2423575
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
SBIR Phase I: Geologic biosolid sequestration using preexisting wastewater disposal wells
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is in creating a new carbon sequestration method that requires significantly less energy, water, land use, and cost per ton of carbon removed.
By addressing technical challenges posed by geologically sequestering biowastes such as human biosolids and agricultural manure, this project attempts to turn a waste problem into a revenue opportunity that also mitigates climate change.
It is not yet known if geologic biowaste sequestration can be performed safely, and this lack of known feasibility keeps regulation from being introduced to allow it to be generally permitted.
The commercial impact of the project, however, is significant.
Current carbon removal credits cost over $800/ton.
The proposed project could pave the way to removal of as much as 7 billion tons of CO2E in biowastes alone each year at costs as low as $10 - $20/ton.
The technology has the potential to create about 400,000 high-quality jobs in the US and save local governments almost $1 billion in wastewater treatment costs per year that could be reallocated for additional social benefits.
This project aims to overcome the high-risk technical challenges associated with commissioning new injection well classes, or modifying existing ones, that are focused on geologic sequestration of biowastes.
The goal is to demonstrate that biowastes can be injected into the subsurface safely without inducing earthquakes, clogging reservoirs, or creating unsafe pressure buildup.
Critically, it will also determine that over long periods, microbially produced greenhouse gases (CO2, methane, and nitrous oxides) emitted from the biosolids do not migrate out of the reservoir and into overlying freshwater aquifers.
Other contaminants including bacteria, toxins, and other harmful chemicals will also be monitored to show that they remain permanently sequestered.
Furthermore, there is currently no credible protocol for generating carbon removal credits for biowaste sequestration.
This project could develop scientific basis for carbon accounting—including CO2E from methane and nitrous oxides—that generates accurate removal and offsetting credits.
Thus, the project will attempt to address the unknowns associated with storing solid carbon in the subsurface and the associated carbon accounting.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Subawards are not planned for this award.
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is in creating a new carbon sequestration method that requires significantly less energy, water, land use, and cost per ton of carbon removed.
By addressing technical challenges posed by geologically sequestering biowastes such as human biosolids and agricultural manure, this project attempts to turn a waste problem into a revenue opportunity that also mitigates climate change.
It is not yet known if geologic biowaste sequestration can be performed safely, and this lack of known feasibility keeps regulation from being introduced to allow it to be generally permitted.
The commercial impact of the project, however, is significant.
Current carbon removal credits cost over $800/ton.
The proposed project could pave the way to removal of as much as 7 billion tons of CO2E in biowastes alone each year at costs as low as $10 - $20/ton.
The technology has the potential to create about 400,000 high-quality jobs in the US and save local governments almost $1 billion in wastewater treatment costs per year that could be reallocated for additional social benefits.
This project aims to overcome the high-risk technical challenges associated with commissioning new injection well classes, or modifying existing ones, that are focused on geologic sequestration of biowastes.
The goal is to demonstrate that biowastes can be injected into the subsurface safely without inducing earthquakes, clogging reservoirs, or creating unsafe pressure buildup.
Critically, it will also determine that over long periods, microbially produced greenhouse gases (CO2, methane, and nitrous oxides) emitted from the biosolids do not migrate out of the reservoir and into overlying freshwater aquifers.
Other contaminants including bacteria, toxins, and other harmful chemicals will also be monitored to show that they remain permanently sequestered.
Furthermore, there is currently no credible protocol for generating carbon removal credits for biowaste sequestration.
This project could develop scientific basis for carbon accounting—including CO2E from methane and nitrous oxides—that generates accurate removal and offsetting credits.
Thus, the project will attempt to address the unknowns associated with storing solid carbon in the subsurface and the associated carbon accounting.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Subawards are not planned for this award.
Awardee
Funding Goals
THE GOAL OF THIS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY, "NSF SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR)/ SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAMS PHASE I", IS IDENTIFIED IN THE LINK: HTTPS://WWW.NSF.GOV/PUBLICATIONS/PUB_SUMM.JSP?ODS_KEY=NSF23515
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
State College,
Pennsylvania
16801-3864
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Terraforma Carbon was awarded
Project Grant 2423575
worth $275,000
from National Science Foundation in July 2024 with work to be completed primarily in State College Pennsylvania United States.
The grant
has a duration of 1 year and
was awarded through assistance program 47.084 NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity NSF Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I Programs.
SBIR Details
Research Type
SBIR Phase I
Title
SBIR Phase I: Geologic Biosolid Sequestration using Preexisting Wastewater Disposal Wells
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is in creating a new carbon sequestration method that requires significantly less energy, water, land use, and cost per ton of carbon removed. By addressing technical challenges posed by geologically sequestering biowastes such as human biosolids and agricultural manure, this project attempts to turn a waste problem into a revenue opportunity that also mitigates climate change. It is not yet known if geologic biowaste sequestration can be performed safely, and this lack of known feasibility keeps regulation from being introduced to allow it to be generally permitted. The commercial impact of the project, however, is significant. Current carbon removal credits cost over $800/ton. The proposed project could pave the way to removal of as much as 7 billion tons of CO2e in biowastes alone each year at costs as low as $10 - $20/ton. The technology has the potential to create about 400,000 high-quality jobs in the US and save local governments almost $1 billion in wastewater treatment costs per year that could be reallocated for additional social benefits.
This project aims to overcome the high-risk technical challenges associated with commissioning new injection well classes, or modifying existing ones, that are focused on geologic sequestration of biowastes. The goal is to demonstrate that biowastes can be injected into the subsurface safely without inducing earthquakes, clogging reservoirs, or creating unsafe pressure buildup. Critically, it will also determine that over long periods, microbially produced greenhouse gases (CO2, methane, and nitrous oxides) emitted from the biosolids do not migrate out of the reservoir and into overlying freshwater aquifers. Other contaminants including bacteria, toxins, and other harmful chemicals will also be monitored to show that they remain permanently sequestered. Furthermore, there is currently no credible protocol for generating carbon removal credits for biowaste sequestration. This project could develop scientific basis for carbon accounting—including CO2e from methane and nitrous oxides—that generates accurate removal and offsetting credits. Thus, the project will attempt to address the unknowns associated with storing solid carbon in the subsurface and the associated carbon accounting.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Topic Code
ET
Solicitation Number
NSF 23-515
Status
(Complete)
Last Modified 7/23/24
Period of Performance
7/15/24
Start Date
6/30/25
End Date
Funding Split
$275.0K
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$275.0K
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
2423575
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Small Business
Awarding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Funding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Awardee UEI
MXTTV9J454M7
Awardee CAGE
None
Performance District
PA-15
Senators
Robert Casey
John Fetterman
John Fetterman
Modified: 7/23/24