SCIENCE BEHIND THE SYSTEM

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are exceptionally persistent synthetic chemicals used in everyday products, including non-stick cookware, textiles, food packaging, and firefighting foam. Research indicates that many PFAS compounds cross the human placenta and are detected in cord blood, as well as the blood–brain barrier, accumulating in both animal and human brain tissue.

Exposure occurs through drinking water and food — including fish, meat, and vegetables — that have absorbed PFAS from contaminated soil or water. These compounds also accumulate in biosolids, a byproduct of wastewater treatment. Biosolids used as fertilizer return PFAS to farmland and re-enter the food chain. Each cycle increases concentrations of PFAS in soil and raises the total environmental load in soil, water, and living tissue.

Human and animal studies link long-term PFAS exposure to reproductive and developmental effects, immune and thyroid disruption, and certain cancers. Conventional treatment methods such as landfilling, incineration, or wastewater processing do not reliably destroy them. High temperatures and adequate residence times are necessary for destruction and to minimize the formation of fluorinated byproducts.

Our high-temperature Integrated BioReactor process operates within these parameters, fully breaking PFAS molecules into stable, harmless compounds and preventing their re-release.

References

• Liu Y. et al., Environmental Pollution (2021) 285: 117206 – PFAS in placental tissue and cord blood.
• Johansson N. et al., Toxicological Sciences (2009) 108(2): 412–418 – PFAS in brain tissue and neurodevelopmental effects.
• Grandjean P. & Clapp R., Environmental Health (2022) 21: 3 – Human health outcomes linked to PFAS.
• U.S. EPA, Interim Guidance on PFAS Thermal Destruction, 2024.

Biochar is created by heating organic material in low oxygen, producing a stable carbon structure that resists decomposition for thousands of years. This stability makes biochar one of the most effective tools for long-term carbon sequestration, permanently removing atmospheric carbon and storing it safely in the soil.

When applied to land, biochar improves soil structure, water-holding capacity, and aeration, while providing a habitat for beneficial microbes. It binds nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, reducing fertilizer loss and nutrient runoff. These characteristics make biochar valuable both for soil productivity and climate mitigation.

Placed in riparian zones or wetlands, biochar acts as a filter, capturing metals, excess nutrients, and other contaminants before they reach streams and rivers. It also helps rebuild degraded soils, increasing their capacity to retain moisture and support plant growth.

The carbon stored in biochar is now formally recognized under international carbon-removal programs, including Puro.earth and Verra VM0044, enabling measurable and verifiable climate benefits alongside agricultural gains.

References

• Lehmann J. & Joseph S. (eds.), Biochar for Environmental Management, 3rd ed., Routledge (2021).
• Jeffery S. et al., Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment (2011) 144(1): 175–187 – Meta-analysis of soil improvements from biochar.
• Major J. et al., Plant and Soil (2010) 333(1–2): 1–18 – Field evidence for nutrient retention and yield response.
• Yao Y. et al., Chemosphere (2012) 89(11): 1467–1471 – Filtration and contaminant removal by biochar in runoff.
• Woolf D. et al., Nature Communications (2021) 12: 4436 – Longevity and global mitigation potential of biochar carbon.
• Puro.earth – Biochar Carbon Removal.
• Verra VM0044 – Biochar Methodology.

During the bioreactor process, some gases condense into a liquid called wood vinegar (pyroligneous acid). When diluted, it acts as a mild biostimulant and natural pest deterrent. Studies have shown improved root growth, disease resistance, and a reduced need for chemical pesticides, resulting in lower costs and a reduced environmental impact.

References

• Hagner M. et al., Journal of Environmental Quality (2018) 47(2): 379–388.
• Mohan D. et al., Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews (2018) 82: 853–866.
• Mu J. et al., Industrial Crops and Products (2020) 145: 112102

The carbon dioxide released during processing is captured and fed to microalgae, which use CO₂ and nutrients from wastewater to create high-value biomass. Reviews converge on roughly 1.7–1.9 kg of CO₂ fixed per kg of dry algal biomass. The resulting biomass can be used for fertilizer, feed, or bio-based materials, closing the carbon loop.

Anaerobic Digestion

Anaerobic digestion converts organic waste into biogas, a clean energy source, and a nutrient-rich byproduct known as digestate. When that digestate is blended with biochar, nutrients remain in the soil longer, and runoff is reduced. Together, these systems form a circular, regenerative framework that turns waste into energy, nutrients, and stable carbon, while restoring soil and water health.

References

• Brennan L. & Owende P., Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews (2010) 14(2): 557–577.
• Wang S. et al., Algal Research (2022) 64: 102701.
• Holm-Nielsen J. et al., Bioresource Technology (2009) 100(22): 5478–5484.
• Tambone F. et al., Waste Management (2010) 30(8-9): 1534–1539.
• Meyer-Aurich A. et al., Agricultural Systems (2012) 109: 29–38.