This paper presents the experimental development at demonstration scale of an integrated gasification system fed with wood chips. The unit is based on a fixed-bed, updraft and air-blown gasifier—with a nominal capacity of 5 MW_th—equipped with a wet scrubber for syngas clean-up and an integrated chemical and physical wastewater management system. Gasification performance, syngas composition and temperature profile are presented for the optimal operating conditions and with reference to two kinds of biomass used as primary fuels, i.e., stone pine and eucalyptus from local forests (combined heat and power generation from this kind of fuel represents a good opportunity to exploit distributed generation systems that can be part of a new energy paradigm in the framework of the circular economy). The gasification unit is characterised by a high efficiency (about 79–80%) and an operation stability during each test. Particular attention has been paid to the optimisation of an integrated double stage wastewater management system—which includes an oil skimmer and an activated carbon adsorption filter—designed to minimise both liquid residues and water make-up. The possibility to recycle part of the separated oil and used activated carbon to the gasifier has been also evaluated.

The European Union’s enhanced greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets for 2030 make the large-scale deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies essential to achieve deep decarbonization goals. Within this context, this study aims to advance CCS research by developing and testing a pilot-scale system that integrates gasification for syngas and power production with CO₂ absorption and solvent regeneration. The work focuses on improving and validating the operability of a pilot plant section designed for CO₂ capture, capable of processing up to 40 kg CO₂ per day through a 6 m absorber and stripper column. Experimental campaigns were carried out using different amine-based absorbents under varied operating conditions and liquid-to-gas (L/G) ratios to evaluate capture efficiency, stability, and regeneration performance. The physical properties of regenerated and CO₂-saturated solvents (density, viscosity, pH, and CO₂ loading) were analyzed as potential indicators for monitoring solvent absorption capacity. In parallel, a process simulation and optimization study was developed in Aspen Plus, implementing a split-flow configuration to enhance energy efficiency. The combined experimental and modeling results provide insights into the optimization of solvent-based CO₂ capture processes at pilot scale, supporting the development of next-generation capture systems for low-carbon energy applications.