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Press release. 18th April 2024. The final conference of LIFE-DRY4GAS project took place in San Javier (Murcia) with the participation of more than 70 attendees and with the presence of the Regional Minister of Water, Agriculture, Farming and Fishing of Murcia Region.  The LIFE-DRY4GAS Project financed by European funds from the LIFE programme comes to an end demonstrating a viable alternative to energetic valorisation of sewage sludge. On 9th April, LIFE-DRY4GAS Project held the final conference of the project entitled “Alternative to conventional sludge dehydration and management lines in a WWTP, circular economy objective” in the plenary room of the San Javier (Murcia) town hall. The conference, organised by ESAMUR in collaboration with CIEMAT, had the participation of all the project partners: CIEMAT, ESAMUR, AITESA, RANK, EHS TECHNIQUES and CEBAS-CSIC. The institutional opening of the event was carried out by José Miguel Luengo, Mayor of San Javier, Mercedes Ballesteros, Director of CIEMAT Energy Department and Sara Rubira, Regional Minister for Water, Agriculture, Farming and Fishing. They focused on the importance of the project to the innovation in water management, area where Murcia Region is an example to other countries. Next, Federico de Filippi, representative of CINEA assigned to the LIFE-DRY4GAS project, started the session. He presented the new LIFE call that starts in April, and the financing for projects in the water sector of LIFE programme; and Roman Lopez, member of ESAMUR, talked about the sewage sludge management in Murcia Region. Furthermore, during the morning, several round tables were carried out where different aspects of the LIFE-DRY4GAS project were discussed. LIFE-DRY4GAS project has been in development for almost seven years. CIEMAT began the coordination of the project, assuming most or the project weight in 2020, after the withdrawal of the previous coordinator. This is a demonstration project, which ends with the presentation of the prototype for the energy treatment of sludge, located at the San Javier waste water treatment plant (WWTP), of which CIEMAT, ESAMUR, AITESA and RANK are co-owners. During the conference, Virginia Pérez, member of the Thermal Conversion Processes Unit and coordinator of the project, participated in the first round table to give an introduction and description of the project and the pilot plant. She focused on the sewage sludge gasification and the energy recovery. Other members of the project also participated in the round table, talking about different parts of the prototype (solar drying, combustion of the syngas, organic Rankine system, infrastructures and auxiliary services) in whose dimensioning and assembly they have participated. Next, a second round table where the main objectives of the project and the replicability of the technology was addressed. The round table began with Felipe Bastida, member of CEBAS-CSIC, who discussed the agricultural application of sewage sludge and gasification ashes during the project development. Next, other presentations took place about the life cycle analysis of the project, replicability, the legal framework of WWTP sludge and the study of different installation sizes. To conclude the event, there was a final round table where different R&D projects related to sewage sludge were presented. Different companies such as ACCIONA AGUA, FACSA, SAV, GLOBAL OMNIUM, DAM and CETENMA were invited. To end the conference, Raquel Ramos, member of the Thermal Conversion Processes Unit of CEDER-CIEMAT made a speech entitled "LIFE-DRY4GAS: Confirmation as an alternative to the conventional treatment of WWTP sludge", in which the conclusions of the conference were presented. The event showed how the developed process in the project for the energetic treatment of sewage sludge is in line with current circular economy objectives and it is a promising alternative for the future. CIEMAT and the partners are already working on the replication strategy of the prototype. Figure 1: Two moments of the morning session: inauguration and round table 1 The event ended with a visit to the project installation in the afternoon session, which caused numerous questions about the operation of the prototype and the interest of waste water treatment plant management companies presents there. Figure 2: Visit to the prototype installation of the LIFE-DRY4GAS project in San Javier  ]]>

LIFE-DRY4GAS at the II Forum of Bioeconomy of Castilla and León. On 25th and 26th October the II Forum of Bioeconomy of Castilla and León has been celebrated in Soria, organized by ICE (Institute for the Enterprise Competitiveness) of Castilla and León Government, with the coordination of CESEFOR. Along these days, 25 oral sessions and activities, with the participation of 50 companies and institutions and with a total of 300 attendances have been developed. It becomes a reference event for the promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship using endogenous resources and creating job in rural areas. The Forum addressed the four pillars of Bioeconomy from different perspectives: Agricultural and Agro-food Bioeconomy, Bioenergy, Forest Bioeconomy and Circular Bioeconomy. The main conclusions of the Forum have been that bioeconomy plays a central role in the economic and social development of Castilla and León, boosting job creation and improving citizens’ life quality. The richness in agricultural and forest resources contributes to a strategic development of bioeconomy in Castilla and León. The great biodiversity in Castilla and León, based in renewable resources can contribute to solve problems and challenges, through the generation of new products, services and business models. Furthermore, a de-carbonization is need, so the context offers great opportunities. LIFE-DRY4GAS project participated in the session entitled “Biotardeo. Networking: Rural circular bioeconomy and participative networks of transference”, that took place on 25th October. The project was presented with a poster in a session of networking in which other projects and initiatives related to circular bioeconomy at national level participated.    ]]>

LIFE-DRY4GAS at the Webinar: 8 innovative practices in Spain and Portugal to promote rural bioeconomy On 29th June, INtercamBIOM organised, through the BRANCHES project, a European workshop with companies from Spain and Portugal, which are innovating in biomass production and bio-energy conversion systems. The innovative practices that participated in the workshop were grouped into two different blocks. The first one has included those related to the production and management of biomass, and in the second block practices related to conversion into bioenergy, syngas and biocarbons has been presented. Virginia Pérez, a researcher of the Thermal Conversion Processes Unit at CEDER-CIEMAT, has presented the LIFE-DRY4GAS project with her participation   "Demonstration pilot on integration of solar drying and gasification to valorize sewage sludge".  ]]>

LIFE-DRY4GAS Project Conference: Circular economy of sewage sludge. Last Tuesday 20th June, the LIFE-DRY4GAS Project Conference: Circular economy of sewage sludge has taken place in CEDER-CIEMAT, organised by CEDER-CIEMAT, University of Valladolid and CIEDA-CIEMAT. Click on the video frame to see the Conference presentations: Firstly, Virginia Pérez, a CEDER-CIEMAT researcher and project coordinator has shown LIFE-DRY4GAS project and the sustainable environmental solution that the project proposes for the treatment of sewage sludge from Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP). Sewage sludge is dried in a solar dryer that uses residual heat from the process and then the dry product is gasified obtaining thermal and electrical energy. Felipe Bastida from CEBAS-CSIC, has presented the impact of sludge and gasification biochar on soil health, fertility and biodiversity in a grapefruit crop as a substitute or in combination with more traditional chemical fertilizers, as a result of the LIFE-DRY4GAS project. The presentation of REBI, by Marta Pilar Lázaro Yubero, has also focused on the fertilization of soil with ashes obtained in biomass combustion processes in boilers managed by REBI in district heating located at different provinces. The Conference has also shown the various management of sewage sludge in different Autonomous Communities and at different scales. Manuel Abellán, from ESAMUR, María Sanz, from SOMACYL, Raquel Moreno, from Aguas de Soria and Félix Gonzalo, from UVA/OCR-ELECNOR, have presented the current situation of sewage sludge management, its problems and future prospects in the treatment of sludge in Murcia, in towns with 100 - 9000 inhabitants equivalent in Castilla y León, in the city of Soria and in small urban agglomerations. The LIFE SMART Agromobility Project in which the University of Valladolid participates and which is based on the use of algae to treat and transform sewage sludge into a by-product with better conditions for use in other applications, has also been explained. Finally, from CIEDA-CIEMAT, Eva Blasco has given an updated view of the legal framework of sewage sludge, as well as the evolution of their regulations in recent years. The large amount of applicable legislation, although not always useful for the case of study, has been become evident. From a more practical point of view and to conclude the Conference, a visit to the solar biomass drying facilities and to the gasification plant located in CEDER-CIEMAT has been carried out. It has been possible to know first-hand the prototypes that have served as a reference for the development of the LIFE-DRY4GAS Project in the WWTP of San Javier (Murcia).  ]]>

LIFE- DRY4GAS project present at IDEAS 2023 Conference: Solutions for new environmental challenges. LIFE- DRY4GAS project present at IDEAS 2023 Conference: Solutions for new environmental challenges. IDEAS 2023 Conference, which took place in Bilbao on 30th and 31st May, was attended by Manuel Abellán from ESAMUR. This conference was organized by the Spanish Association of Water Supply and Sanitation (AEAS) and was hosted by the Bilbao Bizkaia Water Consortium (CABB). It has showed how water cycle organizations are facing the challenges of the 21st Century Society, to serve as reference and inspiration to the sector. Among the environmental challenges addressed by the Conference, are: * The climate challenge, in order to mitigate the effects of climate change. * The challenge of the circular economy that, in the supply and sanitation systems, try to find solutions to recover or reduce the consumption of water and reagents  * And, finally, those aspects focused on energy and its relationship with water.   Manuel Abellán has participated in the session of Solutions for obtaining energy in water treatment with a presentation entitled “LIFE-DRY4GAS: Waste water sludge solar DRYing FOR energy recovery through gasification GAS”, in which he has presented the project and the prototype installed in the WWTP of San Javier (Murcia). ]]>

LIFE-DRY4GAS in the Technical Conference “Inspiring practices to innovate with biomass” in EXPOBIOMAS The 9th May took place in Valladolid Fair, in the framework of EXPOBIOMASA, the Technical Conference “Inspiring practices to innovate with biomass”. Within this event several innovative business practices and projects related to bioenergy and bioeconomy were presented. Then, synergies were created and networking between the projects took place. Virginia Pérez, researcher of CEDER-CIEMAT, participated in the conference with the presentation "Solar drying of sewage sludge for energy recovery through gasification gas”, showing the technology developed in the prototype of LIFE-DRY4GAS project for managing sewage sludge in the WWTP of San Javier (Murcia).]]>

CEDER-CIEMAT was present at the 15º International Bioenergy Conference to present the LIFE-DRY4GAS project. The event was held at Feria de Valladolid, on the 5th and 6th of October, and was part of the II Renewable Gas Fair. It was organized by AVEBIOM (Spanish Biomass Association) and AEBIG (Spanish Biogas Association). This time, the International Biogas Conference revolved around renewable gas as a way to contribute to a Europe that is intensifying its efforts to produce local, renewable energy; and who is trying to reduce its dependency to the imported fossil gas. In this situation, Spain is also changing its tendencies in the public and private sectors. The CEDER-CIEMAT researcher held a presentation titled “Sustainable Management of Waste Water Sludge. Project LIFE-DRY4GAS”. This contribution leads the path to acknowledge the gas from gasification as a renewable gas, as it has been done already with biogas, which has been in the market for longer.  The 15ª International Bioenergy Conference and the II Renewable Gas Fair has become an extraordinary opportunity to meet other parties involved in the gasification process, not just from the scientific field, but from the technical filed and the public administration.    ]]>

LIFE-DRY4GAS Project at LIFE AMIA Conference The Conference entitled “Tratamiento avanzado de aguas residuales para la reutilización de agua en agricultura”, took place the 17th May at CEBAS-CSIC facilities, organized by FACSA, partner and coordinator of LIFE AMIA project. The meeting could also be followed online. This initiative promotes the reutilization of waste water in WWTP using a low energy consumption technology, minimizing the emission of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Furthermore, other advanced treatments in the sector were introduced. As an example, Sixto Malato of Plataforma Solar de Almería contributed to the meeting with a presentation entitled “Investigación en tratamientos avanzados para regeneración de aguas: estado actual”. Finally, three LIFE projects were presented (LIFE-DRY4GAS, LIFE CleanUp y LIFE B2E4 sustainable - WWT). In the LIFE-DYR4GAS project’s presentation, Virginia Pérez, researcher at CEDER-CIEMAT, showed the sustainable technological solution for sewage sludge proposed by the project, which has the main objective of reducing the environmental impact associated to the management of sewage sludge in a WWTP. She also explained the technologies that composed the demonstration prototype that is being installed at the WWTP in San Javier, in Murcia. Two additional partners of LIFE-DRY4GAS Project were also present in the conference through the participation of Pedro Simón and Manuel Abellán (ESAMUR) and Carlos García (CEBAS-CSIC).  ]]>

LIFE-DRY4GAS in the closure conference of LIFE CLEAN UP project The 27th April took place in Centro Tecnológico Nacional de la Conserva de Murcia the conference “Tratamiento y regeneración de aguas residuales. Líneas de I+D+i” as closure of the LIFE CLEAN UP project. This conference was a networking activity in which innovative technics for the management of waste water and desalinization of water were presented in the framework of different European and national projects. Manuel Abellán, from ESAMUR, presented the LIFE-DRY4GAS project during his participation entitled “Combinación de tecnologías innovadoras para la reutilización de agua- LIFE AMIA”. .  ]]>

The 19th April, Raquel Ramos, took part in the weekly radio programme that ESAMUR has on COPE MURCIA to give visibility to the INtercamBIOM prize received by the LIFE-DRY4GAS project recently Raquel Ramos, Director of CEDER-CIEMAT and participant in the LIFE-DRY4GAS project, reminded the project objectives and the partners that are carrying it out, outlining the prototype that is being installed in the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) of San Javier in Murcia, actually in progress. Furthermore, she outlined the great importance of the prize to increase dissemination and visibility of the project and of the proposed technologies. CIEMAT and the project are always looking for the way to disseminate the performed activities through the participation in different technical, environmental and research forums. https://www.cope.es/emisoras/region-de-murcia/murcia-provincia/murcia---san-javier/audios/esamur-cope-region-murcia-20220419_1922082  ]]>

LIFE-DRY4GAS Project gets one prize to the innovative practice with biomass in 2022, due to its prototype for valorisation of sewage sludge INtercamBIOM network is an initiative of the BRANCHES project, financed by European funds through Horizon 2020 programme. The objective of the prize, promoted by AVEBIOM and CIRCE, is to identify and to make visible technologies, processes and innovative business models in the biomass sector that are little-known, but already available to be used or put in practice. Winners selection, from the 25 candidates, is the result of a public voting (1647 votes in four weeks) and the final evaluation of a jury composed by 5 professionals with a wide experience in different areas of biomass and bioeconomy. The double prize has gone, with the same votes that another initiative, to the LIFE-DRY4GAS project financed by LIFE programme of the European Union and coordinated by CEDER-CIEMAT through the Thermal Conversion Processes Unit. It is a demonstrative project that proposes an environmental sustainable technological solution for treatment and management of sewage sludge produced in a WWTP (Waste Water Treatment Plant). This prize will entail an increase of the visibility of the project and the possibility of taking part in networks and events organised by INtercamBIOM. https://intercambiom.org/2022/04/05/sugimat-y-ceder-ciemat-comparten-el-galardon-a-mejor-practica-innovadora-con-biomasa-2022  ]]>

LIFE-DRY4GAS project present at InnoUAM_Biomasa The 31st March took place the Conference InnoUAM_Biomasa: Nuevas invenciones y tecnologías para el aprovechamiento de la biomasa. The event was celebrated in the Autonomous University of Madrid in person, but it was also followed by streaming, increasing the impact of the conference. Raquel Ramos, Manager of CEDER-CIEMAT, participated with the presentation entitled: Cadenas de valor de la biomasa para una bioeconomía circular. In her presentation, she introduced the activities under development in CEDER-CIEMAT in the circular bioeconomy area, considering the whole biomass value chain. Among these activities, is the LIFE-DRY4GAS project that was introduced in the conference, as it entails the integral use of sewage sludge produced in a waste water treatment plant from an energetic and agricultural point of view, contributing to close the cycle and reducing waste volume and impact. This conference has favoured the contact between researchers of the UAM and other invited centres with the business network, promoting the establishment of collaborations with innovation and educational purposes. https://eventos.uam.es/80326/programme/innouam-biomasa.html ]]>

LIFE-DRY4GAS project present at ACI’s Gasification Summit 2022 Gasification Summit 2022 finally has taken place in person in Lyon (France) on 9 and 10 March 2022. ACI’s 9th Annual Gasification Summit was scheduled to be held on 18-19 March 2020, but has been postponed due to COVID-19. The event has comprise formal presentations, interactive discussions and excellent networking opportunities. It will showcase the latest developments in the sector and provide key insights from senior executives in the industry to discuss the latest commercial and technical developments, challenges and research breakthroughs throughout the entire gasification market.  Virginia Pérez, researcher at CEDER-CIEMAT and coordinator of the LIFE-DRY4GAS project, has participated in this event with an oral presentation titled “Sewage sludge gasification (LIFE-DRY4GAS)” in Session “Gasification Outlook: Status and Present Developments”. She has shown relevant aspects of the use of sewage sludge as fuel in a gasification process. She also presented the technological concept proposed by the LIFE-DRY4GAS project for the valorization of sewage sludge, including hybrid drying (solar and residual heat sources), gasification, gas combustion and electricity production, creating a high interest.     ]]>

LIFE-DRY4GAS in the networking meeting of European projects of CEBAS-CSIC On November 23rd of 2021, a meeting of European projects organized by CEBAS-CSIC took place, in which LIFE-DRY4GAS was present. The aim of this meeting was to establish contact between the different European projects that are being carried out in CEBAS-CSIC and IMIDA, in order to disseminate the objectives pursued in them and establishing possible links between projects. Emilio Nicolas, CEBAS-CSIC researcher, made an oral presentation under the title “Waste Water Sludge solar DRYing FOR energy recovery through gasification GAS” where he presented the LIFE-DRY4GAS project.      ]]>

LIFE-DRY4GAS Project in the 83rd International Energy Agency – Fluidized Bed Conversion Technical Meeting (IEA-FBC). On November 18th of 2021, the 83rd International Energy Agency – Fluidized Bed Conversion Technical Meeting (IEA-FBC) took place virtually, this time it was focused on flexible fluidized bed operation under increasing renewable energy scenario. The session included different presentations on fluidized bed conversion experiences from different parts of the world. Virginia Pérez, member of the Thermal Conversion Processes Unit of CEDER-CIEMAT, gave an oral presentation entitled “Design and construction of the energy recovery plant of LIFE-DRY4GAS Project”. Virginia Pérez described the prototype integrated by four technologies: a solar dryer, a gasifier, a gas burner and an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC). In line with the main topic of this technical conference, Virginia Pérez provided information about the design basis of the bubbling fluidized bed gasifier, which will be built soon. Some pictures and data from the gasification pilot plant in CEDER-CIEMAT, on which the gasifier of the project has been based, were shown. The operating conditions of the gasifier and the main parameters analysed in the gas characterization were also presented. Virginia Pérez explained that the project is being implemented in the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) of San Javier, Murcia. Pictures of the progress of the solar dryer and the combustion chamber construction, the most developed parts of the project, were shown. Lastly, a special mention at the approach of the conference was made. LIFE-DRY4GAS concept, with its fluidized bed technology, can contribute to the increased use of renewable energies and decarbonisation, as well as the adequate waste management and circular economy. Finally, a picture of the LIFE-DRY4GAS project poster including the partners and the website was shown. The presentation will be available on the website www.ieafbc.org. ]]>

LIFE-DRY4GAS in the technical conference of sewage sludge by ATEGRUS On October 19th, the technical conference on sewage sludge management and energetic valorisation organized by ATEGRUS, took place at the same time that SMAGUA 2021 exhibition, celebrated in the Zaragoza Trade Fair. Different topics related to management and energetic valorisation of sewage sludge were studied. Other questions like sewage sludge legislation and opportunities related to circular economy were discussed. On the other hand, innovative technologies for the recovery and use of sewage sludge were presented.  Virginia Pérez, member of the Thermal Conversion Processes Unit of CEDER-CIEMAT, presented the LIFE-DRY4GAS project. In her exposition, she described the main technologies of the project, whose aim is to reduce the environmental impact of the conventional sewage sludge management. Photos of the progress of the construction of the demonstrative prototype, implemented in the waste water treatment plant (WWTP) of San Javier, Murcia, were shown. Furthermore, Virginia Pérez, took part in a round table discussion with other speakers at the conference, where they discussed current aspects of sewage sludge. Some of the topics discussed were the social and environmental problems associated with sewage sludge that complicate its valorisation within the circular economy; technological advances to reduce the pollutants of the sludge; the determination of viruses, like COVID 19, in sewage sludge; or the use of alternative methods to agricultural applications in the medium and long term.]]>

LIFE-DRY4GAS present at EXPOBIOMASA On 22nd and 23rd September, the EXPOBIOMASA fair took place in Valladolid. LIFE-DRY4GAS was present at this international fair thanks to AVEBIOM who allowed the exhibition of the project roll up in its stand.]]>

LIFE-DRY4GAS in the radio programme of COPE MURCIA The 7TH September, Virginia Pérez, took part in the weekly radio programme that ESAMUR has on COPE MURCIA. Virginia Pérez, member of the Thermal Conversion Processes Unit of CEDER-CIEMAT and LIFE-DRY4GAS project coordinator, explained that the project is based on the demonstration of a technological and environmentally sustainable solution for the treatment and management of sewage sludge, as well as the specific project objectives. A prototype integrated by four technologies: solar dryer, gasification plant, gasification gas combustion chamber and Organic Rankine Cycle, is being developed at the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) of San Javier in Murcia. She also presented the project partners, the budget, as well as the impact of the project on the employment and the decarbonisation. Finally, she addressed the issue of the legal nature of sewage sludge and the replicability of this technology in other treatment plants.   https://www.cope.es/emisoras/region-de-murcia/murcia-provincia/murcia---san-javier/audios/esamur-cope-region-murcia-20210907_1565306]]>

LIFE-DRY4GAS in the 1st Summer Course - Biogas production in farms and sustainable uses in mobility On July 15th and 16th, the 1st Summer Course of biogas production in farms and its mobility applications, in the framework LIFE SMART AgroMobility, took place in Campus Duques de Soria at the University of Valladolid. Virginia Pérez, researcher in the Renewable Energy Development Centre, CEDER-CIEMAT, and LIFE-DRY4GAS coordinator, participated in the course. The main objective of this course was to make known the technologies and possibilities of biogas production in the farm sector. During the two days, short presentations were shown related to the process: biogas production, uses of biogas in mobility, farm integration, sustainable fertilization and emissions reduction. Furthermore, other LIFE projects about emissions reduction, fertirrigation and renewable gas were presented. The opportunity of assisting to a biogas production laboratory was offered. Virginia Pérez, the LIFE-DRY4GAS coordinator, made an exposition on July 16th, under the title: “LIFE DRY4GAS project: Waste Water sludge solar DRYing FOR energy recovery through gasification GAS”, where she explained the main differences between gasification gas and biogas and the gasification technology. Virginia Pérez provided a general view of the LIFE-DRY4GAS project, whose objective is reducing the environmental impact associated with conventional management of sludge from waste water treatment plants (WWTP). Other objectives are the CO2 emission reduction, acoustic emissions reduction, reduction in odor nuisance, hygienic improvement of the sludge, agricultural valorization of sludge and promotion of a green and circular economy. The proposed solution is being implemented in the WWTP of San Javier, Murcia. Currently, it is under construction, so several photos of the progress of the building works were shown.   A prototype with a solar dryer, a gasification plant, gas combustor and Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) to get electrical energy will be develop. In addition, gasification ashes mixed with sewage sludge will be reused as a fertilizer to evaluate their effects on the agricultural soil of a grapefruit plantation.    ]]>

The 4th Phosphorus in Europe Research Meeting (PERM) was held online on the 2nd of June 2021, co-organised by ESPP (European Sustainable Phosphorus Platform), the Biorefine Cluster and ETA-Renewable Energies Florence. This meeting brought together the main R&D projects financed by the EU that are currently developing, analyzing and testing waste recycling and improving the use and management of nutrients (Horizon2020, Interreg, LIFE, etc.), as well such as regional, national or company-funded projects. During this event, Felipe Bastida, a member of CEBAS-CSIC, participated in the working session "Recovery of nutrients from sewage sludge", with a presentation entitled: "LIFE DRY4GAS: Towards the agricultural valorization of sewage sludge from solar dryer and gasification processes", in which he presented the general scheme of the project, showing the design of the field tests carried out with sludge and ash as fertilizers for the soil, and also presented some of the results of the nutrient content of each of the samples used in the essays.    ]]>