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PhD Position – Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) modeling of hospital wastewater treatment: An endeavor toward sustainable development

Status: Closed

Important Information
Title
 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) modeling of hospital wastewater treatment: An endeavor toward sustainable development.
Workplace(s)
 University of Balamand (UOB) - Lebanon
University of Lleida (UdL) - Spain
Supervisors
 Dr. Makram El Bachawati - UOB
Prof. Rita Puig - UdL
Application Deadline
 October 16, 2022.
Pitch Presentation
 Ocotober 19-21, 2022.
Starting Date
 November 01, 2022.

Description of the subject

The exponential increase in the population and ongoing pandemics such as COVID-19 and monkeypox increased the presence of toxic particles, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and drugs in wastewater streams. Due to their fatal impacts on the environment and humans, wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) must work on optimizing their treatment systems to ensure the optimal removal of these toxic compounds. Therefore, all the emerging technologies and policies must conform to sustainable development and circular economy, for instance, life cycle analysis metrics. Even though the wastewater treatment processes remove pollutants and regulate biosolids, they have direct and indirect environmental impacts. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies are extensively used to assess the ecological impact of industrial, municipal, and urban wastewater but are rarely used to evaluate the environmental, economic, and social impacts of hospital wastewater. To address broader economy-wide life cycle impacts, this Ph.D. aims to conduct a vital review that summarizes results from published LCA papers on hospital wastewater treatment.

Furthermore, it will serve as a guide for practitioners and researchers in the field, contribute to the sustainability and circularity measurement of wastewater management, and how to reuse wastewater with minimal harm to human society and the environment. The Ph.D. researcher will use the LCA method to identify significant causes of environmental, social, and economic impacts in the hospital wastewater treatment process while considering many factors such as uncertainties built into calculations, assessment risks, (eco) toxic factors, sensitivity analysis, and more. In addition, a set of circularity indicators will be used to measure the circularity of wastewater treatment options.

Keywords: Life Cycle Assessment; Sustainable development; Wastewater; Recycling; Ecofriendly; Circular economy.

Profile of the candidate

  • The candidate must be registered or graduated from one of the partner institutions.
  • The candidate must have a Masters's Degree or equivalent in Chemical Engineering, Environmental engineering, or a related field.
  • The candidate must speak fluent English and/or French.
  • The candidate must have a strong affinity for field activities.
  • The candidate must have a good capacity for using digital tools (modeling, statistical analysis, etc..)

Modality of the application

1. Create a student account. Click here.
2. Download the guide for applicants, application Form#1, and application Form N#2.
3. Prepare, sign, and submit your full application online no later than October 16, 2022.

Candidates are invited to download the SWaTH Mobile App and Log In to check the updated status of their application.

Candidates who pass Stage 2 will be invited for an online presentation between 19 and 21 October 2022.

The Ph.D. thesis will start on November 01, 2022, and 3-month mobilities will take place twice a year for a period of 3 years.