Anna Kogler

Globally, 2.7 billion people rely on on-site sanitation, like latrines and septic tanks, that generates fecal sludge, and 4.5 billion people lack access to adequate sanitation. Sustainable management of fecal sludge and expansion of sanitation systems are critical. Recovering nitrogen-based fertilizers and disinfectants from fecal sludge using electrochemical reactors can reduce costs and environmental impacts of waste management and chemical production while generating revenue to finance sanitation systems. I hope to advance these electrochemical reactors toward implementation. I will optimize the process in the lab to improve energy and nitrogen recovery efficiency and to mitigate harmful byproduct formation. I will also demonstrate the technology in real-world conditions and integrate these technical innovations with life-cycle analysis and business model development. Ultimately, I hope my research will facilitate scaling-to-market and realizing human health, environmental, and economic benefits of nitrogen recovery.