From April 12th to 14th 2024, the 8th National Conference on Water Treatment and Reuse of China was held in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. The conference was jointly organized by the Committee of Water Treatment and Reuse (WTR) of the Chinese Society for Environmental Sciences, the School of Environment, Tsinghua University and other institutions. Attendees included more than 1,000 experts and scholars from universities and colleges, research institutes, environmental protection enterprises and related administrative departments.
Scenes at the conference
Opening ceremony
The opening ceremony was presided over by Liu Guangli, WTR Vice Director and Professor of Sun Yat-sen University, and Lai Bo, WTR member, Director of the China WTR Organizing Committee, and professor at Sichuan University. Liu Chao, University Council member and Vice President of Sichuan University, Yi Bo, Deputy Director of Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Ecological Environment, Hu Hongying, WTR Director and professor of Tsinghua University, Huang Haoyong, Chairman of the 7th International Conference on Water Cycle and professor of Beijing Normal University, and Xia Zuyi, Secretary-General of the Chinese Society of Environmental Sciences, delivered speeches. Afterwards, Liu Guangli announced the lists of outstanding contributors to WTR and the international academic journal Water Cycle respectively.
Liu Guangli and Lai Bo host the conference
Liu Chao and Yi Bo deliver speeches
Hu Hongying, Huang Haoyong and Xia Zuyi deliver speeches
Award Certificates to Outstanding Contributors to WTR and Water Cycle
Special Guest Report
The special guest report session was hosted by Pan Xuejun, Vice President of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Liang Heng, Dean of the School of Environment of Harbin Institute of Technology, Sun Dezhi, professor of Beijing Forestry University, and Zhang Jian, President of Shandong Normal University. Peng Yongzhen, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and professor of Beijing University of Technology, Wang Hualin, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and professor of East China University of Science and Technology, Shane A. Snyder, professor of Georgia Institute of Technology, Andrea Iris Schäfer, professor of Karlsruher Institut für Technologie, Wang Dunqiu, Vice Chairman of University Council and President of Guilin University of Technology, Zhou Shaoqi, University Councilmember and Vice President of Guizhou University, Wen Zhiyou, professor of Iowa State University, and Wang Shao bin, professor of the University of Adelaide, delivered special guest report respectively.
With his report titled “Research, Development and Application of the Anaerobic-Oxic-Anoxic (AOA) Technology-Advanced Treatment of Municipal Wastewater and Limits of Technology (LOT) Nitrogen Removal,” Peng Yongzhen systematically explained the principle, research progress and technical advantages of the AOA technology with regard to two major problems of urban sewage treatment. He introduced pilot experiments and application cases of the key technologies, and shared innovative ways of improving biological treatment of wastewater.
Peng Yongzhen Delivers the Report
Wang Hualin’s report was on the physical methods for petrochemical wastewater treatment. He pointed out that the transition to a green petrochemical industry is the current focal point for nationwide key technology breakthroughs. Facing the severe challenges posed by the “not-in-my-backyard” phenomena, much needs to be done to build a green petrochemical system. Wang also shared cases of physical treatment of petrochemical wastewater, analyzed the key technological needs, scientific problems and directions for future development of the industry, and emphasized the significance of continuous innovation and technological advancement.
Wang Hualin Delivers the Report
With the tile “Exploring the Great Unknown: New Tools to Assess Complex Environmental Mixtures”, Shane A. Snyder introduced alternative toxicity testing methods and strategies under the pressure to reduce animal tests. These methods include bioassays based on effect monitoring, automated high-throughput screening, and rapid toxicity assessment. He also demonstrated the application of toxic effect assessment of 1,3-diphenylguanidine and its chlorinated by-products.
Shane A. Snyder Delivers the Report
Andrea Iris Schäfer’s report titled “Micro pollutants in Water Reuse: Removal Using Nanoporous and Reactive Membranes” pointed out problems of scale, concentration and selectivity in current micro pollutants removing processes. He introduced the research progress, directions and challenges of related technologies with the example of the PES-TiO2 photo catalytic membrane.
Andrea Iris Schäfer Delivers the Report
Wang Dunqiu delivered his report on the carbon sink capacity of Huixian Kasite National Wetland Park under ecological regulations. He emphasized the urgent need for ecological water replenishment and research the changes of carbon sink capacity to maintain the ecological function of wetlands. He proposed ways to enhance the carbon sink capacity of wetlands, including restoration of wetland vegetation, soil improvement, and wetland degradation reduction.
Wang Dunqiu Delivers the Report
Zhou Shaoqi presented his research findings on electron transfer in life processes and environmental pollution management. By reviewing the history of the development of the life sciences, he explained the importance of researching the metrology of biochemical reactions. He put forward a new methodology for the electronic metrology of biological nitrogen removal and a new mechanism of synchronous nitrogen and phosphorus removal. In addition, he introduced related research findings and progress in three aspects, namely theoretical breakthroughs, technological innovations, and engineering applications.
Zhou Shaoqi Delivers the Report
Wen Zhiyou’s presentation is on the study of domestic wastewater treatment using microalgae biofilm reactors. He introduced the operational mechanisms of the Revolving Algal Biofilm (RAB) system developed by his team, shared its technological advantages, treatment effects, and commercialization value, and put forward an outlook for its future.
Wen Zhiyou Delivers the Report
Wang Shaobin delivered a report titled “Biomass-Derived Porous Carbons for Catalytic Degradation of Water Contaminants”, introducing the advantages of carbon nanomaterials as catalysts for advanced oxidation. He gave a detailed explanation of the reaction mechanism from molecular level perspectives such as electron configuration to macro-scale ones such as kinetics. He also summarized and predicted the application of carbon materials in real-life wastewater treatment.
Wang Shaobin Delivers the Report
Disciplinary Development Report
The disciplinary development report session was co-chaired by Luo Xubiao, Vice Chairman of University Council and President of Jinggangshan University, Zhang Xuxiang, Associate Dean of the School of Environment at Nanjing University, Prof. Wang Zhiwei, Dean of the College of Environmental Science and Engineering at Tongji University, and Sun Yingxue, professor of Beijing Technology and Business University. Centering on key scientific issues, technological needs, developmental trends in the field of water treatment and reuse, professors and scholars delivered insightful reports. Xu Bin, Chairman of School Council of the College of Environmental Science and Engineering at Tongji University, delivered the report “Major Water Risk Problems and Challenges of Municipal High-Quality Drinking Water”; Wu Qianyuan, researcher of Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, delivered the report “Frontiers and Developmental Outlook of Wastewater Biological Toxicity Assessment and Control”; Chen Rong, professor of Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology delivered the report “Thoughts and Explorations on the Development of the Anaerobic Treatment and Resource Recovery of Wastewater”; Lai Bo, professor of Sichuan University delivered the report “Progress and Challenges of Advanced Oxidation Treatment Technology for Toxic and Refractory Industrial Wastewater”. Their reports introduced the challenges and future developments in the field of water treatment and reuse, attracting wide attention of the participating experts and scholars.
Xu Bin, Wu Qianyuan, Chen Rong and Lai Bo deliver disciplinary development reports
Sub-conferences and Featured Events
Around the theme of “Water Reuse and Green Development with Economic Growth”, 34 subconferences and featured activities such as Scientific Writing and Expression Workshop, Industrialization of Water Treatment and Entrepreneurship Forum, Committee Salon, Outstanding Engineers and Factory Managers Salon, Specialized and Innovative Water Treatment Technology of Enterprises Salon and Future Salon. The sub conferences featured deep and heated discussions on the frontiers and hotspots in the field of water treatment and reuse. Specific topics are: theories and technologies of physical separation, theories and technologies of chemical conversion, theories and technologies of aerobic bioconversion, theories and technologies of anaerobic bioconversion, theories and technologies of ecological purification, theories and technologies of membrane separation, theories and technologies of microalgae water treatment, sludge treatment and recovery, control of secondary pollution in water treatment processes, management of chemical risks in water, management of biological risks in water, water quality analysis and evaluation, water resources and environment in ecologically vulnerable regions, materials and chemicals for water treatment, equipment and testing instrument for water treatment, standardizing policies and administration, water treatment technologies and intelligent operation, urban drainage systems and sewage network, urban water supply systems and water reuse, urban water system simulation and optimization, industrial water systems and water reuse, rural water systems and water reuse, livestock and poultry breeding and water reuse, aquaculture and water reuse, rainwater collection, treatment, storage and recovery, groundwater pollution management and recovery, desalination technology and ultrapure water preparation, risks and management of new pollutants, treatment theories and technologies of hypersaline and refractory wastewater, lake governance and water reuse, and watershed governance and water reuse. Besides, a session was set up especially to show excellent works of graduate students.
Scenes at the conference
Scenes at Sub-conferences and Poster Session
At the sub-conferences, more than 400 experts and scholars from renowned universities, research institutes and leading enterprises in the industry shared latest research findings and industrial trends in the field of water treatment and reuse. Participants posed questions actively and engaged in heated discussions. High-quality research findings are shared and discussed widely, contributing to a sound academic atmosphere.
Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony of the conference was hosted by Wang Can, WTR Deputy Secretary and professor at Tianjin University. During the ceremony, Li Fengmin, head of the WTR Advocacy Group and professor at Ocean University of China, announced awards for experts and scholars who made outstanding contributions to the conference. The awards recognized their efforts in submitting papers, designing posters, organizing events, volunteering or making other contributions. Graduate students who gave excellent reports were also awarded. Last but not least, Lai Bo made an overall summary of the conference and handed the China WTR flag to Professor Huang Bin of next year’s host organization, Kunming University of Science and Technology. Huang Bin warmly welcomed everyone to meet in Kunming, Yunnan Province next year for the 9th ChinaWTRconference.
Wang Can and Li Fengmin preside over the closing ceremony.
The China WTR flag is handed to the host organization of the next China WTR conference.
The Organizing Committee of the 8th National Conference on Water Treatment and Reuse of China.
