Submersion sequestration of carbon materials

Abstract

A system for producing modified biomass comprising carbon from an organic material to produce high-density fragments for submersion in water is disclosed. The modified biomass has improved raw carbon permanence for use in sequestering carbon and methods for making and using the same. A product comprising a mixture of carbon and water formed in the system of the present disclosure also is disclosed.

Description

SUBMERSION SEQUESTRATION OF CARBON MATERIALSFIELD

[0001] The present invention generally relates to carbon sequestration and more particularly, but not exclusively, to methods and apparatuses for submersion of solid carbon materials to eliminate the potential for their migration to the atmosphere for extended periods of time.BACKGROUND

[0002] A wide variety of processes have been proposed to sequester carbon. Many sequestration methods use biomass as a starting material, taking advantage of the work done by nature to convert atmospheric carbon, i.e., in the form of carbon dioxide, to plant matter and other matter containing carbon.

[0003] Under suitable conditions, wood may be stored in water for hundreds of years, at a minimum. Proof of this has been uncovered in recent years through the discovery of centuries-old wooden ships at the bottom of several bodies of water, including oceans and great lakes. The conditions required to allow such long-term storage may not be fully known, but the number of locations with identified wrecks and other deposits continually grows. Common traits seem to be deep, cold water where oxygen levels are low with both traits contributing to a low level of decay.

[0004] The ocean presents multiple opportunities for climate change mitigation due to its ability to store and sequester large amounts of carbon through various natural processes. By accelerating or increasing the rate of certain processes through deliberate interventions, the ocean would be able to sequester more carbon than the current natural processes. Biomass sinking is one such method, where biomass grown in the ocean, e.g., macroalgae, etc., or sourced from land, e.g., wood and / or plant residues, are deliberately sunk into the deep ocean where studies show the carbon contained in that biomass will stay sequestered for centuries or millennia.

[0005] Biomass sinking introduces large amounts of food into an ecosystem that is typically scarce, or scarcer, in food source(s). The addition of this organic material may have biogeochemical effects within the local ecosystem as well as surroundingwater. Biomass sinking provides a plurality of benefits in the benthic environment, such as, but not limited to, greenhouse gas release, altered food supply, anoxia, animal clustering, and altered interactions.

[0006] In view of the foregoing, there is a long felt need for a system and / or method to efficiently, and stably, submerge carbon materials in a way that overcomes the aforementioned obstacles and deficiencies of currently available technology, methods, systems, and / or a combination thereof.SUMMARY

[0007] The present disclosure relates to systems for modifying one or more fragments comprising carbon from an organic material to increase the amount of time it takes from submersion to the point at which a fraction of the carbon is emitted into the atmosphere and / or increase the density of a composite fragment greater than a body of water into which it will be submerged.

[0008] In one embodiment, the system can include forming a composite fragment comprised of one or more organic materials and at least one additional material that is not organic such that the composite fragment has a density greater than a body of water into which it will be submerged.

[0009] In one embodiment, the system can include forming a composite fragment comprised of one or more organic materials and at least one additional material that is not organic such that the composite fragment has a submerged carbon permanence that is greater than submerged carbon permanence of the organic materials when submerged without combination.

[0010] In some embodiments of the disclosed methods, disposing the fragments can include delivering the fragments to a deposition reactor where the biomass is combined with a polymer, rubber, and / or other chemicals to modify the seawater reactivity prior to disposing into a body of water by means of increasing the density to a point at which the material sinks.

[0011] In one embodiment, the process includes first modifying a biomass to control the rate at which the material sinks in a body of water, followed by disposing the material into a body of water and allowing the material to sink.

[0012] In one embodiment, the process includes first modifying a biomass to control the rate at which the material reacts with the water environment in the body of water in which it is sunk.

[0013] In one embodiment, the process includes first modifying a biomass to control the rate at which the material reacts with, and uptakes, carbon from the water environment in the body of water in which it is sunk.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Various embodiments are disclosed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbol indicate corresponding parts, in which:

[0015] Figure 1 is a top-level block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a system for producing composite biomass fragments;

[0016] Figure 2 is a top-level block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a system for producing coated biomass fragments;

[0017] Figure 3 is a top-level block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a deposition reactor for producing coated biomass fragments; and,

[0018] Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a process to operate a coating system for producing coated biomass fragments.

[0019] It should be noted that the figures are not drawn to scale and that elements of similar structures or functions may be generally represented by like reference numerals for illustrative purposes throughout the figures. It also should be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the preferred embodiments. The figures do not illustrate every aspect of the described embodiments and should be considered limiting on the scope of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The present invention relates to systems for modifying one or more fragments comprising carbon from an organic material to improve the control over the submersion process through (1) modification of the sinking characteristics offragments, (2) increasing the time it takes for sea-floor, other organisms, and / or other processes to decompose the fragments, (3) modifying how the fragments react with the surrounding water, and (4) increase capacity of the fragments to capture additional carbon from the surrounding water.

[0021] Greenhouse gas release, altered food supply, anoxia, animal clustering, and altered interactions are just some of the effects that biomass sinking could have on the benthic environment.

[0022] In one embodiment, the system can include forming a composite fragment comprised of one or more organic materials and at least one additional material that is not organic such that the composite fragment has a submerged carbon permanence that is greater than submerged carbon permanence of the organic materials when submerged without combination.

[0023] In selected embodiments, the term "dry durable carbon" as used herein can be construed to mean a compound with at least ninety percent carbon content on a dry basis with less than five percent oxygen by weight, and / or less than two percent hydrogen by weight that is produced with a non-water liquid fraction that is less than ten percent by weight of the carbon produced.

[0024] The term "non-friable dry durable carbon" as used herein optionally can be construed to mean a dry durable carbon resistant to fracturing into smaller fragments during ordinary handling.

[0025] Additionally and / or alternatively, the term "combustion" as used herein can be construed to include "biomass combustion" and / or can comprise an exothermic reaction between oxygen and an organic compound that produces sustained peak temperatures of at least six hundred degrees Celsius at the hottest point of reaction within the feedstock.

[0026] In selected embodiments, the term "inert" as used herein can be construed to mean that such compound, composition or material does not react with biomass, or its byproducts of pyrolysis, at temperatures and pressures attained within the reaction container in the practice of the present disclosure.

[0027] Submerging biomass in a body of water holds great potential to economically sequester large quantities of carbon, but operators must ensure that inadvertent effects are mitigated and / or minimized. Among these concerns, creating an imbalance in the food cycle of benthic life is one important possibility that should be considered. Biomass sinking introduces large amounts of food into an ecosystem that may typically show food scarcity. The addition of this organic material could have biogeochemical effects in the local ecosystem as well as surrounding water.

[0028] Submerging biomass in a body of water ("biomass sinking") holds great potential to economically sequester large quantities of carbon, but operators must ensure that inadvertent effects are mitigated and / or minimized. Among these concerns, creating an imbalance in the food cycle of benthic life is one important possibility that should be considered. Biomass sinking introduces large amounts of food into an ecosystem that may typically show food scarcity. The addition of this organic material could have biogeochemical effects in the local ecosystem as well as surrounding water. Greenhouse gas release, altered food supply, anoxia, animal clustering, and altered interactions are just some of the effects that biomass sinking could have on the benthic environment.

[0029] The main cause of these negative effects is the consumption of biomass by microbes or other benthic organisms. The byproducts of such processes could negatively alter the surrounding water chemistry (in the case of the already low amounts of bottom water oxygen getting depleted) or set food webs out of balance by creating population booms and areas of high organism density which could translate to more negative upstream effects. In one embodiment of the present invention, the biomass is rendered inert and unable to decompose or be consumed, through various methods. Forming an inert fragment is one mechanism that can be used to minimize or eliminate entirely the negative and very complex effects on the food web and chemistry of the surrounding water. If the treatments are not permanent and expose usable food over periods of time, the benefits are still important, it will still have the effect of spreading out the consumption of the biomass and therefore minimize the negative effects compared to all the biomass being bioavailable immediately.

[0030] In one embodiment, biomass fragments comprised of marine and / or terrestrial biomass are treated in order to prevent decomposition and consumption by marine organisms. Treatment including chemical impregnation or coating, coating with materials such that the biomass is rendered inert though isolation, blending with materials such that the mix is rendered inert, gas treatment, microbial treatment, heat treatment, pressure treatment, coloring with dyes or other substances where the color (visible spectrum or extended spectrum like infrared or ultraviolet) is determined to discourage growth or colonization, or anything else designed to minimize or eliminate viability as food source to benthic organisms and / or prevent the decomposition or consumption in the same environments are considered.

[0031] Biomass includes any type of plant materials and can be further identified as biomass waste materials, and any biomass can typically be used in a process. Preferably, possibly after drying, biomass waste is certainly preferred to take advantage of the already lost living matter that typically fully decomposes and the associated carbon re-enters the atmosphere.

[0032] Biomass waste includes a wide range of materials, including: (1) agricultural residues such as corncobs, olive pits, walnut shells, sunflower shells and husks, and sugar cane bagasse; (2) wood materials such as wood logs, slabs, chips, and bark; (3) open-water plants such as water hyacinths and seaweed; (4) organic municipal solid wastes, including tires, sewage sludge, or other organic clarified solids; and (5) animal husbandry residues.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, biomass fragments comprising carbon from an organic material are combined with at least one non-organic material and processed to form a composite fragment with a pre-determined density and predetermined density profile, and pre-determined chemical formulation. The density profile is the relationship between the density of the fragment and the depth below the surface of the body of water into which it is submerged. The density of a fragment will typically increase as it sinks in a body of water, as the hydrostatic pressure compresses gas pockets within the fragment, reducing the total volume of the fragment. Through control of the composite fragment density and density profile, thecomposite fragment can be designed to sink more quickly and / or in a more controlled manner.

[0034] In another embodiment, biomass fragments comprising carbon from an organic material are combined with an additional organic material and processed to form a composite fragment with a pre-determined density. In this embodiment, the additional organic material is not a biomass, rather a processed material.

[0035] In another embodiment of the present invention, biomass fragments comprising carbon from an organic material are combined with at least one polymer material and processed to form a composite fragment with a pre-determined density. A predetermined density profile, and a pre-determined chemical formulation. Polymers that may be used include thermoplastics, epoxies, rubber, thermosets, and / or other polymers. These materials may be selected due to their reactivity with the water or comprising the body of water in which the composite fragment will be submerged and / or benthic life. In some embodiments, a non-reactive material may be selected, and in others a reactive material may be selected. Reaction includes the ability to dissolve within the water over short or long periods of time with the surrounding seawater or benthic life. Reaction also includes chemical reactions such as combining or separation between the polymer and the biomass.

[0036] The polymer can be optimized to not leach or create microplastics over time in the benthic environment. The polymer could also contain additives that further discourage colonization or consumption by anything other than specifically selected organisms using the material for anchoring or shelter. Polymer coated biomass could also be further coated in cement to create a barrier between the plastic and water, creating a more robust barrier for the biomass and creating a more "rock like" material for the benthic organisms to use as shelter or anchoring.

[0037] In another embodiment of the present invention, biomass fragments comprising carbon from an organic material are combined with at least one mineral and processed to form a composite fragment with a pre-determined density and pre-determined density profile, and pre- determined chemical formulation. In one embodiment, the mineral may be embedded into the biomass fragment by soaking in a water solution, such as a brine solution when the mineral is a salt or similar substance. In anotherembodiment, the biomass fragment may be subject to elevated pressures while soaking in a liquid solution comprising a solvent, preferably water, and the mineral or mixture of minerals, treated with a brine solution. The pre-determined chemical formulation of the resulting composite biomass-mineral fragment can be designed at such concentrations to discourage consumption by organisms and prevent decomposition in the benthic environment. The mineral(s) chosen can be optimized to not diffuse out of the material into the surrounding sea water.

[0038] In another embodiment of the present invention, a combination of one or more of the aforementioned materials may be used in combination with a biomass fragment, thereby creating a composite fragment. For example, a biomass-mineral fragment treated with brine can be further combined with a polymer to modify the composition of the composite fragment further.

[0039] Referring now to the figures, Figure l is a schematic outline for an embodiment of coating reactor 2000 to coat biomass fragments and produce composite biomass fragments. Coating reactor 2000 works similar to a commercial panning process. Feedstock material 2010, such as wood chips, nut shells, pelletized wood, dehydrated and pelletized macroalgae, and other materials are fed along with coating material 2020 or materials and cement as an exemplary material, into coating reactor 2030 where the biomass fragments are coated with coating material 2020 to build a layer of a pre-determined thickness around the outside of feedstock material 2010 to produce composite fragment 2040 that is removed from coating reactor 2030.

[0040] Depending on the water content contained within the biomass fragments at the time of insertion into coating reactor 2030, a predetermined amount of water 2050 may be added to the process at coating reactor 2030 to aid in the curing of cement coating material 2020 onto feedstock 2010 of biomass fragments. In addition, modifiers and / or additives 2060 are optionally used to modify certain characteristics of the process and / or properties of produced composite fragments 2040. These may include cement modifiers such as super-plasticizers and / or super-fluidizers, fibrous materials to improve strength and other materials used to improve the performance of cement, concrete, and other types of composite materials. The composite may include additives to reinforce the final composite such as fibers and / or contain additives thatmake it more resilient to ocean chemistry and therefore last longer. Compounds such as liquid CO2 from Direct Air Capture, biochar, and / or other forms of high- concentration carbon can be added to the cement to increase the total mass of carbon sequestered by the composite biomass fragment. The cement thickness can be optimized to last a certain period of time and by blending composite fragments 2040 of different coating thicknesses, a desired staged "reveal" of the underlying biomass can be accomplished, limiting the amount of available food to controlled quantities per a unit of time. A perfected process could have broader application in providing a wide variety of controlled-release marine food products.

[0041] Composite biomass fragments may provide numerous benefits related to carbon sequestration, such as increased longevity of the carbon in the intended storage location (also known as permanence or carbon permanence). Extending the carbon permanence of the underlying biomass fragment found inside of a composite biomass fragment. Physical protection as provided by a solid barrier material such as the important embodiment of the present invention, as provided by composite fragment 2040. The material or materials forming the barrier, the thickness, the structural integrity, porosity, and other aspects can be designed for the expected environment in which the fragment will reside.

[0042] In some long-term sequestration storage environments, a physical barrier such as that described above may not be suitable. This can be due to permitting issues that limit the submerged materials, temperature swings that will likely cause damage and increase permeability, incompatible chemistry between the environment and barrier material, and / or other issues. Further, in some instances, the permanence is of paramount important and cannot be relied upon as a sole means of protection. For these and other reasons, additional means to protect the biomass for limiting degradation are provided in supplementary embodiments of the present invention. One embodiment is vessel storage-physically protecting many fragments with a single isolating vessel. In this embodiment, biomass fragments can also be contained in a vessel designed to protect the material from interacting with the outside environment and also designed to be stable, and not corrode, for long periods of time. Drums, containers, barrels, silos, polymer wraps, and other means are some examples of vessels that can be filled with biomass fragments before sinking.

[0043] Additional means of protection / limiting characteristics include (1) geometric, (2) material properties, (3) chemical, and (4) location. These aspects form embodiments of the present invention that enable long term sequestration in a variety of circumstances. Geometric protection may be provided through control of the size and shape of the fragments, such that they are incompatible with the organisms which target the materials for consumption. For many deep-water environments, certain marine worms are a primary concern. Some of these animals require burrowing to survive and may be avoided / discouraged from growing by providing shapes that will not fully compact and prevent the isolation required and thereby limit their colonization. Ecologically, the rate of colonization can be manipulated by altering the form of material being sunk. In one embodiment, 5-20 mm fragments of biomass can be introduced to limit the ability for certain seafloor worms to digest. In a similar consideration, the properties of the material such as porosity, density, flexibility, and other aspects can be incompatible with certain animals. Chemical incompatibly is ubiquitous to all animals - toxicity comes in many forms and depends greatly on the specific species. What is benign or even digestible to one species may be toxic to another. Knowledge of the storage environment and the type of animals that occupy or may occupy the area can be studied for chemical compatibility to provide a toxic substance for the intended species while safe for other marine life. The final item, location, is based on an embodiment that uses knowledge of the target sequestration location and targeting areas that provide depths or other aspects that are incompatible with the local consuming animals.

[0044] Referring now to Figure 2, which generally depicts a schematic outline for an embodiment of deposition reactor 3000, which reactor is used to deposit material onto the surface of the biomass fragment and / or impregnate material into the biomass fragment and / or coat surface of the biomass fragment with chemicals, polymers, and other materials to create chemically deposited biomass fragment 3005.

[0045] In some arrangements, deposition reactor 3000 produces chemically deposited biomass fragment 3005 using various feedstock materials such as wood chips, nut shells, pelletized wood, dehydrated and pelletized macroalgae, and other materials, along with deposition chemical 3002 and optional additives and modifiers 3006. Biomass feedstock fragments 3001 are fed along with deposition chemical 3002 or amixture of chemicals into deposition reactor 3030 where the biomass fragments are treated with coating material 3002.

[0046] Feedstock 3005 can be prepared for reaction in any suitable manner. An exemplary manner for preparing feedstock 3005 for reaction is to select feedstock 3005 by moisture content. If the pre-determined level of moisture is not available, it may be adjusted by adding or removing moisture to / from feedstock 3005 to a desired moisture level. The moisture content can depend on the feedstock material but, in selected embodiments, is generally between five and seventy percent moisture on a mass basis. The method can utilize a wide variety of feedstocks 3005, including, but not limited to, agricultural residues such as walnut shells, peach and olive pits, tree thinning such as pine pellets and wood shavings, and water-based plants such as water hyacinth.

[0047] Feedstock 3005 can be sorted to achieve a predetermined target packing density, and / or can be sorted by physical size and / or other characteristics. In selected embodiments, feedstock 3005 can be sorted to provide a predetermined loaded bulk density.

[0048] Depending on the operating parameters of deposition reactor 3030, including the temperature, relative mass rates of supplied feedstock 3001 and deposition chemical 3002 and optional additives and modifiers 3006 and the removal rates of processed materials, operating pressure, and other process parameters, certain chemicals may be a liquid or a vapor, or a mixture thereof, or a combination of multiple chemical liquids and vapors. The temperature and / or pressure of deposition reactor 3030 may be varied with time, and possibly varied between different locations. The liquids and vapors react with the surface of biomass fragments 3001 and form deposits on the surface to build a layer of a pre-determined thickness around the outside of feedstock material 3001 to produce coated fragment 3004 that is removed from coating reactor 3030 after a predetermined amount of processing time.

[0049] Modifiers and / or additives 3006 are optionally used to modify certain characteristics of the process and / or properties of produced coated fragments 3004. These may include solvent additives such as water when a water-based chemical is being used, and / or fibrous materials to improve strength and other materials used toimprove the performance of coated fragments 3004. The thickness of the materials being deposited onto the surface of biomass fragments 3001 can be optimized, for example, to last a certain period of time before exposing the underlying biomass. For example, a water-soluble polymer coating may be deposited onto the surface of wood chips. The coating may be several mils thick such that it will fully dissolve after it is submerged for a week, allowing the coated fragments to be sunk to the bottom of a body of water and then buried by a second material such as mud and / or sand before the biomass is fully exposed to the environment.

[0050] An exemplary embodiment of deposition reactor 3030 is generally shown in Figure 3. Deposition reactor 3030 is comprised of pressure vessel 3010 that allows materials to be inserted and removed to allow processing as well as control over process variables such as temperature, pressure, and the mass flow rate of the reacting materials. In some configurations, deposition reactor 3030 further comprises access ports including opening end 3020, pressure sensing port 3025, and pressure control port 3040. End cap 3090 installed on the opposite end of pressure vessel 3010 may be permanently installed or may be removable to allow cleaning or other access to the internal portion of pressure vessel 3010. In some embodiments, end cap 3090 may be comprised as an easy-to-open design such that materials may be inserted and / or removed from either end of the reactor, allowing the material to be processed in a continuous manner, inserting from one end and removing from the opposing end.

[0051] Opening end 3020 may be comprised of a hinged end or other design that allows rapid access to the internal portion of pressure vessel 3010. Pressure sensing port 3030 is mechanically fixed and has an internal connection to allow pressure sensor 3050 to determine the pressure inside of pressure vessel 3010. Pressure control port 3040 is mechanically fixed and has an internal connection to allow fluid exchange between fluid pressure source 3060 and pressure vessel 3010. Metering valve 3070 can be installed between fluid pressure source 3060 and pressure vessel 3010 through valve piping 3080 to allow controlled amounts of fluid to be exchanged between pressure vessel 3010 and fluid pressure source 3060. Connections on any pressure vessel for the lid, gas supply, gauges, and any other ports or features may reduce the pressure rating and should be considered such that the overall pressure rating of deposition reactor 3030 is sufficient to allow safe operation at any pre-determined pressure.

[0052] Deposition reactor 3030 can be operated in a batch mode, a continuous mode, or a combination thereof. When operated in a batch mode, deposition reactor 3030 is loaded with biomass fragment 3005, such as wood chips, nut shells, pelletized wood, and others, from opening end 3020 and filled to a pre-determined level. Deposition chemical 3002 and optional additives and modifiers 3006 may also be added at the time of loading through opening end 3020 and / or may be added through pressure control port 3040. Deposition chemical 3002 and optional additives and modifiers 3006 may also be added during operation when using an auxiliary port such as pressure control port 3040. Deposition reactor 3030 can then be brought to deposition conditions by adjusting the temperature and / or the pressure using heating and / or pressure control equipment. After reaction is complete, coated biomass fragments 3004 may be removed from the reactor using opening end 3020 and separated from any chemicals remaining in deposition reactor 3030.

[0050] In other embodiments, deposition reactor 3030 can be mechanically agitated and / or rotated, or additional equipment may be added to perform agitation and / or rotation. The agitation and / or rotation causes coating materials, added to the biomass within the reactor, to coat the biomass in a uniform manner.

[0053] In selected embodiments, one or more separation techniques optionally can be used to separate coated biomass fragments 3004 from other materials remaining within deposition reactor 3030 after the reaction process is complete. Exemplary separation techniques can include mechanical separation techniques, such as a screening technique, a vibratory (or shaking) screening technique, a liquid screening technique and / or an aerosol screening technique, without limitation. The screening technique can involve selecting a screen (not shown) that defines openings with a size, shape or other dimension for allowing material of one size to pass while preventing other materials, and designed to efficiently separate the product fragments from other materials.

[0054] A separation technique that includes shaking or other vibration can help increase a rate at which materials are separated. Exemplary liquid separation techniques can include, but are not limited to, a floatation separation technique and / or a foaming separation technique. Exemplary aerosol screening techniques can include an aerosol separation technique by particle size through a device (not shown), such as an airclassifier, without limitation. The aerosol screening technique can utilize a carrier gas to pass over and / or carry particles of a predetermine size and smaller through the system while capturing larger particles or fragments.

[0055] Deposition reactor 3030 may be used to coat biomass fragments 3001 with polymers and / or impregnate polymers. The polymers can serve as insulation for the biomass among other uses. In one embodiment, polymers including but not limited to plastic, epoxy, resin, or other polymers that are non-reactive with the surrounding seawater or benthic life may be used. The plastic may also contain additives that further discourage colonization or consumption by anything other than organisms using the material for anchoring or shelter. As an added step, plastic coated biomass could be coated in cement to create a barrier between the plastic and water, creating a more robust barrier for the biomass and creating a more "rock like" material for the benthic organisms to use as shelter or anchoring.

[0056] Figure 4 generally illustrates an exemplary operating process 4000 for operating deposition system 3000.

[0057] In some embodiments, operating process 4000 can begin, at 4010, where biomass feedstock is selected and characterized for type, size, and moisture content. The first aspect of material characterization is ensuring that the feedstock is suitable for processing and subsequent submersion in a selected body of water. After confirming suitability, the moisture content can be characterized to aid in the determination of deposition processing. The size of the feedstock is characterized to determine if size adjustment (aggregation or reduction) is required. If the material is certified or otherwise has been determined to be in a fragment size that is suitable for use, the process can proceed to step 4040, where the moisture content is adjusted, if required. If the fragment size is unknown, the feedstock must be sorted at process step 4020.

[0058] Fragment size adjustment is the next process step 4030. Oversize fragments can be processed further to reduce size. Efficient equipment such as hammer mills may be used to reduce fragment size, followed by another pass on the sorting equipment to ensure proper size. Although small fragments, such as saw and process dust, leaf residue, and other small particulate may be submerged successfully, the small sizemay lead to clogging of dredging pumps and / or other processing equipment. In addition, smaller fragments may not be processed as efficiently per unit mass. Therefore, it may be desired to increase the fragment size, using aggregating equipment such as pelletizers.

[0059] Once the feedstock is prepared for size and moisture content, it is ready for processing and loaded into the deposition reactor at 4050 in a pre-determined quantity, followed by loading of the coating / deposition / impregnation chemicals at 4060. Next, process parameters are adjusted to initiate reactions and deposit chemicals onto the biomass at 4070. At 4080, after the reach on(s) are complete, the contents of the reactor are removed and the now coated biomass fragments are separated from byproducts, unreacted chemicals and other materials. The final coated biomass fragment product is then transported to the submersion location at 4090 and finally submerged into the predetermined body of water for sequestration at 4095.

[0060] In one embodiment, various aspects of the treated biomass fragments are designed to interact with the surrounding deep-water environment through predetermined pathways to control the complex interaction between biomass, water, and benthic life. This "eco-system engineering" can be used to promote conversion of sunken materials and the surrounding ecosystem in such a manner that the carbon remains sequestered from the atmosphere. Maintaining the sunken mass of carbon, or exceeding through additional capture at the seafloor, through controlled conversion such as converting to CO2, and / or CO, through biological means, while maintaining CO2 in the body of water is a promising approach to carbon sequestration.

[0059] In another embodiment, a biomass aggregate forms are created by forming biomass feedstock into pre-determined shapes, with pre-determined density, porosity, and other characteristics to provide for a more suitable mass for sinking to the seafloor. Biomass can be converted into an aggregate of binder and biomass such that the biomass is thoroughly coated and insulated from the surrounding environment, and the biomass / binder combination can be formed into bricks or other form factors which facilitate efficient undersea or above-ground storage. Benefits include use of material as building materials, insulation, and controlled shape to influence reaction between decomposing lifeforms. Embodiments include cinder blocks or plastic bricks made of concrete and biomass blends. Out-of-water, these materials could be used forcheap construction materials or stored in otherwise unusable locations where they will be left alone and keep the carbon sequestered.

[0061] In another embodiment, biomass is at least partially converted to biochar. Biochar has the benefit of having a low reactivity with most, or all, organisms. As such, blending biochar with the biomass prior to use of the other embodiments described herein offers to enhance permanence in most storage locations.

[0062] In one embodiment, biomass is combined with a material including a tubular structure. Although many such materials are prohibitively expensive (such as carbon nanotubes, carbon fibrils, carbon fiber, ceramic fiber, and others), one tubular structure is found in (relative) abundance naturally - it is an inorganic tube that belongs to the kaolinite group, an aluminum- silicon based Clay mineral.

[0063] In the U.S., the hydrated form of the material is called endellite and dehydrated form is called halloysite and offers great potential to deliver targeted-purpose chemicals. In Europe, the hydrated form is called halloysite and dehydrated form is called meta-halloysite. To avoid confusion, mineralogists refer to hydrated form as halloysite IO A, and dehydrated form as halloysite 7 A

[0064] For sea-floor application, halloysite offers great potential to deliver antimicrobial and antifungal agents in minute quantities (i.e., safe amounts) directly to the required materials. Researchers have demonstrated the use of an application for anti-fungal chemicals for dry wall using the common preservative, 3-iodo-2-propynyl- N-buryl carbamate (IPBC) where time release was shown. A natural metallic-silver system was shown as well.

[0065] The embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to the examples described above and may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment. A method or a system, disclosed herein, may comprise at least one of the embodiments described hereinbefore. It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to selected embodiments or may relate to several embodiments. The embodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages. It will further be understood that reference to 'an' item refers to one or more of that item. The term"comprising" is used in this specification to mean including the feature(s) or act(s) followed thereafter, without excluding the presence of one or more additional features or acts. Additionally, it should be noted that the terms, "having", "have", "including", "includes", and similar derivatives thereof, are intended to be substantially synonymous with "comprise", "comprises", and / or "comprising".

[0065] In selected embodiments, one or more of the features disclosed herein can be provided as a computer program product. The computer program product, for example, can be encoded on one or more non-transitory machine-readable storage media, such as magnetic, optical and / or electronic storage media of any kind and without limitation. The present invention and methods of operation are contemplated to be used vis-a-vis a computer program, or computer- assisted program and / or software.

[0066] As used herein, a phrase in the form of at least one of A, B, C and D herein is to be construed as meaning one or more of A, one or more of B, one or more of C and / or one or more ofD. Likewise, a phrase in the form of A, B, C or Das used herein is to be construed as meaning A or B or C or D. For example, a phrase in the form of A, B, C or a combination thereof is to be construed as meaning A or B or C or any combination of A, B and / or C.

[0067] The disclosed embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, and specific examples thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are not to be limited to the particular forms or methods disclosed, but to the contrary, the disclosed embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat Is Claimed Is:

1. A method for submerging carbonaceous materials, comprising: combining biomass fragments and a non-organic material to create a composite material; combining the composite biomass fragments and water within a container; exposing the mixture of biomass fragments and said water to pressures greater than atmospheric pressure; and, injecting the biomass fragments and water mixture into a body of water.

2. The method recited in Claim 1, wherein the biomass is from a source grown on land.

3. The method recited in Claim 1, wherein the non-organic material is at least 1 part in 100 parts by mass of the overall composite biomass fragment.

4. The method recited in Claim 1, wherein said biomass fragments and water mixture is injected in said body of water at a depth of at least 20 meters.

5. The method recited in Claim 1, wherein said biomass fragments and water mixture is injected in said body of water at a depth greater than 20 meters6. A biomass fragment, comprising: a mixture of biomass, a non-organic material, and liquid water, where the liquid water occupies a fraction of space otherwise occupied with gas, where the composite biomass fragment has a density greater than 1.0 grams per mL.

7. A process to modify a biomass fragment to control the rate at which the material sinks in a body of water, followed by disposing the material into a body of water and allowing the material to sink.

8. A process to modify a biomass fragment to control the rate at which the material reacts with the water environment in the body of water in which it is sunk.

9. A process to modify a biomass fragment biomass to control the rate at which the material reacts with, and uptakes, carbon from the water environment in the body of water in which it is sunk.

10. A method for submerging carbonaceous materials, comprising: combining biomass fragments and a non-organic material to create a composite material; combining the composite biomass fragments and water within a container; exposing the mixture of biomass fragments and water to pressures greater than atmospheric pressure; and injecting the biomass fragments and water mixture to a body of water at a depth greater than approximately 20 meters, wherein the biomass is from a source grown on land, wherein the non-organic material is at least I part in I 00 parts by mass of the overall composite biomass fragment.

11. A process to operate a coating system for producing coated biomass fragments, the process comprising the steps of: selecting a feedstock; sorting said feedstock into a first group and a second group, said first group comprising an acceptable fragment size, said second group comprising an unacceptable fragment size, said unacceptable fragment size comprising an under-sized fragment size and an over-sized fragment size; providing one or more of: reducing a size of said over-sized fragment size; and, increasing a size of said undersized fragment size; providing at least one of: moisturizing said feedstock; and, drying said feedstock; loading said feedstock into a deposition reactor; introducing to said deposition reactor one or more of: at least one deposition chemical; and, at least one additive; adjusting parameters of the deposition reactor to produce a coated boated biomass from said feedstock;removmg said coated biomass from said reactor and separating byproducts from said coated biomass yielding a processed biomass; transporting said processed biomass to a submersion location; and, submerging said processed biomass.

12. A coated composite biomass fragment, comprising: a feedstock body comprising a plurality of feedstock portions; and, one or more of a coating material, an impregnation material, or a deposition material, wherein said feedstock body is fed into a deposition reactor and said one or more of said coating material, said impregnation material, or said deposition material is fed into said deposition reactor, thereby forming a coated composite biomass fragment wherein said feedstock body is surrounded by an outer layer comprising one or more of said coating material, said impregnation material, or said deposition material.

13. The coated composite biomass fragment recited in Claim 12, wherein said each of said plurality of feedstock portion may comprise one or more of: wood chips; nut shells; pelletized wood; dehydrated macroalgae; and, pelletized macroalgae.

14. The coated composite biomass fragment recited in Claim 12, wherein said coating material comprises cement.

15. The coated composite biomass fragment recited in Claim 14 further comprising one or more of a modifier or an additive.

16. The coated composite biomass fragment recited in Claim 15, wherein said one or more of said modifier or said additive comprise at least one of: super-plasticizers; super-fluidizers; fibrous materials; and,a combination thereof.

17. The coated composite biomass fragment recited in Claim 12 further comprising a polymer.

18. The coated composite biomass fragment recited in Claim 12 further comprising brine.

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