge of various experts that can cover the different areas of the wastewater management sector is required. Moreover, the selection of technology for sludge/digestate energy recovery is not easy, due to a large number of factors that need to be taken into account. Therefore, this chapter will present a more extensive but simplified analysis of the selection of a thermal treatment option for the city of Rijeka, based on a literature overview.
Based on the aforementioned four thermal treatment options for sewage sludge/digestate and the state of the art of Rijeka taken into account, the following results were obtained (Table 5).  Table 5, it can be concluded that HTC technology is the most suitable for the case of Rijeka, due to the lowest CAPEX/OPEX values and highest power output. Moreover, the process generates minimum waste residues, all of which can be reused in the process or sold on the market as new products. However, it should be mentioned that this overview was based on a literature review and does not necessarily coincide with the real situation in Rijeka. Moreover, the analysis was based mainly on the capital and operational cost, and should include additional aspects, such as the product value on the market, complexity of the technology, used and market for the products from processes. In this manner, HTC is not feasible in Rijeka because the market for products (hydro-char) is non-existent.
Regarding the incineration method, it was determined as a non-feasible option, according to the literature review, which means that it is not applicable in Rijeka, where the annual amount of sewage sludge is predicted to be around 7000 t DM [29].
Therefore, the pyrolysis and gasification methods are viable for the utilization of sewage sludge treatment in Rijeka. However, since these technologies are in their early commercial phases, their applicability to the case of sewage sludge treatment in Rijeka should be further researched, with concrete data from technology suppliers for the case of WWTP Rijeka. From two technologies, gasification is more applicable for the case of Rijeka, due to the fact that it generates synthetic gas and bio-char as products, from which syngas is marketable in Croatia and bio-char in neighboring countries (Italy, Austria, etc.). Additionally, the plant area required for the gasification process is smaller (and modular) than for the other technologies, which is applicable for the designated area determined by the general development plans for WWTP Rijeka [64]. Moreover, the required water content of the feedstock (sludge/digestate) for the gasification process is lower than for the pyrolysis process, which makes it less technologically challenging (no additional drying processes required after the treatment in WWTP) [65].

Conclusions
Sustainable sewage sludge management represents a large problem for WWTPs, due to an increase of the urban population and further strengthening of the regulatory framework related to the environment. The optimal solution for sewage sludge management depends on sludge characteristics, capital and operational costs, operational challenges and conditions, and possible utilization of the produced by-products. Appropriate solutions need to be backed up by an extensive system, which would solve economic, social, environmental, and technical questions.
The objective of this research was to select a technology for sewage sludge management in the city of Rijeka in the Republic of Croatia, based on the mentioned three criteria (environmental, socioeconomic, technical), from which the most important was the environmental one. As a decision support tool, the AHP method was selected, and implemented in Expert Choice software, which enables an easy collaboration between the science and practice (industry). As AHP is mainly a subjective method (mainly depends on the human factor and model management), scientific literature and official data were used, in order to obtain as much objectivity as possible. The results showed that in the case of Rijeka, gasification is the best and most suitable technology, due to its environmental impacts, low amount of produced (harmful) by-products, and number of job openings that it can provide. This selection was supported by a short analysis of the literature of the more extensive data (CAPEX, OPEX, products, etc.). Gasification is one of the newer advanced technologies, which has lately been greatly considered for waste and residues treatment. In this context and taking into account the current and expected situation in Rijeka, it can be considered an optimal and objective solution for sewage sludge management but also other cities in Croatia with similar conditions to Rijeka.
It is possible to obtain a decision on which technology to choose, based on the AHP method; this is a good solution for decision-makers, who have the problem of selecting the appropriate sewage sludge management technology in their regions. Based on the conducted research, this model can be used on a national level in the Republic of Croatia, due to the fact that it is easy to use and robust. It also has the option to easily form the criteria and alternative structure if decision-makers decide to modify it to fit their needs, which is the main focus of future research in the sector of Croatian sewage sludge management.