Coaxial Deep Well Bioreactor for CO2 Sequestration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods are inadequate for effectively removing and sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and industrial effluents, and converting it into useful materials like methane and bioproducts, while also addressing greenhouse gas accumulation and pollution.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing carbon-sequestering organisms such as photosynthetic algae and heterotrophic microorganisms in deep well bioreactors, where CO2 is sequestered and converted into biomass, which is then anaerobically digested to produce methane, and the biomass can be further processed into bioproducts like bioplastics and fertilizers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If carbon-sequestering organisms are used to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, then CO2 removal efficiency is improved, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: a first processing chamber for CO2 sequestration and biomass production, and a second processing chamber for anaerobic digestion. This segmentation allows each chamber to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system manageability and reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The first processing chamber is coaxially located within the second processing chamber, creating a nested configuration. This nesting approach reduces the overall footprint of the system, minimizes land requirements, and simplifies structural support while maintaining distinct functional zones for CO2 sequestration and methane production.
2Productivity
If deep well bioreactors are used to increase pressure and CO2 solubility, then methane production increases, but the cost of construction and installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coaxial nesting of the first processing chamber within the second processing chamber significantly reduces the external dimensions and land footprint of the facility. This compact configuration lowers construction costs, simplifies permitting, and reduces installation complexity while maintaining the high-pressure deep well environment necessary for enhanced CO2 solubility and methane production.
3Productivity
If photosynthetic biomass is grown to sequester carbon, then CO2 sequestration capacity is improved, but the land area required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from two-dimensional surface-based agriculture to three-dimensional subsurface bioreactor cultivation. By embedding the photosynthetic biomass cultivation within the earth's crust at depth, the system achieves high CO2 sequestration capacity without occupying valuable surface land, thereby resolving the contradiction between sequestration capacity and land area requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested chamber configuration allows the biomass production and anaerobic digestion processes to occupy the same spatial footprint vertically, eliminating the need for separate facilities and significantly reducing the overall land area required compared to conventional surface-based systems.
4Productivity
If anaerobic digestion is performed to convert biomass to methane, then useful fuel production is improved, but the time required for digestion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary CO2 sequestration and biomass production in the first processing chamber before the biomass is transferred to the second processing chamber for anaerobic digestion. This preliminary action allows the biomass to be pre-concentrated and prepared, potentially reducing the overall digestion time and increasing the efficiency of the fuel production 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
This approach efficiently removes CO2 from atmospheric and industrial sources, increases methane production due to high pressure solubility, and generates valuable bioproducts, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and land requirements while producing certified emission reductions.
Implementation Method 1
carbon-sequestering organisms, such as photosynthetic algae, micro algae, cyanobacteria and the like that require light energy, nutrients, water and CO2 to grow organic mass
Implementation Method 2
heterotrophic microorganisms that use chemical carbon, chemical or light energy, nutrients and water to grow organic biomass
Implementation Method 3
The carbon-sequestering biomass generated as a result of carbon sequestration is anaerobically digested to generate methane (CH4)
Data Source
AI summary
A process and apparatus for converting sequestered carbon to fuel, such as methane, and/or materials, such as fermentation substrates, biopolymers, bioplastics, oils, pigments, fibers, proteins, vitamins, fertilizers and animal feed. The apparatus comprises a deep well carbon-sequestering bioreactor coaxially located within a deep well anaerobic bioreactor. Carbon is sequestered into a photosynthetic biomass or a heterotrophic biomass, which is subsequently digested by an anaerobic biomass containing methanogenic microbes, whereby methane is a digestion product.