The goal of this work is to investigate the potentiality of energetic recovery by sewage sludge gasification. Experimental gasification tests were carried out in a bench scale rotary kiln under simulated autothermal condition. The mass rate of sludge was in the range 170-260 g/h. The gasification temperature was varied from 750 to 850 degrees C, equivalence ratio was increased up to 0.24. The tests run for about 3 h. Input and output streams of the process were quantified and analyzed as to assess the cold gas efficiency. Tar content in the raw gas was determined as well. The main drawbacks occurred during the tests were highlighted to have a realistic frame of the experimented technology.