Rotating Growth Mat for Vertical Vegetation Biomass
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited land availability for growing vegetation as a high energy feedstock for anaerobic digestion restricts the production of biogas, particularly since land is primarily used for animal grazing.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing rotating growth mats with an unbalanced mass distribution to facilitate vertical growth, coupled with artificial lighting and a cutting device to optimize vegetation growth and mechanical energy harvesting, which can be used to power additional system operations, including anaerobic digestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If land is used primarily for animal grazing, then meat and dairy production is maintained, but the growing area for vegetation as feedstock is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal ground-based growth to vertical suspended mat growth. Growth mats are hung vertically from overhead structures, utilizing the third dimension (height) to dramatically increase growing area per unit of land. This allows vegetation to grow upward rather than outward, solving the land availability constraint.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the growing area into multiple suspended mats that can be arranged in stacks or layers. Each mat operates as an independent growing unit, allowing parallel cultivation of multiple vegetation batches simultaneously. This segmentation maximizes the utilization of vertical space and increases total biomass production capacity.
2Area of stationary object
If vertical growth mats with unbalanced mass are used, then growing area is increased, but mechanical energy capture mechanism is required
Solution Approach 1:
The unbalanced mass distribution on the growth mats creates automatic self-rotation as vegetation grows preferentially on one side. The system harnesses the natural gravitational force and growth asymmetry to drive rotation without requiring external motors or complex mechanical actuation systems. The growing process itself generates the mechanical motion needed for harvesting and energy capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential problem of unbalanced mass (which could cause instability) into a beneficial self-rotating mechanism. The mass asymmetry creates a torque that drives continuous rotation, automatically bringing vegetation into contact with cutting devices and enabling passive energy capture through the rotation motion.
3Quantity of substance
If stacked configuration of growth mats is implemented, then effective growing area is increased, but system height and structural support requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The overhead support structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it suspends the growth mats, provides structural support for stacked configurations, and acts as the anchor point for energy capture mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate structural elements, making the increased height more manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system arranges growth mats in nested stacked configurations where multiple layers are vertically arranged in close proximity. Each mat is suspended independently but occupies a defined vertical zone, creating a compact nested structure that maximizes biomass production within a constrained height envelope.
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 system significantly increases the growing area for vegetation, enhances the yield of anaerobic digester products per unit area, and enables efficient energy capture and utilization, leading to increased biogas production and reduced carbon emissions.
Implementation Method 1
the mass of the mat on a growth side is greater than the mass on an inhibited side, and thus, as a result, the growth side naturally falls downward while the inhibited side moves upward
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for growing vegetation are provided. The disclosed systems (100) and methods (1100, 1200) use rotating growth mats (102) and a cutting device (112). The rotating growth mats and cutting device can be coupled to an anaerobic digester (402) to generated methane gas using vegetation grown on the growth mats. The systems and methods may further use artificial light sources (108) and a nutrients delivery system (110) to assist growth.