Application of French School multicriteria methods in the evaluation and selection of steam boilers in paper mills

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47385/cadunifoa.v21.n56.5851

Keywords:

Multicriteria Decision, French School, Steam Boilers, Outranking, ELECTRE, PROMETHEE

Abstract

The selection of a steam boiler in energy-intensive industries, such as pulp and paper, involves a complex balance among technical, economic, and environmental criteria. Traditional methods that aggregate all criteria into a single score can obscure important conflicts, such as the trade-off between acquisition cost (CAPEX) and energy efficiency or emissions. To address this complexity, this research adopts the French School's Multicriteria Decision Aiding (MCDA) approach, utilizing the outranking methods ELECTRE and PROMETHEE. These methods allow for the evaluation of alternatives by considering small, irrelevant differences while highlighting significant disparities, analyzing whether one boiler is "at least as good as" another in a non-compensatory manner. Criteria include CAPEX, OPEX, efficiency, reliability, maintenance, and emissions (CO₂, NOx). The result is a clear ranking of the alternatives, revealing trade-offs and incomparabilities. Thus, the ELECTRE/PROMETHEE approach offers a transparent and flexible analytical framework, making the decision-making process more robust, auditable, and aligned with long-term competitiveness and sustainability goals.

 

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Author Biographies

João Gabriel de Souza Pinto Sales, Universidade Federal Fluminense(UFF)

Master’s student in Production Engineering at UFF, with a dissertation on Multicriteria Analysis for the Implementation of Incremental and Radical Innovations. Engineer in Operational Excellence and Innovation at Schweitzer-Mauduit Brazil.

Academic background includes a degree in Mechanical Engineering from EEIMVR/UFF and a technical course in Computer Maintenance and Support from FAETEC. Completed advanced courses in Excel, Power BI, SolidWorks, VBA for Business, AutoCAD 2D/3D, and certifications in Lean Six Sigma (White Belt and Yellow Belt), Lean Manufacturing, Agile Scrum, Innovation Management, Design Thinking, and Agile Management.

Languages: English (advanced), Spanish (advanced), German and French (basic-intermediate).
Experience in Product and Service Development, Power Platforms, Change Management, and Innovation Projects.

Luís Alberto Duncan Rangel, Fluminense Federal University (UFF)

Holds a Ph.D. in Production Engineering from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (2002) and a Master’s in Production Engineering from the Fluminense Federal University (1995). Graduated in Mechanical Engineering from the Catholic University of Petrópolis (1985), with qualifications in Production and Thermal Engineering, and completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Zaragoza, Spain (2010). He is a Full Professor in the Department of Production Engineering at EEIMVR/UFF since 2018, also teaching Production, Mechanical, Metallurgical, and Agribusiness Engineering courses since 1993. Served as CNPq Level 2 Researcher (2004–2018) and INEP/MEC Course Evaluator since 2006, participating in over a hundred evaluations and ENADE commissions (2014 and 2017). He worked as a Development Engineer at Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (1986–1993), with experience in mechanical projects and equipment maintenance in the steel sector. Participated in the creation and approval of several UFF graduate programs, including the Ph.D. in Sustainable Management Systems (2014), the Master’s in Production Engineering (2015), and the Master’s in Computational Modeling in Science and Technology (2009–2017). His academic work includes teaching, research, and extension in Production Engineering, emphasizing the application of Multicriteria Decision Support Methods and sustainability-related topics.

Mateus Pereira Martin, Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar)

Bachelor in Production Engineering from FCA/UNICAMP (2009–2013), Master in Electrical Engineering from FEEC/UNICAMP (2014–2016), and Ph.D. in Production Engineering from PPGEP/UFSCar (2016–2019). Completed an academic exchange at Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain (2012) and a sandwich Ph.D. at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Portugal (2018–2019).

Postdoctoral research in Operations Research (OR) at PPGPO/UNIFESP-ITA (2020–2021). Former professor at Fluminense Federal University (UFF), Petrópolis-RJ campus (2021–2024) and currently a professor in the Department of Production Engineering, UFSCar, Sorocaba-SP campus.

Permanent faculty member of the PPGEP at EEIMVR/UFF, with research interests in Operations Research applied to production and logistics systems.

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Published

2026-02-20

How to Cite

DE SOUZA PINTO SALES, João Gabriel; DUNCAN RANGEL, Luís Alberto; PEREIRA MARTIN, Mateus. Application of French School multicriteria methods in the evaluation and selection of steam boilers in paper mills. Cadernos UniFOA, Volta Redonda, v. 21, n. 56, p. 1–14, 2026. DOI: 10.47385/cadunifoa.v21.n56.5851. Disponível em: https://unifoa.emnuvens.com.br/cadernos/article/view/5851. Acesso em: 21 feb. 2026.

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 56 (2026): Cadernos UniFOA

Section

Tecnologia e Engenharias

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