Sewage Oxy-Gasification for Chemicals Production

Gassificazione Ossidativa dei Reflui per la Produzione di Sostanze Chimiche

LIFE-AUGIA project develops an efficient gasification system converting sewage sludge and wood waste into syngas using oxygen, steam, and CO₂ as gasifying agents.

EU Contribution: €1,083,499
Coordinator: University of Molise
Waste-to-Chemicals Conversion

Project Overview

Objective

To develop an efficient gasification system that converts sewage sludge and wood waste into syngas (a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and methane) using oxygen, steam, and CO₂ as gasifying agents.

Scope

  • Feedstock: Sewage sludge and wood waste
  • Gasifying Agents: Oxygen, steam, and CO₂
  • Output: Syngas and residual ash
  • Applications: Energy production, chemicals production, waste reduction

Expected Outcomes

  • Environmental Benefits: Reduction in landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions
  • Energy Recovery: Production of syngas for renewable energy and chemicals production
  • Economic Viability: Lower operational costs compared to traditional waste disposal methods

Team structure

Gasification Process

1

Feedstock Preparation

Sewage sludge and wood waste are dried and shredded to ensure uniformity before being introduced into the gasifier.

2

Gasification Reactor

The feedstock undergoes thermochemical conversion at high temperatures (700-1,100°C) in a controlled oxygen-starved environment in a down-draft gasifier with twin-burner configuration.

3

Gasifying Agents

  • Oxygen: Enhances the calorific value of syngas
  • Steam: Promotes the water-gas shift reaction, increasing hydrogen production
  • CO₂: Acts as a moderating agent for temperature control
4

Syngas Cleaning & Utilization

The raw syngas is cooled to 130-200°C, purified to remove particulates, tars, and contaminants, then directed to recovery systems or further processing for chemicals production.

Technology Features

Innovative Gasifier Design

Down-draft type with twin-burner configuration featuring primary and secondary oxidation zones for complete gasification of residual compounds.

Patented Oxygen Distribution

International patent application for an innovative oxygen distribution system ensuring homogeneous oxidant distribution, constant temperature and uniform gas velocity.

Advanced Monitoring

Comprehensive temperature and pressure monitoring at key locations: reactor top, primary oxidation zone, oxidant inlet, syngas outlet, and char combustion zone.

News

LIFE AUGIA – meetings – 3 monitoring visit

12 Settembre 2022|0 Comments

On 12 September 2022 the partners of the LIFE AUGIA project (University of Molise, University of Pisa, Biosyn, Sime and Cosib) met with Dr. S. Pagni, delegated by the European Commission to verify the project at the headquarters of the Development Consortium Industrial of the Biferno Valley (C.O.S.I.B.). The [...]

Mission

LIFE AUGIA brochure
LIFE AUGIA pannel
LIFE AUGIA rollup

Survey

Participate in the “LIFE AUGIA: social sustainability assessment” survey to understand the acceptance and perception of the social, economic, and environmental benefits associated with the construction of the plant and the production of syngas.
Answer the questionnaire!

Partecipa all’indagine “LIFE AUGIA: valutazione sostenibilità sociale” per capire l’accettazione e la percezione dei benefici sociali, economici ed ambientali connessi alla realizzazione dell’impianto ed alla produzione di syngas.
Rispondi al questionario!

Project Partners

The Department of Biosciences and Territory can provide scientific competences able to understand and study the interaction between biological systems and modern society, and to manage in a sustainable way the relationship between technologies and territory.

Il Dipartimento di Bioscienze e Territorio fornisce competenze scientifiche in grado di comprendere e studiare l’interazione tra i sistemi biologici e la società moderna, e di gestire in modo sostenibile il rapporto tra tecnologie e territorio.

BIOSYN SRL, is engaged in the design and sale of plants with gasification technology highly reliable for the environmental impact. It carries out research and experimental development activities in collaboration with Italian and foreign universities.

 BIOSYN SRL, si occupa della progettazione e vendita di impianti con tecnologia di gassificazione altamente affidabile per l’impatto ambientale. Svolge attività di ricerca e sviluppo sperimentale in collaborazione con università italiane e straniere.

COSIB operates in the industrial area of Termoli, it is a public economic entity that aims to promote, in its territory, good conditions for the harmonious development of productive activities in the fields of industry, crafts, trade and services.

COSIB è un ente pubblico economico che opera nella zona industriale di Termoli e che mira a promuovere, nel suo territorio, buone condizioni per lo sviluppo armonioso delle attività produttive nei settori dell’industria, dell’artigianato, del commercio e dei servizi.

  SIME srl operates as a provider of engineering services for the construction of plants in various sectors including waste treatment. Expertise spans virtually all engineering disciplines.

SIME srl opera come fornitore di servizi di ingegneria per la costruzione di impianti in vari settori tra cui il trattamento dei rifiuti. Le competenze spaziano praticamente in tutte le discipline ingegneristiche.

The Department of Energy, Systems, Land and Building Engineering can provide expertise in a variety of fields related to energy conversion and energy infrastructure. Current projects specifically involve micro-cogeneration facilities.

Il Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell’Energia, dei Sistemi, del Territorio e degli Edifici può fornire competenze in una varietà di campi relativi alla conversione energetica e alle infrastrutture energetiche. I progetti attuali coinvolgono specificamente gli impianti di micro-cogenerazione.

  The LIFE AUGIA project has received funding from the life Programme of The European Union under grant agreement LIFE 19 ENV/IY/000669.

Il progetto LIFE AUGIA ha ricevuto un finanziamento dal programma Life dell’Unione Europea sotto l’accordo di sovvenzione LIFE 19 ENV/IY/000669.

Project Location

Termoli Industrial Zone

The project is located in the Termoli Industrial Zone in the province of Campobasso, in the Rivolta del Re area, at an average elevation of 4 to 5 meters above sea level, at the purification plant scale.

  • Geographic Coordinates: IGM 1:100,000 sheet no. 155, Quadrant IV
  • Regional Technical Map: Section no. 382013 at scale 1:5,000
  • Land Registry: Parcel 415 sub-4 of sheet 47, Municipality of Termoli

Safety & Geomorphology

The site presents a flat layout with no landslide risk, as confirmed by the Biferno P.A.I. landslide hazard map. The area is characterized by typically flat topography within the Biferno River alluvial plain.