METHOD FOR THE CONTINUOUS GENERATION AND HARVESTING OF BIOTHERMAL ENERGY

Abstract

A method for generating and capturing biothermal energy comprising: forming a heap comprising an amended organic material; subjecting the amended organic material to a continuous fermentation process to produce a convection current, and to stimulate capture of non-visible radiation, and using a heat exchanger in contact with the heap, capture and/or store biothermal energy generated by the continuous fermentation process within the heap.

Claims

1. A method for continuous generation and harvesting of biothermal energy comprising: forming a heap comprising an amended organic material; subjecting the amended organic material to a continuous fermentation process to produce a convection current and to stimulate continuous capture of non-visible radiation; and using a heat exchanger in contact with the heap, at least one of capturing or storing biothermal energy generated by the continuous fermentation process within the heap.

2. A method for continuous generation and harvesting of biothermal energy according to claim 1, wherein an initial moisture content of the heap is about 65% w/w.

3. A method for continuous generation and harvesting of biothermal energy according to claim 1, wherein the amended organic material is formed by applying one or more catalysts to an organic material.

4. A method for continuous generation and harvesting of biothermal energy according to claim 3, wherein the one or more catalysts stimulate activity of one or more low temperature fermentation microorganisms.

5. A method for continuous generation and harvesting of biothermal energy according to claim 3, wherein the one or more catalysts stimulate autotrophic activity.

6. A method for continuous generation and harvesting of biothermal energy according to claim 1, further comprising: applying a cover to the heap comprising the amended organic material, wherein the cover assists in maintaining the heap at a desired moisture content and temperature level.

7. A method for continuous generation and harvesting of biothermal energy according to claim 1, wherein the continuous fermentation process occurs in a low oxygen environment.

8. A method for continuous generation and harvesting of biothermal energy according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is a low temperature heat exchanger.

9. A method for continuous generation and harvesting of biothermal energy according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a matrix of pipes located at least one of underneath or within the heap.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0112] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0113] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a system for the continuous generation and harvesting of energy from a source of biothermal energy according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0114] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart showing steps in a method for the continuous generation and harvesting of energy from a source of biothermal energy according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0115] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for the continuous generation and harvesting of energy from a source of biothermal energy 100. Heap 10 may be formed from an amended organic material and may be approximately an M-shape in cross section. The amended organic material in the heap 10 may be subjected to a continuous fermentation process, the movement of microorganisms, moisture and heat through the heap may create a convection current and thereby a source of biothermal energy.

[0116] Heat exchanger includes a heat driven generator 14 and heat transfer elements 12 such as a network of pipes located underneath and/or within the heap 10. The network of pipes 12 may be in fluid communication with a pump 16 located external to the heap. In use, it is envisaged that biothermal energy generated by the heap 10 may be transferred to the network of pipes 12 due to movement of the water within the heap. Biothermal energy captured by the heat exchanger and used as a source of power.

[0117] A method for the continuous generation and harvesting of energy from a source of biothermal energy (200) is now described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

[0118] At step 210, a heap comprising an amended organic material is formed.

[0119] Any suitable organic material may be used. Generally, however, the organic material may comprise vegetable matter or animal matter.

[0120] The organic material may be amended by applying one or more catalysts to the organic material.

[0121] The one or more catalysts may be applied to the organic material using any suitable technique.

[0122] The one or more catalysts may be applied to the organic material before, during or after a size reduction process and/or before, during, or after formation of a heap of the organic material.

[0123] In use, it is envisaged that the one or more catalysts may stimulate and promote the proliferation of desired microorganisms in and/or on the organic material, facilitating the continuous fermentation of the organic material and generating an amended organic material which includes the characteristics and elements commonly found in a humified soil.

[0124] Any suitable catalyst may be used. Generally, the catalysts may comprise a source of and/or a substrate produced by, and which stimulates the activity of, the one or more prokaryotic organisms.

[0125] In some embodiments, the catalyst may have the capacity to capture non-visible radiation and trigger phototrophic and/or phosphorolytic reactions such that the prokaryotic organisms may process the substrate and generate simple sugars.

[0126] Generally, the catalyst provides a substrate which may stimulate the activity of low temperature fermentation microorganisms.

[0127] In some embodiments, the catalyst may stimulate the activity of one or more prokaryotic organisms, such as heterotrophic photosynthetic bacteria, other phototrophic species, lactobacillus species, yeasts, actinomycetes species, Nocardia species, ray fungi, plankton, chemotrophic bacteria, autotrophic bacteria, or a suitable combination thereof.

[0128] In some embodiments, the catalyst may comprise a source of biologically available phosphorus.

[0129] In some embodiments, the amended organic material may have an initial moisture content of about 65 % w/w. Generally, the moisture content may be sufficient to facilitate the spread of microorganisms in the catalyst through the heap. Thus, while the heap may be static, the circulation of water through the heap ensures that microorganisms constantly move throughout the heap, ensuring that the continuous fermentation process occurs throughout substantially the entire heap.

[0130] The heap may be of any suitable size and cross-section. Generally, the height of the heap and the ratio of the heap height to width in cross-section may be sufficient to cause compression of the amended organic material under gravity alone and to increase the efficiency of convection within the heap.

[0131] In some embodiments, the heap may be constructed such that a concave shape is formed in the upper surface of the heap. Generally, the concave shape may assist in moisture reticulation throughout the heap.

[0132] In some embodiments, the heap may be provided with a cover.

[0133] The fermentation conditions of the heap comprising an organic material may promote the capture of specific wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.

[0134] At step 220, the amended organic material is subjected to a continuous fermentation process to produce a convection current and to stimulate the continuous capture of non-visible radiation.

[0135] Preferably, the continuous fermentation process comprises aerobic, anaerobic and heterotrophic activity. In use, it is envisaged that the continuous fermentation process may initiate bacterial photosynthesis (including both direct phototrophic and autotrophic activity) and secondary chemotrophic activity such that the net result is the capture of solar energy and storage of the captured energy as organic molecules.

[0136] In some embodiments, the continuous fermentation process may be in a state of dynamic equilibrium.

[0137] The continuous fermentation of the amended organic material may generate a source of energy. For instance, the continuous fermentation process may be exothermic and generate heat energy, may generate energy by breaking chemical bonds, may generate kinetic energy from the movement of microorganisms throughout the heap, may generate heat energy from the turnover of the humus by microorganisms in the heap, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0138] A convection current may be formed in any suitable manner. For instance, the convection current may be formed by movement of water and/or heat within the heap, by movement of microorganisms through the heap, by movement of nutrients and/or particles through the heap, or the like.

[0139] In use, it is envisaged that the convection current oscillates through the heap attracting and dispersing nutrients and facilitating the generation and dispersal of energy.

[0140] At step 230, a heat exchanger in contact with the heap is used to capture and/or store biothermal energy generated by the continuous fermentation process within the heap.

[0141] In some embodiments, the heat exchanger may be a low temperature and/or a waste heat exchanger.

[0142] The heat exchanger may contact the heap in any suitable manner. Generally, the contact between the heat exchanger and the heap may be sufficient so as to facilitate the efficient transfer of biothermal energy from the heap to the heat exchanger.

[0143] In some embodiments, one or more components of the heat exchanger may be located underneath the heap and/or within the heap. For example, the heat exchanger may comprise a matrix or network of pipes located underneath and/or within the heap in fluid communication with a pumping and storage installation located external to the heap.

[0144] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0145] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0146] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.