Power barn system

Abstract

The power barn system provides a way to eliminate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from livestock. The power barn system seals and traps the methane gas that is emitted from the livestock and converts the methane into electric power and carbon dioxide to enhance plant growth. The power barn system uses PV solar arrays and plastic sheeting to make sealed, airtight structure. The carbon dioxide is provided to greenhouse areas. The plants use the carbon dioxide and release oxygen, thereby eliminating most greenhouse gas emissions from livestock. The power plant uses the methane at peak times at night while solar panels supply power during the day producing zero emission meat and 24/7 electricity at better than market rates.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A power barn system comprising:
 an airtight enclosed structure having a first area for growing plants and a second area for livestock that emit methane;   a solar panel system including a plurality of solar panels attached on top of the enclosed structure;   a methane capture and release system (MCRS) that captures the methane in the second enclosed area; and   power plant system connected to the MCRS and capable of converting methane into carbon dioxide and electricity.   
     
     
         2 . The power barn system as in  claim 1 , wherein the enclosed area is sealed and airtight for trapping carbon dioxide and methane and nitrous oxides, and further a gas dam separating vegetable and livestock areas which holds back heavier carbon dioxide while allowing lighter oxygen to flow over the barrier. 
     
     
         3 . The power barn system as in  claim 1 , where the second enclosed area is sealed and airtight for trapping methane at the top of the second enclosed area. 
     
     
         4 . The power barn system as in  claim 1 , wherein the solar panel system comprises an actuator for tilting the solar panels towards the sun. 
     
     
         5 . The power barn system as in  claim 1 , wherein the MCRS comprises ductwork located at the top of the second enclosed area and openings in the ductwork to receive the methane, the ductwork connected to the power plant system. 
     
     
         6 . The power barn system as in  claim 1 , wherein the power plant system is connected to the MCRS ductwork and comprises:
 a turbine;   a generator connected to the turbine;   an air manifold connected to the generator;   a compute module connected to the generator;   a gas inlet coupled to the generator and an external source; and   a filter box connected to the MCRS ductwork and the generator.   
     
     
         7 . The power barn system as in  claim 6 , wherein the external source is natural gas and wherein compute module regulates the amount of first gas that is added to the power plant. 
     
     
         8 . The power barn system as in  claim 7 , wherein compute module, gas sensors, and metering valve regulates the methane and the first gas mixture between  10  percent to  20  percent by volume. 
     
     
         9 . The power barn system as in  claim 8 , wherein the first gas is natural gas. 
     
     
         10 . The power barn system as in  claim 1 , further comprising multiple doors in series that seal the enclosure when closed. 
     
     
         11 . The power barn system as in  claim 1 , further comprising ductwork having two ends, where a first end attaches to a filter system connected to the power plant system and a second end of the ductwork is attached to the highest points of the second area above the methane emitting livestock. 
     
     
         12 . A power barn system comprising:
 an enclosed structure having a first enclosed area for growing plants and a second enclosed area for livestock that emit methane, the first enclosed area and the second enclosed area being substantially sealed and substantially airtight where methane is trapped at the top of the second enclosed area;   a solar panel system including a plurality of solar panels attached to the enclosed structure;   a methane capture and release system (MCRS) having ductwork with two ends, the first end having openings that captures the methane in the second enclosed area; and   power plant system attached to one end of ductwork of the MCRS and capable of converting methane into carbon dioxide and electricity.   
     
     
         13 . The power barn in  claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of grow lights that are attached to the first enclosed area. 
     
     
         14 . A power farm system comprising:
 a plurality of solar panel arrays raised high enough to grow plants underneath;   a greenhouse covered by plastic sheeting where some of the solar panel arrays are attached to the outside of the greenhouse;   gas sensors monitor the oxygen and carbon dioxide inside the greenhouse;   an inlet valve allowing carbon dioxide to flood the inside of the greenhouse thereby promoting plant growth while acting as a carbon sink; and   an outlet valve for allowing the periodic discharge of oxygen rich air either to be sold to industry or vented to the environment.   
     
     
         15 . The power farm in  claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of grow lights attached to the greenhouse to further promote plant growth at night.