CA2191435A1 - Method for recycling carbon dioxide for enhancing plant growth - Google Patents
Method for recycling carbon dioxide for enhancing plant growthInfo
- Publication number
- CA2191435A1 CA2191435A1 CA002191435A CA2191435A CA2191435A1 CA 2191435 A1 CA2191435 A1 CA 2191435A1 CA 002191435 A CA002191435 A CA 002191435A CA 2191435 A CA2191435 A CA 2191435A CA 2191435 A1 CA2191435 A1 CA 2191435A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- carbon dioxide
- plants
- dioxide
- underground void
- void
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G5/00—Storing fluids in natural or artificial cavities or chambers in the earth
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G7/00—Botany in general
- A01G7/02—Treatment of plants with carbon dioxide
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02C—CAPTURE, STORAGE, SEQUESTRATION OR DISPOSAL OF GREENHOUSE GASES [GHG]
- Y02C20/00—Capture or disposal of greenhouse gases
- Y02C20/40—Capture or disposal of greenhouse gases of CO2
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P60/00—Technologies relating to agriculture, livestock or agroalimentary industries
- Y02P60/20—Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions in agriculture, e.g. CO2
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S47/00—Plant husbandry
- Y10S47/10—Physical and chemical treatment of agricultural soils
Abstract
The present invention provides a method of recycling carbon dioxide for enhancing plant growth. Under this method, carbon dioxide is captured from a CO2 producing source and deposited in an underground void which is substantially free of methane and which has a temperature less than ambient daytime temperatures during the plants' growing season. Carbon dioxide is stored in the underground void at least until it cools to a temperature at least as low as the ambient daytime temperature before it is transported from the underground void to a tract of plants and distributed to the plants within the tract. If so desired, the underground void may comprise an abandoned mine. If the CO2 source is remote from the mine, the CO2 can be transported to the mine in containers or tanker cars. If desired, though, the CO2 source can even be located in the mine.
Description
~1~1435 wo 95/32611 PCr/usgs/os23~
MET~IOD FOR RECYCLING CARBON I)IOXIDE
FOR EN~ANCING PLANT GROWl~EI
Field of the I~ lion The present invention relates to a method for recycling carbon dioxide for e~lunl~in~ plant growth.
B~ckground of the Invention Carbon dioxide pl~scnl3 several en~,lv~ f--~t~l problems in modern sociery.
Carbon dioxide is a colGllcss, odc~fl~ eo~ on~ of the earth's atmosphere that istlan~ to visible light, but opaque to long wave infrared radiation. Carbon dioxide is an important co.llpolle.l~ of the eaTth's atmosphere beeause it allows visible light to pass th~ugh the qt~nosrh~re while tIapping part of the long wave infrared radiation as it reflects and ~diates from the surface of the earth in the fonn of heat This heat cqrtl-nng quality of the earth's amnosphere mqin~inc the delicate balance tha safely sustains life on earth within the frigid voids of space. Unforrunately, modern ploceSses emit treJne~l~oUs qllq~titif~c of carbon dioxide into the atmosrhere, which will likely lead to a contin~on~ tc.-~l,i~l W~l.li~g. It is feared that such ~l~ulg will cause a heat and ~ n imbalance similar to the pl;n- :p~l employed to heat nhouses, the~by altering thc ~S~CC.ll. Thc.cfole, tbe need exists to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide that cnters the ,~ o,l-kc~e.
Two basic alternatives exist to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide c-1lf= ;ng the zt...oal~h --~i. The first ~1:".,.,l;~,~, involves ~ g the amount of carbon dioxide that is emitted f~om in~ c~iql yl~x6scs~ The second qltern~tive involves rD~;lin~ thecarbon dioxide within the earth's atmospbere.
g carbon dioxide will greatly ~duce the po~en-i~1 for t~ h;a 25 warming, and if recycled ~lopu.l~, ad~;l;on~l cnvuu~l-e.l~ problems may be subst~ntiqlly Ieduced. One such ~lubl_.u is the ~nount of water used to irrigate crops in the areas where water is in short supply, such as in the westem United States. A
sign~l~ amount of money has been spent building an infrastructure to store water in dams, retrieve water from undel~l.und aquifers and deliver water from where it is 30 stored to the crops via ~q~cd~J. lC. The current water management system in the United 219143i wo 9s/32611 Pcrlussslos23s
MET~IOD FOR RECYCLING CARBON I)IOXIDE
FOR EN~ANCING PLANT GROWl~EI
Field of the I~ lion The present invention relates to a method for recycling carbon dioxide for e~lunl~in~ plant growth.
B~ckground of the Invention Carbon dioxide pl~scnl3 several en~,lv~ f--~t~l problems in modern sociery.
Carbon dioxide is a colGllcss, odc~fl~ eo~ on~ of the earth's atmosphere that istlan~ to visible light, but opaque to long wave infrared radiation. Carbon dioxide is an important co.llpolle.l~ of the eaTth's atmosphere beeause it allows visible light to pass th~ugh the qt~nosrh~re while tIapping part of the long wave infrared radiation as it reflects and ~diates from the surface of the earth in the fonn of heat This heat cqrtl-nng quality of the earth's amnosphere mqin~inc the delicate balance tha safely sustains life on earth within the frigid voids of space. Unforrunately, modern ploceSses emit treJne~l~oUs qllq~titif~c of carbon dioxide into the atmosrhere, which will likely lead to a contin~on~ tc.-~l,i~l W~l.li~g. It is feared that such ~l~ulg will cause a heat and ~ n imbalance similar to the pl;n- :p~l employed to heat nhouses, the~by altering thc ~S~CC.ll. Thc.cfole, tbe need exists to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide that cnters the ,~ o,l-kc~e.
Two basic alternatives exist to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide c-1lf= ;ng the zt...oal~h --~i. The first ~1:".,.,l;~,~, involves ~ g the amount of carbon dioxide that is emitted f~om in~ c~iql yl~x6scs~ The second qltern~tive involves rD~;lin~ thecarbon dioxide within the earth's atmospbere.
g carbon dioxide will greatly ~duce the po~en-i~1 for t~ h;a 25 warming, and if recycled ~lopu.l~, ad~;l;on~l cnvuu~l-e.l~ problems may be subst~ntiqlly Ieduced. One such ~lubl_.u is the ~nount of water used to irrigate crops in the areas where water is in short supply, such as in the westem United States. A
sign~l~ amount of money has been spent building an infrastructure to store water in dams, retrieve water from undel~l.und aquifers and deliver water from where it is 30 stored to the crops via ~q~cd~J. lC. The current water management system in the United 219143i wo 9s/32611 Pcrlussslos23s
- 2 -States has caused C;~;r~ nt en~ P ~1~t damage. Many major rivers, such as the Colorado River, have cignificqntly reduced stream flows because of the amount ofwater that is used from these nvers to irrigate crops. Reduced strearn flows cig~ r~ y darnage fish runs and d~n valuable wet lands, destroying valuable and 5 ~epl~eqble ~OSy~t~ 1S. Also, water from und~-gnJund aquifers is being drained faster than it can be rep~ ;ch~, causing the water level in some aquifers to drop as mucn as thirty feet in one year. As these unde-glound aquifers cont;n.,c to be drained, the pumping height increases, causing a greater expenditure of energy to pump the sarne volume of water. ~dAitio~qlly~ soil rqlini7qtion occurs after extensive irrigation 10 because salts build up in the ground water and at the surface. Cenain parts of the San Joaquin Valley in Califon~ia have salt levels tha~ are toxic to planls because of over irrigation.
Another significant problem that may be subst~n~ y reduced by reCyCliDg carbon dioxide is the use of fertilizers and pe~ ides to enh~nce agric~lh~r~l yields.
15 ,Al~ho~lgh fertilizers enhance the growth of many crops, they also darnage the soil and leach into the ground water, CQ~ g the surrounding envi,u~,.c~l. Similar1y,pesticid~ diamage the soil and are a health hazard to small children who eat foods which have been tr~ated with pes~ ;des. Pest~ es and fe~tilizers also are costly to buy and ~ ;l,ule onto the crops. Th~,.ef~lG, the need exists to reduce carbon dioxide 20 poUution to prevent global wa,~ g, while also reducing the arnount of water ~ ation and chPmir~l treatment of agnc~lh-r~l crops.
The enviroDrnental problems of carbon dioxide pollution, irrigation of crops andch~mir~ ,a~ "Jl of crops can be add~ssed by recycling carbon dioxide for absorption into plants. It is well kno vn tbat plaots require carbon dioxide gas to 25 `'brcathe." During ~e procGss of photosyDthcsis, plants exchangc carbon dioxide gas, oxygen and water through their stnm~l openings when they are exposcd to 5~nliE~hl This process is known as t~anspiration. As plants transpire, carbon dioxide gas enters the plant and water e~-pol~tes through the ctom~t~l openings. It is well known that car~on dioxide gas is a limiting f~actor in plant growth, and ~at e,.~su~g plants to 30 greater ambient carbon dioxide gas conrc-n~ ;ons will produce gter plant growth.
Such cJ.~osuie to above nonnal ambient carbon dioxide co~e~ a~;on~ will also cause 2~i91435 wo 95t32611 P~l/u:,9~tO5235
Another significant problem that may be subst~n~ y reduced by reCyCliDg carbon dioxide is the use of fertilizers and pe~ ides to enh~nce agric~lh~r~l yields.
15 ,Al~ho~lgh fertilizers enhance the growth of many crops, they also darnage the soil and leach into the ground water, CQ~ g the surrounding envi,u~,.c~l. Similar1y,pesticid~ diamage the soil and are a health hazard to small children who eat foods which have been tr~ated with pes~ ;des. Pest~ es and fe~tilizers also are costly to buy and ~ ;l,ule onto the crops. Th~,.ef~lG, the need exists to reduce carbon dioxide 20 poUution to prevent global wa,~ g, while also reducing the arnount of water ~ ation and chPmir~l treatment of agnc~lh-r~l crops.
The enviroDrnental problems of carbon dioxide pollution, irrigation of crops andch~mir~ ,a~ "Jl of crops can be add~ssed by recycling carbon dioxide for absorption into plants. It is well kno vn tbat plaots require carbon dioxide gas to 25 `'brcathe." During ~e procGss of photosyDthcsis, plants exchangc carbon dioxide gas, oxygen and water through their stnm~l openings when they are exposcd to 5~nliE~hl This process is known as t~anspiration. As plants transpire, carbon dioxide gas enters the plant and water e~-pol~tes through the ctom~t~l openings. It is well known that car~on dioxide gas is a limiting f~actor in plant growth, and ~at e,.~su~g plants to 30 greater ambient carbon dioxide gas conrc-n~ ;ons will produce gter plant growth.
Such cJ.~osuie to above nonnal ambient carbon dioxide co~e~ a~;on~ will also cause 2~i91435 wo 95t32611 P~l/u:,9~tO5235
- 3 -the stomata to restrict, thereby significantly reducing the amount of water lost during ~ranspiration.
One advarltage of exposing crops to carbon dioxide is that a significant arnountof carbon dioxide will be absolbcd by the crops instead of entering the atmosphere.
Another advantage of exposing crops to carbon dioxide is a significant reduction in the amount of water ,eq~lil~ to grow crops. As rliccuseed above, the introduction ofcarbon dioxide ~!nhqnce~s the cfr~ .c~ of the transpiration process which reduces the amount of water the plants lose through their stomata. In addition, thc total number of plants can be reduced because each individual plant will produce a higher yield,10 thereby reducing the number of plants required to grow the same volume. This will not on~y reduce t~e burden that i~ e crops places on rivers, lakes and uDdc~ uu~d aquifers, but it will also reduu the increasing cost ûf stonDg and delivering the water.
Another advantage of ~ ;ng crops to carbon dioxide is a significant 15 recluction in the amount of fe~ i7pr ~ u.lGd to grow high yield crops. Instead of using ch~ fertilizers to enhance growth, ca~bon dioxide will provide sufficient gro vth rates to produce the ~4ui~xl yield. This will ~duce the co~t~minqtion caused by feltilizers and the ~ccoci~tnd health hazards that fertilizers have on small children.
Therefore, a ~men~ous need exists to recycle carbon dioxide gas by large-scale 20 exposure for absoll,lion into plants in order to Cim~ n~ously reduce carbon dioxide pollu~on, ;..;g~;on ~equ;.~ and the use of fertilizers.
Yet another advaDtage of ~ os:ng crops to CarbOD dioxide is the use of carbon dioxide as a ~ ule for envilu~ e~ y ~qma~in~ pestici~le~s~ Pulses of carbon dioxide c4ner.~ can be used flood the crops with. carbon ~lio~id~ the~eby nh~g the oxygen next to the plants and sufrocaling unn~ant~d in~ects.
Alternatively, low cou~tions of safe pcs~- id~ s may be added to a c~ubon dioxide s~am bcing dclivc,~d to thc c~ops.
Current Tneth~ and ~ , h.~.4e~ , are not effective or ccononucally viable. r~hanc;ng plant gTovvth using carbon dioxide is presently being employed in 30 g~nhollc~5 .~l~hough gTe~ nhou~es are advantageous in that they may use natural sunlight and the delive~y of the carbon dioxide is easily controlled, it is irnpractical to encapsulate entire crops with a greenho-l~ in order to deliver and keep the carbon 2 ~ ~ l435 WO 95t3261 I PCT/IJS95/05235
One advarltage of exposing crops to carbon dioxide is that a significant arnountof carbon dioxide will be absolbcd by the crops instead of entering the atmosphere.
Another advantage of exposing crops to carbon dioxide is a significant reduction in the amount of water ,eq~lil~ to grow crops. As rliccuseed above, the introduction ofcarbon dioxide ~!nhqnce~s the cfr~ .c~ of the transpiration process which reduces the amount of water the plants lose through their stomata. In addition, thc total number of plants can be reduced because each individual plant will produce a higher yield,10 thereby reducing the number of plants required to grow the same volume. This will not on~y reduce t~e burden that i~ e crops places on rivers, lakes and uDdc~ uu~d aquifers, but it will also reduu the increasing cost ûf stonDg and delivering the water.
Another advantage of ~ ;ng crops to carbon dioxide is a significant 15 recluction in the amount of fe~ i7pr ~ u.lGd to grow high yield crops. Instead of using ch~ fertilizers to enhance growth, ca~bon dioxide will provide sufficient gro vth rates to produce the ~4ui~xl yield. This will ~duce the co~t~minqtion caused by feltilizers and the ~ccoci~tnd health hazards that fertilizers have on small children.
Therefore, a ~men~ous need exists to recycle carbon dioxide gas by large-scale 20 exposure for absoll,lion into plants in order to Cim~ n~ously reduce carbon dioxide pollu~on, ;..;g~;on ~equ;.~ and the use of fertilizers.
Yet another advaDtage of ~ os:ng crops to CarbOD dioxide is the use of carbon dioxide as a ~ ule for envilu~ e~ y ~qma~in~ pestici~le~s~ Pulses of carbon dioxide c4ner.~ can be used flood the crops with. carbon ~lio~id~ the~eby nh~g the oxygen next to the plants and sufrocaling unn~ant~d in~ects.
Alternatively, low cou~tions of safe pcs~- id~ s may be added to a c~ubon dioxide s~am bcing dclivc,~d to thc c~ops.
Current Tneth~ and ~ , h.~.4e~ , are not effective or ccononucally viable. r~hanc;ng plant gTovvth using carbon dioxide is presently being employed in 30 g~nhollc~5 .~l~hough gTe~ nhou~es are advantageous in that they may use natural sunlight and the delive~y of the carbon dioxide is easily controlled, it is irnpractical to encapsulate entire crops with a greenho-l~ in order to deliver and keep the carbon 2 ~ ~ l435 WO 95t3261 I PCT/IJS95/05235
- 4 -dioxide in close ~Ccor~ on with the biomass. In other cases, carbon dioxide has been drawn from the depths of coal mines, and pumped into greenhouses. In addition tO the problems ~csoci~red with greenhouses, oxygen-2ich ambient air enters the coal mines as the carbon dioxide is withd~rawn, causing oxidation of pyrites in the mines, which
5 ~eads to acid mine d~ a,ee.
Another current solution of ~lict-ibuting carbon dioxide to plants uses a fixed overhead gas irrigation system 5~ n~1e;1 from the roof of a greenhouse. Such fixed systems are not practically applied to outdoor application in large fields because they would obstruct tractors, barvesters or other farm equipment n~ceCc~ry to grow and 10 harvest crops and carbon dioxide delivry to the plants would be di~.-ul)~d by wind currents.
Free-air CO~ c ..;rt~ f-l~ systems have been developed in which carbon dioxide is distributed to plants using a system of ho,iLontal and vertical pipes with discharge jets through which carbon dioxide may pass. The free-air CO2 enrichrnent systems, 15 however, do not address the problem of deploying tractors and other farm cquipment in fields having such piping. ~ tioD~lty, such systems are generally inefficientbecause a great deal of carbon dioxide is lost to the ~tmosrhere.
Attcmpts have also been made to irrigate plants with carbonated water. The conccpt is that the ca bon~lcd water would relcase carbon dio~cide into the plants as ~e 20 carbon diox~de escapcs from the water. Thcse ~n- ~.pl~, howcver, have provcn deficient because such carbon dioxide has a low density and merely rises in the su--uunlil,g arnbient air.
F.~.f.. ;~F ..l~i have been employed utilizing carbon dioxide by bubbling the carbon dioxide through algae ponds to allow aquatic ~eget~lion to co~-r ~ the carbon 25 dioxide. Although cer~ algae co~ c large arnounts of car~on dioxide, this method may be ;..~l..f-~lir~l becau-ce thourqnflc of square miles of water is ~u~d to absorb even a small fraction of the carbon dioxide that is produccd and delivery of the carbon dioxide to remote !oc-qtion~ such as in the ocean may be very costly. ~-lflition~lly, the effects of growing such large ~ ntitiP~5 of algae on the environment have not yet been 30 ascertained, and it is possible that such large qu~ntitiçs of algae may have negative envir~ amifications.
wo 95/32611 ~CTIUSs5l0s23s A method and means for cnhq-ncin~ plant growth under field conditions is disclosed in the present inventor's U.S. Patent ~o. 5,300,226 for a WASTE
HANDLING M~IXOD, the ~ osnre of which is herein incorporated by reference.
This patent diccloses a plurality of trenches which may be located above a strip mine S for ~ W~Ig plants, but it does not provide a particularly effective method foreconomically increasing the density of the carbon dioxide to lirnit loss of carbon dioxide to the ~nosrhere before it can be absollJed by the plants.
T.he current ~e~hods and ~I,p-.,.n~5~S for delivering carbon dioxide to plants fail to provide an effective system for enhqn~ing plant growth. One problem common to10 such systems is that they do not provide a method or system that add.c~ the tr~nsmi.csion~ sto~ge, and di~l~ibulion problems accoci-qted with dcliveling large volumes of carbon dioxide to large agricultu~l and si~viculturdl uses in a manner that will prevent the carbon dioxide from ~n~.rin~ the atmosphere before it is absorbed.
Therefore, there is presently a signific-q-nt need to provide a method thal eicorlQrnin~lly 15 and effectively di~l-ibutes large quqnt~ s of c~bon dioxide to plants in order to reduce the arnount of carbon dioxide in the a~mosphere and to use waste carbon dioxide for ~eneficial purposes, such as to reduce the amount of water and fertilizer us~d to gr~w crops.
In addition to ~ cling car~on dioxide for absol~,tion in plants, carbon dioxide 2Q may be used to reduce the poten~iql for fires in qhqndon~A mines. In order to avoid such fires, m~ne u~ ato~ currently install elaborate and expensive fire preveDtion systems whcn a mine is shut do~n. Recycling canbon dioxide into mines, ho~
will displace the oxygen ~ for o<~ ku~;ol- Thus, ~ ,ling ca~bon dioxide in~o a mine after it is shut down will significantly reduce mine f~s at a fIaction of the 25 cost of current systems.
Summary of the l~ ion The method of the current invention provides a unique system for recycling car~on dioxide for absolption in plants. The method includes capturing car~on dioxide from a carbon dioxide producing source. The most prominent sou~es of carbon 30 dioxide are centralized industrial complexes ~here fossil fuels a~ combusted, such as power producing f~ciliti~s and large intl~sttiql manufacturing f~rilitie5. Othersignificant sources of carbon dioxide include composting and anaclubic digc~Lion sites.
219i435 wo 95/32611 PCrlussslos23
Another current solution of ~lict-ibuting carbon dioxide to plants uses a fixed overhead gas irrigation system 5~ n~1e;1 from the roof of a greenhouse. Such fixed systems are not practically applied to outdoor application in large fields because they would obstruct tractors, barvesters or other farm equipment n~ceCc~ry to grow and 10 harvest crops and carbon dioxide delivry to the plants would be di~.-ul)~d by wind currents.
Free-air CO~ c ..;rt~ f-l~ systems have been developed in which carbon dioxide is distributed to plants using a system of ho,iLontal and vertical pipes with discharge jets through which carbon dioxide may pass. The free-air CO2 enrichrnent systems, 15 however, do not address the problem of deploying tractors and other farm cquipment in fields having such piping. ~ tioD~lty, such systems are generally inefficientbecause a great deal of carbon dioxide is lost to the ~tmosrhere.
Attcmpts have also been made to irrigate plants with carbonated water. The conccpt is that the ca bon~lcd water would relcase carbon dio~cide into the plants as ~e 20 carbon diox~de escapcs from the water. Thcse ~n- ~.pl~, howcver, have provcn deficient because such carbon dioxide has a low density and merely rises in the su--uunlil,g arnbient air.
F.~.f.. ;~F ..l~i have been employed utilizing carbon dioxide by bubbling the carbon dioxide through algae ponds to allow aquatic ~eget~lion to co~-r ~ the carbon 25 dioxide. Although cer~ algae co~ c large arnounts of car~on dioxide, this method may be ;..~l..f-~lir~l becau-ce thourqnflc of square miles of water is ~u~d to absorb even a small fraction of the carbon dioxide that is produccd and delivery of the carbon dioxide to remote !oc-qtion~ such as in the ocean may be very costly. ~-lflition~lly, the effects of growing such large ~ ntitiP~5 of algae on the environment have not yet been 30 ascertained, and it is possible that such large qu~ntitiçs of algae may have negative envir~ amifications.
wo 95/32611 ~CTIUSs5l0s23s A method and means for cnhq-ncin~ plant growth under field conditions is disclosed in the present inventor's U.S. Patent ~o. 5,300,226 for a WASTE
HANDLING M~IXOD, the ~ osnre of which is herein incorporated by reference.
This patent diccloses a plurality of trenches which may be located above a strip mine S for ~ W~Ig plants, but it does not provide a particularly effective method foreconomically increasing the density of the carbon dioxide to lirnit loss of carbon dioxide to the ~nosrhere before it can be absollJed by the plants.
T.he current ~e~hods and ~I,p-.,.n~5~S for delivering carbon dioxide to plants fail to provide an effective system for enhqn~ing plant growth. One problem common to10 such systems is that they do not provide a method or system that add.c~ the tr~nsmi.csion~ sto~ge, and di~l~ibulion problems accoci-qted with dcliveling large volumes of carbon dioxide to large agricultu~l and si~viculturdl uses in a manner that will prevent the carbon dioxide from ~n~.rin~ the atmosphere before it is absorbed.
Therefore, there is presently a signific-q-nt need to provide a method thal eicorlQrnin~lly 15 and effectively di~l-ibutes large quqnt~ s of c~bon dioxide to plants in order to reduce the arnount of carbon dioxide in the a~mosphere and to use waste carbon dioxide for ~eneficial purposes, such as to reduce the amount of water and fertilizer us~d to gr~w crops.
In addition to ~ cling car~on dioxide for absol~,tion in plants, carbon dioxide 2Q may be used to reduce the poten~iql for fires in qhqndon~A mines. In order to avoid such fires, m~ne u~ ato~ currently install elaborate and expensive fire preveDtion systems whcn a mine is shut do~n. Recycling canbon dioxide into mines, ho~
will displace the oxygen ~ for o<~ ku~;ol- Thus, ~ ,ling ca~bon dioxide in~o a mine after it is shut down will significantly reduce mine f~s at a fIaction of the 25 cost of current systems.
Summary of the l~ ion The method of the current invention provides a unique system for recycling car~on dioxide for absolption in plants. The method includes capturing car~on dioxide from a carbon dioxide producing source. The most prominent sou~es of carbon 30 dioxide are centralized industrial complexes ~here fossil fuels a~ combusted, such as power producing f~ciliti~s and large intl~sttiql manufacturing f~rilitie5. Othersignificant sources of carbon dioxide include composting and anaclubic digc~Lion sites.
219i435 wo 95/32611 PCrlussslos23
- 6 -The method co~inllc~ by depositing the CGptul-~d carbon dioxide in an undel~.ou"d void that is ~nl~ l;ally free of me.th~nt. and other gases toxic to plants, and has a t~,llpe~ re that is less than the ambient daytime temperature during the growing season. One type of unde.~.ound void coutc ~ p~ A in the present invention S is an ~ ndoned mine, in which the captured carbon dioxide may be pumped down through the existing verl~ilqtion system into the cooler recesses of the mine. Once deposited, the method includes storing the carbon dioxide in the und~ ound void at least until the carbon dioxide obtains a tC-~p~ rU~ that is less than arnbient Ic.l.pel~tl,~e, and then tlans~lling the cooled carbon dioxide from the under~round 10 void to a tract of plants. The t.~ o,t~tion step of the present inie.ltion may be accomplished by siphoning or ~ .ping the carbon dioxide from thc undc.g-ound void into a system for c~lyi~g the cooled carbon dioxide to the tract of plants. Once the cooled car~on dioxide is tl~r.sÇ~ d to the tract of plants, the method conclnrles by disLIibuL;~g the cooled car~on dioxide to the plants in the tract.
The mahod of the present invention provides a cost cffiriPnt and cffective means of recycling carbon dioxide for çnh~nring plant growth. One advantage of the invention is that it leduces the amount of carbon dioxide entering the ~nosph~re by beneficially recycling the gas to ~nh~nce plant growth. Another advantage of theinvention is that by enhqnring plant growth, it reduces the amount of fe~fli7Pr I~UiltA
to grow ~gricult~l~l plants, thereby ~ducing the amount of fer~lizer po~ nn. Yetanother advantage of the invention is that it reduces the current strain on our water distribution systern by ci~ifi~ntly reducing the arnount of water used by each plant.
Brief D~~ Jtiol, of the Dra~ings Pig. 1 is a sch~ lllcf~tinn of an embodiment of the method of the invention~
Figs. 2A and 2B are sr~q~iC ill,.~ lionC of another ~m~;~-P~-t the me~hod of the pnesent inveDtion;
Fig. 3 is s.~ ;c ~ str~tioll of yet another ernbodirnent the method of the present invention9 Fig. 4 is a cross-section~l view of a pipe in an ~ ~UCt through which carbon dioxide is h~ )oll~d in accordance with the present invention;
2191~35 WO 95132611 PCrlUS9~105235
The mahod of the present invention provides a cost cffiriPnt and cffective means of recycling carbon dioxide for çnh~nring plant growth. One advantage of the invention is that it leduces the amount of carbon dioxide entering the ~nosph~re by beneficially recycling the gas to ~nh~nce plant growth. Another advantage of theinvention is that by enhqnring plant growth, it reduces the amount of fe~fli7Pr I~UiltA
to grow ~gricult~l~l plants, thereby ~ducing the amount of fer~lizer po~ nn. Yetanother advantage of the invention is that it reduces the current strain on our water distribution systern by ci~ifi~ntly reducing the arnount of water used by each plant.
Brief D~~ Jtiol, of the Dra~ings Pig. 1 is a sch~ lllcf~tinn of an embodiment of the method of the invention~
Figs. 2A and 2B are sr~q~iC ill,.~ lionC of another ~m~;~-P~-t the me~hod of the pnesent inveDtion;
Fig. 3 is s.~ ;c ~ str~tioll of yet another ernbodirnent the method of the present invention9 Fig. 4 is a cross-section~l view of a pipe in an ~ ~UCt through which carbon dioxide is h~ )oll~d in accordance with the present invention;
2191~35 WO 95132611 PCrlUS9~105235
- 7 -Fig. S is a cross-sec~ion~l view of a hood over an q~lue~ct through which carbon dioxide is transported in accol l~nce with the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a sc~rmq-ti~ illustration of an existing ~rrigation apparatus;
Fig. 7 is a schPrn~ir illustration of a dual use carbon dioxide distribution S ~rdld~lls In acco,J~nce with the present invention;
Pig. 8 is a pc~ e view of a carbon dioxide distribution apparatus in accol~nce with the present invention;
Fig. 9 is a 5chc ~ qt;r view of another ca~bon dioxide ~ tritlutisn ~qr~s in accûld~tce with the present invention;
Fig. 10 is another 5~ view of the carbon dioxide ~ ;on ~r~tus of Pig. 9;
Fig. 11 is a Sc~ Atir view of art aquatic fann in accofddnce with the present invention; and Fig. 12 is cross-section~l, s~ ';c view of the aquatic fann of Fig. 11.
Detailed D~ tiol, of the Preferred Embodirnent The method of the mvention may involve the steps of capturing carbon dioxide, depositing the captul~d carbon dioxide into under~luund voids, storing the carbon dioxide~ olLing the stored cast)on dioxide to a tract of plants, and flic~ uting the carbon ~ioxide to the plants in the tract. I~e method may also include the further 20 s~eps of enrarslllqting the carbon dioxide after it has been captured, and hauling the enr~rs~lqtP~ car~on dioxide to an ~,llde~ulmd void. An embodimen~ of the inventton providing the nr~W~ structure, i"~ - t~linn and use of the method of the ill~t~ion will be clearly lm~-r~Ood by ,ef.,~ g tû Figs. 1-12 and the following dc~
2~ Cart)on dio~de is produc~d by a host of nanl~l and in~lv~riql pl~S. The most p~ t source of carbon dioxide is the com~uctinn of fossil fuels; other sources ~nclude b -'~irql de~.- ,l~s:~;nn ~ 5, im~ C41 ~pûS~ bic digestion aud fGI~ 1ion. In order to prevent c. rbon dioxide from cllte"..& the a~mosphere, the method of the invention involves capturing the car~on dio~ide ~er it 30 has been produced.
The most readily captured carbon dioxide comes from fixed point sources (62 in Figures 2) where fossil fuels are burned. In a preferred embo~lim~nt carbon 2~91435 WO 95132611 ~CIIUS95/05235
Fig. 6 is a sc~rmq-ti~ illustration of an existing ~rrigation apparatus;
Fig. 7 is a schPrn~ir illustration of a dual use carbon dioxide distribution S ~rdld~lls In acco,J~nce with the present invention;
Pig. 8 is a pc~ e view of a carbon dioxide distribution apparatus in accol~nce with the present invention;
Fig. 9 is a 5chc ~ qt;r view of another ca~bon dioxide ~ tritlutisn ~qr~s in accûld~tce with the present invention;
Fig. 10 is another 5~ view of the carbon dioxide ~ ;on ~r~tus of Pig. 9;
Fig. 11 is a Sc~ Atir view of art aquatic fann in accofddnce with the present invention; and Fig. 12 is cross-section~l, s~ ';c view of the aquatic fann of Fig. 11.
Detailed D~ tiol, of the Preferred Embodirnent The method of the mvention may involve the steps of capturing carbon dioxide, depositing the captul~d carbon dioxide into under~luund voids, storing the carbon dioxide~ olLing the stored cast)on dioxide to a tract of plants, and flic~ uting the carbon ~ioxide to the plants in the tract. I~e method may also include the further 20 s~eps of enrarslllqting the carbon dioxide after it has been captured, and hauling the enr~rs~lqtP~ car~on dioxide to an ~,llde~ulmd void. An embodimen~ of the inventton providing the nr~W~ structure, i"~ - t~linn and use of the method of the ill~t~ion will be clearly lm~-r~Ood by ,ef.,~ g tû Figs. 1-12 and the following dc~
2~ Cart)on dio~de is produc~d by a host of nanl~l and in~lv~riql pl~S. The most p~ t source of carbon dioxide is the com~uctinn of fossil fuels; other sources ~nclude b -'~irql de~.- ,l~s:~;nn ~ 5, im~ C41 ~pûS~ bic digestion aud fGI~ 1ion. In order to prevent c. rbon dioxide from cllte"..& the a~mosphere, the method of the invention involves capturing the car~on dio~ide ~er it 30 has been produced.
The most readily captured carbon dioxide comes from fixed point sources (62 in Figures 2) where fossil fuels are burned. In a preferred embo~lim~nt carbon 2~91435 WO 95132611 ~CIIUS95/05235
- 8 -dioxide is captured from f~ ties that produce heal or electricity by burning carbon fuels. Other prominent sources include steel manufacturing f~cili~ies~ other types of power-producing facilit3es and other sites that burns fossil fuels. I~ will be appreciated that the capturing step of the present invention is not limited to such sources, but may 5 include any source where car~on dioxide is produced. Generally, the p-efelled embodi,l.enl of the invention involves capturing carbon dioxide from a fixed point source where the carbon dioxide would otherwise be released into the Ql...o~.hl ,G
througn an exhaust stack or the like.
Car~on dioxide may be captured from fixed point sources using a number of 10 available devices and mP ho~s One such device is described in U.S. Patent No 4,073,099 for a SYST~M OF UTILIZATlON OF E~IAUST GASES FOR PLANT
GROWTH, herein incG.~o.ated by l~fe-~,nce, ~hich discloses a memblane that is used in exhaust flues to isolate carbon dioxide from other materials. Another known method, called adso~ption, captures carbon dioxide from dehnmi~lified flue gas. By 1~ feeding the flue gas into a series of large tanks, each tank may hold hp~ tf~ly 4,500 lbs. of zeolite pellets or an equivalent. The carbon dioxide adsorbs onto the zeolite as it filters th~ough the pellets, and the gas flow is diverted to a Su~sf~ nl tank after the zeolite is ~ -~...,.lf~. The carbon dioxide is 5f'p~tf`-5i from the zeolite in the initial tank by depress~"7in~ . nd heating the zeolite. The carbon dioxide may then be 20 eQIlf~tP~d and co,l,pl~ss~d in cP~q~P- tanks.
Another known p~ce~ss, called absorption, relies on a chf~mirql rEaction using .~ on~ ol- ..;n~. and similar ch~mirQ1c. In the abso-~ion method~ the mono~ n~ e drips through a s"c~ss;~n of ch~ as the flue gas travels up the exhaust flue. Ille car~on dioxide reacts with the monoe~ ol~min~, and the 25 carbon dioxide-laden mo~ nolarnine is c~l~.xtf~d at the bottom. The carbon dioxide-laden mon~llqn~1qminp is then removed from the flue, reheated to release the carbon dioxide, and then the mon~hqnolqrnine is recycled. The carbon dioxide that is released from the monG~ nolqmine is collected and CGIll~ul~Sed in tanks.
In addition to capturing ca bon dioxide from point wurces, carbon dioxide may 30 also be captured over relatively large areas where car~on dioxide is produced by biologicl d~---yosiLion. In order to capture carbon dioxide over such large areas, air can be drawn inwardly thlough the comrostin,e area so that the carbon dioxide is - - - .
2 I q ~ 4 3 ~
wo 95/32611 Pcr/usss/0s~
lly .nhaled at the center of such areas The air and ca-~on dioxide may then be diverted to a nearby facility that 5~ S the carbon dioxide and stores it in acon~ f~ Carbon dioxide may also be cnllfcte~ from coul,oGsting areas by coveringthe cG~ ng areas and p~,l").ng oxygen into the enrlQsure, thereby e~lling the 5 carbon dioxide In a pl~fe l~d embo~limrnt the composting facility or anaerobicdigester is located und. .~;~u,lnd iD an ~hqn~onr~ mine or the .ike, in which the carbon dioxide may sirnply be captured in the undeJ~lound cavity as it is naturally released By locating the source of carbon dioxide unde,~;luund, the extent of speci~li7e~cquipn~enl n~os~ ~ to captl re the carbon dioxide is significantly reduced After the carbon dioxide is c.~tul~,d, thè next step involves deposi~ing the captured ca~on dioxide in an und~ ound void This step may involve providing a specific t~rpe of undel~,uund void 5, I,~r,sre,l"~g the cart~oD dioxide from the source w~e~ it is cayluled tû such an undc~l`ound void, and d~ e the carbon dioxide ~r the u~del~lvu.1d void This aspect of the .nvention le;luues l."dc.~;lvu"d voids S that5 are e~senti~lly free of, ~ and other gases that are toxic to plants, and have s that are less than the ambient daytirne t~ s~Us`t; during the grow.ng season By being Sut";~ y free of such gases, the voids S w- l not cont~minq~te the car~on dioxide and render it tox.c to phnts The undel~,uund void may be an q-b~ ndr,~ed m~ne S or natural geologic formation 5', such as underground aquifer, but 20 any natural or man-made undelE;lo~l~d void meeting the above l~quihe ucnls may be used Ideally, such an qb~nAon-d mine is located near a source of carbon dioxide and a ~ract of plants, ~ltho~lgll such a location is not ne~rS~ry If the carbon dioxide is coll~t~ abtNe ground, e g, as shown in Figure ~, the d~posi iog step of the iu~l_~ion will also include transferring the ~ carbon 25 dioxide to the unde~,u.~d void In a p-efe.,. d embo~limçnt the un~l~;,u-l"d void 5 is located p-ùX~ud]ly to a source of carbon dioxide 62 so that the C~)lUl~d carbon diox~de may be di~ectly dcpo~;t~ d 8 ioto the Lnde g,u~lnd void using a pipe, or some other suitable conduit for gases ln cases where the unde.g~ù -~ voids are not located p~o~i~lally to the sources of carbon ~ioYi~e. the d~ositing st~p may further include 30 ~ nr~rsulq~ the ~ tul~d carbon dioxide (such as in a p,es~u~ed tank, not shown)~
and hauling it from the sources to the undh~l.,und voids In a ~ r~.lcd embodiment~
the ca~tu,~ carbon dioxide is hauled from a point source to an unde.~,~,und void that 21ql~35 WO 95t32611 PCI1~1S95/0523s is an abandoned mine using the back`haul leg of a de~ic~ted coal railcar line. ln such an embodimenl, the carbon dioxide may be hauled in its gas, liquid or solid states.
In the event that ~he carbon dioxide is hauled in its liquid state, the liquified ~arbon dioxide may be e .~s-~ J in a conventional tanker car. Preferably, the 5 carbon dioxide is ent~arsul~tP~i and hauled in its gaseous or solid state. In such a prefe~.~d embo~1im~nt the carbon dioxide is encapsulated in colLapsible intermodal con~il-( a. One embodiment of such coll~rs~ e intermodal cQnt~in~rs are described in the present inventor's U.S. Patent Application Serial Nos. 08/233,111, for a COLLAPS~LE CONTAIN~ FOR HAUI~G BUI~C MATERIALS, and 08/190,989, for a CONTAINFR AND MEIHOD FOR TR~OKl~G FINELY
DIVIDED AND DRIED COAL, both of which are herein inco~ t~d by ,~ft-ence.
When the carbon dioxide is hauled in its solid state, it may be crushed and placed into the coll~s ''- int~mo 1~1 co~ el~, In order to remove the solid ca~bon dioxide from the CO11~C;~ te~ CCJ~ after they have been transferrcd to 15 an underground void, the collarc~ . inter nodal containers may simply be opened and the solid carbon dioxide allowed to sublirnate out of the con~in~r. ln another embodh,.~ t, a hood or suction means may be placed over the open cQIl~rsible intermodal con~ to increase the rate of sublim~tion. When the carbon dioxide is to be çnr~s~ t~d in its gaseous state, it may be p1aced directly into the col~apsible 20 ~,l~c, Illodal containers.
After the c~ u-cd carbon dioxide is transferled to a location adjacent an unde.g,wnd void, it may be d~,~os:lrd in the voids by ~u~ )ing it down to an dhJluyl~lc dcpth. In one plefi,.l~ embof~ ', the unde~lûu.~d void is a n~ine 5 provided with an cxis~ng vrn~ tion system 8 for delivering fresh air f~m the surface 25 to the far reaches of the minc. 5çn~11y~ all modem unde~,~u"d rn~ning op~r~ign~
utili7e such delivery systcms. In this ç...~;...r.~l, the carbon dioxide rnay bede~oslted in the undul~uund mines by si nply feeding h into the existing ventil~tinn system for delivering fresh air into ~he mines. I~rge volumes of carbon dioxide may be deposited into an w,de.E;,-_ ~ void in this marmer.
After the ca~bon dioxide is deposited into an underground void, the present invention involves storing the car~on dioxide in the voids. The pu~pose of storing the carbon dioxide in the cool und~ u~nd voids is to increase the density of the carbon ~191435 wo 9S/32611 Pcrlusss/o523s dioxide. ~lthou~h ca~bon dioxide is naturally more dense than ambient air at the sarne ,u~alulcS~ captured carbon dioxide is generally heated to a point where its density is less than that of ambient air. As such, if captured carbon dioxide is distributed to a tract of plants, it will rise and diffuæ into the i tmo~h~re before the plants are able to S absorb the carbon dioxide forp~ tos~"thesis. Tk~role, by incl~sing the density of tbe carbon dioxide before it is dcl;~ d to the plant, the carbon dioxidc stays in close il~ y to the plants during the pl,olo;,~ulhesis process.
The storing step of the present invendon inrhlde~ keeping the deposited carbon dioxide in a cool unde.~.u.md void having a tempe~ature that is less than the ~m~iPnt 10 daytirne t~ Y~Ih~G during tbe E;~ing season until the car~on dioxide cools to a tc.llp~lalulc that is at least equal to, and preferably less than, the ~mi~ient daytime te~ . In a ~lef~ ,d fA~ o~ f~ , the canbon dioxide is stored in an under~ nd void having a lf~ f ~ G that is less than 65F. until the carbon dioxide reaches a ~pclatu~i that is less than 68F. By ~ducing the tempcrature of the 15 carbon dioxide, the density of the caIbon dioxide will be increased sufficiently to pe~mit the calbon dioxide to stay in dose plu~illliLy to the pl~nts until it can be absor~ed by the plants.
After the storing step of the present invention, the method in~ es tran~o~ g the df n~ d carbon dioxide to a t~act of plants. In a p~er~ d e~ iraent~ the 20 ~ ul~ion step of t~hc prcsent u~ ion ;~rl~.d~ an ~ .cL~ie ~ ;n~
between the ul~d~E~lwnd void and a large a~ ral producing region. The infras~ructure is preferably a system of pipes that will be provided frûm the unde.~.u~r~d s~orage void to the regions where crops are gr~wing ~n the case where n~ining lands are ~eing ~ ~, the distances using the infrastructure may be fairly 25 shon because such lands are located ~lv~ ly to ~h~n~nPd mines. 12~fPrling to Figs. l, 2A and 2B, it will be ~ t~d that a t~act of plants loca~ed in close plu~iulily to the u~dc,~,luuùd voids will ~quire a minim~l amount of infras~ucture to - - transpolt the carbon dioxide from the undul~,uund void to the plants. ln a plc;~~
~ m~nt an und~luul~d pipe 7in Figure 1 or 9 in Figure 2B) may be used that directly CQn~'e~1~ the uudel~ùund void to the pLants.
In other cases, the undel~,ùu,ld voids may be located some distance fnom the agricul~rRl regions. Chne such case is the San Joaquin Va~ey in cent ~ and southern 2~ 35 wo 9SI32611 PCr/USg5J0523s California. The ir~uctu~ uil~d to perform the t~ ~Lion slep in such a region may include a system of pipes e~t~nf~ from the undelg,ound void directly to the growing region. Another embodiment, shown in Fig. 4, may include a system ofunderground pipes from the underground void Pl~tPntling to the existing aqueducts 26 5 that run through many of the growing regions in the western United States. ForeY~mpl~., once the pipes reach the aqueduct, another pipe or hose 22 may be positioned on the floor of the aqueducl underneath the water 29 throughout the length of the growing region. Since the water in such q~lueductc is usually relatively cool compared to the ambient air, it is possible to m-qint~in the relatively cool le.llpe.dL~Ile and high 10 density of the carbon dioxide. It will also be app~cia~ed that using such aque~uc~c will reduce ~he need for o~ ;~ new right-of-ways.
Figure 5 depicts an al~mqtive ~mbo~ .crll in which the ~q~ ~ ctc 26 may be covered by an elongated hood 24. The ca~bon dioxide 20 is ha~ in the space 23 between the water 29 and the hood 24 by pumps (not shown) which may be 15 ~x~ on~ in the hood at the existing Y~ stations in the ~qneducts.
In another eln~iim~nt of the invention, captured carbon dioxide may be stored and transported in large und~ oulld aquifers eYtenrlin~ from loc~tit:~nc where carbon dioxide is produced to a~ Ult~ areas where it may be ~cycled acco,di.lg tQ the present invention. One such aquifer is the Ogalalla Aquifer ~Ct~nriin~ from Nor~
2G Dakota to Texas in the United States. I~ge ~mol~n~C of car~on dioxide may be depos;l~ into such aquifers at ;~ 1 loc~t;~nc such as Omaha, NehP~ . As the Gubon dioxide is rl~ oc;t~l into the aquifers, it will tend to flow through the aquifer until a layer of ca~t>on dioxide is present throughou~ .s~bct~nti~lly all of the aquifer.
Cubon dioxide may be ~ ,led onto cr~ps in agricultural regions located above a 25 portion of the aquifer where the flow of the carbon dioxide has rr"~hPA This P~ utilizes the natural ha~ ~On ~L u~u~, offered by u~ uund aquifers, while Cim~lt~n~ouSly l,le~e.~i~g the ca~bon dioxide from ~ - rin~ the ~tmosph~o.re and pl~&l~g it for use in a~i~ tl~re.
The stcp of h.u~s~,hng the carbon dioxide from the l-nde.~;-o~nd void to a 3û tract of plants in~ludes either ~phQnil~g or pumping the carbon dioxide from the under~,ound voids through the irlfrastructure to the plants. Fig. 3 depicts a preferred embodlment in which naturally occurring siphons 9 may be used to drive the stored ~ ~ rt 1 4 3 5 wo 95/32611 P~-l/u:,3~ 3s carbon dioYide across sig.~il,~n~ dict:ln~x5 through a ~ransporlation infraslructure. A
source of carbon dioxide may be located near the top of an unde,~;round void so that the carbon dioxide may be injected at a point 11 that is elevated above the point where the cooled, high density carbon dioxide is eYtr~trd from the void. The .liffc.~,~ce in S elevation and density will cause the carbon dioxide to flow out of the void at the r~ .ng point without ..~crh~nir~l ac~;ct~nee Such siphoning-like action may then be utilized to drive the car'oon dioxide through a ~ Lation infIwucture over ~i~nific~nt ~iict~nC~S quite ;..~ nc;v~ly.
ln another e.l.bod~.cl.l, the ~ C;r..~ ca~bon dioxide may be pumped through 10 the infrasl,u~;~u~ to the tracts of plants in a manner similar to the p~ lpil~g of water.
.One such system for P ~.l h~g water already exists ~w~n Mono I~ke, California, and Los Angeles, California.
After L an~ ing the cooled, dcnC;r.~ carbon dioxide to the tract of plants, the method of the invention involves ~ u~ the densified carbon dioxide to the plallts.
IS The lictrihution step of the present invention prefe~ably uses exis~ing localized imgation systems for di~l.ib.~-ng this carbon diox~de tO plants under field conditions.
If deemed n~ysc~y~ existing irng~qti-n systems may be modified by providing a sepq~at~ feed hosc for con-~r ~ the local irrigation systems to the main carbon dioxide Lla~la~iOn il~laS~ Ulc used in the t~nsportation step of the invention. In 20 a case where the ~ ,ul~tion inf,~ul,cture lines are located in ?,~Iu~ c, t~e local irn~tif)n systems may be co~ cd to the ~ ol~tion i~fiasLI~clure by a sep pipe or hose that extends from the ~u.~ion infrastructure to exis~ng ;~.;g~l;o..sysf~erns. After an ;-.;g~l;oll system is co.~n~t~d to the carbon dioxide ~
i~l~L~u~ " car~on dioxide may be pumped thr~ugh the ;-.;~jO~ n sy~cm on the 25 plants~
One conv~lional ;..ig,~ system particularly well suited for use in the p~sent ihl~l. nlio.l is the pivot irr~ga~ion system. R~fe.l-ng to Figure 6, the pivot ihl~ation 30 system has a long ho~ pipe 32 ~uppollcd above the height of the c~p by a pivot member 37 and SUppCIllS 38. A wheel 39 may be ~ hed to the lower end of the suppon 38 allowing the irrigatioll system 30 to pivot about the pivot member 37. ~
plurality of hoses 34 may depend do~n~ily from the bottom of the ho-~ l pipe 32. Irrigation in the pivot system is ~ pliCl,~ by pumping water through the ~19~435 WO 9S132611 PCI/US~5tOS235 horizontal pipe 32 from a feed line 33, and delivering the water to the plants 100 near ground level through the downwardly dcpe~ g hoses 34.
Referring to Figure 7, a pivot system 30' may be adapted to deliver carbon dioYide to plants by providing a sCpqr~t~ feed 43 hose through which carbon dioxide 5 may be pumped. The carbon dioxide may be pumped either into the hozol~l pipe 32 and through the down~lly ~y~ n~ hoses 34, or a separate h~ t .l hose 42 cor-nP,ctP~ to a number of separate downwardly depen~lin~e lines 44. In t_is embo~im~nt, the high density carbon dioxide will be delivered in very close proYimity to the plants 100 where it will have the highest rate of absorption into the plants. As such, the present invention in~yrencively converts existing irrigation systems 30 to dual use irrigation systems 30' that may deliver both water and carbon dioxide to plants at or near ground level.
In an alternative, existing drip irrigation systems may be used to distribute the high density carbon dioxide to plants. I~efe~llng to Figure 8, hoses 54 may be positio~A in fields in close pro,.ilnily to plants 100, and connected to both a water supply and a carbon dioxide lldns~l~lion infrastructure by a feed line 53. The hoses S4 may also be pipes or any other type of conduit capable of tl~r.~o.ling c~rbondioxide. The hoses 54 have a number of holes 56 along their length through which the water or the carbon dioxide, or both, is ~ ul~d to the plants 100. After the plants 100 a~e ready for haTves~ng, the hoses 54 may simply be removed from the fields to accommodate halvesting e~ p-~ or pc.~oMel.
Figures 9 and 10 depict another device for distributing the high density caIbon dioxide to plant in accord~nce with the present invention. After a tract has been tilled and planted, a number of hoses 54 for distributing car~on dioxide to the plants may be deployed in the field using a hose roll-out and Ietrieving system. The roll-out system may include a number of vheels 55 ~ hcd to a commoo shaft 57. Ihe sha~ 57 may be rotatably SL~pO~L~d by a number of stanchions 58 spaced along thc length of the shaft 57. Each hose 54, similar to that shown in Figure 8, may have one end ~n~rhed to a wheel 55 and the other end ~t~^hed tO a common pull bar 59. The pull bar 59may be operatively ~hed to a tractor 50 so that the hoses 54 will be posil.oned in the field by merely driving the tractor 50 and pull bar 59 away from the co...mol. shaft 57. The cart~on dioxide may be d~s~.ibul~d to plants through the hoses 54 by 2~91435 WO 9~13261~ ,9~'~S23~
co.~ c~;.,g the hoses to a carbon dioxide feed line (not shown) running through the shaft 57, and pu~-r;.-~ the carbon dioxide through the hoses 54.
Referring specifically to Figure 10, the hoses 54 may be retrieved from the field by attaching the power-take-off 51 of the tractor 50 to the common shaft 57 at a joint 52. P~or to harvesting, the hoses 54 may be wound onto the wheels 55 as the power-take-off 51 rotates the shaft 57 in a manner that retracts the hoses 54 frorn the fieldO
The distnbuting step of the present invention invoives dis~ibuting carbon dioxide to plants in . n individual tract of land under field con~ on.c, optimally during 10 the daylight hours when pholo~ thcsis occurs. Ideally, the carbon dioxide is . delivered to the plants when the ~ -r~ e is ~,t~.~" 70F and 80F, the optimalt~ pc..~ ; range for photo~ csis. It will be a~iatcd that car~on dioxide may be delive~d at other t~ es, and in fact, the cooling effect of the cooled carbon dioxide may keep the t~ c next to the plants between 70-80F even though the 15 ambient t~ c is higher, such as 90F or more. As such, the ~ ulion step of the present system not only provides more caIbon dioxide when the plants are at pcak photosynthesis le ,p e "~u~,,5, but it also prolongs the tirne period when those .,S occur.
The ~ tnhution step of the invention rnql...-;,f~ the use of exis~ing inig~q~ion20 systems because water is gçner~lly delivered to the plants using such systems during the evening and night hours in order to minimi7~ evapo~ation and m~imi7f-absolption~ while photosynthesis can only occur during the daylight hours.
Aitionqlly~ us~nt~is is optirnal when the ~ e is between 70 and 80, a ~ Y-~u~c range which is highly inPffiriPnt for irri~qtinn with water due to 25 e~ losses. Thus, the present invention con~,.ls con~e.~lio.~al single use water ~mgation systems into ~ighly ~rr.,~ dual use water and carbon dioxide ;- . ;gd~;n~
systems without any impact on water ;.."j"l;n-~.
The i.~t~ c~ s of the steps of the method of the present im~ention provides a co,l.p,ehcn~ive method for reducing the arnount of carbon dioxide that 30 enters the ~tmosrhere while enhqnr~ plant growth in an effective and economical manner. The present invention may also minimi7e capital e~l~en~ ,s by using existing undc,lglv~nd voids and existing ir~igation systems to implement the process.
2191~35 wo 95132611 Pcr/us9slos23s Most illlpo.~ly, the method of the present invention is capable of using a Largeamount of carbon dioxide, which would otherwise enter the atmosphere, for the beneficial purpose of enhqn~ing plant growth.
The above liccuccion is directed prirnarily toward growing plants on traas of 5 land. In an alternative -ho~ of the invcntion sch .~t;f~11y shown in Figure 11, the method int~h1de5 the steps of carturing the carbon llinxi~ie, delivering the carbon dioxide to a sewage tlcatlU. ll facility, U~ gn~ g sewage effluent with the c~u.~d carbon dioxide, and del,ositi~g the carbon dioxide-rich effluent into a Large body of water such as a sea, ocean or even a large fresh water lake. The body of water should be s,lrrci~ ly large so that the ratio of the volume of cffluent to thc existing volume of water is less than one percent. The capturing step of this embodiment may be perfonned by any of the tech~iqucs described above such as at a carbon dioxide source 62. The delivery step of this embo~liment rnay be perforrned by direct delivery of the captured carbon dioxide to the sewage ~I~at",. nt facility 66 using pipes 64 or the like.
Where direct delivery is not available, the captured carbon dioxide may be enr: rs~ ed and hauled as des~ above in reference to other embodiments of the inventiom The ~lpl~6~ g step may be perfonned in any number of ways, such as by bubbling carbon dioxide gas th~ough sewage effluent. Preferably, the carbon dioxide is introduced to the sewage effluent shortly before the efnuent is deposited into the occan 60 so that it may not escape into the ~tmosrh~re.
The dcpoalLi-lg step may be p~ lro.",ed by introducing the carbon dioxide-enr~h~d eMuent into the existing systems that use outfall pipes 68 to deposit sewage effluent into the ocean. One such system is currently being built irl Boston, ~s~ch1~nC and other systems aLready exist in Los Angeles, California and San Diego, C'~ o~i~ Preferably, this embodhucn1 is used in cities 61 located near a body of water which have an existing infraahu~;~urt to deposit sewage effluent into the water seve~ miles from the shore. The d~-~osihng step may ~ ~qtively be perforrned by ioading thc carbon dioxide-.l"~l~gnated eMuent into a tanker ship, and shipping it to a deposit site in a large body of water.
Referring to Figures ll and 12, a ylefull~d embodirnent piaces carbon dioxide-prl ~nat~i effiuent 80 in an aquatic farrn 69 for growing carbon dioxide-absoil,ing algae and the like. A co~ 1 apparatus having a perirneter 70 that may be made 21ql435 wo 9~132611 PCr/US95/û5235 from a floating boom such as the type used to contain oil spills can be used to def~ne the area of the aquatic fa~n. The cor~ Ja dl~lS may further have a weighted fabric curtaun 71 depending downwardly into the water to depth of at least one foot, and a grid of cross booms 76 floating on the surface to enhance the res-raining 5 ch^~ctcn~tirs of the cO-~ pp~ s. The c~ Ap~ t~s may be very large, oc- ul)~ing several square milcs of surface area, and should be pssition~d so that a leading end 72 is placed u~current and a trai~ing cnd is placed down-current of a current 63. The step inn~U~es placing carbon dioxide-illlplc~nated eMuent 80 into the leading end 72 of the c~ ..l apparatus and let~ing algae or the like grow as it 10 floats with the current towards the trailing end 74. A harvesting vessel 90 may be positioned at the ~ailing end 74 of the c~ e ~l ar~ 5 to process the resulting algae mto a useful s.ll~s~An~e, or the algae may be allowed to float freely, providing an abuDdant food source for aquatic life.
In a plefellcd çmbo~ of the sewage eMucnt invéntion, excess heat 15 eYh~ t~ from the power plant 62 is used to heat the carbon dioxide-ilnl)lc~nated sewage effluent 80. Alternatively, the cffluent may be heated using heat from a g~oth~ source. The heated effluent 80 is then deposi~ed and placed on the surface of the water in an aquatic fann 69 as previously described. By dc~osili..g heated effluent 80 in the farm 69, the cffluent 80 will tend to rcmain on the surface of the 20 water for a period of tune, thereby enhqrh ;.~g the ability of the floating barriers 70 to contain the effluent 80.
Such aquatic fanns 69 may be located at the te~nin~l end of an outfall pipe 68, or other st~t~gjr locations, such as e~4h~ sites, shipping lanes, or oiL/gas platforms. In one ern~l;.. -1~. the aquatic farm 69 may be located at an oil platform such as the Kerr-McG~e CG1~ O~S PLI1l`U1111 il'l the North Sea. ~'çn~lly, oil/gas pi~rulllls are a source of carbon dioxide and heat as they bum off excess gases that are produced while e,~ L;ng oil. In this ~ rn~, the floating boom 70 and grids 76 may be att~nh~ to the platform (not shown) or anchored nearby. For eY~mple, in the Kerr-~cGee pla~orm, the ~l ~r~....c may be att~^hed to a ct~inn~ry ship. The30 effluent 80 may be t~ansported to the aquatic farm 69 in tanker ships, and depos;
into the aquatic farm as the ships are loaded with oil from the plaLl~ . One side benefit of ~n~ hin~ the floating boom 70 to an oil/gas plafform is that the booms are ~-19~435 wo 95132611 ~ 3~^~s23s also available for oil spi s. The effluent 80 may be delivered to such sites, using large, collapsible bladders (not shown) sisnilar to those described in U.S. Patent No 5,300,226 on tanker ships. Preferably, the bladders can be filled with effluent as the cargo of the ship is emptied while the ship is in port. The eMuent may then be 5 transported in tJle tanker ship to an aquatic farm and disch~,cd from the ship into the aquatic fann. By cim~ n~oucly loading the effluent and discha,ging oil/gas, and locating the aquatic farm near a shipping lane, the additional tirne ~ecesC~try to haul the eMuent is minimi7ed. Preferably, the eMuent is hauled in regular tankers and carbon dioxide may be hauled in the gaseous or liquid state in Liquid Natural Gas ships.
In another embodil~.e.~L of the invention, the floating barrier 70 can be used to riic~nbut~ excess carhon dioxide to the floating effluent 80 in the farm 69. In one embo ltmPnt, a positive pl~,SSll~ of carbon dioxide gas is n~ i;n~d in the floating barrier ~0, and the gas is allowed to flow out of the barrier through small orifices (not snown) along the inner pc ;...~lç. of the bamer. In a preferred embodiment, a lS separate conduit 82 through which carbon dioxide 83 may flow may be carried by the floating barrier 70 and the grids 76. The separate conduit may have a number of holes along its length so that carbon dioxide 83 may be distributed to the effluent 80 The floating banier 70 and the grids 76, therefore, may serve to both contain the eMuent 80 and support the delivery and rlictt;huti~)n of carbon dioxide to the effluentIn a p.efGll~l embodiment of the invcntion, the floating barriers 70 may be ~.JI.lllelged in case the watcr bccollles too rough and threatens to damage the barrier.
In this Pmho-limPnt~ the barrier may be deflated or weighted by using weights (not shown) having an app~u~liate specific gravity which may be Att~hçd to thc barrier so tha~ the barrier will be s.~b",.,.g~ to a pl~ r~ depth. Simi~rly, the baniers 70may be ,vb--~G-~;ed using a balast such as water or any other suitable balast. ~lthol~h the sewage efnuent 80 will float freely aRer the b~uTier is sul"-.~ d, the barner will not be ~iA~ ,ge~ and it can be re-inflated and used again.
The embodiment rn which the sewage effluent is i,lJ~lGg~ated with carbon dioxide is an GALIG~llCly adv~ cous method of recycling carbon dioxide be~ause this embodirnent will not require the construction of any significant infrastmcture in order to irnplement the method. Moreover, the carbon dioxide-enriched sewage effluent will 21~1435 WO 95/3261 1 PCr/lJS9~lOS23S
encou~ge the growth of basic sea life, helping to replenish the overburdened ecosystems in our oceans.
While a preferred Pmbo ~ el~t of the present invention has been described, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations and modifications may be made S therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.
througn an exhaust stack or the like.
Car~on dioxide may be captured from fixed point sources using a number of 10 available devices and mP ho~s One such device is described in U.S. Patent No 4,073,099 for a SYST~M OF UTILIZATlON OF E~IAUST GASES FOR PLANT
GROWTH, herein incG.~o.ated by l~fe-~,nce, ~hich discloses a memblane that is used in exhaust flues to isolate carbon dioxide from other materials. Another known method, called adso~ption, captures carbon dioxide from dehnmi~lified flue gas. By 1~ feeding the flue gas into a series of large tanks, each tank may hold hp~ tf~ly 4,500 lbs. of zeolite pellets or an equivalent. The carbon dioxide adsorbs onto the zeolite as it filters th~ough the pellets, and the gas flow is diverted to a Su~sf~ nl tank after the zeolite is ~ -~...,.lf~. The carbon dioxide is 5f'p~tf`-5i from the zeolite in the initial tank by depress~"7in~ . nd heating the zeolite. The carbon dioxide may then be 20 eQIlf~tP~d and co,l,pl~ss~d in cP~q~P- tanks.
Another known p~ce~ss, called absorption, relies on a chf~mirql rEaction using .~ on~ ol- ..;n~. and similar ch~mirQ1c. In the abso-~ion method~ the mono~ n~ e drips through a s"c~ss;~n of ch~ as the flue gas travels up the exhaust flue. Ille car~on dioxide reacts with the monoe~ ol~min~, and the 25 carbon dioxide-laden mo~ nolarnine is c~l~.xtf~d at the bottom. The carbon dioxide-laden mon~llqn~1qminp is then removed from the flue, reheated to release the carbon dioxide, and then the mon~hqnolqrnine is recycled. The carbon dioxide that is released from the monG~ nolqmine is collected and CGIll~ul~Sed in tanks.
In addition to capturing ca bon dioxide from point wurces, carbon dioxide may 30 also be captured over relatively large areas where car~on dioxide is produced by biologicl d~---yosiLion. In order to capture carbon dioxide over such large areas, air can be drawn inwardly thlough the comrostin,e area so that the carbon dioxide is - - - .
2 I q ~ 4 3 ~
wo 95/32611 Pcr/usss/0s~
lly .nhaled at the center of such areas The air and ca-~on dioxide may then be diverted to a nearby facility that 5~ S the carbon dioxide and stores it in acon~ f~ Carbon dioxide may also be cnllfcte~ from coul,oGsting areas by coveringthe cG~ ng areas and p~,l").ng oxygen into the enrlQsure, thereby e~lling the 5 carbon dioxide In a pl~fe l~d embo~limrnt the composting facility or anaerobicdigester is located und. .~;~u,lnd iD an ~hqn~onr~ mine or the .ike, in which the carbon dioxide may sirnply be captured in the undeJ~lound cavity as it is naturally released By locating the source of carbon dioxide unde,~;luund, the extent of speci~li7e~cquipn~enl n~os~ ~ to captl re the carbon dioxide is significantly reduced After the carbon dioxide is c.~tul~,d, thè next step involves deposi~ing the captured ca~on dioxide in an und~ ound void This step may involve providing a specific t~rpe of undel~,uund void 5, I,~r,sre,l"~g the cart~oD dioxide from the source w~e~ it is cayluled tû such an undc~l`ound void, and d~ e the carbon dioxide ~r the u~del~lvu.1d void This aspect of the .nvention le;luues l."dc.~;lvu"d voids S that5 are e~senti~lly free of, ~ and other gases that are toxic to plants, and have s that are less than the ambient daytirne t~ s~Us`t; during the grow.ng season By being Sut";~ y free of such gases, the voids S w- l not cont~minq~te the car~on dioxide and render it tox.c to phnts The undel~,uund void may be an q-b~ ndr,~ed m~ne S or natural geologic formation 5', such as underground aquifer, but 20 any natural or man-made undelE;lo~l~d void meeting the above l~quihe ucnls may be used Ideally, such an qb~nAon-d mine is located near a source of carbon dioxide and a ~ract of plants, ~ltho~lgll such a location is not ne~rS~ry If the carbon dioxide is coll~t~ abtNe ground, e g, as shown in Figure ~, the d~posi iog step of the iu~l_~ion will also include transferring the ~ carbon 25 dioxide to the unde~,u.~d void In a p-efe.,. d embo~limçnt the un~l~;,u-l"d void 5 is located p-ùX~ud]ly to a source of carbon dioxide 62 so that the C~)lUl~d carbon diox~de may be di~ectly dcpo~;t~ d 8 ioto the Lnde g,u~lnd void using a pipe, or some other suitable conduit for gases ln cases where the unde.g~ù -~ voids are not located p~o~i~lally to the sources of carbon ~ioYi~e. the d~ositing st~p may further include 30 ~ nr~rsulq~ the ~ tul~d carbon dioxide (such as in a p,es~u~ed tank, not shown)~
and hauling it from the sources to the undh~l.,und voids In a ~ r~.lcd embodiment~
the ca~tu,~ carbon dioxide is hauled from a point source to an unde.~,~,und void that 21ql~35 WO 95t32611 PCI1~1S95/0523s is an abandoned mine using the back`haul leg of a de~ic~ted coal railcar line. ln such an embodimenl, the carbon dioxide may be hauled in its gas, liquid or solid states.
In the event that ~he carbon dioxide is hauled in its liquid state, the liquified ~arbon dioxide may be e .~s-~ J in a conventional tanker car. Preferably, the 5 carbon dioxide is ent~arsul~tP~i and hauled in its gaseous or solid state. In such a prefe~.~d embo~1im~nt the carbon dioxide is encapsulated in colLapsible intermodal con~il-( a. One embodiment of such coll~rs~ e intermodal cQnt~in~rs are described in the present inventor's U.S. Patent Application Serial Nos. 08/233,111, for a COLLAPS~LE CONTAIN~ FOR HAUI~G BUI~C MATERIALS, and 08/190,989, for a CONTAINFR AND MEIHOD FOR TR~OKl~G FINELY
DIVIDED AND DRIED COAL, both of which are herein inco~ t~d by ,~ft-ence.
When the carbon dioxide is hauled in its solid state, it may be crushed and placed into the coll~s ''- int~mo 1~1 co~ el~, In order to remove the solid ca~bon dioxide from the CO11~C;~ te~ CCJ~ after they have been transferrcd to 15 an underground void, the collarc~ . inter nodal containers may simply be opened and the solid carbon dioxide allowed to sublirnate out of the con~in~r. ln another embodh,.~ t, a hood or suction means may be placed over the open cQIl~rsible intermodal con~ to increase the rate of sublim~tion. When the carbon dioxide is to be çnr~s~ t~d in its gaseous state, it may be p1aced directly into the col~apsible 20 ~,l~c, Illodal containers.
After the c~ u-cd carbon dioxide is transferled to a location adjacent an unde.g,wnd void, it may be d~,~os:lrd in the voids by ~u~ )ing it down to an dhJluyl~lc dcpth. In one plefi,.l~ embof~ ', the unde~lûu.~d void is a n~ine 5 provided with an cxis~ng vrn~ tion system 8 for delivering fresh air f~m the surface 25 to the far reaches of the minc. 5çn~11y~ all modem unde~,~u"d rn~ning op~r~ign~
utili7e such delivery systcms. In this ç...~;...r.~l, the carbon dioxide rnay bede~oslted in the undul~uund mines by si nply feeding h into the existing ventil~tinn system for delivering fresh air into ~he mines. I~rge volumes of carbon dioxide may be deposited into an w,de.E;,-_ ~ void in this marmer.
After the ca~bon dioxide is deposited into an underground void, the present invention involves storing the car~on dioxide in the voids. The pu~pose of storing the carbon dioxide in the cool und~ u~nd voids is to increase the density of the carbon ~191435 wo 9S/32611 Pcrlusss/o523s dioxide. ~lthou~h ca~bon dioxide is naturally more dense than ambient air at the sarne ,u~alulcS~ captured carbon dioxide is generally heated to a point where its density is less than that of ambient air. As such, if captured carbon dioxide is distributed to a tract of plants, it will rise and diffuæ into the i tmo~h~re before the plants are able to S absorb the carbon dioxide forp~ tos~"thesis. Tk~role, by incl~sing the density of tbe carbon dioxide before it is dcl;~ d to the plant, the carbon dioxidc stays in close il~ y to the plants during the pl,olo;,~ulhesis process.
The storing step of the present invendon inrhlde~ keeping the deposited carbon dioxide in a cool unde.~.u.md void having a tempe~ature that is less than the ~m~iPnt 10 daytirne t~ Y~Ih~G during tbe E;~ing season until the car~on dioxide cools to a tc.llp~lalulc that is at least equal to, and preferably less than, the ~mi~ient daytime te~ . In a ~lef~ ,d fA~ o~ f~ , the canbon dioxide is stored in an under~ nd void having a lf~ f ~ G that is less than 65F. until the carbon dioxide reaches a ~pclatu~i that is less than 68F. By ~ducing the tempcrature of the 15 carbon dioxide, the density of the caIbon dioxide will be increased sufficiently to pe~mit the calbon dioxide to stay in dose plu~illliLy to the pl~nts until it can be absor~ed by the plants.
After the storing step of the present invention, the method in~ es tran~o~ g the df n~ d carbon dioxide to a t~act of plants. In a p~er~ d e~ iraent~ the 20 ~ ul~ion step of t~hc prcsent u~ ion ;~rl~.d~ an ~ .cL~ie ~ ;n~
between the ul~d~E~lwnd void and a large a~ ral producing region. The infras~ructure is preferably a system of pipes that will be provided frûm the unde.~.u~r~d s~orage void to the regions where crops are gr~wing ~n the case where n~ining lands are ~eing ~ ~, the distances using the infrastructure may be fairly 25 shon because such lands are located ~lv~ ly to ~h~n~nPd mines. 12~fPrling to Figs. l, 2A and 2B, it will be ~ t~d that a t~act of plants loca~ed in close plu~iulily to the u~dc,~,luuùd voids will ~quire a minim~l amount of infras~ucture to - - transpolt the carbon dioxide from the undul~,uund void to the plants. ln a plc;~~
~ m~nt an und~luul~d pipe 7in Figure 1 or 9 in Figure 2B) may be used that directly CQn~'e~1~ the uudel~ùund void to the pLants.
In other cases, the undel~,ùu,ld voids may be located some distance fnom the agricul~rRl regions. Chne such case is the San Joaquin Va~ey in cent ~ and southern 2~ 35 wo 9SI32611 PCr/USg5J0523s California. The ir~uctu~ uil~d to perform the t~ ~Lion slep in such a region may include a system of pipes e~t~nf~ from the undelg,ound void directly to the growing region. Another embodiment, shown in Fig. 4, may include a system ofunderground pipes from the underground void Pl~tPntling to the existing aqueducts 26 5 that run through many of the growing regions in the western United States. ForeY~mpl~., once the pipes reach the aqueduct, another pipe or hose 22 may be positioned on the floor of the aqueducl underneath the water 29 throughout the length of the growing region. Since the water in such q~lueductc is usually relatively cool compared to the ambient air, it is possible to m-qint~in the relatively cool le.llpe.dL~Ile and high 10 density of the carbon dioxide. It will also be app~cia~ed that using such aque~uc~c will reduce ~he need for o~ ;~ new right-of-ways.
Figure 5 depicts an al~mqtive ~mbo~ .crll in which the ~q~ ~ ctc 26 may be covered by an elongated hood 24. The ca~bon dioxide 20 is ha~ in the space 23 between the water 29 and the hood 24 by pumps (not shown) which may be 15 ~x~ on~ in the hood at the existing Y~ stations in the ~qneducts.
In another eln~iim~nt of the invention, captured carbon dioxide may be stored and transported in large und~ oulld aquifers eYtenrlin~ from loc~tit:~nc where carbon dioxide is produced to a~ Ult~ areas where it may be ~cycled acco,di.lg tQ the present invention. One such aquifer is the Ogalalla Aquifer ~Ct~nriin~ from Nor~
2G Dakota to Texas in the United States. I~ge ~mol~n~C of car~on dioxide may be depos;l~ into such aquifers at ;~ 1 loc~t;~nc such as Omaha, NehP~ . As the Gubon dioxide is rl~ oc;t~l into the aquifers, it will tend to flow through the aquifer until a layer of ca~t>on dioxide is present throughou~ .s~bct~nti~lly all of the aquifer.
Cubon dioxide may be ~ ,led onto cr~ps in agricultural regions located above a 25 portion of the aquifer where the flow of the carbon dioxide has rr"~hPA This P~ utilizes the natural ha~ ~On ~L u~u~, offered by u~ uund aquifers, while Cim~lt~n~ouSly l,le~e.~i~g the ca~bon dioxide from ~ - rin~ the ~tmosph~o.re and pl~&l~g it for use in a~i~ tl~re.
The stcp of h.u~s~,hng the carbon dioxide from the l-nde.~;-o~nd void to a 3û tract of plants in~ludes either ~phQnil~g or pumping the carbon dioxide from the under~,ound voids through the irlfrastructure to the plants. Fig. 3 depicts a preferred embodlment in which naturally occurring siphons 9 may be used to drive the stored ~ ~ rt 1 4 3 5 wo 95/32611 P~-l/u:,3~ 3s carbon dioYide across sig.~il,~n~ dict:ln~x5 through a ~ransporlation infraslructure. A
source of carbon dioxide may be located near the top of an unde,~;round void so that the carbon dioxide may be injected at a point 11 that is elevated above the point where the cooled, high density carbon dioxide is eYtr~trd from the void. The .liffc.~,~ce in S elevation and density will cause the carbon dioxide to flow out of the void at the r~ .ng point without ..~crh~nir~l ac~;ct~nee Such siphoning-like action may then be utilized to drive the car'oon dioxide through a ~ Lation infIwucture over ~i~nific~nt ~iict~nC~S quite ;..~ nc;v~ly.
ln another e.l.bod~.cl.l, the ~ C;r..~ ca~bon dioxide may be pumped through 10 the infrasl,u~;~u~ to the tracts of plants in a manner similar to the p~ lpil~g of water.
.One such system for P ~.l h~g water already exists ~w~n Mono I~ke, California, and Los Angeles, California.
After L an~ ing the cooled, dcnC;r.~ carbon dioxide to the tract of plants, the method of the invention involves ~ u~ the densified carbon dioxide to the plallts.
IS The lictrihution step of the present invention prefe~ably uses exis~ing localized imgation systems for di~l.ib.~-ng this carbon diox~de tO plants under field conditions.
If deemed n~ysc~y~ existing irng~qti-n systems may be modified by providing a sepq~at~ feed hosc for con-~r ~ the local irrigation systems to the main carbon dioxide Lla~la~iOn il~laS~ Ulc used in the t~nsportation step of the invention. In 20 a case where the ~ ,ul~tion inf,~ul,cture lines are located in ?,~Iu~ c, t~e local irn~tif)n systems may be co~ cd to the ~ ol~tion i~fiasLI~clure by a sep pipe or hose that extends from the ~u.~ion infrastructure to exis~ng ;~.;g~l;o..sysf~erns. After an ;-.;g~l;oll system is co.~n~t~d to the carbon dioxide ~
i~l~L~u~ " car~on dioxide may be pumped thr~ugh the ;-.;~jO~ n sy~cm on the 25 plants~
One conv~lional ;..ig,~ system particularly well suited for use in the p~sent ihl~l. nlio.l is the pivot irr~ga~ion system. R~fe.l-ng to Figure 6, the pivot ihl~ation 30 system has a long ho~ pipe 32 ~uppollcd above the height of the c~p by a pivot member 37 and SUppCIllS 38. A wheel 39 may be ~ hed to the lower end of the suppon 38 allowing the irrigatioll system 30 to pivot about the pivot member 37. ~
plurality of hoses 34 may depend do~n~ily from the bottom of the ho-~ l pipe 32. Irrigation in the pivot system is ~ pliCl,~ by pumping water through the ~19~435 WO 9S132611 PCI/US~5tOS235 horizontal pipe 32 from a feed line 33, and delivering the water to the plants 100 near ground level through the downwardly dcpe~ g hoses 34.
Referring to Figure 7, a pivot system 30' may be adapted to deliver carbon dioYide to plants by providing a sCpqr~t~ feed 43 hose through which carbon dioxide 5 may be pumped. The carbon dioxide may be pumped either into the hozol~l pipe 32 and through the down~lly ~y~ n~ hoses 34, or a separate h~ t .l hose 42 cor-nP,ctP~ to a number of separate downwardly depen~lin~e lines 44. In t_is embo~im~nt, the high density carbon dioxide will be delivered in very close proYimity to the plants 100 where it will have the highest rate of absorption into the plants. As such, the present invention in~yrencively converts existing irrigation systems 30 to dual use irrigation systems 30' that may deliver both water and carbon dioxide to plants at or near ground level.
In an alternative, existing drip irrigation systems may be used to distribute the high density carbon dioxide to plants. I~efe~llng to Figure 8, hoses 54 may be positio~A in fields in close pro,.ilnily to plants 100, and connected to both a water supply and a carbon dioxide lldns~l~lion infrastructure by a feed line 53. The hoses S4 may also be pipes or any other type of conduit capable of tl~r.~o.ling c~rbondioxide. The hoses 54 have a number of holes 56 along their length through which the water or the carbon dioxide, or both, is ~ ul~d to the plants 100. After the plants 100 a~e ready for haTves~ng, the hoses 54 may simply be removed from the fields to accommodate halvesting e~ p-~ or pc.~oMel.
Figures 9 and 10 depict another device for distributing the high density caIbon dioxide to plant in accord~nce with the present invention. After a tract has been tilled and planted, a number of hoses 54 for distributing car~on dioxide to the plants may be deployed in the field using a hose roll-out and Ietrieving system. The roll-out system may include a number of vheels 55 ~ hcd to a commoo shaft 57. Ihe sha~ 57 may be rotatably SL~pO~L~d by a number of stanchions 58 spaced along thc length of the shaft 57. Each hose 54, similar to that shown in Figure 8, may have one end ~n~rhed to a wheel 55 and the other end ~t~^hed tO a common pull bar 59. The pull bar 59may be operatively ~hed to a tractor 50 so that the hoses 54 will be posil.oned in the field by merely driving the tractor 50 and pull bar 59 away from the co...mol. shaft 57. The cart~on dioxide may be d~s~.ibul~d to plants through the hoses 54 by 2~91435 WO 9~13261~ ,9~'~S23~
co.~ c~;.,g the hoses to a carbon dioxide feed line (not shown) running through the shaft 57, and pu~-r;.-~ the carbon dioxide through the hoses 54.
Referring specifically to Figure 10, the hoses 54 may be retrieved from the field by attaching the power-take-off 51 of the tractor 50 to the common shaft 57 at a joint 52. P~or to harvesting, the hoses 54 may be wound onto the wheels 55 as the power-take-off 51 rotates the shaft 57 in a manner that retracts the hoses 54 frorn the fieldO
The distnbuting step of the present invention invoives dis~ibuting carbon dioxide to plants in . n individual tract of land under field con~ on.c, optimally during 10 the daylight hours when pholo~ thcsis occurs. Ideally, the carbon dioxide is . delivered to the plants when the ~ -r~ e is ~,t~.~" 70F and 80F, the optimalt~ pc..~ ; range for photo~ csis. It will be a~iatcd that car~on dioxide may be delive~d at other t~ es, and in fact, the cooling effect of the cooled carbon dioxide may keep the t~ c next to the plants between 70-80F even though the 15 ambient t~ c is higher, such as 90F or more. As such, the ~ ulion step of the present system not only provides more caIbon dioxide when the plants are at pcak photosynthesis le ,p e "~u~,,5, but it also prolongs the tirne period when those .,S occur.
The ~ tnhution step of the invention rnql...-;,f~ the use of exis~ing inig~q~ion20 systems because water is gçner~lly delivered to the plants using such systems during the evening and night hours in order to minimi7~ evapo~ation and m~imi7f-absolption~ while photosynthesis can only occur during the daylight hours.
Aitionqlly~ us~nt~is is optirnal when the ~ e is between 70 and 80, a ~ Y-~u~c range which is highly inPffiriPnt for irri~qtinn with water due to 25 e~ losses. Thus, the present invention con~,.ls con~e.~lio.~al single use water ~mgation systems into ~ighly ~rr.,~ dual use water and carbon dioxide ;- . ;gd~;n~
systems without any impact on water ;.."j"l;n-~.
The i.~t~ c~ s of the steps of the method of the present im~ention provides a co,l.p,ehcn~ive method for reducing the arnount of carbon dioxide that 30 enters the ~tmosrhere while enhqnr~ plant growth in an effective and economical manner. The present invention may also minimi7e capital e~l~en~ ,s by using existing undc,lglv~nd voids and existing ir~igation systems to implement the process.
2191~35 wo 95132611 Pcr/us9slos23s Most illlpo.~ly, the method of the present invention is capable of using a Largeamount of carbon dioxide, which would otherwise enter the atmosphere, for the beneficial purpose of enhqn~ing plant growth.
The above liccuccion is directed prirnarily toward growing plants on traas of 5 land. In an alternative -ho~ of the invcntion sch .~t;f~11y shown in Figure 11, the method int~h1de5 the steps of carturing the carbon llinxi~ie, delivering the carbon dioxide to a sewage tlcatlU. ll facility, U~ gn~ g sewage effluent with the c~u.~d carbon dioxide, and del,ositi~g the carbon dioxide-rich effluent into a Large body of water such as a sea, ocean or even a large fresh water lake. The body of water should be s,lrrci~ ly large so that the ratio of the volume of cffluent to thc existing volume of water is less than one percent. The capturing step of this embodiment may be perfonned by any of the tech~iqucs described above such as at a carbon dioxide source 62. The delivery step of this embo~liment rnay be perforrned by direct delivery of the captured carbon dioxide to the sewage ~I~at",. nt facility 66 using pipes 64 or the like.
Where direct delivery is not available, the captured carbon dioxide may be enr: rs~ ed and hauled as des~ above in reference to other embodiments of the inventiom The ~lpl~6~ g step may be perfonned in any number of ways, such as by bubbling carbon dioxide gas th~ough sewage effluent. Preferably, the carbon dioxide is introduced to the sewage effluent shortly before the efnuent is deposited into the occan 60 so that it may not escape into the ~tmosrh~re.
The dcpoalLi-lg step may be p~ lro.",ed by introducing the carbon dioxide-enr~h~d eMuent into the existing systems that use outfall pipes 68 to deposit sewage effluent into the ocean. One such system is currently being built irl Boston, ~s~ch1~nC and other systems aLready exist in Los Angeles, California and San Diego, C'~ o~i~ Preferably, this embodhucn1 is used in cities 61 located near a body of water which have an existing infraahu~;~urt to deposit sewage effluent into the water seve~ miles from the shore. The d~-~osihng step may ~ ~qtively be perforrned by ioading thc carbon dioxide-.l"~l~gnated eMuent into a tanker ship, and shipping it to a deposit site in a large body of water.
Referring to Figures ll and 12, a ylefull~d embodirnent piaces carbon dioxide-prl ~nat~i effiuent 80 in an aquatic farrn 69 for growing carbon dioxide-absoil,ing algae and the like. A co~ 1 apparatus having a perirneter 70 that may be made 21ql435 wo 9~132611 PCr/US95/û5235 from a floating boom such as the type used to contain oil spills can be used to def~ne the area of the aquatic fa~n. The cor~ Ja dl~lS may further have a weighted fabric curtaun 71 depending downwardly into the water to depth of at least one foot, and a grid of cross booms 76 floating on the surface to enhance the res-raining 5 ch^~ctcn~tirs of the cO-~ pp~ s. The c~ Ap~ t~s may be very large, oc- ul)~ing several square milcs of surface area, and should be pssition~d so that a leading end 72 is placed u~current and a trai~ing cnd is placed down-current of a current 63. The step inn~U~es placing carbon dioxide-illlplc~nated eMuent 80 into the leading end 72 of the c~ ..l apparatus and let~ing algae or the like grow as it 10 floats with the current towards the trailing end 74. A harvesting vessel 90 may be positioned at the ~ailing end 74 of the c~ e ~l ar~ 5 to process the resulting algae mto a useful s.ll~s~An~e, or the algae may be allowed to float freely, providing an abuDdant food source for aquatic life.
In a plefellcd çmbo~ of the sewage eMucnt invéntion, excess heat 15 eYh~ t~ from the power plant 62 is used to heat the carbon dioxide-ilnl)lc~nated sewage effluent 80. Alternatively, the cffluent may be heated using heat from a g~oth~ source. The heated effluent 80 is then deposi~ed and placed on the surface of the water in an aquatic fann 69 as previously described. By dc~osili..g heated effluent 80 in the farm 69, the cffluent 80 will tend to rcmain on the surface of the 20 water for a period of tune, thereby enhqrh ;.~g the ability of the floating barriers 70 to contain the effluent 80.
Such aquatic fanns 69 may be located at the te~nin~l end of an outfall pipe 68, or other st~t~gjr locations, such as e~4h~ sites, shipping lanes, or oiL/gas platforms. In one ern~l;.. -1~. the aquatic farm 69 may be located at an oil platform such as the Kerr-McG~e CG1~ O~S PLI1l`U1111 il'l the North Sea. ~'çn~lly, oil/gas pi~rulllls are a source of carbon dioxide and heat as they bum off excess gases that are produced while e,~ L;ng oil. In this ~ rn~, the floating boom 70 and grids 76 may be att~nh~ to the platform (not shown) or anchored nearby. For eY~mple, in the Kerr-~cGee pla~orm, the ~l ~r~....c may be att~^hed to a ct~inn~ry ship. The30 effluent 80 may be t~ansported to the aquatic farm 69 in tanker ships, and depos;
into the aquatic farm as the ships are loaded with oil from the plaLl~ . One side benefit of ~n~ hin~ the floating boom 70 to an oil/gas plafform is that the booms are ~-19~435 wo 95132611 ~ 3~^~s23s also available for oil spi s. The effluent 80 may be delivered to such sites, using large, collapsible bladders (not shown) sisnilar to those described in U.S. Patent No 5,300,226 on tanker ships. Preferably, the bladders can be filled with effluent as the cargo of the ship is emptied while the ship is in port. The eMuent may then be 5 transported in tJle tanker ship to an aquatic farm and disch~,cd from the ship into the aquatic fann. By cim~ n~oucly loading the effluent and discha,ging oil/gas, and locating the aquatic farm near a shipping lane, the additional tirne ~ecesC~try to haul the eMuent is minimi7ed. Preferably, the eMuent is hauled in regular tankers and carbon dioxide may be hauled in the gaseous or liquid state in Liquid Natural Gas ships.
In another embodil~.e.~L of the invention, the floating barrier 70 can be used to riic~nbut~ excess carhon dioxide to the floating effluent 80 in the farm 69. In one embo ltmPnt, a positive pl~,SSll~ of carbon dioxide gas is n~ i;n~d in the floating barrier ~0, and the gas is allowed to flow out of the barrier through small orifices (not snown) along the inner pc ;...~lç. of the bamer. In a preferred embodiment, a lS separate conduit 82 through which carbon dioxide 83 may flow may be carried by the floating barrier 70 and the grids 76. The separate conduit may have a number of holes along its length so that carbon dioxide 83 may be distributed to the effluent 80 The floating banier 70 and the grids 76, therefore, may serve to both contain the eMuent 80 and support the delivery and rlictt;huti~)n of carbon dioxide to the effluentIn a p.efGll~l embodiment of the invcntion, the floating barriers 70 may be ~.JI.lllelged in case the watcr bccollles too rough and threatens to damage the barrier.
In this Pmho-limPnt~ the barrier may be deflated or weighted by using weights (not shown) having an app~u~liate specific gravity which may be Att~hçd to thc barrier so tha~ the barrier will be s.~b",.,.g~ to a pl~ r~ depth. Simi~rly, the baniers 70may be ,vb--~G-~;ed using a balast such as water or any other suitable balast. ~lthol~h the sewage efnuent 80 will float freely aRer the b~uTier is sul"-.~ d, the barner will not be ~iA~ ,ge~ and it can be re-inflated and used again.
The embodiment rn which the sewage effluent is i,lJ~lGg~ated with carbon dioxide is an GALIG~llCly adv~ cous method of recycling carbon dioxide be~ause this embodirnent will not require the construction of any significant infrastmcture in order to irnplement the method. Moreover, the carbon dioxide-enriched sewage effluent will 21~1435 WO 95/3261 1 PCr/lJS9~lOS23S
encou~ge the growth of basic sea life, helping to replenish the overburdened ecosystems in our oceans.
While a preferred Pmbo ~ el~t of the present invention has been described, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations and modifications may be made S therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (20)
1. A method of recycling carbon dioxide for enhancing plant growth, comprising the steps of:
a) capturing carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide producing source;
b) providing an underground void being substantially free of methane and having a temperature less than ambient daytime temperatures during agrowing season and depositing the captured carbon dioxide into the underground void;
c) storing the carbon dioxide in the underground void at least until the deposited carbon dioxide cools to a temperature at least as low as the ambient daytime temperature;
transporting the stored carbon dioxide from the underground void to a tract of plants; and e) distributing the carbon dioxide to the plants within the tract.
a) capturing carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide producing source;
b) providing an underground void being substantially free of methane and having a temperature less than ambient daytime temperatures during agrowing season and depositing the captured carbon dioxide into the underground void;
c) storing the carbon dioxide in the underground void at least until the deposited carbon dioxide cools to a temperature at least as low as the ambient daytime temperature;
transporting the stored carbon dioxide from the underground void to a tract of plants; and e) distributing the carbon dioxide to the plants within the tract.
2. The method of Claim 1 further comprising the step of encapsulating the carbon dioxide after it has been captured.
3. The method of Claim 2, wherein the encapsulating step further comprises putting the carbon dioxide into a tanker rail car.
4. The method of Claim 2, wherein the encapsulating step further comprises putting the carbon dioxide into a collapsible, sealable container.
5. The method of Claim 1, wherein the underground void is a mine, the step of depositing the recovered carbon dioxide into the underground void comprising pumping the captured carbon dioxide into the mine.
6. The method of Claim 5, wherein the mine has a ventilation system, the carbon dioxide being pumped into the mine through the ventilation system.
7. The method of Claim 1, wherein the underground void is an aquifer, the step of depositing the recovered carbon dioxide into the underground void comprising pumping the captured carbon dioxide into the aquifer.
8. The method of Claim 1, wherein the transportation step further comprises siphoning the stored carbon dioxide from the underground void and through a distribution system to a tract of plants.
9. The method of Claim 1, wherein the transportation step further comprises pumping the carbon dioxide from the underground void to a plurality oftracts of plants through hoses disposed in existing aqueducts, the hoses having branches extending to individual tracts of plants.
10. The method of Claim 1, wherein the transportation step further comprises pumping the carbon dioxide from the underground void to a tract of plants through a hood positioned over existing aqueducts.
11. The method of Claim 7, wherein the transportation step further comprises extracting the carbon dioxide from the aquifer at a tract of plants located remotely from the location where the carbon dioxide is pumped into the aquifer.
12. The method of Claim 1, wherein a dual use irrigation apparatus capable of separately distributing water and carbon dioxide gas is provided, the distribution step further comprising pumping carbon dioxide through the irrigation apparatus during daylight hours and pumping water through the irrigation apparatus during non-daylight hours.
13. The method of Claim 12, wherein the carbon dioxide is pumped through the dual use irrigation apparatus when the ambient temperature is between about 70°F
and about 90°F.
and about 90°F.
14. The method of Claim 1, wherein the distribution step uses an irrigation apparatus having a shaft rotatably supported by a plurality of stanchions, a wheel attached to the shaft, and a hose having first and second ends, the first end of the hose being attached to the wheel and the second end of the hose being attached to a pull bar on the back of a tractor, further comprising deploying the hose in a field by moving the tractor generally away from the shaft, pumping carbon dioxide through the hose during daylight hours, and retracting the hose by rotating the shaft to roll the hose on the wheel.
15. A method of recycling carbon dioxide for absorption into sewage effluent, comprising the steps of:
a) capturing carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide producing source;
b) impregnating sewage effluent with carbon dioxide; and c) depositing the sewage effluent in a large body of water.
a) capturing carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide producing source;
b) impregnating sewage effluent with carbon dioxide; and c) depositing the sewage effluent in a large body of water.
16. The method of Claim 15, wherein the depositing step further comprises placing the carbon dioxide-impregnated sewage effluent into an aquatic farm for growing carbon dioxide-absorbing plants.
17. The method of Claim 15, further comprising the steps of heating the effluent and depositing the heated effluent in the large body of water.
18. The method of Claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the step of delivering the captured carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide producing source to the underground void through a dedicated conduit therebetween.
19. The method of Claim 16, wherein the method further comprises the steps of providing a floating barrier and positioning the floating barrier at a predetermined location on the body of water, the barrier defining the aquatic farm.
20. The method of Claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the step of placing the carbon dioxide producing source in the underground void.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US25041594A | 1994-05-27 | 1994-05-27 | |
| US08/250,415 | 1994-05-27 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2191435A1 true CA2191435A1 (en) | 1995-12-07 |
Family
ID=22947638
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002191435A Abandoned CA2191435A1 (en) | 1994-05-27 | 1995-05-24 | Method for recycling carbon dioxide for enhancing plant growth |
Country Status (12)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (2) | US5682709A (en) |
| EP (2) | EP0760594B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH10504704A (en) |
| AP (1) | AP702A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU706615B2 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9507777A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2191435A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69520040D1 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2155890T3 (en) |
| OA (1) | OA10383A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1995032611A1 (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA954157B (en) |
Families Citing this family (83)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2000514536A (en) | 1996-06-28 | 2000-10-31 | ジ・アグリカルチュラル・ガス・カンパニー | Improve pipeline utilization, including technology for transporting, distributing and supplying dioxide gas |
| US6196765B1 (en) | 1998-11-06 | 2001-03-06 | Joseph G. Harrington | Inhibiting acid mine drainage by displacing oxygen in rock heap |
| US6988548B2 (en) * | 2002-10-03 | 2006-01-24 | Cdx Gas, Llc | Method and system for removing fluid from a subterranean zone using an enlarged cavity |
| US6280000B1 (en) | 1998-11-20 | 2001-08-28 | Joseph A. Zupanick | Method for production of gas from a coal seam using intersecting well bores |
| US7025154B2 (en) | 1998-11-20 | 2006-04-11 | Cdx Gas, Llc | Method and system for circulating fluid in a well system |
| US7048049B2 (en) | 2001-10-30 | 2006-05-23 | Cdx Gas, Llc | Slant entry well system and method |
| US8297377B2 (en) | 1998-11-20 | 2012-10-30 | Vitruvian Exploration, Llc | Method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface and tools therefor |
| US6662870B1 (en) * | 2001-01-30 | 2003-12-16 | Cdx Gas, L.L.C. | Method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from a limited surface area |
| US8376052B2 (en) * | 1998-11-20 | 2013-02-19 | Vitruvian Exploration, Llc | Method and system for surface production of gas from a subterranean zone |
| JP2001204283A (en) * | 2000-01-21 | 2001-07-31 | Nisshinbo Ind Inc | Apparatus for culturing plant body and method of culturing plant body using the same |
| US20020062594A1 (en) * | 2000-11-28 | 2002-05-30 | Erickson Stewart E. | Resource conservation method |
| JP2003071491A (en) * | 2001-09-03 | 2003-03-11 | Nippon Steel Chem Co Ltd | Excrement treatment system |
| US20030188863A1 (en) * | 2002-04-05 | 2003-10-09 | Eugene Hooper And Britt Gilbert | Carbon dioxide pipeline |
| US6991048B2 (en) * | 2002-07-12 | 2006-01-31 | Cdx Gas, Llc | Wellbore plug system and method |
| US6991047B2 (en) * | 2002-07-12 | 2006-01-31 | Cdx Gas, Llc | Wellbore sealing system and method |
| US8333245B2 (en) * | 2002-09-17 | 2012-12-18 | Vitruvian Exploration, Llc | Accelerated production of gas from a subterranean zone |
| US7276221B2 (en) * | 2003-06-24 | 2007-10-02 | John Charter | Carbonated water produced by diamond vaporization |
| US20060289003A1 (en) * | 2004-08-20 | 2006-12-28 | Lackner Klaus S | Laminar scrubber apparatus for capturing carbon dioxide from air and methods of use |
| US20060051274A1 (en) * | 2004-08-23 | 2006-03-09 | Wright Allen B | Removal of carbon dioxide from air |
| CN101128248A (en) * | 2005-02-02 | 2008-02-20 | 环球研究技术有限公司 | Removal of carbon dioxide from air |
| US20070187247A1 (en) * | 2005-07-20 | 2007-08-16 | Lackner Klaus S | Electrochemical methods and processes for carbon dioxide recovery from alkaline solvents for carbon dioxide capture from air |
| US9266051B2 (en) | 2005-07-28 | 2016-02-23 | Carbon Sink, Inc. | Removal of carbon dioxide from air |
| MX2008001054A (en) | 2005-07-28 | 2008-03-19 | Global Res Technologies Llc | Removal of carbon dioxide from air. |
| EP1998871A4 (en) * | 2006-03-08 | 2010-07-21 | Global Res Technologies Llc | Air collector with functionalized ion exchange membrane for capturing ambient co2 |
| WO2008042919A2 (en) * | 2006-10-02 | 2008-04-10 | Global Research Technologies, Llc | Method and apparatus for extracting carbon dioxide from air |
| US8404004B2 (en) | 2006-12-29 | 2013-03-26 | Genifuel Corporation | Process of producing oil from algae using biological rupturing |
| US9003695B2 (en) * | 2006-12-29 | 2015-04-14 | Genifuel Corporation | Controlled growth environments for algae cultivation |
| US7931921B2 (en) * | 2007-02-16 | 2011-04-26 | Maier Frederick P | Method of substantially preventing or inhibiting summer bentgrass decline |
| AU2008242845B2 (en) | 2007-04-17 | 2012-08-23 | Carbon Sink, Inc. | Capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) from air |
| CA2703617A1 (en) * | 2007-11-05 | 2009-05-14 | Global Research Technologies, Llc | Removal of carbon dioxide from air |
| US8677752B2 (en) * | 2007-11-08 | 2014-03-25 | Mine-Nrg, Inc. | Power generation system |
| US7984613B2 (en) * | 2007-11-08 | 2011-07-26 | Mine-Rg, Inc. | Geothermal power generation system and method for adapting to mine shafts |
| JP2011504140A (en) | 2007-11-20 | 2011-02-03 | グローバル リサーチ テクノロジーズ，エルエルシー | Air collector with functional ion exchange membrane to capture ambient CO2 |
| US20090232861A1 (en) * | 2008-02-19 | 2009-09-17 | Wright Allen B | Extraction and sequestration of carbon dioxide |
| US8999279B2 (en) | 2008-06-04 | 2015-04-07 | Carbon Sink, Inc. | Laminar flow air collector with solid sorbent materials for capturing ambient CO2 |
| US20100003741A1 (en) * | 2008-07-01 | 2010-01-07 | Fromson Howard A | Integrated power plant, sewage treatment, and aquatic biomass fuel production system |
| US20110206588A1 (en) * | 2008-08-11 | 2011-08-25 | Lackner Klaus S | Method and apparatus for removing ammonia from a gas stream |
| US20110041395A1 (en) * | 2009-08-20 | 2011-02-24 | BioSynEnergy LLC | Integrated Agriculture and Aquaculture Production System |
| US20110113681A1 (en) * | 2009-11-16 | 2011-05-19 | Mathias Mostertz | Use of by-product carbon dioxide from a steam methane reformer in an algae biofuel production process |
| EP2501782A1 (en) | 2009-11-20 | 2012-09-26 | Cri Ehf | Storage of intermittent renewable energy as fuel using carbon containing feedstock |
| JP4936206B2 (en) * | 2010-02-23 | 2012-05-23 | 高志 中畑 | Carbon dioxide sequestration method and apparatus |
| US20110212836A1 (en) * | 2010-03-01 | 2011-09-01 | Lee Kung H | Environment favorable for plant(vegetation) growth, insect control and effective use of fertilizers |
| US8940520B2 (en) | 2010-05-20 | 2015-01-27 | Pond Biofuels Inc. | Process for growing biomass by modulating inputs to reaction zone based on changes to exhaust supply |
| US8969067B2 (en) | 2010-05-20 | 2015-03-03 | Pond Biofuels Inc. | Process for growing biomass by modulating supply of gas to reaction zone |
| US8889400B2 (en) | 2010-05-20 | 2014-11-18 | Pond Biofuels Inc. | Diluting exhaust gas being supplied to bioreactor |
| US11512278B2 (en) | 2010-05-20 | 2022-11-29 | Pond Technologies Inc. | Biomass production |
| US20120156669A1 (en) | 2010-05-20 | 2012-06-21 | Pond Biofuels Inc. | Biomass Production |
| WO2012047443A2 (en) * | 2010-10-04 | 2012-04-12 | University Of Southern California | Recycling carbon dioxide via capture and temporary storage to produce renewable fuels and derived products |
| US9005918B2 (en) | 2010-12-20 | 2015-04-14 | Dvo, Inc. | Algae bioreactor, system and process |
| JPWO2012133026A1 (en) * | 2011-03-25 | 2014-07-28 | 小谷 一 | CO2 spraying device |
| CN102210247B (en) * | 2011-04-02 | 2012-10-31 | 武汉凯迪控股投资有限公司 | Method and equipment for providing heat and carbon dioxide for vegetables and/or algae by using flue gas of power plant |
| US20120276633A1 (en) | 2011-04-27 | 2012-11-01 | Pond Biofuels Inc. | Supplying treated exhaust gases for effecting growth of phototrophic biomass |
| KR101322176B1 (en) * | 2011-12-12 | 2013-10-28 | 재단법인 포항산업과학연구원 | Photosynthesis promotion device of plant and control method thereof |
| CA2878620A1 (en) * | 2012-07-17 | 2014-01-23 | Antecy B.V. | Method for accelerating growth of plants in a controlled environment |
| US9534261B2 (en) | 2012-10-24 | 2017-01-03 | Pond Biofuels Inc. | Recovering off-gas from photobioreactor |
| US10015931B2 (en) | 2012-12-28 | 2018-07-10 | Elwha Llc | Production of electricity from plants |
| WO2014105563A1 (en) * | 2012-12-28 | 2014-07-03 | Allen Paul G | Articles and methods for administering co2 into plants |
| US10017392B2 (en) | 2012-12-28 | 2018-07-10 | Elwha Llc | Articles and methods for administering CO2 into plants |
| US10015971B2 (en) * | 2012-12-28 | 2018-07-10 | Elwha Llc | Articles and methods for administering CO2 into plants |
| US9162180B1 (en) * | 2013-03-12 | 2015-10-20 | Mississippi Lime Company | Industrial waste heat recovery and concurrent pollution control through the unique application of an underground limestone mine |
| WO2014143359A1 (en) * | 2013-03-14 | 2014-09-18 | R3D3, Inc. | Waste processing method and apparatus |
| WO2017091772A1 (en) * | 2015-11-23 | 2017-06-01 | Fresh Water Farms, Llc | Plant growing systems and methods |
| CA3008905C (en) * | 2016-01-06 | 2020-07-07 | Oren Technologies, Llc | Conveyor with integrated dust collector system |
| US10599169B2 (en) | 2016-05-04 | 2020-03-24 | The Agricultural Gas Company | System and method for optimizing carbon dioxide delivery to crops during high temperature periods |
| US10582670B2 (en) | 2016-05-04 | 2020-03-10 | The Agricultural Gas Company | Integrated gas and light system with multi-media irrigation technology |
| US10165732B2 (en) | 2016-05-12 | 2019-01-01 | Stewart E. Erickson | Aerial fluid application technology for orchards, vineyards and the like |
| US20170339838A1 (en) * | 2016-05-29 | 2017-11-30 | Gerald R. Palmer | Air Fertilization System Directing CO2 Exhaust to a Covered Crop Row |
| US11041420B2 (en) | 2016-09-21 | 2021-06-22 | M-Trigen, Inc. | Carbon capture system, apparatus, and method |
| US20220248679A1 (en) * | 2017-03-23 | 2022-08-11 | The Agricultural Gas Company | System for promoting plant growth and production |
| PL235602B1 (en) * | 2017-08-07 | 2020-09-21 | Towarzystwo Gospodarki Energetycznej W Lublinie | System intended for supplying cultivations in a greenhouse with hot air from the mine's outtake shaft |
| US10897851B1 (en) | 2017-12-29 | 2021-01-26 | Black Swan, Llc | Method and system for CO2 capture from flue gas and distributed for agricultural purposes |
| US10898846B1 (en) | 2017-12-29 | 2021-01-26 | Black Swan, Llc | Method and system for CO2 capture from flue gas and distributed for agricultural purposes |
| CA3091524A1 (en) | 2018-02-16 | 2019-08-22 | Carbon Sink, Inc. | Fluidized bed extractors for capture of co2 from ambient air |
| US11383199B1 (en) | 2018-03-30 | 2022-07-12 | Black Swan, Llc | Process and system for low pressure CO2 capture and bio-sequestration |
| US10251336B1 (en) | 2018-07-02 | 2019-04-09 | United Arab Emirates University | Drip irrigation system |
| CN108966905A (en) * | 2018-08-03 | 2018-12-11 | 韩秀峰 | A kind of crops application industry CO2The safety method and device of volume increase |
| US20200037512A1 (en) * | 2018-08-03 | 2020-02-06 | Sat Parkash Gupta | Environment-controlled multi-span structured greenhouses |
| JP6934487B2 (en) * | 2019-04-09 | 2021-09-15 | 高圧ガス工業株式会社 | Carbon dioxide application system for crops |
| US11773355B2 (en) * | 2019-04-18 | 2023-10-03 | Mathew HALTER | Direct transfer of fermentation carbon dioxide by-product to greenhouse |
| US11247176B2 (en) | 2019-10-24 | 2022-02-15 | Black Swan, Llc | Apparatus and method for direct air capture of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere |
| JP2024503110A (en) | 2021-01-15 | 2024-01-24 | セエルイ フルタフェラク | methanol synthesis reactor |
| US20230046446A1 (en) * | 2021-07-28 | 2023-02-16 | Quan Hong Bui | Microbial composition and microorganism-based method of manufacturing and treating of animal farms using of the same |
| US20230109601A1 (en) | 2021-10-04 | 2023-04-06 | Mark Ellis | Power barn system |
Family Cites Families (15)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE120071C (en) | ||||
| US1908164A (en) * | 1931-05-12 | 1933-05-09 | William Wharton Jr & Company I | Method of supplying carbon dioxide for aiding the growth of plants |
| US1991851A (en) * | 1932-06-29 | 1935-02-19 | Delbert C Hammell | Combination heating, cooling, fumigation, irrigation, and fertilizing system for agricultural purposes |
| US3385786A (en) * | 1966-10-28 | 1968-05-28 | Interior Usa | System for biological treatment of sewage |
| US3577678A (en) * | 1969-08-14 | 1971-05-04 | Microphor Inc | Combined waste treatment and growth chamber process |
| US4003160A (en) * | 1974-03-14 | 1977-01-18 | Mueller Hans | Process for growing chlorophyllose plants using carbon dioxide and heat generated in exothermic aerobic fermentation processes |
| JPS50134836A (en) * | 1974-03-14 | 1975-10-25 | ||
| US3936117A (en) * | 1974-09-10 | 1976-02-03 | Reinke Richard F | Irrigation pivot stand construction |
| DD120071A1 (en) * | 1975-04-16 | 1976-05-20 | ||
| US4073089A (en) * | 1976-09-27 | 1978-02-14 | Canadian Patents And Development Limited | Utilization of exhaust gases for plant growth |
| DE3304403C2 (en) * | 1983-01-05 | 1984-10-25 | Technica Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH & Co KG, 2418 Ratzeburg | Method and arrangement for impregnating irrigation water with CO? 2? for plant crops |
| GB2205723B (en) * | 1987-06-17 | 1991-05-15 | Norman David Weiss | Growing plants |
| DE3841157A1 (en) * | 1988-12-07 | 1990-06-13 | Technica Entwicklung | Method of obtaining higher yields of field-grown crops |
| US5300226A (en) * | 1990-10-23 | 1994-04-05 | Stewart E. Erickson Construction, Inc. | Waste handling method |
| JPH04190829A (en) * | 1990-11-26 | 1992-07-09 | Mitsui Constr Co Ltd | Removal of carbon dioxide |
-
1995
- 1995-05-22 ZA ZA954157A patent/ZA954157B/en unknown
- 1995-05-24 BR BR9507777A patent/BR9507777A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1995-05-24 CA CA002191435A patent/CA2191435A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1995-05-24 ES ES95921228T patent/ES2155890T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-05-24 AP APAP/P/1996/000893A patent/AP702A/en active
- 1995-05-24 DE DE69520040T patent/DE69520040D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-05-24 WO PCT/US1995/005235 patent/WO1995032611A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1995-05-24 JP JP8500858A patent/JPH10504704A/en not_active Ceased
- 1995-05-24 EP EP95921228A patent/EP0760594B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-05-24 EP EP99122849A patent/EP0978232A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1995-05-24 AU AU26357/95A patent/AU706615B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1995-08-14 US US08/515,106 patent/US5682709A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1996
- 1996-11-25 OA OA60926A patent/OA10383A/en unknown
-
1997
- 1997-06-26 US US08/882,865 patent/US6237284B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU2635795A (en) | 1995-12-21 |
| AP702A (en) | 1998-12-03 |
| DE69520040D1 (en) | 2001-03-08 |
| AP9600893A0 (en) | 1997-01-31 |
| OA10383A (en) | 2001-11-30 |
| EP0978232A3 (en) | 2001-12-12 |
| WO1995032611A1 (en) | 1995-12-07 |
| BR9507777A (en) | 1997-08-19 |
| US6237284B1 (en) | 2001-05-29 |
| MX9605946A (en) | 1998-06-28 |
| EP0760594B1 (en) | 2001-01-31 |
| EP0978232A2 (en) | 2000-02-09 |
| ZA954157B (en) | 1996-04-15 |
| AU706615B2 (en) | 1999-06-17 |
| JPH10504704A (en) | 1998-05-12 |
| ES2155890T3 (en) | 2001-06-01 |
| EP0760594A1 (en) | 1997-03-12 |
| US5682709A (en) | 1997-11-04 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA2191435A1 (en) | Method for recycling carbon dioxide for enhancing plant growth | |
| US11343985B2 (en) | Automated mobile terrace growing system | |
| US6108967A (en) | Pipeline utilization enhancement including carbon dioxide gas transmission, distribution, and delivery technique | |
| US6484654B2 (en) | Method and devices for forestation and flood prevention | |
| CN107646606A (en) | Salt-soda soil arbor method for transplanting | |
| WO2012156710A1 (en) | Aeroponics system | |
| US6553713B2 (en) | Method and devices for forestation and flood prevention | |
| CN113273399A (en) | Desert rice field with unmanned aerial vehicle connected with air pipe and rice box | |
| JP2022095506A (en) | Lifestyle improvement, etc. | |
| JP2021075254A (en) | Reduction in living cost and the like | |
| MXPA96005946A (en) | Method of recirculation of carbon dioxide to increase the growth of the plan | |
| CN106741693B (en) | A kind of drift ground | |
| CN212487129U (en) | Desertification soil dustproof and ecological restoration device | |
| CN215553311U (en) | Greening road construction transportation device | |
| CN207612805U (en) | A kind of potting nursery stock transport protective device | |
| US20020125309A1 (en) | Method and devices for forestation and flood prevention | |
| JP2021024264A (en) | Reduction in cost of living | |
| JP2022106305A (en) | Reduction of costs etc. in life | |
| JP2022106306A (en) | Method for reducing costs in life | |
| JP2022125947A (en) | Effective use method of space | |
| JP2021030710A (en) | Reduction in cost of living | |
| JP2021091092A (en) | Method for living efficient life | |
| TW202219378A (en) | Energy conversion apparatus | |
| JP2022154130A (en) | Method for efficiently constructing life | |
| JP2022164111A (en) | Method for creating life efficiently |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |