I want to talk to you about my journey here my process which is to try to
here my process which is to try to
here my process which is to try to create or scale what is quite literally
create or scale what is quite literally
create or scale what is quite literally a hot approach for making the atmosphere
a hot approach for making the atmosphere
a hot approach for making the atmosphere a carbon source for industries now in
a carbon source for industries now in
a carbon source for industries now in some ways this process is sold in such a
some ways this process is sold in such a
some ways this process is sold in such a no-brainer
no-brainer
no-brainer I can only say it’s really kind of
I can only say it’s really kind of
I can only say it’s really kind of criminal it hasn’t been scaled to
criminal it hasn’t been scaled to
criminal it hasn’t been scaled to massive proportions before now I might
massive proportions before now I might
massive proportions before now I might argue that we’re a little over focused
argue that we’re a little over focused
argue that we’re a little over focused in society on fossil fuel emissions you
in society on fossil fuel emissions you
in society on fossil fuel emissions you heard me right
heard me right
heard me right the amount of carbon that we jacked into
the amount of carbon that we jacked into
the amount of carbon that we jacked into the atmosphere by the consumption of
the atmosphere by the consumption of
the atmosphere by the consumption of fossil fuels for the last couple of
fossil fuels for the last couple of
fossil fuels for the last couple of decades we’ve been told to buy less
decades we’ve been told to buy less
decades we’ve been told to buy less stuff eat less meat plant the tree
stuff eat less meat plant the tree
stuff eat less meat plant the tree driver Prius do whatever you can to
driver Prius do whatever you can to
driver Prius do whatever you can to reduce your carbon footprint and that’s
reduce your carbon footprint and that’s
reduce your carbon footprint and that’s great how are we doing to that end if we
great how are we doing to that end if we
great how are we doing to that end if we actually look at the data emissions from
actually look at the data emissions from
actually look at the data emissions from industry carbon emissions from industry
industry carbon emissions from industry
industry carbon emissions from industry have gone up since 1960 from
have gone up since 1960 from
have gone up since 1960 from two-and-a-half Giga tons a Giga tons of
two-and-a-half Giga tons a Giga tons of
two-and-a-half Giga tons a Giga tons of billion tons of carbon to over 10 Giga
billion tons of carbon to over 10 Giga
billion tons of carbon to over 10 Giga tons of carbon today that’s a lot and on
tons of carbon today that’s a lot and on
tons of carbon today that’s a lot and on Sunday I was chatting with a good friend
Sunday I was chatting with a good friend
Sunday I was chatting with a good friend of mine who’s an atmospheric researcher
of mine who’s an atmospheric researcher
of mine who’s an atmospheric researcher at NOAA in Boulder Colorado about this
at NOAA in Boulder Colorado about this
at NOAA in Boulder Colorado about this trend and he said to me says Mike you
trend and he said to me says Mike you
trend and he said to me says Mike you know a lot of us in the scientific
know a lot of us in the scientific
know a lot of us in the scientific community believe that if those
community believe that if those
community believe that if those emissions go to zero I mean zero that’s
emissions go to zero I mean zero that’s
emissions go to zero I mean zero that’s not enough to prevent the earth from
not enough to prevent the earth from
not enough to prevent the earth from continually warming for the foreseeable
continually warming for the foreseeable
continually warming for the foreseeable future I think we need a different
future I think we need a different
future I think we need a different approach I think we did different
approach I think we did different
approach I think we did different approach that first and foremost makes
approach that first and foremost makes
approach that first and foremost makes probably for companies that really think
probably for companies that really think
probably for companies that really think about building products that customers
about building products that customers
about building products that customers want intrinsically and also happen to
want intrinsically and also happen to
want intrinsically and also happen to subtract a carbon from the atmosphere
subtract a carbon from the atmosphere
subtract a carbon from the atmosphere rather than contributing to it see if we
rather than contributing to it see if we
rather than contributing to it see if we only focus on emissions it’s sort of
only focus on emissions it’s sort of
only focus on emissions it’s sort of like thinking about ascertaining the
like thinking about ascertaining the
like thinking about ascertaining the value of a company by only looking at
value of a company by only looking at
value of a company by only looking at its liabilities while ignoring its
its liabilities while ignoring its
its liabilities while ignoring its assets on its balance sheet are only
assets on its balance sheet are only
assets on its balance sheet are only focusing on carbon emissions or c3
focusing on carbon emissions or c3
focusing on carbon emissions or c3 sources or emissions and ignoring
sources or emissions and ignoring
sources or emissions and ignoring opportunities to build carbon
opportunities to build carbon
opportunities to build carbon sings I think there has to be a better
sings I think there has to be a better
sings I think there has to be a better way to make these products now I’m going
way to make these products now I’m going
way to make these products now I’m going to distill everything down for you to a
to distill everything down for you to a
to distill everything down for you to a very simple denominator in this approach
very simple denominator in this approach
very simple denominator in this approach which is basically the lifecycle of a
which is basically the lifecycle of a
which is basically the lifecycle of a match now this match of course is made
match now this match of course is made
match now this match of course is made of wood it’s plant matter and plants
of wood it’s plant matter and plants
of wood it’s plant matter and plants have been drawing carbon out of the
have been drawing carbon out of the
have been drawing carbon out of the atmosphere since the beginning of time
atmosphere since the beginning of time
atmosphere since the beginning of time you know the basic chemistry of
you know the basic chemistry of
you know the basic chemistry of photosynthesis car plants draw carbon
photosynthesis car plants draw carbon
photosynthesis car plants draw carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere with water
dioxide out of the atmosphere with water
dioxide out of the atmosphere with water for the root systems and the help of
for the root systems and the help of
for the root systems and the help of sunlight they convert that into
sunlight they convert that into
sunlight they convert that into cellulosic structured sugars in in
cellulosic structured sugars in in
cellulosic structured sugars in in oxygen and so you might think if we just
oxygen and so you might think if we just
oxygen and so you might think if we just let plants grow in fact maybe double the
let plants grow in fact maybe double the
let plants grow in fact maybe double the number of plants that are in the world
number of plants that are in the world
number of plants that are in the world that might make a big difference
that might make a big difference
that might make a big difference global photosynthesis of terrestrial
global photosynthesis of terrestrial
global photosynthesis of terrestrial plants on all earth is about a hundred
plants on all earth is about a hundred
plants on all earth is about a hundred and twenty Giga tons of carbon a year
and twenty Giga tons of carbon a year
and twenty Giga tons of carbon a year that’s a really really big number but
that’s a really really big number but
that’s a really really big number but unfortunately half of that folks is
unfortunately half of that folks is
unfortunately half of that folks is given back to the atmosphere every day
given back to the atmosphere every day
given back to the atmosphere every day every year because at night plants
every year because at night plants
every year because at night plants actually produce carbon dioxide they
actually produce carbon dioxide they
actually produce carbon dioxide they respire another 50 Giga tons that
respire another 50 Giga tons that
respire another 50 Giga tons that hundred-and-twenty is further given back
hundred-and-twenty is further given back
hundred-and-twenty is further given back through decomposition of dead plant
through decomposition of dead plant
through decomposition of dead plant matter another nine gigs is then further
matter another nine gigs is then further
matter another nine gigs is then further fed back into the atmosphere through
fed back into the atmosphere through
fed back into the atmosphere through disturbance processes which is another
disturbance processes which is another
disturbance processes which is another way for saying harvesting burning and
way for saying harvesting burning and
way for saying harvesting burning and metabolism which we’re all doing in this
metabolism which we’re all doing in this
metabolism which we’re all doing in this room right now and through that entire
room right now and through that entire
room right now and through that entire process that leaves us with one measly
process that leaves us with one measly
process that leaves us with one measly Giga ton of carbon that has now been
Giga ton of carbon that has now been
Giga ton of carbon that has now been removed from the atmosphere into net
removed from the atmosphere into net
removed from the atmosphere into net long term storage or what scientists
long term storage or what scientists
long term storage or what scientists would call net biome production and so
would call net biome production and so
would call net biome production and so we would need to massively increase
we would need to massively increase
we would need to massively increase global photosynthesis to really have a
global photosynthesis to really have a
global photosynthesis to really have a meaningful impact on fossil fuel
meaningful impact on fossil fuel
meaningful impact on fossil fuel emmissions you see the answer is not in
emmissions you see the answer is not in
emmissions you see the answer is not in how we treat living trees or whether or
how we treat living trees or whether or
how we treat living trees or whether or not we plant more of them but rather and
not we plant more of them but rather and
not we plant more of them but rather and how we process and treat dead one if we
how we process and treat dead one if we
how we process and treat dead one if we can reduce the amount of decomposition
can reduce the amount of decomposition
can reduce the amount of decomposition if we can reduce the amount of
if we can reduce the amount of
if we can reduce the amount of disturbance from dead plant matter then
disturbance from dead plant matter then
disturbance from dead plant matter then we can begin to make a meaningful impact
we can begin to make a meaningful impact
we can begin to make a meaningful impact in the atmosphere but anyway
in the atmosphere but anyway
in the atmosphere but anyway photosynthesis is kind of boring we
photosynthesis is kind of boring we
photosynthesis is kind of boring we should really talk
should really talk
should really talk about the disturbance of this match
about the disturbance of this match
about the disturbance of this match which is the burning you know the
which is the burning you know the
which is the burning you know the bookends of this process pretty well
bookends of this process pretty well
bookends of this process pretty well once this match is burned it is
once this match is burned it is
once this match is burned it is converted into carbon dioxide and water
converted into carbon dioxide and water
converted into carbon dioxide and water vapor the bookends of this process are
vapor the bookends of this process are
vapor the bookends of this process are not terribly exciting it’s what happens
not terribly exciting it’s what happens
not terribly exciting it’s what happens in the middle so let me unpack the
in the middle so let me unpack the
in the middle so let me unpack the decomposition of this match a little bit
decomposition of this match a little bit
decomposition of this match a little bit for you when that matchstick or is lit
for you when that matchstick or is lit
for you when that matchstick or is lit and that flame begins to move along this
and that flame begins to move along this
and that flame begins to move along this lignocellulosic material it heats the
lignocellulosic material it heats the
lignocellulosic material it heats the biomass to about 300 degrees driving
biomass to about 300 degrees driving
biomass to about 300 degrees driving from the biomass pyrolytic gases now
from the biomass pyrolytic gases now
from the biomass pyrolytic gases now those pyrolytic gases and vapors are
those pyrolytic gases and vapors are
those pyrolytic gases and vapors are then further burned by the way I should
then further burned by the way I should
then further burned by the way I should say that pyrolytic zone is that clear
say that pyrolytic zone is that clear
say that pyrolytic zone is that clear leuctra luminous zone excuse me the
leuctra luminous zone excuse me the
leuctra luminous zone excuse me the clear luminous zone right along the
clear luminous zone right along the
clear luminous zone right along the matchstick it’s an oxygen-deprived area
matchstick it’s an oxygen-deprived area
matchstick it’s an oxygen-deprived area those gases are then are further
those gases are then are further
those gases are then are further combusted in the the flame and converted
combusted in the the flame and converted
combusted in the the flame and converted into carbon dioxide moisture and heat
into carbon dioxide moisture and heat
into carbon dioxide moisture and heat the heat of course continues the burning
the heat of course continues the burning
the heat of course continues the burning of the match the carbon dioxide is now
of the match the carbon dioxide is now
of the match the carbon dioxide is now available for additional photosynthesis
available for additional photosynthesis
available for additional photosynthesis and that’s a very simple carbon cycle
and that’s a very simple carbon cycle
and that’s a very simple carbon cycle we’ve addressed the issue we have to
we’ve addressed the issue we have to
we’ve addressed the issue we have to disrupt the carbon cycle so how can we
disrupt the carbon cycle so how can we
disrupt the carbon cycle so how can we do that the answer is actually in
do that the answer is actually in
do that the answer is actually in removing oxygen from the process if we
removing oxygen from the process if we
removing oxygen from the process if we can sustain the heat of the reaction but
can sustain the heat of the reaction but
can sustain the heat of the reaction but eliminate the oxygen or air the air from
eliminate the oxygen or air the air from
eliminate the oxygen or air the air from the process then we can drive these
the process then we can drive these
the process then we can drive these pyrolytic gases and vapors from the
pyrolytic gases and vapors from the
pyrolytic gases and vapors from the biomass and maybe sell those to industry
biomass and maybe sell those to industry
biomass and maybe sell those to industry what is the overall process now let’s
what is the overall process now let’s
what is the overall process now let’s think a little bit bigger not from a
think a little bit bigger not from a
think a little bit bigger not from a matchstick but think of thousands of
matchstick but think of thousands of
matchstick but think of thousands of tons of biomass set into a reactor like
tons of biomass set into a reactor like
tons of biomass set into a reactor like what you see in the middle in a reactor
what you see in the middle in a reactor
what you see in the middle in a reactor like this very hot material is put in a
like this very hot material is put in a
like this very hot material is put in a direct contact with superhot surfaces
direct contact with superhot surfaces
direct contact with superhot surfaces and instantaneously heated to about 300
and instantaneously heated to about 300
and instantaneously heated to about 300 to 650 degrees centigrade which
to 650 degrees centigrade which
to 650 degrees centigrade which coincidentally is the average
coincidentally is the average
coincidentally is the average temperature range of a naturally
temperature range of a naturally
temperature range of a naturally occurring forest fire we rate the
occurring forest fire we rate the
occurring forest fire we rate the biomass across that that metal surface
biomass across that that metal surface
biomass across that that metal surface those pyrolytic gases are liberated from
those pyrolytic gases are liberated from
those pyrolytic gases are liberated from the feedstock they’re whisked away with
the feedstock they’re whisked away with
the feedstock they’re whisked away with vacuum and then we split cool and
vacuum and then we split cool and
vacuum and then we split cool and condense those liquids and the
condense those liquids and the
condense those liquids and the contraption on the right and to higher
contraption on the right and to higher
contraption on the right and to higher value derivatives that can be used for
value derivatives that can be used for
value derivatives that can be used for industry
industry
industry and there’s a lot of this biomass
and there’s a lot of this biomass
and there’s a lot of this biomass available folks the US Department of
available folks the US Department of
available folks the US Department of Energy
Energy
Energy last year confirmed that 1 billion tons
last year confirmed that 1 billion tons
last year confirmed that 1 billion tons of dry biomass is available every year
of dry biomass is available every year
of dry biomass is available every year in the United States without disrupting
in the United States without disrupting
in the United States without disrupting normal forestry and farming operations
normal forestry and farming operations
normal forestry and farming operations and get this that that is enough to
and get this that that is enough to
and get this that that is enough to offset 30 percent of America’s petroleum
offset 30 percent of America’s petroleum
offset 30 percent of America’s petroleum use that’s a big number
use that’s a big number
use that’s a big number it’s also kind of a meaningless number
it’s also kind of a meaningless number
it’s also kind of a meaningless number unless we convert biomass into
unless we convert biomass into
unless we convert biomass into derivatives that are useful for industry
derivatives that are useful for industry
derivatives that are useful for industry and sawdust doesn’t quite cut it does it
and sawdust doesn’t quite cut it does it
and sawdust doesn’t quite cut it does it so what are these materials what do we
so what are these materials what do we
so what are these materials what do we make out of this stuff from tons of
make out of this stuff from tons of
make out of this stuff from tons of biomass what is the mass balance of this
biomass what is the mass balance of this
biomass what is the mass balance of this overall approach which means how much
overall approach which means how much
overall approach which means how much product do we get out how much pollution
product do we get out how much pollution
product do we get out how much pollution all that kind of stuff well about 30% of
all that kind of stuff well about 30% of
all that kind of stuff well about 30% of the biomass is converted into a bio
the biomass is converted into a bio
the biomass is converted into a bio pesticide the technical term of this is
pesticide the technical term of this is
pesticide the technical term of this is pyro ligneous acid it sounds kind of
pyro ligneous acid it sounds kind of
pyro ligneous acid it sounds kind of nasty until you unpack the name a little
nasty until you unpack the name a little
nasty until you unpack the name a little bit pyro for heat Legno for
bit pyro for heat Legno for
bit pyro for heat Legno for lignocellulosic residue it’s comprised
lignocellulosic residue it’s comprised
lignocellulosic residue it’s comprised of about 80% water I should say it’s
of about 80% water I should say it’s
of about 80% water I should say it’s completely non-toxic knock’d
completely non-toxic knock’d
completely non-toxic knock’d carcinogenic I I hope I get that part
carcinogenic I I hope I get that part
carcinogenic I I hope I get that part right some organic gases namely acetic
right some organic gases namely acetic
right some organic gases namely acetic acid which is about the composition in
acid which is about the composition in
acid which is about the composition in normal table vinegar but most
normal table vinegar but most
normal table vinegar but most importantly a couple of hundred light
importantly a couple of hundred light
importantly a couple of hundred light molecular weight phenolic compounds that
molecular weight phenolic compounds that
molecular weight phenolic compounds that coincidentally are naturally occurring
coincidentally are naturally occurring
coincidentally are naturally occurring flavours and fragrances what’s really
flavours and fragrances what’s really
flavours and fragrances what’s really cool about this stuff although it’s safe
cool about this stuff although it’s safe
cool about this stuff although it’s safe for us is that plant didi insects hate
for us is that plant didi insects hate
for us is that plant didi insects hate it it drives them away this stuff has
it it drives them away this stuff has
it it drives them away this stuff has powerful antioxidant capacities and it’s
powerful antioxidant capacities and it’s
powerful antioxidant capacities and it’s also a plant growth stimulant kind of
also a plant growth stimulant kind of
also a plant growth stimulant kind of like blood doping for plants we use just
like blood doping for plants we use just
like blood doping for plants we use just pure heat to drive these materials off
pure heat to drive these materials off
pure heat to drive these materials off of the plant matter we reapply it to
of the plant matter we reapply it to
of the plant matter we reapply it to plants to protect them from insects and
plants to protect them from insects and
plants to protect them from insects and make them grow faster that’s a pretty
make them grow faster that’s a pretty
make them grow faster that’s a pretty good deal for farmers and people have
good deal for farmers and people have
good deal for farmers and people have been using in making their own pyro
been using in making their own pyro
been using in making their own pyro ligneous acid for generations in places
ligneous acid for generations in places
ligneous acid for generations in places like Latin America and Southeast Asia to
like Latin America and Southeast Asia to
like Latin America and Southeast Asia to mitigate pest pressures and help their
mitigate pest pressures and help their
mitigate pest pressures and help their plants grow and also to excel
plants grow and also to excel
plants grow and also to excel composting rates four months down two
composting rates four months down two
composting rates four months down two days and yet in industrial western
days and yet in industrial western
days and yet in industrial western farming operations nobody knows what
farming operations nobody knows what
farming operations nobody knows what this is in fact about a year and a half
this is in fact about a year and a half
this is in fact about a year and a half ago I had a conversation with some top
ago I had a conversation with some top
ago I had a conversation with some top researchers at the USDA about pyrrha
researchers at the USDA about pyrrha
researchers at the USDA about pyrrha ligneous acid and their first question
ligneous acid and their first question
ligneous acid and their first question was what’s that
was what’s that
was what’s that well we embarked on a research project
well we embarked on a research project
well we embarked on a research project and I can tell you that we’ve tested
and I can tell you that we’ve tested
and I can tell you that we’ve tested this materials ability to repel some
this materials ability to repel some
this materials ability to repel some pretty nasty bugs like Asian citrus
pretty nasty bugs like Asian citrus
pretty nasty bugs like Asian citrus psyllids which have definite devastated
psyllids which have definite devastated
psyllids which have definite devastated the citrus industry as well as repelled
the citrus industry as well as repelled
the citrus industry as well as repelled something called naval orange worm which
something called naval orange worm which
something called naval orange worm which attacks almonds why they call the naval
attacks almonds why they call the naval
attacks almonds why they call the naval orange won’t attacks almonds don’t ask
orange won’t attacks almonds don’t ask
orange won’t attacks almonds don’t ask me that’s for the entomologist but the
me that’s for the entomologist but the
me that’s for the entomologist but the stuff is pretty amazing to that end now
stuff is pretty amazing to that end now
stuff is pretty amazing to that end now an additional 20% of the biomass 19% to
an additional 20% of the biomass 19% to
an additional 20% of the biomass 19% to be specific is converted into an oil a
be specific is converted into an oil a
be specific is converted into an oil a bio oil industry uses oil folks we all
bio oil industry uses oil folks we all
bio oil industry uses oil folks we all know that these oil and you can use
know that these oil and you can use
know that these oil and you can use these bios to make chemicals and
these bios to make chemicals and
these bios to make chemicals and plastics put them in binders and
plastics put them in binders and
plastics put them in binders and pavements use them as it’s heating fuel
pavements use them as it’s heating fuel
pavements use them as it’s heating fuel and maybe even one day as transportation
and maybe even one day as transportation
and maybe even one day as transportation fuels now what makes this bio oil kind
fuels now what makes this bio oil kind
fuels now what makes this bio oil kind unique in this process is that the
unique in this process is that the
unique in this process is that the oxygenated and the acidic competence
oxygenated and the acidic competence
oxygenated and the acidic competence well as most of the moisture have been
well as most of the moisture have been
well as most of the moisture have been stripped away from the oil stream and
stripped away from the oil stream and
stripped away from the oil stream and collected separately into pyrrha
collected separately into pyrrha
collected separately into pyrrha ligneous acid which as I just described
ligneous acid which as I just described
ligneous acid which as I just described absent some really good chemical
absent some really good chemical
absent some really good chemical engineering which I didn’t build I’m not
engineering which I didn’t build I’m not
engineering which I didn’t build I’m not a chemical engineer those oily and
a chemical engineer those oily and
a chemical engineer those oily and acidic streams would be collected
acidic streams would be collected
acidic streams would be collected together and coagulate into a soupy goop
together and coagulate into a soupy goop
together and coagulate into a soupy goop that is yeardley largely useless for
that is yeardley largely useless for
that is yeardley largely useless for farmers or industry so that’s 49 percent
farmers or industry so that’s 49 percent
farmers or industry so that’s 49 percent biomass yield scuse me yield on the
biomass yield scuse me yield on the
biomass yield scuse me yield on the biomass an additional 30 percent is
biomass an additional 30 percent is
biomass an additional 30 percent is converting is something called biochar
converting is something called biochar
converting is something called biochar which is the recalcitrant form of carbon
which is the recalcitrant form of carbon
which is the recalcitrant form of carbon that resists microbial decomposition
that resists microbial decomposition
that resists microbial decomposition whereas the original plant matter is
whereas the original plant matter is
whereas the original plant matter is flexible its digestible its aliphatic is
flexible its digestible its aliphatic is
flexible its digestible its aliphatic is we can call it biochar is rigid its
we can call it biochar is rigid its
we can call it biochar is rigid its aromatic it’s largely and adjustable
aromatic it’s largely and adjustable
aromatic it’s largely and adjustable this stuff decomposes at a rate of a few
this stuff decomposes at a rate of a few
this stuff decomposes at a rate of a few orders of magnitude slower than the
orders of magnitude slower than the
orders of magnitude slower than the original biomass which means about 50%
original biomass which means about 50%
original biomass which means about 50% of the carbon that’s fed into that
of the carbon that’s fed into that
of the carbon that’s fed into that reactor is now converted into a form of
reactor is now converted into a form of
reactor is now converted into a form of carbon that could remain sequestered
carbon that could remain sequestered
carbon that could remain sequestered from the atmosphere for hundreds maybe
from the atmosphere for hundreds maybe
from the atmosphere for hundreds maybe even thousands of years so what are the
even thousands of years so what are the
even thousands of years so what are the applications for this stuff turns out it
applications for this stuff turns out it
applications for this stuff turns out it does some really great things for
does some really great things for
does some really great things for farming operations to help farmer
farming operations to help farmer
farming operations to help farmer sustainably intensify their operations
sustainably intensify their operations
sustainably intensify their operations and you should all care about that
and you should all care about that
and you should all care about that because in the next couple of decades
because in the next couple of decades
because in the next couple of decades we’re going to approach 9 to 10 billion
we’re going to approach 9 to 10 billion
we’re going to approach 9 to 10 billion people in current fruit production
people in current fruit production
people in current fruit production levels have almost got to double to feed
levels have almost got to double to feed
levels have almost got to double to feed that world but here’s the rub 40% of the
that world but here’s the rub 40% of the
that world but here’s the rub 40% of the world’s land is currently cultivated 70%
world’s land is currently cultivated 70%
world’s land is currently cultivated 70% of the world’s water already goes to
of the world’s water already goes to
of the world’s water already goes to agriculture guys we don’t have enough
agriculture guys we don’t have enough
agriculture guys we don’t have enough land in enough water to double food
land in enough water to double food
land in enough water to double food production at those current productivity
production at those current productivity
production at those current productivity levels the sustainable production our
levels the sustainable production our
levels the sustainable production our sustainable intensification of
sustainable intensification of
sustainable intensification of Agriculture is essential for all of us
Agriculture is essential for all of us
Agriculture is essential for all of us industrial applications for biochar that
industrial applications for biochar that
industrial applications for biochar that carbon material can be quite interesting
carbon material can be quite interesting
carbon material can be quite interesting it can be an insulator it can be used in
it can be an insulator it can be used in
it can be an insulator it can be used in semiconductor applications battery
semiconductor applications battery
semiconductor applications battery applications put into pavements where
applications put into pavements where
applications put into pavements where increases the rigidity and the thermal
increases the rigidity and the thermal
increases the rigidity and the thermal resistance of the pavement compared to
resistance of the pavement compared to
resistance of the pavement compared to its fossil fuel counterparts for the
its fossil fuel counterparts for the
its fossil fuel counterparts for the many applications for that even
many applications for that even
many applications for that even including for filtration the reason why
including for filtration the reason why
including for filtration the reason why I should say it helps farmers is that
I should say it helps farmers is that
I should say it helps farmers is that the material is incredibly porous and
the material is incredibly porous and
the material is incredibly porous and slightly charged it holds lots of water
slightly charged it holds lots of water
slightly charged it holds lots of water and it holds nutrients which means that
and it holds nutrients which means that
and it holds nutrients which means that farmers can reduce the amount of
farmers can reduce the amount of
farmers can reduce the amount of fertilizer and water use on the crops
fertilizer and water use on the crops
fertilizer and water use on the crops that spread for farmers as profits and
that spread for farmers as profits and
that spread for farmers as profits and that’s a good win for profit or for
that’s a good win for profit or for
that’s a good win for profit or for farmers so we’ve been doing the math we
farmers so we’ve been doing the math we
farmers so we’ve been doing the math we got 30% 19% an additional 30% that’s 79%
got 30% 19% an additional 30% that’s 79%
got 30% 19% an additional 30% that’s 79% product yield on biomass what about the
product yield on biomass what about the
product yield on biomass what about the other 21% the other 21% of this stuff is
other 21% the other 21% of this stuff is
other 21% the other 21% of this stuff is a non condensable gas which is our
a non condensable gas which is our
a non condensable gas which is our energy source that we collect you see
energy source that we collect you see
energy source that we collect you see this process produces its own energy
this process produces its own energy
this process produces its own energy it’s completely exothermic it uses no
it’s completely exothermic it uses no
it’s completely exothermic it uses no energy there is no waste
energy there is no waste
energy there is no waste there are no harmful pollutants produced
there are no harmful pollutants produced
there are no harmful pollutants produced by this and in fact as I said earlier
by this and in fact as I said earlier
by this and in fact as I said earlier the entire process completely carbon
the entire process completely carbon
the entire process completely carbon negative because about half of the
negative because about half of the
negative because about half of the carbon that’s fed in is put into
carbon that’s fed in is put into
carbon that’s fed in is put into recalcitrant forms of carbon that cannot
recalcitrant forms of carbon that cannot
recalcitrant forms of carbon that cannot feed back into the atmosphere so what
feed back into the atmosphere so what
feed back into the atmosphere so what are some of the challenges of doing this
are some of the challenges of doing this
are some of the challenges of doing this they’re big ones number one we’ve got to
they’re big ones number one we’ve got to
they’re big ones number one we’ve got to educate industry in the world about the
educate industry in the world about the
educate industry in the world about the benefits of using these carbon negative
benefits of using these carbon negative
benefits of using these carbon negative derivatives as well as convinced
derivatives as well as convinced
derivatives as well as convinced industrial scale agriculture that they
industrial scale agriculture that they
industrial scale agriculture that they ought to give these products to try and
ought to give these products to try and
ought to give these products to try and offset their chemical use and these
offset their chemical use and these
offset their chemical use and these sectors are slow to change
sectors are slow to change
sectors are slow to change moreover regulators are very slow to
moreover regulators are very slow to
moreover regulators are very slow to approve products even when they know
approve products even when they know
approve products even when they know that they’re intrinsically safe and
that they’re intrinsically safe and
that they’re intrinsically safe and naturally occurring – we’ve got some
naturally occurring – we’ve got some
naturally occurring – we’ve got some engineering challenges now you can make
engineering challenges now you can make
engineering challenges now you can make biochar and a hole in the ground you can
biochar and a hole in the ground you can
biochar and a hole in the ground you can make pyro lignin acid in a little still
make pyro lignin acid in a little still
make pyro lignin acid in a little still but if you’ve ever done an experiment in
but if you’ve ever done an experiment in
but if you’ve ever done an experiment in a laboratory you know that scaling from
a laboratory you know that scaling from
a laboratory you know that scaling from bench to industrial proportions the
bench to industrial proportions the
bench to industrial proportions the nonlinear exercise remember one of the
nonlinear exercise remember one of the
nonlinear exercise remember one of the reasons is is because we’re trying to
reasons is is because we’re trying to
reasons is is because we’re trying to recreate essentially the conditions of a
recreate essentially the conditions of a
recreate essentially the conditions of a very slow burning wolf forest fire that
very slow burning wolf forest fire that
very slow burning wolf forest fire that produced these carbon negative
produced these carbon negative
produced these carbon negative derivatives and three of the economic if
derivatives and three of the economic if
derivatives and three of the economic if you’re going to create a business or any
you’re going to create a business or any
you’re going to create a business or any opportunity that sources carbon from the
opportunity that sources carbon from the
opportunity that sources carbon from the atmosphere for industries or frankly
atmosphere for industries or frankly
atmosphere for industries or frankly sources anything for any supply chain
sources anything for any supply chain
sources anything for any supply chain process the business has to work problem
process the business has to work problem
process the business has to work problem folks with most biomass to X businesses
folks with most biomass to X businesses
folks with most biomass to X businesses is that the underlying value of the
is that the underlying value of the
is that the underlying value of the commodity X rarely covers the capital
commodity X rarely covers the capital
commodity X rarely covers the capital and operating costs the riddle to that
and operating costs the riddle to that
and operating costs the riddle to that puzzle is really instead of producing
puzzle is really instead of producing
puzzle is really instead of producing one derivative to produce two three four
one derivative to produce two three four
one derivative to produce two three four so think biomass 2x squared X cubed kind
so think biomass 2x squared X cubed kind
so think biomass 2x squared X cubed kind of derivatives it’s the only way that it
of derivatives it’s the only way that it
of derivatives it’s the only way that it can really work and scale and drive the
can really work and scale and drive the
can really work and scale and drive the prices down but these kind of products
prices down but these kind of products
prices down but these kind of products can be used around the world so I want
can be used around the world so I want
can be used around the world so I want you to think again about that billion
you to think again about that billion
you to think again about that billion tons of biomass that is available every
tons of biomass that is available every
tons of biomass that is available every year in the United States
year in the United States
year in the United States that for the most part today either rots
that for the most part today either rots
that for the most part today either rots or is burned and fed back into the
or is burned and fed back into the
or is burned and fed back into the atmosphere alternatively 790 million
atmosphere alternatively 790 million
atmosphere alternatively 790 million tons of carbon negative products could
tons of carbon negative products could
tons of carbon negative products could be produced with that biomass supply
be produced with that biomass supply
be produced with that biomass supply industrial supply chains and make the
industrial supply chains and make the
industrial supply chains and make the atmosphere a carbon source for
atmosphere a carbon source for
atmosphere a carbon source for industries thank
industries thank
industries thank [Applause]
”
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