Report Barcelona Event

The third SuPER-W training event and PhD workshop was organized in Barcelona at Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) over the span of one week. The main agenda of the training included evaluating the progress of individual research work, motivational training on numerical and computational modelling and practical training sessions. The event was ended by a field trip. Below, a summary of the training event is given.

The event was kick-started by warm welcome from UPC partners, Dr. Anna Garfi and Dr. Ivet Ferrer. This was then followed by an introduction on general modelling methodology from Prof. Dr. ir. Ingmar Nopens from UGent. After a refreshing networking lunch break, Dr. Alessandro Solimeno gave an inspiring speech on his dedicated work on modelling of algae-based wastewater systems. Thereafter, Prof. Dr. Xavier Flotats took the stage and elaborated more on modelling anaerobic biological systems using Anaerobic Digestion Model 1 (ADM1). A lab tour was given by the UPC ESRs to demonstrate how UPC researchers are developing to innovative wastewater treatment solutions.

The next day was filled by ESRs’ presentations on their own project progress, and by updates on outreach activities. The PhD seminar was coordinated by Dr. Anna Garfi and Dr. ir. Han Vervaeren, while  Prof. Dr. Xavier Flotats was especially appreciated for his full participation as an external expert. Doing so, valuable remarks to and recommendations on each individual ESR’s project were given. The long though fruitful day was closed by a pleasant networking dinner with traditional local food and beverages. 

The following two days were allocated for practical modelling sessions of wetlands in 1D and 2, which consisted of a theoretical introduction and an extended hands-on section on COMSOL Multiphysics software. The training was given by Amphos21, a company specialised in environmental modelling  and consultancy. As a result of this intensive two-day training, the group was able to use COMSOL to model cases based on geochemical processes, and equipped with the know-hows to extend these models to biological systems.

After a revitalizing night by a horror city tour in downtown Barcelona, the group spent their last day for a field visit. The ESRs first arrived at the Espais Naturals del Delta del Llobregat, a river delta just beside the Barcelona Airport - El Prat. During the guided tour, the group not only learned the history of development in the area, but also showed special interest in the constructed wetland systems for treatment of wastewater from vicinity. The tour was finished by stories about the local ecosystem and a visit to a bird observation pavilion next to a lagoon. Before saying goodbye and looking forward to the next event in Delft, ESRs visited another European project INCOVER algae pilot site (http://incover-project.eu/).