ENVIRONMENTALLY-NEUTRAL PROCESSING WITH CONDENSED PHASE CRYOGENIC FLUIDS

• US 20090205363A1
• Filed: 03/25/2009
• Published: 08/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ronald De Strulle
• Original Assignee: Ronald De Strulle
• Inventors: de Strulle, Ronald
• Granted Patent: US 7,938,964 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/533
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 7/0014 by incorporation in a layer which is removed with the contaminants
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 7/0092 by cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B09B 1/004 Covering of dumping sites
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/22 by freezing
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2101/20 Heavy metals or heavy metal compounds
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 12/006 Oil removal
• CPC Class Codes: E02B 15/043 Devices or methods for removing oil by means of freezing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/37 using solar energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/30 Landfill technologies aiming to mitigate methane emissions

Abstract

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for utilizing a substantially condensed phase cryogenic fluid for the purpose of remediation and retrieval of, e.g., pollutant biomass from marine/aquatic and terrestrial environments. In some implementations, systems and apparatus are provided for applying a substantially condensed phase cryogenic fluid to a volume of biomass, and further having structure for collecting the biomass. Some implementations are environmentally-neutral. Some implementations convert the collected biomass into biofuel. Some implementations initially employ the biomass to remediate an aquatic body.

Claims

1. An apparatus for remediating biomass from an aquatic body comprising:

a cryogenic fluid source providing a substantially condensed phase cryogenic fluid;

a cryogenic fluid transport structure coupled to the cryogenic fluid source that transports the cryogenic fluid in a substantially condensed phase;

a low pressure applicator coupled to the cryogenic fluid transport structure that dispenses the cryogenic fluid in a substantially condensed phase onto the biomass; and

a collector that retrieves at least some of the biomass from the aquatic body after the biomass is exposed to the cryogenic fluid by the low pressure applicator.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cryogenic fluid is liquid nitrogen.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cryogenic fluid is liquefied air.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cryogenic fluid source comprises a cascade liquefaction system.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cryogenic fluid source comprises a vacuum flask.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cryogenic fluid transport structure is vacuum insulated.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pressure of cryogenic fluid within the cryogenic fluid transport structure is less than about 50 psi.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cryogenic fluid transport structure comprises a pressure relief valve.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cryogenic fluid transport structure comprises a keepfull.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the low pressure applicator dispenses the cryogenic fluid at about atmospheric pressure.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the low pressure applicator and cryogenic fluid transport structure are arranged such that the cryogenic fluid does not reach its saturation point within the fluid transport structure.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the low pressure applicator dispenses the cryogenic fluid such that within about 1 to 3 inches of the low pressure applicator, about 95% or more of the dispensed cryogenic fluid is in the liquid phase.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the low pressure applicator dispenses the cryogenic fluid such that more than half of the cryogenic fluid that is dispensed onto the biomass is in the liquid phase.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pressure within the low pressure applicator is at approximately atmospheric pressure.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the low pressure applicator dispenses cryogenic fluid in droplets.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the low pressure applicator comprises a sparger bar.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the sparger bar is constructed of a sintered metal.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the metal comprises brass, bronze or stainless steel.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the sparger bar is constructed of a sintered composite.

20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the sparger bar is constructed of a sintered material comprising silicon carbide.

21. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the mean porosity of the sparger bar is between about 1 micron and 10 microns.

22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the low pressure applicator comprises a spray bar comprising at least one nozzle.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising means for adjusting an aperture size of at least one nozzle.

24. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the low pressure applicator comprises a drizzle bar comprising at least one hole array.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the at least one hole array comprises holes having a diameter from about 0.1 millimeters to about 0.5 millimeters.

26. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising:

a sensor disposed proximate to the biomass and adapted to generate one or more data signals;

a controller coupled to the sensor and to the cryogenic fluid source or cryogenic fluid transport structure, wherein the controller is adapted to control the cryogenic fluid source or cryogenic fluid transport structure in response to the one or more data signals.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the one or more sensors includes an infrared sensor.

28. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the one or more sensors includes an optoacoustic sensor.

29. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the one or more sensors includes a temperature sensor.

30. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the one or more sensors includes a moisture detector that detects the moisture content of the biomass.

31. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the controller is adapted to adjust the fluid flow rate through the cryogenic fluid transport structure.

32. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the controller is adapted to adjust the fluid flow rate through the cryogenic fluid transport structure on the basis of the detected moisture content.

33. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a storage structure, coupled to the collector, that stores the retrieved biomass.

34. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the biomass comprises water hyacinths, the water hyacinths comprising flowers and flowering parts.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 comprising:

a storage structure, coupled to the collector, comprising a first area and a second area,

wherein the collector separates the flowers and flowering parts for storage in the first area of the storage structure.

36. The apparatus of claim 33 comprising a dryer coupled to the collector, wherein the dryer removes at least some moisture from the retrieved biomass.

37. The apparatus of claim 36 comprising a biofuel processor coupled to the dryer, the biofuel processor comprising a compactor that compresses at least some of the biomass from the dryer.

38. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the biofuel processor comprises an applicator that applies an ignition enhancer to at least some of the biomass.

39. The apparatus of claim 36 comprising a grinder coupled to the dryer, wherein the grinder grinds at least some of the biomass.

40. The apparatus of claim 36 comprising a biogas processor coupled to the dryer, the biogas processor comprising an ignition chamber that heats at least some of the dried biomass in the substantial absence of oxygen.

41. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising:

a storage structure for storing the retrieved biomass;

a grinder, coupled to the storage structure, for grinding the retrieved biomass into grinded biomass; and

a dryer, coupled to the grinder, for removing at least some moisture from the grinded biomass and creating dried biomass.

42. The apparatus of claim 41 comprising:

a compactor for compressing at least some of the dried biomass; and

an applicator that applies an ignition enhancer to at least some of the dried biomass.

43. The apparatus of claim 41 comprising a biogas processor that comprises an ignition chamber that heats at least some of the dried biomass in the substantial absence of oxygen.

44. The apparatus of claim 34 comprising:

a storage structure that separately stores the flowers and flowering parts from the remainder of the biomass;

a grinder, coupled to the storage structure, for grinding the flowers and flowering parts into grinded biomass; and

a dryer, coupled to the grinder, for removing at least some moisture from the grinded biomass and creating dried biomass.

45. The apparatus of claim 44 comprising a biogas processor that comprises an ignition chamber that heats at least some of the dried biomass in the substantial absence of oxygen.

46. The apparatus of claim 41 comprising two vessels, wherein the storage structure, grinder, and dryer are disposed on a first vessel.

47. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the cryogenic fluid source, cryogenic fluid transport structure, low pressure applicator, and collector are disposed on a second vessel.

48. The apparatus of claim 44 comprising two vessels, wherein the storage structure, grinder, and dryer are disposed on a first vessel.

49. The apparatus of claim 48 wherein the cryogenic fluid source, cryogenic fluid transport structure, low pressure applicator, and collector are disposed on a second vessel.

50. The apparatus of claim 47 wherein the second vessel comprises an initial storage structure for storing the collected biomass before transport to the storage structure.

51. The apparatus of claim 49 wherein the second vessel comprises an initial storage structure for storing the collected biomass before transport to the storage structure.

52. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the collector comprises a conveyor belt disposed at about the water level of the aquatic body.

53. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a biomass cutter comprising:

a blade coupled to a motor for rotating the blade; and

a cryogenic fluid dispenser disposed proximate to the blade.

54. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a biomass cutter comprising:

a cryogenic fluid dispenser; and

a sonic pulsing unit coupled to the cryogenic fluid dispenser.

55. A method for remediating biomass from an aquatic body comprising:

providing a flow of cryogenic fluid;

maintaining the cryogenic fluid in a substantially condensed phase;

applying the cryogenic fluid in a substantially condensed phase onto at least some of the biomass; and

collecting at least some of the biomass after the cryogenic fluid has been applied.

56. The method of claim 55 comprising:

detecting the thickness of at least some of the biomass; and

adjusting the rate at which the cryogenic fluid is applied based on the detecting.

57. The method of claim 55 comprising:

detecting the moisture content of at least some of the biomass; and

adjusting the rate at which the cryogenic fluid is applied based on the detecting.

58. The method of claim 55 wherein maintaining the cryogenic fluid in a substantially condensed phase comprises maintaining the pressure of cryogenic fluid at less than about 50 psi.

59. The method of claim 55 wherein maintaining the cryogenic fluid in a substantially condensed phase comprises actuating a pressure relief valve.

60. The method of claim 55 wherein applying the cryogenic fluid in a substantially condensed phase comprises dispenses the cryogenic fluid at about atmospheric pressure.

61. The method of claim 55 wherein maintaining the cryogenic fluid in a substantially condensed phase comprises the cryogenic fluid not reaching its saturation point.

62. The method of claim 55 wherein applying the cryogenic fluid in a substantially condensed phase comprises dispensing the cryogenic fluid such that within about 1 to 3 inches of the location from which the cryogenic fluid is applied, about 95% or more of the applied cryogenic fluid is in the liquid phase.

63. The method of claim 55 wherein applying the cryogenic fluid in a substantially condensed phase comprises dispensing the cryogenic fluid such that more than half of the cryogenic fluid that is dispensed onto the biomass is in the liquid phase.

64. The method of claim 55 wherein applying the cryogenic fluid in a substantially condensed phase comprises dispensing the cryogenic fluid in droplets.

65. The method of claim 55 comprising storing the collected biomass.

66. The method of claim 55 wherein the biomass comprises water hyacinths, the water hyacinths comprising flowers and flowering parts.

67. The method of claim 66 comprising:

separating the flowers and flowering parts from the biomass;

storing the flowers and flowering parts in a storage area separate from the remaining biomass.

68. The method of claim 55 comprising drying at least some of the collected biomass to remove at least some moisture therefrom.

69. The method of claim 68 comprising compressing at least some of the biomass after it has been dried.

70. The method of claim 68 comprising applying an ignition enhancer to at least some of the biomass after it has been dried.

71. The method of claim 55 comprising grinding at least some of the biomass.

72. The method of claim 68 comprising heating at least some of the dried biomass in the substantial absence of oxygen to produce biogas.

73. The method of claim 55 comprising:

storing the retrieved biomass;

grinding the retrieved biomass into grinded biomass; and

removing at least some moisture from the grinded biomass to create dried biomass.

74. The method of claim 73 comprising:

compressing at least some of the dried biomass; and

applying an ignition enhancer to at least some of the dried biomass.

75. The method of claim 73 comprising heating at least some of the dried biomass in the substantial absence of oxygen to produce biogas.

76. The method of claim 66 comprising:

separating the flowers and flowering parts from the biomass;

grinding the flowers and flowering parts into grinded biomass; and

removing at least some moisture from the grinded biomass to create dried biomass.

77. The method of claim 76 comprising heating at least some of the dried biomass in the substantial absence of oxygen to create biogas.]

78. The method of claim 55 comprising creating biofuel from the collected biomass.

79. The method of claim 78 comprising generating carbon credits from the creating biofuel.

80. The method of claim 79 comprising selling or trading at least some of the carbon credits.

81. The method of claim 73 comprising providing the dried biomass as biofuel.

82. The method of claim 81 comprising generating carbon credits from the providing the dried biomass as biofuel.

83. The method of claim 82 comprising selling or trading at least some of the carbon credits.

84. The method of claim 74 comprising providing the dried biomass as biofuel.

85. The method of claim 84 comprising generating carbon credits from the providing the dried biomass as biofuel.

86. The method of claim 85 comprising selling or trading at least some of the carbon credits.

87. The method of claim 75 comprising generating carbon credits from producing the biogas.

88. The method of claim 87 comprising selling or trading at least some of the carbon credits.

89. The method of claim 76 comprising providing the dried biomass as biofuel.

90. The method of claim 89 comprising generating carbon credits from the providing the dried biomass as biofuel.

91. The method of claim 90 comprising selling or trading at least some of the carbon credits.

92. The method of claim 77 comprising generating carbon credits from producing the biogas.

93. The method of claim 92 comprising selling or trading at least some of the carbon credits.

94. The method of claim 55, wherein the biomass comprises water hyacinths, the method comprising:

providing the biomass in a first pool, the first pool comprising first water having at least one heavy metal pollutant;

wherein the collecting comprises collecting at least some of the biomass in the first pool; and

wherein after a first period of time the concentration of the at least one heavy metal pollutant in the first water is reduced.

95. The method of claim 94 comprising:

transferring the first water after the first period of time to a second pool, the second pool comprising second water;

providing the biomass in the second pool;

wherein the collecting comprises collecting at least some of the biomass in the second pool; and

wherein after a second period of time the concentration of the at least one heavy metal pollutant in the second water is reduced.

96. The method of claim 95 comprising:

transferring the second water after the second period of time to a subsequent pool, the subsequent pool comprising subsequent water;

providing the biomass in the subsequent pool;

wherein the collecting comprises collecting at least some of the biomass in the subsequent pool; and

wherein after a subsequent period of time the concentration of the at least one heavy metal pollutant in the second water is reduced.

97. The method of claim 96 wherein the first period of time, the second period of time and the subsequent period of time are defined at least in part by a first threshold concentration of the heavy metal pollutant, a second threshold concentration of the heavy metal pollutant and a subsequent threshold concentration of the heavy metal pollutant, respectively, wherein the first threshold is a higher concentration than the second threshold and the second threshold is a higher concentration than the subsequent threshold.

98. An apparatus for remediating biomass from an aquatic body comprising:

a cryogenic fluid source providing a substantially condensed phase cryogenic fluid;

a cryogenic fluid transport structure coupled to the cryogenic fluid source that transports the cryogenic fluid in a substantially condensed phase;

means for dispensing the cryogenic fluid in a substantially condensed phase onto the biomass;

a collector that retrieves at least some of the biomass from the aquatic body after the biomass is exposed to the cryogenic fluid by the low pressure applicator; and

means for converting at least some of the retrieved biomass into biofuel.