METHOD FOR REDUCING THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF A CONVERSION PROCESS
A method is described for reducing the carbon footprint of any commercially important industrial conversion process. The output of this conversion process can be combustible fuels, chemicals, electricity or heat energy. In its broadest form, a carbon negative module outputs energy to a conversion energy and this energy replaces conventional fossil-fuel based energy. A sequesterable carbonaceous solid is produced by the carbon negative process which represents a net carbon withdrawal from the atmosphere.
1 - 24 . (canceled)
25 . A method for reducing the carbon footprint of a fuel production process, comprising:
(a) conducting an external carbon negative process having biomass as input and sequesterable carbon and volatile gas streams as outputs; and
(b) converting the volatile gas streams to renewable fuel components, wherein the renewable fuel components are suitable for use as a blend stock in a fuel production process to reduce the carbon footprint of said fuel production process.
26 . A method according to claim 25 in which the sequesterable carbon is greater than 50% fixed carbon.
27 . A method according to claim 25 in which the carbon footprint reduction is greater than 1%
28 . A method according to claim 25 in which the carbon footprint reduction is greater than 10%.
29 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the sequesterable carbon is sequestered by use as a soil amendment.
30 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the sequesterable carbon is sequestered by underground storage.
31 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the sequesterable carbon is sequestered by addition to soil containing compost material.
32 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the sequesterable carbon is used for carbon offsets.
33 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the sequesterable carbon is used for carbon credits.
34 . A method according to claim 25 in which at least some of the sequesterable carbon is reacted with oxygen, carbon dioxide, methane or steam to generate synthesis gas, which displaces fossil carbon.
35 . The method of claim 34 , wherein the synthesis gas is converted to combustible fuels, refinery stock or chemicals.
36 . The method of claim 35 , wherein at least one of the combustible fuels, refinery stock or chemicals is certified as carbon negative.
37 . The method of claim 25 , in which the carbon negative process causes the fuel production process to qualify for RINs.
38 . A system for reducing the carbon footprint of a fuel production process , comprising:
(a) an external carbon negative system having biomass as input and sequesterable carbon and volatile gas streams as outputs; and
(b) a fuel production proces coupled to the external carbon negative system for receiving renewable fuel components produced from the volatile gas streams, wherein the renewable fuel components are suitable for use as a blend stock in a fuel production process to reduce the carbon footprint of said fuel production process.
39 . A system according to claim 38 in which the size of the carbon negative system is adjustable.
40 . A system according to claim 38 in which the carbon negative system produces biochar.
41 . A system according to claim 38 in which a plurality of external carbon negative system are directly coupled into said fuel production process.
42 . The system of claim 41 , wherein the plurality of external carbon negative systems communicate in parallel with said fuel production process.
43 . The system of claim 41 , wherein the plurality of external carbon negative systems communicate in series with said fuel production process.