Biomass Composting Bioreactors for High-Purity CO2 Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing BiCRS processes are inflexible and capital intensive, requiring homogenous feedstock and are not widely used for industrial CO2 capture due to scalability and cost challenges.
Innovation Solution
A scalable and cost-effective process integrating biomass composting and CO2 capture, utilizing bioreactors for composting various biomass feedstocks with gas compositions to produce high purity CO2 through post-composting and pre-composting methods, including batch, semi-batch, and continuous operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional BiCRS processes are used for CO2 capture, then CO2 removal is achieved, but the processes are inflexible and require homogenous feedstock supply
Solution Approach 1:
The composting system is designed to universally process multiple types of biomass feedstock (food waste, agricultural waste, forestry waste, municipal solid waste) simultaneously, transforming a specialized process into a multi-functional one that accepts heterogeneous inputs without requiring separate processing lines for each feedstock type
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters including carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (maintained at 25:1 to 35:1), moisture content (40% to 60%), temperature (50°C to 65°C for thermophilic composting), and aeration rates based on feedstock composition and composting stage, enabling flexible handling of varying feedstock types while maintaining process stability
2Productivity
If conventional BiCRS processes are used for CO2 capture, then CO2 removal is achieved, but they are capital intensive and challenging to scale
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes naturally occurring thermophilic microorganisms present in the biomass feedstock itself to drive the composting process and CO2 generation, eliminating the need for expensive external inoculation systems, sterile maintenance infrastructure, and complex microbial control mechanisms required by conventional industrial bioprocesses
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines waste treatment (composting) with CO2 capture into a single integrated process, where the same bioreactor system that decomposes organic waste also generates CO2-rich gas for capture, thereby achieving dual functionality without requiring separate capital-intensive facilities for each process
3Manufacturing precision
If post-composting CO2 capture is used, then high purity CO2 is produced, but the process requires extended incubation time
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous CO2 capture operation throughout the entire composting process from mesophilic through thermophilic to curing stages, continuously extracting and purifying CO2 from the headspace gas rather than waiting for a specific time point, thereby achieving high purity CO2 production without requiring extended total process time
4Loss of time
If pre-composting CO2 capture is used, then CO2 is captured directly from bioreactor, but the initial gas composition requires high purity O2 and/or CO2
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary gas composition control mechanism that uses sensors and automated mixing systems to maintain precise O2 (15%-25%) and CO2 (5%-15%) concentrations in the bioreactor headspace, mediating between atmospheric air input and the requirements for efficient CO2 generation and capture during the composting process
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and cost-effective production of high purity CO2 from diverse biomass feedstocks, addressing scalability and cost issues of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
aerobic respiration of organic matter
Implementation Method 2
The additional CO2 capture comprises at least one of absorption, adsorption, and/or membrane separation
Implementation Method 3
The additional CO2 capture comprises at least one of absorption, adsorption, and/or membrane separation
Implementation Method 4
The additional CO2 capture comprises at least one of absorption, adsorption, and/or membrane separation
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides compositions, methods, devices, and systems related to biomass composting and carbon dioxide capture. In particular, the present disclosure provides compositions, methods, devices, and systems for the production of high purity carbon dioxide from a wide variety of biomass feedstock in a more efficient and cost-effective manner than conventional technologies.