BioWatt

BioWatt
PROBLEM
With increased human population, food demand is also exponentially

increasing. The agriculture ministry states that foodgrain production is
projected at a record of 308.6 million tonnes. Meeting this demand hence
causes increased production of food waste.
Farmers throughout the globe burn more than 330,000 gigatons of field
wastes per year. The smoke that is created makes up 25 percent of the
world’s total of “black carbon”, the second-largest global warming source
after CO 2.
As an alternative, food waste is also dumped into landfill sites where it is left
to be decomposed. Decomposition of this waste inturn leads to increased
production of methane gas, which contributes majorly in the greenhouse
effect.
INTRODUCTION/HYPOTHESIS
Our idea involves the production of biochar via the method of pyrolysis. As
we know, biomass/food waste production is increasing. So our project aims
to use this biomass, and carry out the process of pyrolysis, where an
organic material, such as biomass, is heated in the absence of oxygen.
Biomass pyrolysis is being conducted due its benefits to the environment,
with all its products being useful. There are three products: bio-oil, biochar
and syngas – the main product being biochar. Making biochar from just 25
percent of developing world field waste will annually eliminate 82,500 metric
tons of black carbon and its warming effects.
The production of biochar itself is hugely advantageous to the environment,

but for our project, we are taking this to the next level, by using our own
innovative eco-friendly energy resource produced by piezoelectricity. This is
a newer renewable source of energy that we intend to use to create the high
temperature conditions for biochar production.
PROCESSES INVOLVED
PRODUCTION OF BIOCHAR
Pyrolysis is when an organic material, such as biomass, is heated in the
absence of oxygen. Biomass pyrolysis is usually conducted at or above
500°C, providing enough heat to deconstruct the strong bio-polymers
mentioned. This mainly produces biochar.
Biochar is the light black residue, made from carbon and ashes, that remains
after the pyrolysis of biomass. Its advantages will be touched upon later.
The pyrolysis is carried out in a kiln, where the biochar in its solid form can
then be taken and used elsewhere. The other products like syngas, hydrogen
and bio-oil are also extracted and put to use.
The energy element using piezo electrics can be sourced from high pressure
areas like dam water. This form of energy will deliver the conditions
necessary through electric heating components, and help maintain the
temperature of 500°C.
USING PIEZOELECTRICITY
The idea of piezoelectric is relatively basic. It uses special crystals of Lead
Zirconate Titanate, or more commonly known as PZT. These crystals have a
special property that causes them to develop a charge when pressure is put
on them.
 The piezoelectric crystals (PZT) are enclosed between metal plates.

This forms a piezoelectric sensor/transducer.
 When pressure or any strain is applied to the crystals, then it causes
charges to develop on the crystals.
 These charges are then carried by the metal plates and then can be
stored or directly supplied for use in biochar production
Advantages of producing Biochar
 Returning back to the main product, biochar, it proves to have multiple

advantages in resorting to this method.
 Estimates of sequestration rates (production of biochar in oxygen deficit
environment) vary, but by atomic weight, the production of 1 ton of
biochar permanently removes 3 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere
along with 6 kilograms of particulates and large amounts of NO and
SO2 reducing effects like formation of smog and acid rain
 Reduction in biomass burnt would dramatically reduce the amount of
CO2 produced through this process thus improving the environment
and atmospheric quality
 Raw biochar can be converted into an organic super fertilizer that
reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides (which leach
into water supplies and contaminate the food chain), biochar can bring
back life to dead soil, which as a result improves crop quality and
increases efficiency.
 Biochar also retains a gargantuan volume of water, making it an
appropriate, cost-effective climate risk mitigation tool for the poor. It is
industrially perfect to be added as a component in organic fertilizers as
it allows the soil to retain a high amount of water thus leading to good
crop yield and improving quality.
 Biochar is an excellent animal feed additive that improves animal health
and weight gain.
 It has a pH 8 which can be used to neutralize acidic soils leading to
healthy soil structure
 The bio-products help improve human welfare - bio-oil produced can
beused for medical purposes like removal of scars, insect bites, burns,
etc, without any addition of toxic chemicals.
 Syngas is a fuel gas mixture consisting primarily of hydrogen and also
nitrogen and carbon monoxide. It is used in creating synthetic natural
gas (SNG) and for producing ammonia through the Haber’s process or
methanol along with producing heat and power.
Advantages of using Piezoelectricity
 For the same cost of solar panel, six numbers of piezoelectric tiles can
be installed with a more receptive frequency response compared to the
solar panels
 Any amount of pressure can generate voltage, but of course, a greater
pressure yields more voltage
 It is small in size, yet sturdy and tough, also giving the user liberty to
customize shape and size, hence being much easier to handle, leading
to reduction of the maintenance cost.
 The crystals have 95% conversion efficiency and high output with
negligible phase shift
 It helps in generating energy that produces no greenhouse gas
emissions from fossil fuels and reduces some types of air pollution.
While coal power plants create around 2.2 pounds of CO2 for every
kWh of electricity – piezoelectricity creates none at all.
 The combustion of fossil fuels to produce electricity not only warms the
climate, but it also contaminates the air and water. These adverse
consequences will be enormously diminished when dealing with Piezo
electrics.
 Coal power stations, in addition, also emit mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide,
particulates, and dangerous metals. Fossil fuel electricity can also
contaminate waterways, both from air pollution that falls to the ground
during acid rain, and waste materials created during the production
process. So Piezoelectricity can aid in combating these adverse effects.
Our main goal in using Piezoelectricity here is to provide a clean climate-safe

method to provide energy.
Model
The model will show how energy created from piezoelectricity sources is
used to generate the high temperatures needed in the process of pyrolysis.
Further, we would also present how the inside of a pyrolysis kiln looks like
and how the char along with the non-hazardous by-products of bio-oil and
syngas are produced, then being redirected for productive uses in other
industries.
Overcoming the Low Efficiency of Piezo Plates:
We will be using the excess methane released from the products of pyrolysis to
power electricity. This can be done using zeolite. Zeolite sorbents and water will be
added to the gas chamber where methane is being produced, and a lot of pressure
will also be needed. The zeolite and water, with the pressure will separate the
methane gas into hydrogen and carbon. Once there's hydrogen and carbon in the
gas chamber, you can release the hydrogen gas for the next step of the process.
The carbon collected can be used for non-polluting industrial purposes; for
example, feedstock for the petrochemical industries producing polymers, fibres,
paints, solvents and plastics etc, making cathodes and anodes for electrolysis for
various industrial activities like copper refining, reacting it with oxygen to form
carbon dioxide, for refrigeration and cooling in its solid and liquid form, as an inert
gas in chemical processes, in the storage of carbon powder and in fire
extinguishers etc.
We can then take the hydrogen gas in an ignition engine to power a generator.
When the transfer is initiated, a pipe connected to the gas chamber will transport
the hydrogen gas to an ignition engine. To power the engine, all you have to do is
ignite the gas with a spark. When the engine turns on, it powers a generator that
produces electricity. This can be done on a large scale to provide enough electricity
as a back-up for piezo plates. This is a fully non-polluting and renewable way of
producing current. This can be planned as a future action and has an efficiency
range of 97-99 %.
Some other advantages of Zeolite

Zeolites are widely used as catalysts and sorbents. They speed up heating
reactions. Their well-defined pore structure and adjustable acidity make them
highly active in a large variety of reactions. Natural zeolite has been
recognized as a useful adsorbent for wastewater treatment for removing
cations.
Due to their high cation-exchange ability, natural zeolites have been widely
used as adsorbents in separation and purification processes in the past
decades.
Zeolites are extremely useful as catalysts for several important reactions

involving organic molecules. The most important are cracking, isomerisation
and hydrocarbon synthesis. Zeolites can promote a diverse range of catalytic
reactions including acid-base and metal induced reactions.
Thus, along with acting as a catalyst, and heating agent for the separation of
methane, zeolite can also be used as an absorbent for some excess water.
The zeolite can be used as an adsorbent to treat dirty water, as well, after
pyrolysis, when excess impure water will be collected. These zeolite sorbents
will also purify the water and make it reusable and even drinkable.
Scalability, Profitability and Sustainability:
Scalability:
This impeccable amalgamation of Piezo-electricity and Biochar brings forth a

plethora of opportunities to utilize this exquisite technique to its optimum potential
benefiting all of mankind. This idea can be scaled drastically by using it in pivotal
structures like water dams, etc increasing the overall efficiency of that specific area
of land.
Profitability:
This brainchild of ours does not require major changes to existing

infrastructure thus driving costs down, more like every modern-day renewable
alternative. Moreover, the energy supplied to the biochar plant from the dam
can drive electricity costs down and the only costs present are maintenance
cost. The government can get a cut on this thus satisfying majorstakeholders
in the industry.
Sustainability:
This idea is the requisite of the progressive era as the major plight the
population faces is to see the depth of the transitions civilization needs. This
combination increases the overall output of the water dam and increases
employment opportunities at these plants significantly. The fact that sets us
apart from present alternatives is that the land utilized by the sensors in
addition to the conventional hydro-electricity will generate more energy output
than if the same land was accommodated with solar panels or wind turbines
for instance proving the credibility of BioWatt.
Here are some links to the information to get a better understanding of our project:
Bibilography:
Links for piezoelectricity:
https://onscale.com/piezoelectricity/what-is-piezoelectricity/
https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-
360/blog/piezoelectricity/#:~:text=A%20piezoelectric%20crystal%20is%20placed,th
e%20crystal%20out%20of%20balance.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/piezoelectric-material
https://www.avnet.com/wps/portal/abacus/solutions/technologies/sensors/pressure-
sensors/core-technologies/piezoelectric/
Link for biochar (what is biochar, its uses, advantages, important factors and
environmental benefits):
https://www.groworganic.com/blogs/articles/what-is-biochar
Link for Byproducts and conditions required:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2589014X19300660
Link for Uses of a rotatory kiln, and why it is to be used:
https://feeco.com/how-the-pyrolysis-kiln-is-contributing-to-a-circular-economy/

BioWatt - Invention - Misa Synergy - Final Draft

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

BioWatt - Invention - Misa Synergy - Final Draft

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

BioWatt - Invention - Misa Synergy - Final Draft

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

With increased human population, food demand is also exponentially

The production of biochar itself is hugely advantageous to the environment,

 The piezoelectric crystals (PZT) are enclosed between metal plates.

 Returning back to the main product, biochar, it proves to have multiple

Advantages of using Piezoelectricity

Our main goal in using Piezoelectricity here is to provide a clean climate-safe

Overcoming the Low Efficiency of Piezo Plates:

Some other advantages of Zeolite

Zeolites are extremely useful as catalysts for several important reactions

Scalability, Profitability and Sustainability:

This impeccable amalgamation of Piezo-electricity and Biochar brings forth a

This brainchild of ours does not require major changes to existing

Links for piezoelectricity:

Link for Byproducts and conditions required:

Link for Uses of a rotatory kiln, and why it is to be used:

You might also like