An experimental research on the influence of the main properties of sewage sludge on syngas composition

The latest trends in the field of sludge management, i.e. combustion, pyrolysis, gasification and co-combustion, have generated significant scientists’ interest. Gasification has attracted considerable interest from water utilities as an alternative technology with the advantage of destruction of pathogenic bacteria and volume reduction, and the additional benefits of energy recovery and lower-cost atmospheric emission control. Gasification takes place in an environment with low levels of oxidizers to prevent the formation of diox-ins and large quantities of sulphur and nitrogen oxides. The paper presents the experimental investigation of sewage sludge gasification process. Installation with downdraft gasifier was used. An analysis of the influence of the main properties of different sewage sludge samples (composition, volatile matter content, water content and heavy metal content) on the composition of the gas obtained in the autothermal gasification process was conducted. Results presented as a function of amount of gasification agent.