CARBON SEQUESTRATION SAND-BASED MATERIAL FOR SYNTHETIC TURF FIELDS

Abstract

A synthetic turf system includes a backing, turf fibers extended upward from the backing, and one or more infill layers positioned above the backing, below a top portion of the turf fibers. The one or more infill layers includes carbon sequestration sand, or the synthetic turf system further comprises a layer of carbon sequestration sand disposed above or below the one or more infill layers.

Claims

1. A synthetic turf system comprising: a backing; turf fibers extended upward from the backing; one or more infill layers positioned above the backing, below a top portion of the turf fibers; wherein the one or more infill layers includes carbon sequestration sand, or the synthetic turf system further comprises a layer of carbon sequestration sand disposed above or below the one or more infill layers.

2. The synthetic turf system of claim 1, wherein the carbon sequestration sand includes wollastonite, basalt, peridotite, dunite, limestone, or dolostone.

3. The synthetic turf system of claim 1, wherein the carbon sequestration sand is accessible to rainwater from the top portion of the turf fibers, where the rainwater and the carbon sequestration sand chemically react with each other, forming a carbonate or a bicarbonate.

4. The synthetic turf system of claim 1, wherein the carbon sequestration sand has a particle size of about #4 mesh to about #270 mesh, and is deposited in a layer having a thickness of about 1/16 to about inches above or below each of the one or more infill layers.

5. The synthetic turf system of claim 1, wherein 90 percent of the carbon sequestration sand is small enough to pass through a #40 mesh screen, but too large to pass through an #80 mesh screen.

6. The synthetic turf system of claim 1, wherein the one or more infill layers include the carbon sequestration sand, the one or more infill layers are disposed on top of the backing, between the turf fibers, and the top portion of the turf fibers extends above the one or more infill layers.

7. The synthetic turf system of claim 1, wherein the backing is water permeable with a porosity that filters rainwater from the carbon sequestration sand and the one or more infill layers by gravity as the rainwater travels from the one or more infill layers to below the backing.

8. The synthetic turf system of claim 1, further comprising a first base stone layer disposed below the backing, and a second base stone layer disposed below the first base stone layer, wherein the first base stone layer or the second base stone layer includes silicate rock, ultramafic rock, or reactive rock that is accessible to rainwater by gravity from the top portion of the turf fibers.

9. The synthetic turf system of claim 8, wherein the carbon sequestration sand is positioned on, above, or in the first base stone layer or the second base stone layer.

10. The synthetic turf system of claim 8, wherein the carbon sequestration sand is positioned below the second base stone layer, tilled into a subgrade below the second base stone layer, or positioned in a subdrain below the second base stone layer.

11. The synthetic turf system of claim 8, wherein the first base stone layer or the second base stone layer is water permeable, and the carbon sequestration sand is blended into the first base stone layer or the second base stone layer.

12. Infill for a synthetic turf system, the infill comprising: carbon sequestration sand including silicate rock, ultramafic rock, or reactive rock that forms a carbonate or bicarbonate with rainwater, and has a particle size of about #4 mesh to about #270 mesh; and organic particles, rubber particles, elastomer particles, coated particles, or thermoplastic particles blended or layered with the carbon sequestration sand.

13. The carbon sequestration sand of claim 12, wherein 90 percent of the carbon sequestration sand is small enough to pass through a #40 mesh screen.

14. The carbon sequestration sand of claim 13, wherein 90 percent of the carbon sequestration sand is too large to pass through an #80 mesh screen.

15. The carbon sequestration sand of claim 12, wherein the silicate rock, ultramafic rock, or reactive rock is at least one of wollastonite, basalt, peridotite, dunite, limestone, and dolostone.

16. The carbon sequestration sand of claim 12, wherein the silicate rock, ultramafic rock, or reactive rock forms weathered particles having a sphericity of about 0.65 to about 0.85.

17. A method of preparing a synthetic turf system, the method comprising: dispersing carbon sequestration sand over a top portion of turf fibers, wherein the carbon sequestration sand includes silicate rock, ultramafic rock, or reactive rock that forms a carbonate or bicarbonate with rainwater traveling through one or more infill layers.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: grooming the carbon sequestration sand into the one or more infill layers of the synthetic turf system, between the turf fibers, at a backing of the synthetic turf system.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising: preblending the silicate rock, ultramafic rock, or reactive rock with organic particles, rubber particles, elastomer particles, coated particles, or thermoplastic particles prior to dispersing the carbon sequestration sand over the top portion of the turf fibers.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising: measuring an aspect of the synthetic turf system, including a thickness of an infill layer, an acidity of rainwater at the infill layer, or a quantity of silicate rock, ultramafic rock, or reactive rock present in the infill layer; and dispersing a predetermined quantity of the carbon sequestration sand over the top portion of the turf fibers as a top dressing based on the measured aspect.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of an example synthetic turf system having an infill made of carbon sequestration sand in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example application system employed in dispersing the carbon sequestration sand over the synthetic turf system of FIG. 1, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example brush employed in grooming the sand into the synthetic turf system of FIG. 1, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the synthetic turf system of FIG. 1, where an infill made of the carbon sequestration sand in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the synthetic turf system of FIG. 1, where the carbon sequestration sand layered below a backing in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the synthetic turf system of FIG. 1, where the carbon sequestration sand is blended into a base stone layer in accordance with some embodiments.

[0027] FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the synthetic turf system of FIG. 1, where the carbon sequestration sand is layered on a geotextile in accordance with some embodiments.

[0028] FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the synthetic turf system of FIG. 1, where the carbon sequestration sand is diffused into a subgrade in accordance with some embodiments.

[0029] FIG. 9 is an example process flow for preparing the synthetic turf system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Various aspects of the subject disclosure are now described in more detail with reference to the annexed drawings, wherein like numerals generally refer to like or corresponding elements throughout. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description relating thereto are not intended to limit the claimed subject matter to the particular form disclosed. Instead, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the described and claimed subject matter.

[0031] The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the provided subject matter. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed between the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

[0032] Further, spatially relative terms, such as beneath, below, lower, above, upper and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.

[0033] Numerical values in the specification and claims of this application should be understood to include numerical values which are the same when reduced to the same number of significant figures and numerical values which differ from the stated value by less than the experimental error of conventional measurement technique of the type described in the present application to determine the value. All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the recited endpoint.

[0034] The term about can be used to include any numerical value that can vary without changing the basic function of that value. When used with a range, about also discloses the range defined by the absolute values of the two endpoints, e.g., about 2 to about 4 also discloses the range from 2 to 4. The term about may refer to plus or minus 10% of the indicated number.

[0035] In accordance with varying embodiments discussed herein, there is provided an artificial turf system that utilizes a material derived from one or more types of carbon sequestration sands, including, for example and without limitation, wollastonite sand (general formula CaSiO.sub.3), limestone, basalt, or the like. More specifically, the carbon sequestration sands may be formed from silicate rock, ultramafic rock, or reactive rock, and specifically include, for example, wollastonite, basalt, peridotite, olivine, dunite, limestone, and dolostone.

[0036] In some embodiments, the carbon sequestration sand may be used as an infill material, an intervening layer of material between existing layers of the system, mixed within a particular layer, on or mixed within a substrate, or combinations thereof.

[0037] In addition to its excellent performance on the field, this carbon sequestration sand also exhibits behaviors that provide for carbon sequestration. Specifically, the material, when in contact with rainwater, causes a chemical reaction to occur between carbonic acid naturally present in the rainwater and the sand, e.g., olivine, wollastonite, etc. The reaction weathers the olivine, wollastonite, etc., and converts the carbonic acid into bicarbonate or carbonate. In this regard, carbonate and bicarbonate tend to be in equilibrium in aqueous solutions caused by weathering reactions because the dissolution of carbon dioxide and minerals generates a dynamic balance governed by pH-dependent acid-base reactions.

[0038] By converting the carbon dioxide into other substances, the carbon dioxide can no longer be released into the atmosphere. Further, the conversion of the carbonic acid has a de-acidifying effect on soils, storm water, rivers, and oceans, simultaneously enriching them with mineral nutrients. These bicarbonate or carbonate solutions are carried by rivers to the sea, where they are ultimately deposited as limestone and dolomites, e.g., carbonate sediments, as well as integrated into marine animal carbonaceous mineral materials. These carbonate sediments form a sink for carbon dioxide.

[0039] An example implementation of the embodiment described above is shown in FIG. 1. In this regard, FIG. 1 depicts a portion of a synthetic turf system 100 including carbon sequestration sand 102 that may be olivine-based, wollastonite-based, etc. and is utilized in one or more layers of infill materials. In accordance with some embodiments, the carbon sequestration sand 102 may be deposited in a layer having a thickness of about 1/16 to about inches, and have a particle size of about #4 mesh to about #270 mesh in the U.S. Standard Sieve Series. As will be appreciated, mesh may be defined as the number of openings in one square inch of a screen. A large mesh number means the pores in the screen are small. Sand's mesh size is determined by graining, and the numbers refer to the maximum and minimum grain diameters. 40/80 sand means that 90 percent of the sand by volume is small enough to pass through a #40 mesh screen, but too large to pass through an #80 mesh screen. As such, the range of particle size of the carbon sequestration sand 102 referenced in FIG. 1 may be about #4 mesh (4,750 m) to about #270 mesh (53 m).

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, the portion of the synthetic turf system 100 includes one or more infill layers 104 (described below), a permeable (e.g., carpet) backing 110, and turf fibers 112 that are artificial grass blades extended substantially perpendicular to the backing 110. With this construction, when the backing 110 is extended flatly in a horizontal direction, such as a stone base layer described in greater detail below, the turf fibers 112 may extend upward in a vertical direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction. While, as depicted, the turf fibers 112 are artificial grass blades, the turf fibers 112 may additionally or alternatively include natural grass blades extended upward from the backing 110, through the carbon sequestration sand 102 and the one or more infill layers 104 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0041] The infill layers 104 are positioned above the backing 110, in between the turf fibers 112, and below a top portion 114 of the turf fibers 112. More specifically, the infill layers 104 are disposed directly on top of the backing 110, where the top portion 114 of the turf fibers 112 extends above the infill layers 104. While, as depicted, the example embodiment of FIG. 1 includes multiple layers of infill materials respectively shown as a first layer 120, a second layer 122, and a third layer 124, the synthetic turf system 100 may include more or fewer distinct infill layers. Also, while, as depicted, the carbon sequestration sand 102 is disposed below the third layer 124 and directly contacts the backing 110, where the carbon sequestration sand 102 is interposed between and separates the infill layers 104 from the backing 110, the carbon sequestration sand 102 may additionally or alternatively be incorporated into the first layer 120, the second layer 122, or the third layer 124, or be applied over the third layer 124 as a top dressing of the synthetic turf system 100 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0042] In this regard, the carbon sequestration sand 102 may partially or entirely form the first layer 120, the second layer 122, or the third layer 124 with a variety of compositional ranges. In an embodiment, the carbon sequestration sand 102 forms up to 90 percent of the first layer 120, the second layer 122, or the third layer 124 by volume. In a further embodiment, the carbon sequestration sand 102 forms up to 10 percent of the first layer 120, the second layer 122, or the third layer 124 by volume. With this construction, water insoluble components of the first layer 120, the second layer 122, or the third layer 124 reduce an overall wear rate of the synthetic turf system 100, and maintain a minimum volume in the synthetic turf system 100. In this manner, a wear rate and minimum volume of the first layer 120, the second layer 122, or the third layer 124 may be adjusted as desired by adjusting the compositional range of the carbon sequestration sand 102. In an embodiment, the carbon sequestration sand 102 may be preblended or layered with wollastonite, olivine, limestone, or basalt, etc., and additional infill materials complementary to the one or more infill layers 104 for producing desired field conditions in the synthetic turf system 100.

[0043] The weathering rate and shape of particles forming the carbon sequestration sand 102 are influenced by material selection and particle size distribution. In this regard, consistent particle sizing promotes uniform weathering rates across the one or more infill layers 104, maintaining overall field performance and carbon sequestration efficiency in the synthetic turf system 100. The carbon sequestration sand 102 is accessible to rainwater traveling downward by gravity from the top portion 114 of the turf fibers 112 toward the backing 110. As the carbon sequestration sand 102 weathers through exposure to rainwater, its constituent particles may substantially change morphology, or alternatively may remain largely the same shape. In embodiments, the selected silicate rock, ultramafic rock, or reactive rock materials form weathered particles that maintain a sphericity of about 0.65 to about 0.85. This sphericity range supports stable packing within the synthetic turf system, reduces compaction variability, and ensures continued mechanical performance while facilitating consistent chemical reactions for carbon capture.

[0044] In an embodiment where the carbon sequestration sand 102 is incorporated in the synthetic turf system 100 as a top dressing, the carbon sequestration sand 102 is periodically dispersed over the top portion 114 of the turf fibers 112 with an application system 130 depicted in FIG. 2. With continued reference to FIG. 2, the application system 130 includes a seed tender 132 and a tractor 134 that disperses the carbon sequestration sand 102 over the synthetic turf system 100 from a broadcaster tool 140. The seed tender 132 is employed in conjunction with a hydraulically-controlled conveyor 142 and a hopper gate 144, which supply the tractor 134 the carbon sequestration sand 102. As the tractor 134 moves at a consistent speed across the synthetic turf system 100 following a predetermined pattern, the hydraulically-controlled conveyor 142 and the hopper gate 144 precisely control a flow rate of the carbon sequestration sand 102 to the tractor 134, ensuring uniform distribution across the synthetic turf system 100.

[0045] While, as depicted, the application system 130 includes the broadcaster tool 140 pulled by the tractor 134, and continuously fed the carbon sequestration sand 102 by the seed tender 132 along or across the synthetic turf system 100, the application system 130 may additionally or alternatively include a variety of components configured to spread granular material across a field, such as, for example, a self-propelled, manually powered, or power take-off (PTO) driven broadcast material spreader, a pneumatic spreader, an air boom spreader, a drop spreader, a handheld spreader, or an aerial spreader for dispersing the carbon sequestration sand 102 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0046] Once the carbon sequestration sand 102 is dispersed across the synthetic turf system 100 by the application system 130, the carbon sequestration sand 102 is brushed into the one or more infill layers 104, including the first layer 120, the second layer 122, and the third layer 124. In this regard, a brush 150 depicted in FIG. 3 grooms the carbon sequestration sand 102 into the one or more infill layers 104. Rotary brush action on the synthetic turf system 100 from the top portion 114 by the brush 150 effectively works the carbon sequestration sand 102 downward between the turf fibers 112, ensuring proper placement within the infill material forming the one or more infill layers 104, while maintaining structural integrity and performance characteristics of the synthetic turf system 100, including at the top portion 114 and the first layer 120.

[0047] While, as depicted, the brush 150 is a motorized, walk-behind rotary brush apparatus, such as a Shindaiwa or Laymor brush system, the brush 150 may additionally or alternatively include various components for incorporating the carbon sequestration sand 102 into the one or more infill layers 104 such as, for example, a ride-on turf groomer, a tractor-mounted brush that is dragged or PTO driven, or manual turf brushing equipment. Furthermore, brushes employed in such configurations may embody various shapes, sizes, and types, such as, for example, straight brushes, triangular brushes, hydraulic brushes, oscillating brushes, rigid brushes, flexible brushes, or brush assemblies including at least one plurality of brushes. Furthermore, the brush 150 may additionally or alternatively include specialty turf equipment, such as a vacuum or other devices complementary to the brush 150, and utilized to integrate the carbon sequestration sand 102 into the existing infill material of the one or more infill layers 104 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0048] Referring back to FIG. 1, infill is representative of material that is deposited over the backing 110 and forms the one or more infill layers 104 around the turf fibers 112. Infill is interspersed between the turf fibers 112 rising out of the backing 110. Infill generally has a depth that covers a portion of the turf fibers 112 (unexposed portion of the artificial fibers/blades) leaving part of the turf fibers 112, i.e., the top portion 114 extending above the infill (exposed portion of the artificial fibers/blades).

[0049] In accordance with some embodiments, the one or more infill layers 104 assists in supporting the turf fibers 112 in an upright position and is used to provide traction and shock absorption. As a general matter, various types of infill arrangements are contemplated. For example, two layer, three layers, or other arrangements are contemplated. For convenience, the present description primarily discusses two and three layer embodiments.

[0050] In some embodiments, the first layer 120 may include, for example and without limitation, heartwood or sapwood portions of hardwood or softwood, such as bamboo, cypress, poplar, pine, and cedar. The first layer 120 may additionally or alternatively include, for example and without limitation, cork, corn cobs, olive pits, barks, coconut peat or other organic materials, as well as styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) particles ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, other thermoplastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or composite materials can be used that combine thermoplastics, elastomers, reinforcements and/or fillers or other sufficient material. In accordance with some embodiments, the second layer 122 of infill material depicted in FIG. 1 may include a mixture of materials, e.g., material of the first layer 120 and a sand material. In such embodiments, the third layer 124 of infill material may include the aforementioned sand material, such that the fourth or lowermost layer is that of the carbon sequestration sand 102.

[0051] In accordance with some embodiments, a shock pad (not shown) may be employed to achieve a desired shock absorption in accordance with a particular installation/purpose. For example, a shock pad (not shown) may be positioned below the one or more infill layers 104 shown in FIG. 1. As such, the material of the infill layers 104 conveys many of the mechanical properties that may be desired for use as artificial turf infill.

[0052] In some embodiments, the carbon sequestration sand 102 can be used in combination with the backing 110, and/or a stabilizing infill layer (e.g., sand) 104 to make up the synthetic turf system 100. The synthetic turf system 100, using the described infill material, exhibits superior mechanical performance, a greater mechanical durability, easy availability and mitigates or otherwise avoids issues of floating away when subjected to large amounts of water.

[0053] In some other embodiments, the backing 110 may be positioned below the carbon sequestration sand 102 shown in FIG. 1. In such embodiments, the backing 110 may correspond to the material into which the turf fibers 112 are woven, held, inserted, etc. Accordingly, the carbon sequestration sand 102 is positioned directly on the backing 110, thereby functioning as a ballast layer. The backing 110 is water permeable, without punched holes, such that the carbon sequestration sand 102 may remain in place at the backing 110, underlying the remainder of the infill layers 104, thereby maximizing contact with rainwater while preventing the carbon sequestration sand 102 from being flushed out of the synthetic turf system 100 via regular drainage measures. More specifically, the backing 110 has a porosity that filters rainwater from the carbon sequestration sand 102 and the one or more infill layers 104 as the rainwater travels downward through the synthetic turf system 100 from the one or more infill layers 104 to below the backing 110.

[0054] Turning now to FIG. 4, there is shown a more detailed three-dimensional cross-sectional view of a portion of the synthetic turf system 100 utilizing the carbon sequestration sand 102 as a ballast infill material in accordance with the embodiment set forth above in FIG. 1. It will be appreciated that while illustrated in FIG. 4 as a multi-stone layered installation, the carbon sequestration sand 102 may be used in other types of turf systems and in varying mesh sizes, and the illustrations in FIGS. 1-8 are intended solely as one non-limiting example of turf carpet systems in which the carbon sequestration sand 102 may be utilized.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 4, the synthetic turf system 100, in addition to including the turf fibers 112, the carbon sequestration sand 102, the infill layers 104, and the backing 110, further includes a first base stone layer 200 disposed below the backing 110 and above a second base stone layer 202. The synthetic turf system 100 further includes a geotextile component 204 that is a fabric disposed between the second base stone layer 202 and a subgrade 210. The synthetic turf system 100 may further include a subdrain trench component 212 formed in the subgrade and housing a drainage pipe 214.

[0056] As discussed above, the carbon sequestration sand 102 may be implemented, for example and without limitation, olivine, wollastonite, basalt, limestone, etc. In operation, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, as rainwater contacts the carbon sequestration sand 102, a chemical reaction occurs between carbonic acid naturally present in the rainwater and the sequestration sand. The reaction weathers the carbon sequestration sand 102, e.g., olivine, wollastonite, etc., and converts the carbonic acid into carbonate or bicarbonate. As stated above, the conversion of the carbon dioxide into other substances prevents the release of the carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Further, the conversion of the carbonic acid has a de-acidifying effect on soils, storm water, rivers, and oceans, simultaneously enriching them with mineral nutrients. Carbonate and bicarbonate solutions may permeate the first base stone layer 200 and the second base stone layer 202, through the geotextile component 204 and into the subdrain trench component 212 and drainage pipe 214. Thereafter, the carbonate and bicarbonate solutions are carried by rivers to the sea, where they are ultimately deposited as limestone and dolomites, e.g., carbonate sediments, forming a sink for carbon dioxide.

[0057] Turning now to FIG. 5, there is shown another embodiment of the synthetic turf system 100 utilizing the carbon sequestration sand 102. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the carbon sequestration sand 102 is applied on a top surface of the first base stone layer 200, below the backing 110. Application may be made via a suitable top-dressing machine, such as the application system 130 depicted in FIG. 2. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the carbon sequestration sand 102 may be deposited with a thickness in the range of about 1/16 to . The carbon sequestration sand 102 of FIG. 5 may be implemented with a particle size of about #4 mesh to #270 mesh. In such an embodiment, rainwater would flow directly through the one or more infill layers 104, the backing 110, and the carbon sequestration sand 102 and into the first base stone layer 200. Reaction with the rainwater would occur as described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 4.

[0058] With reference now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated the synthetic turf system 100 utilizing particles of the carbon sequestration sand 102 in accordance with another embodiment. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, particles of the carbon sequestration sand 102 are incorporated into the first base stone layer 200. In accordance with one non-limiting example, the first base stone layer 200 may be implemented as a layer of stone having a thickness in the range of about 1 inch to about 6 inches, and in some particular embodiments, in the range of about 1 inch to about 2 inches. In such embodiments, the first base stone layer 200 may include for example and without limitation, a suitable drainage stone, such as gravel (e.g., granite) or the like. The carbon sequestration sand 102 may be suitably mixed with the stone to distribute the carbon sequestration sand 102 throughout the first base stone layer 200. In some embodiments, a single, e.g., uniform, base stone layer (not shown) may be utilized. In such embodiments, the carbon sequestration sand 102 may be blended into the single base stone layer, e.g., to a certain depth thereof (e.g., the top 1 or 2 thereof), or throughout the base stone layer. As described in greater detail above, reaction of the carbon sequestration sand 102 with rainwater would occur as described above with respect to FIGS. 1, 4, and 5.

[0059] Turning now to FIG. 7, there is shown another embodiment of the synthetic turf system 100 utilizing carbon sequestration sand 102. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the carbon sequestration sand 102 may be on the geotextile component 204. In such a position, the carbon sequestration sand 102 may form a layer having a thickness of about 1/16 to about , with a mesh size in the range of about #4 to about #270. Stated another way, the layer of carbon sequestration sand 102 may be applied at a bottom of the second base stone layer 202, as shown in FIG. 7. In accordance with one non-limiting example, the second base stone layer 202 may be implemented as a layer of stone having a thickness in the range of about 2 inches to about 6 inches, and in some particular embodiments, in the range of about 3 inches to about 4 inches. In such embodiments, the second base stone layer 202 may include, for example and without limitation, a suitable drainage stone, such as gravel (e.g., granite) or the like.

[0060] In an embodiment, the first base stone layer 200 or the second base stone layer 202 includes silicate rocks, ultramafic rocks, or otherwise reactive rocks such as, for example, basalt, peridotite, olivine, dunite, limestone, and dolostone. Notably, in such an embodiment, the first base stone layer 200 or the second base stone layer 202 may perform carbon sequestration upon weathering by rainwater, in addition to the carbon sequestration sand 102, increasing an overall carbon sequestration capacity of the synthetic turf system 100.

[0061] Although not shown, it is contemplated that the carbon sequestration sand 102 may be blended with the stone of the second base stone layer 202 similar to the manner described above with respect to FIG. 6. Similarly, although not illustrated in the accompanying figures, it is further contemplated that the carbon sequestration sand 102 may be blended with the stone of the subdrain trench component 212, or layered in the subdrain trench component 212 without blending. The above described positions of the carbon sequestration sand 102 would also enable the carbon capture reaction described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 4-6.

[0062] Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown the synthetic turf system 100 utilizing the carbon sequestration sand 102 in accordance with another embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the carbon sequestration sand 102 may be tilled and incorporated into the subgrade 210 of the synthetic turf system 100, e.g., soil, sediment, etc. In such an implementation, the geotextile component 204 layered over the subgrade 210, and a 6 to 8 combined thickness of the first base stone layer 200 and the second base stone layer 202 may be installed on the subgrade 210 with the carbon sequestration sand 102 distributed therein. It will be appreciated that more carbon sequestration sand 102 may be used with this embodiment than the embodiments described above, thereby providing the synthetic turf system 100 additional carbon sequestration capability.

[0063] Furthermore, it will be appreciated that by placing the carbon sequestration sand 102 into the subgrade 210, additional opportunity to capture carbon is presented, as soil contains more carbon dioxide then air. That is, as organic matter breaks down it creates additional carbon dioxide. As such, having the carbon sequestration sand 102 in the subgrade 210 where there is potential for more water availability increases the ability for the weathering reaction to occur, thereby facilitating carbon sequestration. In addition, as described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 4-7, rainwater reaction with the carbon sequestration sand 102 provides the aforementioned carbon capture benefits.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 9, a method 300 for preparing a synthetic turf system will be described according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 9 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1-8. For simplicity, the method 300 will be described as a sequence of blocks, but the elements of the method 300 can be organized into different architectures, elements, stages, and/or processes.

[0065] At block 302, the method 300 includes measuring an aspect of the synthetic turf system 100. More specifically, a user may measure a thickness of an infill layer, such as one of the infill layers 104, may measure an acidity of rainwater at the infill layer, and may measure a quantity of silicate rock, ultramafic rock, or reactive rock present in the infill layer.

[0066] At block 304, the method 300 includes preblending or layering the silicate rock, ultramafic rock, or reactive rock with organic particles, rubber particles, elastomer particles, coated particles, or thermoplastic particles prior to dispersing the carbon sequestration sand 102 over the top portion 114 of the turf fibers 112. In an embodiment, the method 300 includes determining desired compositional ranges of the carbon sequestration sand 102 based on the measurement or measurements taken at block 302. In this manner, the wear rate and the minimum volume of the one or more infill layers 104 is controlled by adjusting the compositional ranges of components of the carbon sequestration sand 102. In an embodiment, the carbon sequestration sand 102 may be preblended or layered with wollastonite, olivine, limestone, or basalt, etc., and additional infill materials complementary to the one or more infill layers 104 for producing desired field conditions in the synthetic turf system 100.

[0067] At block 310, the method 300 includes dispersing the carbon sequestration sand 102 over the top portion 114 of the turf fibers 112, where the carbon sequestration sand 102 includes silicate rock, ultramafic rock, or reactive rock that forms a carbonate or bicarbonate with rainwater traveling through the one or more infill layers 104 by gravity. In an embodiment, dispersing the carbon sequestration sand 102 includes dispersing a predetermined quantity of the carbon sequestration sand 102 over the top portion 114 of the turf fibers 112 as a top dressing based on the measurement taken at block 302.

[0068] At block 312, the method 300 includes grooming the carbon sequestration sand 102 into the one or more infill layers 104 of the synthetic turf system 100, between the turf fibers 112, at the backing 110 of the synthetic turf system 100. In this regard, the brush 150 grooms the carbon sequestration sand 102 into and through the one or more infill layers 104, where the carbon sequestration sand 102 contacts and rests on the backing 110.

[0069] The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions and/or alternative embodiments exist that employ alternative materials, mixtures, proportions, sizes, etc., do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0070] While specific embodiments are shown and described herein, it is contemplated that alternative embodiments exist that employ alternative materials, mixtures, proportions, sizes, etc. without departing from the spirit and/or scope of the innovation as described in detail. These alternative embodiments are to be included within the spirit and scope of the innovation as described and claimed herein.

[0071] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter of the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example aspects.

[0072] Various operations of aspects are provided herein. The order in which one or more or all of the operations are described should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. Alternative ordering will be appreciated based on this description. Further, not all operations may necessarily be present in each aspect provided herein.

[0073] As used in this application, or is intended to mean an inclusive or rather than an exclusive or. Further, an inclusive or may include any combination thereof (e.g., A, B, or any combination thereof). In addition, a and an as used in this application are generally construed to mean one or more unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. Additionally, at least one of A and B and/or the like generally means A or B or both A and B. Further, to the extent that includes, having, has, with, or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising.

[0074] Further, unless specified otherwise, first, second, or the like are not intended to imply a temporal aspect, a spatial aspect, an ordering, etc. Rather, such terms are merely used as identifiers, names, etc. for features, elements, items, etc. For example, a first channel and a second channel generally correspond to channel A and channel B or two different or two identical channels or the same channel. Additionally, comprising, comprises, including, includes, or the like generally means comprising or including, but not limited thereto.

[0075] Further, the term in as used to describe an object with respect to a given direction (e.g., an edge extended in a left-right direction) is intended to denote an orientation that is substantially parallel to the specified direction. In contrast, the term along as used to describe an object with respect to a given direction (e.g., an edge extended along a vertical direction) is intended to indicate that a feature or element possesses a common vector component in that direction, even if its overall alignment is not strictly parallel.

[0076] The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.