Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a central technology in the Run4Life approach, as it is key in achieving the recovery of nutrients from domestic wastewater. In June this year, Run4Life consortium partners Aqualia, Leitat, USC, LeAF and WU participated in Delft in the 16th IWA World Congress on Anaerobic Digestion, one of the largest AD conferences worldwide. Merijn Moerland (WU) attracted great attention with his a poster on the hyper-thermophilic anaerobic treatment of black water for recovery of nutrients and energy. Eduard Borràs (Leitat) participated with an oral presentation about the experimental results gained with nitrogen recovery from anaerobically digested blackwater using bioelectrochemical systems. The main results of the operation of the AnMBR treating toilet wastewater at the Vigo demosite were presented by Nicolás Morales (Aqualia).
Taking advantage of the presence of international experts at AD16, meetings were organized with several of them – some already engaged with Run4Life through their role as members of the project’s Scientific Advisory Board. Interacting and discussing about the Run4Life project and its key aspects, interesting feedback was obtained that is being taken in mind for the ongoing and future project activities. Throughout the congress, Run4Life postcards and bookmarks were handed out to interested people, inviting them to visit the project website and maintain their connection to the project.