System and method for atmospheric carbon sequestration

Abstract

This invention relates to systems and methods for converting biomass into highly inert carbon. Specifically, some embodiments densify the carbon into anthracite-style carbon aggregations and store it in geologically stable underground deposits. The use of certain embodiments yield a net effect of removing atmospheric carbon via the process of photosynthesis and converting it into hard coal, which can be stored in underground beds that mimic existing coal deposits which are known to be stable for thousands of years.

1 . A system for carbon sequestration, comprising:
 means for providing biomass to a pyrolyzing system, wherein the pyrolyzing system generates biochar and filtrate carbon;   means for collecting the biochar and the filtrate carbon;   means for subjecting the biochar and filtrate carbon to a neutral atmosphere at or above temperatures of 250° C. for a predetermined time interval to form inert carbon; and   means for using the inert carbon as coal.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the coal is equivalent to anthracite coal. 
     
     
         3 . A system for carbon sequestration, comprising:
 means for providing biomass to a pyrolyzing system, wherein the pyrolyzing system generates biochar and filtrate carbon;   means for collecting the biochar and the filtrate carbon;   means for subjecting the biochar and filtrate carbon to a neutral atmosphere at or above temperatures of 250° C. for a predetermined time interval; and   means for using the biochar as a capture element for the filtrate carbon to form dense carbon aggregates.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising means for compressing the carbon aggregates into pellets. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the carbon aggregates are compressed with a peak pressure ranging approximately from 4,000 to 20,000 psi. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the carbon aggregates are compressed with a water-based starch binder having a starch concentration ranging approximately from 1% to 10%. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising means for drying and crosslinking the starch binder in open air at a temperature ranging approximately from 200° C. to 250° C. for approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the carbon aggregates are compressed with a water-based starch binder having a starch concentration of approximately 4%; and
 the system further comprising:   means for drying and crosslinking the starch binder in open air at a temperature ranging approximately from 200° C. to 250° C. for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes; and   means for spraying a hot starch solution with a starch concentration of approximately 7% on to all surfaces of the pellet at the end of the drying.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the carbon aggregates are compressed with a peak pressure of approximately 10,000 psi and with a water-based starch binder having a starch concentration ranging approximately from 1% to 10%; and
 the pellets that result are 1″ in diameter and ½″ to 1″ thick.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising means for drying and crosslinking the starch binder in open air at a temperature of approximately 230° C. for approximately 30 minutes. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising means for drying and crosslinking the starch binder in open air at a temperature of approximately 300° C. for approximately 15 minutes in an inert atmosphere of CO 2  nitrogen and water vapor, wherein the CO 2  and nitrogen comprises 70% or more vapor pressure. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the carbon aggregates are compressed with a peak pressure of approximately 10,000 psi and with a water-based starch binder having a starch concentration of approximately 4%; and
 the system further comprising:   means for drying and crosslinking the starch binder in open air at a temperature ranging approximately from 200° C. to 250° C. for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes; and   means for spraying a hot starch solution having a starch concentration of approximately 7% on to all surfaces of each pellet at the end of the drying.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein a secondary coat is applied to each pellet by spraying a hot molten pine rosin on to all surfaces of the pellet at the end of a starch drying cycle such that a coating 0.02 mils to 0.08 mils thick results. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising a weather-protected means for transporting the pellets to a long-term underground storage location. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the long-term underground storage location utilized is a reclaimed surface mine. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the long-term underground storage location comprises an underground storage facility in which the pellets are stored in layers ranging approximately from 10 to 50 feet deep. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the pellets are tightly compacted with an overburden material. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein material originally removed to create the long-term underground storage location is used as the overburden material. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the top layer material scraped away to create the long-term underground storage location is used as the overburden material. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the overburden material is approximately the same thickness as the underground storage facility's storage seam depth. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the underground storage facility has a storage packing structure in which the pellets are stored, wherein an inert fill material is placed between the pellets, thereby minimizing the potential propagation of underground coal seam fires. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the underground storage facility has a storage packing structure in which the pellets are stored, wherein groups of the pellets are compartmentalized with sections of inert fill material, thereby minimizing the potential propagation of underground coal seam fires. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the pellets stored by the underground storage facility have controlled structural degradation based on water exposure, thereby allowing the pellets to be seamlessly compacted into the underground storage facility. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the pellets are designed based on controlled degradation of the starch binder used in dry storage environments, shallow strata, or with a large amount of mix-in with the overburden material surrounding the pellets. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the pellets are coated with a durable water repellant rosin, thereby allowing construction of storage arrays in a wet environment, a water submerged environment, or in an environment that is subject to expected water exposure prior to replacement by the underground storage facility.