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Pitch

This submission details the TCOM system for integrated solutions for sustainable scalable approaches effecting climate change/ mitigation.


Description

Summary

 

The collective challenge before the world is to identify and utilize the best combinations of technology and best practices to establish reliable, sustainable and economically viable solutions to climate change impacts for the most vulnerable. Climate change negatively impacts every country and person on Earth, our world’s least developed countries (LDCs) and their peoples are the most vulnerable. Island Nations are especially susceptible to these impacts of change and deserve priority attention.

The TCOM® System is a portable and scalable solid waste conversion technology which converts nearly all solid waste to solid carbon, synthetic gas, and liquid synthetic fuel. TCOM is a closed loop system and only requires limited energy for initial startup. TCOM sequesters Green House Gas (GHG) while reducing and converting waste feedstocks into valuable products. TCOM is a small, modular, self-contained distributive system. TCOM is built in cargo containers and can be deployed to remote locations for disaster relief. The system generates baseline electricity and is capable of connecting to and powering other modular units such as: modular medical bays, shelters, food storage and agricultural processing equipment. TCOM also captures potable water by utilizing atmospheric harvesting.  TCOM is capable of anchoring initiatives for food security, disaster preparedness and response, and revitalizing degraded soil. It is an important component of sustainable economic development measures. The TCOM system, by design, has multiple applications for waste conversion that are inherently valuable to nation-states and their environmental strategic plans. TCOM is a system designed for Island Nations and rural areas. This submission calls for financial assistance from philanthropic organizations (foundations), non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and governments to assist Island Nations and small island nation farmers.


Is this proposal for a practice or a project?

Project


What actions do you propose?

The TCOM system, by design, has multiple applications for waste conversion that are inherently valuable to nation-states and their environmental strategic plans. TCOM is a system designed for Island Nations and Rural areas. This submission calls for financial assistance and partnerships from philanthropic organizations (foundations), non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and developed nations to assist Island Nations and other rural small farmers. The purpose of these partnerships is to quickly finance and deploy TCOM systems to LDCs, vulnerable Islands Nations, Island Farmers, and collaborative Farmers Organizations such as the Pacific Islands Farmers Organizations Network (PIFON).  

TCOM Application Areas:

  • Food Security: TCOM end products include charcoal, carbon and activated carbon. Carbon is utilized as a soil amendment to revitalize depleted soil. Carbon in agroforestry studies has shown increases in crop yields, water conservation and reconstitution of the soil biome. Activated Carbon can be utilized in the filtration of water supplies for local consumption and wastewater treatment. Island farmers face challenges related to soil availability and depletion. Farmers must preserve and maximize existing soils for both economic and food security.
  • Economic Development: TCOM converts wastes into value added products. Carbon is an export commodity and is a financially dependable export for island farmers and nations. TCOM (with two processors) converts two tons of solid waste per hour into approximately one ton of carbon and varied amounts of synthetic natural gas and synthetic liquid fuels (diesel/kerosene) depending on the feedstock. The value of one ton of lowest grade carbon (as of 06/28/2019) is $475.00 per ton. TCOM produces liquid synthetic fuels that can be utilized in equipment, vehicles and/or sold locally. Synthetic gases can also be captured for use in cooking or electrical generation and transportation or for sale or reintroduced into the next waste processing cycle and broken down. TCOM processing also qualifies for CARBON CREDITS as an added economic value.   
  • Disaster Preparedness and Response:

TCOM can be integrated into resilience habitat plans (Hau’ula, Hawai’i) to serve as a mobile waste removal system and isolated off-grid power station for modular sickbays, food processing and storage containers and shelters. The system can dispose of human waste and other contaminants present in disaster zones. TCOM also provides a source for drinking water and serves resilience sites by anchoring onsite farming projects for food security. TCOM is a distributive system in a cargo container and can be relocated to multiple disaster areas in need.

  • Waste conversion: Island Nations are severally imperiled by waste. Waste generated on islands has risen to catastrophic levels and external waste fouls ocean biosystems and beaches. Landfills are over capacity and space for new landfills is rarely available. TCOM removes the need to store waste by providing an alternative. One TCOM system (with 2 processors) converts solid waste at a rate of approximately two tons per hour. While processing waste feedstocks the TCOM System sequesters GHGs preventing them from entering into the atmosphere. TCOM converts almost all solid waste without producing any negative environmental byproducts.


Who will take these actions?

The partners listed below are currently working with Island Nations and Small Farmers to integrate TCOM  solid waste conversion into disaster preparedness and response plans, economic development plans, farming initiatives, solid waste removal and soil regeneration/preservation. The PBCP has partnered with Caravan Aloha and Phoenix Carbon to create a business incubator with a mission to secure financing for veterans and small farmers. Financing and training will target small farmers. 

Small farmers require financial support. They require partnerships with philanthropic foundations, governmental and non-governmental organizations to acquire and implement TCOM systems into their programs.    

There are many partners in this initiative. Each is an important part of the whole.  

* Phoenix Carbon LLC., Inventor and manufacturer of the Thermal Conversion of Organic Materials System. Capital support of the Patriot Innovation Center.  

* Caravan Aloha LLC. specializes in creative financing solutions for veteran farmers, small farmers and governments. Caravan Aloha also manages Steadfast Arms, a Youth Program focusing on disaster preparedness and response. Coordinating partner of the Patriot Innovation Center.  

* Pacific Business Center Project (PBCP) though the University of Hawaii foundation, Lead Agent for the Patriot Innovation Center, Coordinating academic and economic business development. 

* Pacific Islands Farmers Organization Network (PIFON)  The Pacific Island Farmers Organisation Network serves as an umbrella organization for national farmer organizations in the Pacific island region.


Where will these actions be taken?

Regional Initiative--Pacific and Caribbean Island Nations

It's economy of scale with our scalable system. 

Establishment of the system on one small island could be the difference in survival.

* Waste Management

* Disaster Preparedness and Response

* Agricultural Enhancement

* Soil and Water Mitigation 

* Value Product Production/Economic Development

* Green House Gas Sequestration 

* Carbon Credit

 

     


In addition, specify the country or countries where these actions will be taken.

American Samoa


Country 2

Fiji


Country 3

French Polynesia


Country 4

British Virgin Islands


Country 5

Guam


Impact/Benefits


What impact will these actions have on greenhouse gas emissions and/or adapting to climate change?

TCOM dramatically reduces harmful greenhouse gasses while operating at near zero emission during processing. Conversion (rather than incineration) does not release harmful byproducts into the environment. Conversion allows a better method to divert solid waste. It is the best possible way to recycle. TCOM reduces the amount of green waste and methane byproduct in natural compost processes. TCOM converts animal and human waste and reduces the amount a biogas released into the environment.   

  • Diversion of solid waste from landfills, incinerators and similar waste disposal methods and technologies.
  • Disaster preparedness and response solutions.
  • Sustainable Economic Development anchor for Island Nations and Rural Areas
  • Reduction of GHG
  • Revitalized soils
  • Increased crop yields for farmers

One ton of Green Waste will sequester approximately 40 carbon credit equivalents. 8.10€/tCO2e + 1€ Fairtrade premium. 


What are other key benefits?

The most interesting application for TCOM is the reversal of desertification. TCOM generates Carbon useful for soil enrichment. TCOM captures water from humid environments. It is possible, by applying agroforestry correctly, to create an oasis in the desert with TCOM. 

The introduction of this system helps create Economic Independence from fossil fuels and pollution. Reduces cost of waste management operations capital. 


Costs/Challenges


What are the proposal’s projected costs?

One Thermal Conversion of Organic Materials TCOM System with ancillary equipment = $5 Million

Price includes: site development, set-up and training of local users, and networking for the marketing of end products of the TCOM as well as other commodities produced by LDCs. 


Timeline

A conservative estimate of purchase to operation is 6 months.

Time-line: 

* Phase 1- Evaluation and Feasibility Study of each particular area designation. 

* Phase 2- System Design and Manufacturing 

* Phase 3- Education and Training 

* Phase 4- Operations and Marketing Network

 

 


About the author(s)

Michael Lurvey,

Inventor and Developer of the TCOM System {2013 Total Energy USA Chairman’s Innovation Award; 2018 International Breadfruit Conference Award}  along with the Team consisting of a collaborative effort by both private and public stakeholders including the following: Caravan Aloha LLC and Phoenix Carbon LLC {a disabled veterans teaming agreement}; (Innovation Center) Pacific Business Center Program (PBCP), UH;  Pacific Island Farmers Organization Network (PIFON); Pacific Breadfruit Initiative (PBI); Caribbean Island Nations/States and Middle Eastern Island Nation/States.  


Related Proposals


References

https://pacificfarmers.com/

http://www.hawaii.edu/pbcp/

http://www.hawaii.edu/pbcp/breadfruit

http://carbongeotech.com/system.html

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/ie0301839?src=recsys