Evaluating Copper Smelting Flue Gas Waste Heat Recovery Efficiency: A Game Theory-Based Combined Weighting Approach

The efficient and optimized operation of copper smelting processes is comprehensively governed by process flow characteristics and energy efficiency. This study establishes a game theory–based comprehensive evaluation framework and proposes a hybrid weighting-TOPSIS method. The optimal combined weights are determined by integrating subjective and objective approaches, including the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), entropy weight method (EWM), and CRITIC method. The proposed model is used to quantitatively evaluate the effects of flue gas and steam flow rates, and temperature differences, on overall system energy efficiency. Compared with single-weighting methods, the presented strategy demonstrates greater rationality and comprehensiveness. Furthermore, exergy analysis is conducted to investigate energy and exergy efficiencies and exergy destruction of key components. Results show that the energy and exergy efficiencies of waste heat boilers are both approximately 30%, with a maximum exergy destruction of 3646 kW, indicating significant potential for improvement. This finding is consistent with the comprehensive evaluation results obtained from the game theory-based weighting method, providing a reliable basis for energy efficiency optimization of copper smelting waste heat recovery systems.