Carbon sequestration by sterilization

Abstract

A method for carbon sequestration includes sealing a biomass material in a first geomembrane container, and performing an anerobic sterilization of the biomass material in the first geomembrane container to destroy anerobic microbes in the biomass material.

Description

CARBON SEQUESTRATION BY STERILIZATIONBACKGROUND

[0001] The biogenic cycle refers to the natural process through which elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen are recycled in the environment. Living organisms obtain these elements from air, water, and soil, use them to grow and reproduce, and then ultimately return them to the environment when they die or excrete waste. For example, plants absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, and animals release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through respiration. The biogenic cycle ensures that these elements are continuously available in forms that support life on Earth. This cycle is crucial for maintaining the balance of ecosystems and supporting biodiversity.SUMMARY

[0002] A method for carbon sequestration according to an example of the present disclosure includes sealing a biomass material in a first geomembrane container, and then performing an anerobic sterilization on the biomass material in the first geomembrane container to destroy anerobic microbes in the biomass material and to provide a sequestered biomass pack.

[0003] The present disclosure may include any one or more of the individual features disclosed above and / or below alone or in any combination thereof.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] The various features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. In this disclosure, like reference numerals designate like elements where appropriate and reference numerals with the addition of one-hundred or multiples thereof designate modified elements that are understood to incorporate the same features and benefits of the corresponding elements. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.

[0005] Figure 1A illustrates a method for carbon sequestration by sterilization.

[0006] Figure IB illustrates a continuance of the method of Figure 1 A.

[0007] Figure 2 illustrates a portion of the method incorporated into a vehicle during transport.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] A disclosed method for carbon sequestration disrupts the natural biogenic cycle of biomass material to release carbon dioxide. In general, a disclosed method disrupts the cycle by capturing the biomass material prior to decomposition, sterilizing the material, and preserving the material in order to prevent or substantially slow the biogenic cycle. As a result, the release of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, back into the atmosphere is avoided.

[0009] Figure 1 A depicts examples of a method 20 for carbon sequestration. It is to be appreciated that several options will be shown and described, but are not intended to be limiting or necessarily essential to the process. Initially, at 22, biomass material is collected for submission into the process. The term “biomass material” refers to plant and / or animal matter, but is not strictly limited thereto and may include natural or synthetic materials that are derived from plant and / or animal matter. The biomass material may be collected from one more sources of biomass, and in one example includes, by weight, a majority (greater than 50 wt%) of previously landfilled material, plant, monera, protista, fungi, and animal material, or material designated for landfilling. As an example, the biomass material includes yard waste, such as leaves and grass clippings from neighborhood communities and / or forests.

[0010] At step 24, the biomass material is sealed (airtight) in a first geomembrane container. As an example, the container is a flexible, sealable bag. The term “flexible” as used herein means that the bag is collapsible under vacuum, i.e., when the interior of the bag is evacuated the bag collapses around the biomass material in the interior. The walls of the container are formed from, or at least include, a geomembrane. A geomembrane is a waterproof barrier that prevents or substantially prevents water and gas permeation. The geomembrane may be a relatively thin layer or a relatively thick layer or multi-layer wall.

[0011] Optionally, as shown at 24a, prior to sealing the biomass in the first geomembrane container, at least one pre-treatment is performed on the biomass material. For example, the pre-treatment includes a pre-sterilization treatment and / or a grinding process. The pre-sterilization destroys (i.e., kills or deactivates) microbes in the biomass material, and the grinding reduces the biomass material to smaller pieces, making the biomass more compactable.

[0012] As depicted at step 26, an aerobic sterilization is then performed on the biomass material in the first geomembrane container, to destroy aerobic microbes in the biomass material. For instance, the aerobic sterilization includes an air evacuation of the firstgeomembrane container, which may also serve to compress the biomass material to a smaller form-factor. The air evacuation destroys the aerobic microbes by depriving them of air / oxygen.

[0013] At step 28, an anerobic sterilization is performed on the biomass material in the first geomembrane container, to destroy anerobic microbes in the biomass material. The sterilized container is then considered to be to a sequestered biomass pack. The anerobic sterilization is not particularly limited and includes one or more of chemical treatment, gamma irradiation, electron beam irradiation, ozone treatment, ultraviolet irradiation, microwave radiation, laser irradiation, or heat treatment. The anerobic sterilization may also facilitate chemical breakdown of the biomass material, enabling further compaction. Optionally, the aerobic sterilization may be omitted and the anerobic sterilization used to also destroy the aerobic microbes. For example, a heat treatment also destroys aerobic microbes.

[0014] Optionally, as shown at 28a, at least one electronic monitoring device is provided. For instance, the monitoring device includes at least one sensor (e.g., temperature, humidity, oxygen) and at least one transmitter that is configured to communicate (e.g., wirelessly) with a remote data collection device, such as a cloud server, a computer, a tablet, a cellular phone, or a handheld electronic device. The monitoring device is operable to at least periodically collect data indicative of the environment around the biomass material, from either the environment inside of the first container or the environment between the first container and a later-applied second container. The data is used for a variety of purposes, such as but not limited to, leak detection. For instance, in the event that the first container ruptures and permits ingress of air and moisture, the rupture is detected by an increase in moisture, increase in oxygen, and / or a change in temperature.

[0015] Continuing onto Figure IB, the method 20 then includes encasing 30 the first geomembrane container in a second geomembrane container, which may also be considered to be a sequestered biomass pack. For example, the second geomembrane container is also a flexible, sealable bag. The second geomembrane container serves as a sealing redundancy to further prevent ingress of water, air, or airborne microbes and protect the first container from damage and rupture. In one example, the first and second geomembrane containers are made of different materials, with the material of the first geomembrane container being more suited to containment and sterilization and the material of the second geomembrane container more suited to durability. The second geomembrane container is optionally subjected to an aerobic sterilization at 30a by air evacuation, which destroys aerobic microbes in the second geomembrane container and also serves to reduce the size of the biomass material.

[0016] At step 32, a post-treatment sterilization is performed on the sequestered biomass pack. For example, the post-treatment sterilization is not particularly limited and includes one or more of chemical treatment, gamma irradiation, electron beam irradiation, ozone treatment, ultraviolet irradiation, microwave radiation, laser irradiation, or heat treatment. For reasons that will become clearer later on below, heat treatment is advantageous for use of recovered heat from other processes or machinery.

[0017] At step 34, the sequestered biomass pack is transported into a long-term storage facility, though the sequestered biomass pack(s) could alternatively be incorporated into commercial products, such as insulation materials or construction fillers (concrete). A long-term storage facility is a facility that is designed to store the sequestered biomass packs for many years or decades, such as but not limited to, a land-based facility, landfills, mines, nuclear bunkers and silos, natural caves, and underwater (deep ocean).

[0018] The aerobic sterilizations 26 / 30a are conducted without primary evaporative release of water. That is, the evacuations are not conducted to the extent of fully dehydrating the biomass material. This prevents the release of harmful compounds. For example, the evaporation of water to preserve a largely woody biomass mix may also release harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and other harmful materials, such as formaldehyde and acrolein, which are themselves greenhouse gases damaging even in small quantities in the atmosphere. If, even in small quantities, non-organics like plastic are mixed into the waste, the evaporative release of water for sterilization may also release gasified compounds from the plastics, offsetting any long-term storage potential of the sterilized wastes. Further, the compression and hydro-evaporation of biomass creates a sponge like storage mechanism, whereby the unit must be protected forever from water reinstruction which can, under some circumstances, restart the degradation process by absorbing moisture back into the biomass material.

[0019] Figure 2 illustrates a further example in which the method 20 is incorporated into a vehicle 40, such as a tractor-trailer. For example, the sterilization 24 and / or the posttreatment sterilization 28 is / are performed as a heat treatment in a regenerative heat cycle in the vehicle 40. A “regenerative heat cycle” as understood herein is a heat exchange process in which the primary heat-generating source is a component of the vehicle 40, and the heat from the component is captured and then used for heat treatment of the sequestered biomass pack(s). For example, the component is an engine, a braking system, or an emissions component.

[0020] In one example, unused heat from vehicle component 42a (an engine / powertrain) is captured as input heat into a heat exchanger 44. The heat is transferred to a heat exchange working fluid at 46, which then circulates to the sequestered biomass packsat 48. The sequestered biomass packs are held in the cargo compartment of the trailer of the vehicle 40 for the heat treatment, but the packs may alternatively be located elsewhere on the vehicle, such as under the trailer or on the tractor. In this regard, the heat treatment is performed on the vehicle 40, during transport of the sequestered biomass packs. In another example, rather than, or in addition to, the component 42a, unused heat is recovered from component 42b (heat of friction in a braking system). In yet another example, rather than, or in addition to, the component 42a / 42b, unused heat is recovered from component 42c (an emissions component).

[0021] In further examples, the recovered energy is used to drive a compression system 50 that compresses the sequestered biomass pack(s) while on the vehicle 40. For instance, the compression system 50 is an air evacuation system that is operable to perform a post-treatment air evacuation aerobic sterilization of the sequestered biomass packs. The evacuation serves to compress the packs and at least partially dehydrate the biomass material by removal of gas and moisture. The gas and moisture are then circulated into the emissions component 42c. The emissions component includes a catalyst that chemically converts the air and moisture.

[0022] Figure 3 illustrates an additional example in which the method 20 has been integrated into a regenerative heat cycle. For instance, heat is initially recovered from a primary heat source 34, which may be the engine from the prior examples or another heat source that is not on a vehicle. In a first cycle, the initially recovered heat is transferred to a first sequestered biomass pack 38a and used as a heat treatment sterilization. In a second cycle, remaining heat from the first cycle is transferred to a second sequestered biomass pack 38b and used as a heat treatment sterilization. In a third cycle, remaining heat from the second cycle is transferred to a third sequestered biomass pack 38c and used as a heat treatment sterilization. Finally, in a fourth cycle, remaining heat from the third cycle is transferred to a fourth sequestered biomass pack 38d and used as a heat treatment sterilization. As will be appreciated, the regenerative heat cycling can include two cycles or more than four cycles. Following the heat treatment sterilizations, the sequestered biomass packs are then transported into a long-term storage 39.

[0023] Figure 4A and 4B depict a further processing strategy for implementation of the disclosed methods. For example, Figure 4A illustrates a typical cargo hauling process in which a vehicle holding cargo transports the cargo from point 1 the point 2. This is referred to as a “headhaul,” i.e., a route over which the vehicle hauls cargo. However, after dropping the cargo at point 2, the vehicle must travel to point 3 to pick up additional cargo. Thus, the vehicle hauls no cargo (or at least less cargo) from point 2 to point 3. This is referred to as a “deadhaul,” i.e., a route over which the vehicle has open / empty capacity for cargo. A deadhaul representsan inefficiency in the trucking industry, as it results in fuel consumption without cargo transport. As shown in Figure 4B, instead of the deadhaul from point 2 to point 3, at point 2 the vehicle picks up one or more sequestered biomass packs. Then, while in transport to point 3, the packs are processed in the vehicle, as described above. Thus, what would otherwise have been a deadhaul is put to use in a sterilization of the packs. At point 3, the packs are unloaded and new cargo is loaded onto the vehicle for transport to another location.

[0024] In an additional example, the sequestered biomass pack is incorporated into an upcycled product. For example, carbon is sequestered via the method disclosed herein and then sold as a carbon credit . The sequestered biomass pack is used as a carbon product to displace a portion of an existing product, i.e., the product avoids the use of a higher carbon intensive component.

[0025] Although a combination of features is shown in the illustrated examples, not all of them need to be combined to realize the benefits of various embodiments of this disclosure. In other words, a system designed according to an embodiment of this disclosure will not necessarily include all of the features shown in any one of the Figures or all of the portions schematically shown in the Figures. Moreover, selected features of one example embodiment may be combined with selected features of other example embodiments.

[0026] The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from this disclosure. The scope of legal protection given to this disclosure can only be determined by studying the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:1 . A method for carbon sequestration comprising: sealing a biomass material in a first geomembrane container; and performing an anerobic sterilization on the biomass material in the first geomembrane container to destroy anerobic microbes in the biomass material and to provide a sequestered biomass pack.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising performing an aerobic sterilization on the biomass material in the first geomembrane container to eliminate aerobic microbes in the biomass material.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the aerobic sterilization includes an air evacuation of the first geomembrane container, the air evacuation also compressing the biomass material.

4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the air evacuation is performed by one or more powertrain components of a vehicle5. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising, after the anerobic sterilization, encasing the first geomembrane container in a second geomembrane container.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the encasing includes an air evacuation of the second geomembrane container.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising performing at least one pretreatment on the biomass material before sealing in the first geomembrane container, the at least one pre-treatment including at least one of a pre-sterilization treatment or a grinding process.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the anerobic sterilization includes a heat treatment.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the heat treatment is in a regenerative heat cycle.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the regenerative heat cycle is in a vehicle.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising performing a post-treatment sterilization on the sequestered biomass pack, the post-treatment sterilization including a heat treatment.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the heat treatment is in a regenerative heat cycle.

13. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising performing a heat treatment to the biomass material in the first geomembrane container to at least partially pyrolyze the biomass material.

14. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising providing at least one electronic monitoring device in the sequestered biomass pack.

15. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first geomembrane container is collapsible.

16. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the biomass material includes, by weight, a majority of either previously landfilled material, plant, monera, protista, fungi, or animal material, or material designated for landfilling.

17. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a dehydration treatment of the biomass material in the first geomembrane container.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the dehydration treatment removes gas and moisture from the biomass material, and further comprising circulating the gas and moisture into an emissions component of a vehicle, the emissions component chemically converting the gas and moisture.

19. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising incorporating the sequestered biomass pack into an upcycled product.

20. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the anerobic sterilization is completed on a vehicle.

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