Inorganic Methane Biodegradation Media

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methane mitigation methods, such as organic biocovers, are limited by oxygen utilization, structural deterioration, susceptibility to environmental conditions, and inability to address high-rate methane leaks, necessitating a sustainable and maintenance-free solution for reducing atmospheric methane emissions from human activities.

Innovation Solution

A sustainable aerobic methane biodegradation media comprising native methanotrophs and an inorganic matrix with enhanced drainage, moisture retention, and long-lasting nutrients, configured to manage environmental conditions and optimize methane biodegradation, is interposed between methane sources and the atmosphere, utilizing a methodology that identifies and supplements methanotrophs and adjusts matrix composition based on methane flow rates and environmental factors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If organic biocovers are used for methane biodegradation, then methane oxidation is enhanced, but oxygen is diverted from methane oxidation to biodegrade organic material

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemethane oxidation rateVSAvoidoxygen consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the organic material component from the biocover system, replacing it with inorganic materials that do not consume oxygen for degradation. This eliminates the competing oxygen demand while preserving the methane oxidation function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameter of the biocover from organic to inorganic materials. This fundamental parameter change transforms the system from one that consumes oxygen for material degradation to one that sustains oxygen for methane oxidation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If organic biocovers are used for methane biodegradation, then initial methane oxidation is effective, but the biocover structure deteriorates over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemethane oxidation effectivenessVSAvoidbiocover structural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the temporary organic biocover material with permanent inorganic materials that do not decompose. This transforms a short-living system into a long-lasting structure that maintains its functional integrity over extended periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite inorganic materials that combine the benefits of structural stability with methane oxidation capability. These composite materials provide both long-term structural integrity and sustained biological activity for methane degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If organic biocovers are used for methane biodegradation, then methane oxidation occurs, but the system is susceptible to freezing, desiccation, and saturation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemethane biodegradation activityVSAvoidenvironmental condition resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the biocover materials to be inorganic and hydrophobic. This parameter change fundamentally alters the system's interaction with water, making it resistant to freezing, desiccation, and saturation while maintaining methane oxidation activity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional biocovers are used for methane mitigation, then implementation is simple, but they cannot address high-rate methane leaks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiocover implementation simplicityVSAvoidmethane capture capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by using inorganic materials with superior methane oxidation capacity in critical high-rate leak areas. The system maintains simplicity of application while concentrating enhanced performance where needed most.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution effectively reduces methane and other alkane gas emissions over extended durations under diverse environmental conditions, providing a long-lasting and low-maintenance solution for methane mitigation at methane source sites like landfills and oil wells.

Implementation Method 1

sustainable aerobic methane biodegradation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerobic respiration: Aerobic Digestion

Implementation Method 2

enhanced drainage of precipitation, moisture retention

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 3

improved gas transmission and gas exchange

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS20250019631A1System and method for methane biodegradation

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 PARSONS CORPROATION

AI summary

Biodegradation media placed in, around, and/or above a methane source reduces the quantum of methane and other alkane gases such as ethane, propane, and butane released into the atmosphere under diverse and fluctuating environmental conditions over a sustainable and/or extended duration. Non-biodegradable material configured for methane biodegradation possesses enhanced drainage of precipitation, improved gas transmission and gas exchange, moisture retention, and a nutrient sustainability.