Overview
Carbon Farming explores multiple passive and active strategies for removing atmospheric CO₂ through biologically enhanced or artificially augmented photosynthesis. The project outlines three complementary methods: passive CO₂ absorption via enhanced natural photosynthesis using reflective optical installations; extensive photosynthesis via microbial cultures in pools; and artificial photosynthesis using water, CO₂, and thermally expanded graphite (TEG).
Applications
Carbon dioxide removal at tree, pond, and industrial-reactor scale; carbon credit generation; national-level CO₂ reduction programs.
Operating Principle
1. Passive CO₂ absorption via enhanced natural photosynthesis. A reflective optical installation redirects and transforms sunlight onto the shaded areas of trees and plants. A special reflective coating adjusts sunlight into the optimal photosynthetic spectral range (440–720 nm), potentially doubling photosynthetic efficiency and CO₂ absorption. One treated tree can sequester 300 kg CO₂/year; six upgraded trees offset 1 ton CO₂/year.
2. Extensive photosynthesis via microbial cultures (EP). A composition of CO₂-absorbing bacteria operates under both sunlight and artificial light in pools acting as microbial bioreactors. The culture is 3× more efficient than trees in sunlight use and 4× in CO₂ absorption. One pond is equivalent to 42 trees, absorbing ~600 kg CO₂/year.
3. Artificial photosynthesis using thermally expanded graphite. A proprietary method using water, CO₂, and thermally expanded graphite (TEG) absorbs 100 kg CO₂/hour, or about 2.4 tons/day per unit, with unlimited deployment potential.
Key Parameters
| Method | Absorption rate | Cost | Payback | Key feature |
|—|—|—|—|—|
| Enhanced tree coating | 300 kg CO₂/year/tree | $1 + $1/year | < 1 yr | Doubled photosynthesis via light redirection |
| EP pools | 600 kg CO₂/year/pool | $1,500 + $100/year | 3–4 yrs | Operates day and night, compact footprint |
| Artificial graphite reactor | 100 kg CO₂/hour | $13,000 | < 1 yr | High throughput, artificial photosynthesis |
Optimal photosynthetic spectral range: 440–720 nm. Six upgraded trees offset 1 ton CO₂/year. One EP pond is equivalent to 42 trees.
Architecture and Components
Reflective optical installations with special spectral coating for tree treatment; pools filled with EP microbial cultures serving as bioreactors, optionally with night lighting; artificial photosynthesis reactor using water, CO₂, and thermally expanded graphite.
Advantages
Enhanced tree coating potentially doubles photosynthetic efficiency at a unit cost of $1 with $1 annual maintenance, giving ROI within the first year at $15/ton carbon pricing. EP pools operate day and night with a compact footprint and are 3–4× more efficient than trees. The artificial graphite reactor offers high throughput of 2.4 tons CO₂/day per unit with unlimited scalability for national-level CO₂ reduction.
Integrations
Artificial Photosynthesis · Microbial Bioreactors · TEG Materials · Carbon Credit Market
Deployment & Operation
Tree coating applied per tree; EP pools installed as microbial bioreactors with optional night lighting; artificial photosynthesis reactors deployed as units with unlimited replication potential.
TRL
TRL 4–6 — Proof of concept to prototype development and system validation in lab and field environments.
Market Potential
Carbon credit market. Reference: at $15/ton carbon pricing, treated-tree ROI is achievable within the first year; EP pool offset value is $400/year (25 tons CO₂). Unlimited deployment potential for national-level CO₂ reduction.
Typical Project Economics
Enhanced tree coating: $1 unit cost plus $1 annual maintenance; 300 kg CO₂/year per tree; ROI within the first year at $15/ton carbon pricing; 6 upgraded trees offset 1 ton CO₂/year.
EP pools: $1,500 per pool; $100/year maintenance; offset value $400/year (25 tons CO₂); ROI 3–4 years with or without night lighting.
Artificial graphite reactor: installation cost $13,000; 100 kg CO₂/hour (~2.4 tons/day); ROI within 1 year based on carbon credit values.
Risk Factors
[требует уточнения из базы]
Related Technologies
Artificial Photosynthesis · Microbial Bioreactors · TEG Materials · Carbon Credit Market