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Mobility to Lleida

Within the context of the Sustainable Wastewater Treatment for Hospitals - SWaTH project, Makram EL BACHAWATI (SWaTH Coordinator) and Wael HAMD from the University of Balamand – Lebanon, Joyce KHEIR from the Lebanese University – Lebanon, Roger MATTA from the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik – Lebanon attended and actively participated in the mobility to Lleida – Spain from November 2, 2021, to November 6, 2021.

Gabriel PEREZ, Julia COMA, Esther SOLER, and Rita PUIG from the Higher Polytechnic School of the UdL welcomed and hosted the Lebanese partners. In addition to the Department of Chemical Engineering at the UdL – Igualada campus, the SWaTH team visited the laboratories, facilities, departments, and buildings of UdL – Cappont Campus and met Magda Valls the Dean of the Polytechnic School. Furthermore, Rita and Esther presented the master's degree in Leather Engineering as UdL is a reference center worldwide that offers these unique studies in Europe. On the flip side of the coin, the SWaTH team visited the municipal wastewater treatment plant in Lleida managed by Aqualia. This site visit started with a technical presentation by Jordi PALATSI (plant manager) about the different stages of their sustainable wastewater treatment process. Afterward, the team explored the research laboratories, quality tests, and control room. A detailed discussion took place with Jordi, the technicians, and the Ph.D. candidate about the chemical tests, studied parameters, and the followed methods. The most remarkable part of the visit was the guided tour of the treatment site. The participants visualized the different treatment steps/stages (e.g., screening, foam and grease removal, dried sludge collection, clean water discharge, and so on). The tour was ended by visiting the bioenergy production site where biogas is produced for refueling the company's trucks, employers' and employees' vehicles.