Fungal Compost Extract for Soil Carbon Sequestration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods are inadequate for effectively capturing and sequestering large volumes of carbon dioxide in a solid or liquid state to mitigate climate change.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus involving the creation of fungi-rich compost, extraction of fungi, and application of a fortified 'tea' rich in fungi and microbes to soil, which facilitates the sequestration of atmospheric carbon into growing fungi.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional carbon capture methods are used, then carbon can be captured, but the volume and effectiveness of sequestration are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts fungi from compost through liquid extraction processes, separating the active carbon-sequestering agents from their source material. This allows concentrated fungal extracts to be applied to soils, significantly increasing the quantity of carbon-sequestering biomass that can be introduced compared to applying compost directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms compost into a different state by extracting fungi into liquid form, creating a concentrated fungal extract or 'tea'. This parameter change from solid compost to liquid extract increases the concentration of active carbon-sequestering organisms, thereby improving sequestration effectiveness per unit area.
2Productivity
If fungi are extracted from compost using mechanical separation, then extraction efficiency improves, but the complexity of the process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses high-velocity water jets or pressurized liquid streams to mechanically separate fungi from compost particles. This hydraulic approach leverages fluid dynamics to achieve efficient separation without requiring complex mechanical separation equipment, thus improving extraction efficiency while limiting device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs ultrasonic vibration to dislodge and separate fungi from compost material. This vibrational approach uses acoustic energy to achieve separation, providing an efficient extraction method that avoids complex mechanical separation systems while maintaining high productivity.
3Ease of manufacture
If brewing bags are used for liquid extraction, then the process is simplified, but the extraction may be discontinuous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the extraction process into discrete brewing cycles using individual bags, each containing compost material. This segmentation allows for simple, modular operation while enabling continuous production through sequential processing of multiple bags, thus maintaining both simplicity and continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a continuous extraction system where multiple brewing bags are processed in sequence or parallel, ensuring that the extraction process continues without interruption. As one bag completes extraction, another immediately begins, maintaining continuous production of fungal extract while keeping the process simple and modular.
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
Significantly increases fungal biomass, achieving up to 3600% increase in fungal biomass and effective carbon sequestration in the soil.
Implementation Method 1
This has the effect of taking carbon from the atmosphere (even if in the soil) and placing the carbon in the growing fungi, thereby sequestering atmospheric carbon in fungi.
Implementation Method 2
The step of extracting fungi can include mechanically separating fungi from the compost by impinging the compost with pressurized water or high-speed flowing water.
Implementation Method 3
Alternatively, the step of extracting fungi can include mechanically separating fungi from the compost ultrasonically.
Implementation Method 4
In another subsequent step, water and nutrients are added to the extract to greatly increase the quantity of fungi.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for carbon sequestration includes multiple steps, including creating a fungi-rich compost. Next, one extracts the fungi from the compost, such as by liquid extraction. In a subsequent step, one transports the extract to an application site, such as a pasture. And in another subsequent step, water and nutrients are added to the extract to greatly increase the quantity of fungi. This converts the extract into a sort of fortified “tea”, quite rich in fungi and microbes. Next, the resulting “tea” is applied to the soil at the application site to facilitate the growth of fungi in the soil. This has the effect of taking carbon from the atmosphere and placing the carbon in the growing fungi, thereby sequestering atmospheric carbon in fungi.