The most significant role of COGERSA in the LIFE INFUSION project is to serve as the demonstration site for INFUSION technology, aimed at valorizing leachate and liquid digestate produced at its facilities. To host this pilot plant at COGERSA’s Open Lab, the following activities were carried out:

• Geotechnical Study: This study was contracted on 18/03/2022 to evaluate the geotechnical characteristics of the site, as the area is a depleted section of the Central Landfill with consolidated layers of waste beneath the surface. The study became particularly necessary after deciding to reuse the AnMBR from Ecoparc2 along with the other tanks, as this increased the load on the area beyond initial expectations. The geotechnical study, therefore, laid the groundwork for subsequent calculations and the drafting of the civil works project.
• Civil Works Tender: COGERSA developed the tender process for the civil works contract based on the drafted project. The tender was published on 14/07/2023, awarded on 27/10/2023, and the contract signed on 23/11/2023. One key consideration in selecting the contractor was the use of recycled materials.
• Civil Works Execution: The urbanization works were completed by 23/05/2024, when the acceptance of the works contract was signed for the adaptation of the Open Lab area to host the LIFE INFUSION pilot plant. Certifications and a specific report confirmed the use of the following recycled materials:
  • 60 m³ of mixed aggregate (0/20): Produced at COGERSA from construction and demolition waste (C&DW), this was used as a sand bed at the bottom of trenches for leveling and pipe bedding, as well as for pipe protection in various network sections.
    280 m³ of mixed aggregate (0/32): Produced at COGERSA from C&DW for backfilling and compaction in trenches and wells.
  • 8 m³ of mixed aggregate (6/12): Produced at COGERSA from C&DW for producing about 45 m³ of HM-20/B/20 concrete, used to reinforce and protect various networks (drainage, electricity, leachates, digestates, biogas, and water supply) crossing under paved roads, surrounding the project slab, or crossing other communication roads at COGERSA. The formulation of this eco-concrete was developed as part of another R&D project led by COGERSA, “CONCORDE,” co-financed by the Principality of Asturias’ IDEPA and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The aim was to valorize selected aggregates from C&DW and hydrocarbons obtained through hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of sewage sludge or organic waste from municipal waste treatment.
  • 10.3 t of steel reinforcement rods and structures: Manufactured from scrap metal.
• Equipment Reception: Some equipment began arriving on 13/07/2022 (e.g., multipurpose tanks, blowers), but the majority of components from Ecoparc2—such as the control cabin, stripping unit, AnMBR, membrane contactors, etc.—were received on 22/04/2024. Delivery of the reverse osmosis unit and ABAD Bioenergy system was postponed to early 2025. Equipment was placed in its final location on the slab on 23/04/2024, awaiting interconnections and other installation activities required for commissioning. Early delivery was prioritized to free up space at Ecoparc2, even before the perimetral asphalt works were completed at COGERSA.
• Equipment Installation: Aqualia was responsible for drafting the construction and integration project for the pilot plant in collaboration with COGERSA. The project was approved on 13/07/2023. Mechanical installation began on 17/06/2024 under Aqualia’s supervision, alongside electrical installation, which continued until late December and will resume in early 2025 when the reverse osmosis unit and ABAD Bioenergy system are received. Meanwhile, COGERSA carried out electrical channeling to supply the Open Lab, including the installation of a greenhouse (completed on 12/07/2024), an electrical distribution panel capable of supplying up to 100 kWh to LIFE INFUSION (completed on 30/08/2024), and conduits to the transformation center.

In the coming weeks, the start-up of the different stages of the INFUSION solution is expected to begin. Stay tuned and follow the project closely during this exciting final phase!