BIOMASS RESOURCE PRODUCTION FROM AGRICULTURAL WASTE FOR ENERGY AND SOIL IMPROVEMENT

Abstract

This invention presents a system and method for converting agricultural waste into biomass resources for energy and soil enhancement. It includes modular processing units for pyrolysis, gasification, and anaerobic digestion, producing bio-oil, syngas, biogas, and biochar. Biochar enhances soil health, supports nutrient retention, and sequesters carbon, while biofuels provide renewable energy, promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to agricultural and environmental technology, specifically a system and method for converting agricultural waste into biomass resources. This biomass can be used for renewable energy production and as soil improvers, helping address waste management and enhancing soil fertility sustainably.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Agricultural practices generate vast quantities of residues, such as crop stalks, husks, leaves, and peels, that are often burned or discarded, causing air pollution and a loss of potential bio-resources. These traditional practices contribute to environmental degradation, releasing greenhouse gases and depleting valuable organic materials that could be repurposed. Additionally, the reliance on chemical fertilizers for crop production leads to soil degradation, water contamination, and diminished long-term soil productivity.
This invention addresses the dual challenge of agricultural waste management and soil improvement. Current systems often lack efficiency and scalability, making it difficult for small and large-scale farmers to adopt sustainable practices. By converting agricultural residues into biofuels, biochar, and other biomass resources, this invention provides a method to reduce environmental impact while supporting sustainable farming practices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention.
This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
The invention presents a system for converting agricultural waste into biomass resources, including biofuels and biochar, which can be used for energy production and soil improvement. The process includes modular units for pyrolysis, gasification, and anaerobic digestion of agricultural residues, producing energy-rich outputs and biochar. The biochar improves soil structure, water retention, and nutrient availability, reducing dependency on chemical fertilizers. This system is scalable, with on-site deployment potential for farms, making it adaptable and accessible to various agricultural operations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
FIGURE 1: ILLUSTRATES THE OVERALL PROCESS FLOW FOR BIOMASS CONVERSION, INCLUDING AGRICULTURAL WASTE COLLECTION AND PROCESSING STAGES.
The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a"," "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes" and/or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", "third", and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
The proposed invention introduces a comprehensive system for transforming agricultural residues into valuable biomass resources that serve dual purposes: renewable energy generation and soil enhancement. At its core, this system is designed to address the significant environmental and agricultural challenges posed by traditional waste management practices in farming. Agricultural waste, including crop stalks, husks, leaves, and other residues, often accumulates in large quantities. In many cases, this waste is either discarded or burned, leading to air pollution and the loss of potentially valuable organic materials. The system utilizes various processes, including pyrolysis, gasification, and anaerobic digestion, to convert these residues into biofuels, biochar, and other by-products, reducing reliance on environmentally harmful practices and enhancing agricultural sustainability.
The pyrolysis process in this system involves heating the agricultural biomass in the absence of oxygen, converting it into bio-oil, syngas, and biochar. Each of these outputs has specific applications; bio-oil and syngas can serve as renewable energy sources for various farm operations, while biochar offers notable benefits for soil health. By stabilizing carbon within its porous structure, biochar serves as an effective soil amendment that improves water retention, nutrient availability, and microbial activity. Its addition to soil also helps sequester carbon, playing a role in climate change mitigation by capturing carbon in a stable form that remains in the soil for extended periods.
Gasification, another integral process in the system, exposes the biomass to partial oxidation at high temperatures, producing syngas composed of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and methane. This syngas is versatile and can be used as a direct energy source or further refined into liquid biofuels, which may power machinery or generate electricity. The anaerobic digestion process adds to the versatility of the system by breaking down organic materials in an oxygen-free environment, yielding biogas-a mix of methane and carbon dioxide-and digestate. Biogas serves as an energy source, while the nutrient-rich digestate is ideal as a natural fertilizer, contributing additional organic matter to the soil.
This invention is particularly adaptable, with modular processing units that allow on-site deployment on farms of various scales. By processing biomass at the source, the system minimizes transportation costs and environmental impact, making it accessible for both small and large-scale agricultural operations. The units can be powered by renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind, further enhancing their environmental compatibility. Farmers benefit not only from the renewable energy generated but also from the valuable biochar and organic fertilizers produced, which support healthier, more productive soil without the environmental drawbacks associated with synthetic inputs.
Through this integrated approach, the invention offers a sustainable, scalable solution for agricultural waste management. It promotes a circular economy by converting waste into resources, enhancing soil fertility, and generating renewable energy on-site. By reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and fossil fuels, this system aligns with global efforts toward sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation. The deployment of this system has the potential to transform agricultural practices, reducing pollution, conserving resources, and improving crop yields while supporting climate goals through carbon sequestration and sustainable energy production.
, Claims:1. A system for converting agricultural waste into biomass resources for energy and soil improvement, comprising modular units for pyrolysis, gasification, and anaerobic digestion.
2. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the pyrolysis process produces bio-oil, syngas, and biochar for renewable energy and soil enhancement applications.
3. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the gasification unit partially oxidizes biomass to generate syngas for electricity or liquid fuel production.
4. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the anaerobic digestion process yields biogas and digestate, the latter serving as an organic soil amendment.
5. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein biochar produced from pyrolysis enhances soil structure, nutrient retention, and water-holding capacity.
6. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein modular on-site processing units are designed for scalability and renewable energy compatibility.
7. A method for collecting and processing agricultural residues in a system as claimed in Claim 1, converting them into biofuels and biochar.
8. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein biochar sequesters carbon, reducing atmospheric CO2 levels and contributing to climate change mitigation.
9. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein renewable energy produced by biofuels supports farm energy needs, reducing dependency on non-renewable sources.

10. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein on-site processing units enable sustainable waste management by reducing transportation requirements and costs.

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