259 results about "Carbon footprint" patented technology

The present invention is related to the field of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC). More particularly, the present invention is related to methods and systems for controlled heating and cooling in order to reduce costs and the carbon footprint of said heating and cooling by optimizing the use of fresh air ventilation. The present invention is directed to mathematical algorithms incorporated into a controller and a method of determining control signals that are dependent on said mathematical algorithms and user programming that integrates information from multiple sensors, thermostats as well as weather information. Used in any home or building, the controller controls heating, cooling and ventilation systems in order to reduce costs and the carbon footprint of said heating and cooling by optimizing the use of fresh air ventilation. The controller works with typical HVAC systems generally in buildings and homes. The Smart-Stat algorithms are programmed into the controller and enable the controller to identify user-determined set-points alongside data from one or multiple internal temperature sensors. The user-determined set-points are also linked to time of day and day of week in a manner typical for typical thermostat devices available today. In such typical thermostat devices the controller will call for cooling or heating depending on the set points and conditions determined by the sensors in the building. The present invention is capable of interrupting the call for cooling or heating depending on whether the mathematical algorithms identify suitable outside weather conditions that permit the use of outside air cooling or outside air heating. Thus the call for heating or cooling can be redirected to call for ventilation instead of heating or cooling.

Steam generating gasification reactors for providing high-pressure and high-temperature steam for catalytic gasification of a carbonaceous feedstock can be based on oxygen blown gasification reactors adapted for processing a slurry feedstock comprising at least 40% water. The exhaust from the slurry gasifier comprises at least steam, carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The slurry composition and the oxygen to fuel ratio can be varied to control the ratio of carbonaceous gases in the generator exhaust. By directing substantially all of exhaust gases produced from the slurry gasification reactor through the catalytic gasifier and subsequent gas separation and sequestration processes, a greatly higher energy efficiency and decreased carbon footprint can be realized.

This invention relates generally to electronic commerce (e-commerce) systems and media platforms, for use with both mobile and non-mobile systems, to deploy virtual advertising and promotion via the use of electronic coupons, and more particularly a method and system for aggregating and distributing carbon reduction credits in connection with the creation and / or use of electronic coupons or virtual electronic rebates (VeeBates) and permitting individuals and groups within one or more social communications networks to participate in and transmit information to others about their activities related to the virtual advertising, incentives, redemption and promotion and aggregate carbon credits in connection therewith, either as part of the incentive or aggregation by the incentive promoter as part of its activities in reducing its carbon footprint.

Processes for the generation of steam are provided for use in an integrated catalytic gasification process for converting carbonaceous materials to combustible gases, such as methane. Generally, the exhaust gas from a steam generating reactor is provided along with steam, a carbonaceous feedstock, and a gasification catalyst, to a catalytic gasifier, wherein under appropriate temperature and pressure conditions, the carbonaceous feedstock is converted into a plurality of product gases, including, but not limited to, methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide. As substantially all the carbon dioxide produced from the steam generation process and the gasification process are subsequently directed though gas purification and separation processes, substantially all the carbon dioxide may be recovered, yielding a process having a near zero carbon footprint.

A single controller interface (Smart-Stat) integrates the control of heating or cooling in buildings by simultaneously controlling Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems in concert with separate fresh air ventilation (FAV) systems. The Smart-Stat reduces costs and the carbon footprint of typical HVAC systems by optimizing the use of FAV. User-programmable set-points are incorporated with time-of-day and day-of-week as well as data from multiple sensors, thermostats and weather information. Mathematical algorithms are used to determine control signals to the HVAC or FAV systems. The Smart-Stat integrates the two separate systems into a single system that is able to direct the call for cooling or heating to the HVAC or FAV systems, depending on appropriate outside weather conditions. Any building can replace its existing HVAC system controller with the Smart-Stat controller and incorporate a FAV system to create a single integrated HVAC and FAV system.

The carbon footprint of a supply and distribution chain is modeled as a carbon dioxide (CO2) cost that can be considered alongside monetary or dollar ($) costs in supply, manufacturing, and distribution operations. Databases on products and services, supply chain policies, and targets, costs, and / or greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are used by a GHG calculator to output carbon footprint data and / or by a supply chain optimizer to output supply chain planning and policy data. Client computers obtain carbon footprint and / or supply chain planning and policy data by querying a server with access to a database storing calculated carbon footprint data. Input data to the GHG calculator is updated based on choices made by users of the system.

Novel solutions to the challenges of obtaining accurate information about a user's or an organization's carbon footprint. In some cases, these solutions can obtain and / provide feedback about a user's carbon output based on the user's habits and choices. Some solutions are designed to supply services to individuals as well as commercial ventures and for a variety of vehicle fleets, including without limitation construction equipment. In different aspects, systems in accordance with various embodiments enable a variety of types of users to create their own carbon emission generation profile based on vehicle type; track, estimate, and store their emissions in a database; analyze their results and performance, using established methods and metrics and / or automatically update all operating parameters of interest.

The invention provides novel railroad ties manufactured from novel composite materials that possess excellent physical and performance characteristics matching or exceeding existing concrete RRTs. The RRTs of the invention can be readily produced from widely available, low cost raw materials by a process suitable for large-scale production with improved energy consumption and more desirable carbon footprint and minimal environmental impact.

A method and system of an embodiment may include identifying a power source used by a network element, determining a carbon footprint of a unit of power usage from the power source, identifying one or more components associated with the network element used for a network operation performed by the network element, determining the power usage of the one or more identified components during the process, and calculating the carbon footprint of the process performed by the network element.

Current and predicted traffic information is provided from incident data, traffic flow data, and media related to traffic received from multiple sources. The crowd sourced data may be provided passively by applications on remote mobile devices or actively by users operating the remote mobile devices. An application on a mobile device may receive the multiple data types, aggregate and validate the data, and provides traffic information for a user. The traffic information may relate to the current position and route of the user or a future route. The present technology may also provide driving efficiency information such as fuel consumption data, carbon footprint data, and a driving rating for a user associated with a vehicle.

An industrial control system is provided. The system includes a processor to analyze one or more sustainability factors and a scoring component to assign a weight to the sustainability factors. An optimizer automatically adjusts a production process in view of the sustainability factors, the weight, and at least one of a recycling requirement, a carbon footprint, a procurement process, a shipping process, or a regulatory requirement.

The invention provides novel aerated composite materials that possess excellent physical and performance characteristics of aerated concretes, and methods of production and uses thereof. These composite materials can be readily produced from widely available, low cost raw materials by a process suitable for large-scale production with improved energy consumption, desirable carbon footprint and minimal environmental impact.

An example method of cementing in a subterranean formation includes determining a settable composition for use in the subterranean formation; calculating a total carbon footprint of the settable composition; determining at least one additive for use in the settable composition, wherein the additive replaces at least a portion of the settable composition and reduces the total carbon footprint of the settable composition; preparing the settable composition comprising the additive; placing the settable composition comprising the additive in the subterranean formation; and allowing the settable composition comprising the additive to set in the subterranean formation. Additional embodiments of the present invention include determining an amount of reduction in the carbon footprint of the settable composition; and / or communicating the amount of reduction in the carbon footprint of the settable composition to a customer or end user.

A method of using LIDAR on an airborne vehicle is described. A beam of radiation is transmitted to target areas at least one of above, below, and in front of the airborne vehicle, the target areas including particles or objects. Scattered radiation is received from the target areas. Respective characteristics of the scattered radiation are determined. Air turbulence factor or characteristics are determined from the respective characteristics. The airborne vehicle is controlled based on the air turbulence factor, such that turbulence experienced by the airborne vehicle is minimized. Alternatively, the airborne vehicle is controlled based on the characteristics to avoid colliding with the one or more objects. In another example, the airborne vehicle is controlled based on the characteristics to reduce headwind or increase tailwind, and substantially reduce a carbon footprint of the aircraft.

Disclosed herein is the use of differences in x-ray linear absorption coefficients to process ore and remove elements with higher atomic number from elements with lower atomic numbers. Use of this dry method at the mine reduces pollution and transportation costs. One example of said invention is the ejection of inclusions with sulfur, silicates, mercury, arsenic and radioactive elements from coal. This reduces the amount and toxicity of coal ash. It also reduces air emissions and the energy required to clean stack gases from coal combustion. Removal of said ejected elements improves thermal efficiency and reduces the pollution and carbon footprint for electrical production.

The invention provides novel pervious composite materials that possess excellent physical and performance characteristics of conventional pervious concretes, and methods of production and uses thereof. These composite materials can be readily produced from widely available, low cost raw materials by a process suitable for large-scale production with improved energy consumption, desirable carbon footprint and minimal environmental impact.

Technologies to convert biomass to liquid hydrocarbon fuels are currently being developed to decrease our carbon footprint and increase use of renewable fuels. Since sugars / sugar derivatives from biomass have high oxygen content and low hydrogen content, coke becomes an issue during zeolite upgrading to liquid hydrocarbon fuels. A process was designed to reduce the coke by co-feeding sugars / sugar derivatives with a saturated recycle stream containing hydrogenated products.

Liquid laundry detergent compositions are provided that show remarkable performance even though they utilize only eco-friendly ingredients and have a sustainability index of greater than 3. Some embodiments include a liquid laundry detergent composition comprising alkyl polyglycoside (APG) with fatty alcohol sulfate, at least two detersive enzymes, an enzyme stabilization system (e.g. borate and / or citrate and / or calcium salts), d-limonene or other natural essence, water and adjuvant. In another exemplary embodiment, APG is combined with fatty acid soaps, at least two detersive enzymes, an enzyme stabilization system (e.g. borate and / or citrate and / or calcium salts), d-limonene or other natural essence, water and adjuvant. Such compositions show remarkable performance, good viscosity, physical storage stability, enzyme stability, and have a sustainability index of greater than 3.

This disclosure describes, generally, methods and systems for monitoring and reporting an entity's carbon footprint. The method may include gathering information about the entity. The information may include utility information. The method may further include equipping the entity with a global positioning system (GPS) device, an accelerometer, and a pressure sensor, and gathering utility usage data for the entity. Further, the method may include capturing travel data for the entity, and calculating the entity's carbon footprint based at least in part on the utility usage data and the travel data. Furthermore, the method may include generating a report of the entity's carbon footprint.

Systems and methods for use in reading and locating passive RFID tags. A reader / locator system sends out a signal with varying frequency. A tag reflects the signal back and the receiver portion of the reader / locator system receives the signal after a certain propagation delay. Since during this propagation delay the transmit frequency has changed, the received signal frequency differs from the one is currently transmitted. The received signal gets mixed with the currently transmitted signal and the resulting beat frequency depends on the frequency variation pattern (which is known) and the signal propagation delay. This beat frequency is directly proportional to the distance between the reader / locator and the RFID tag. The beat frequency can therefore be used to estimate this distance between the reader / locator and the RFID tag. Also provided are methods for determining if an incoming signal is data bearing and a method to obtain a cleaner incoming signal by storing a “carbon footprint” or background clutter and subtracting the carbon footprint from the incoming signal. A novel type of passive RFID tag is also disclosed.

Processes for the generation of steam are provided for use in an integrated catalytic gasification process for converting carbonaceous materials to combustible gases, such as methane. Generally, the exhaust gas from a steam generating reactor is provided along with steam, a carbonaceous feedstock, and a gasification catalyst, to a catalytic gasifier, wherein under appropriate temperature and pressure conditions, the carbonaceous feedstock is converted into a plurality of product gases, including, but not limited to, methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide. As substantially all the carbon dioxide produced from the steam generation process and the gasification process are subsequently directed though gas purification and separation processes, substantially all the carbon dioxide may be recovered, yielding a process having a near zero carbon footprint.

An on-line waste management reporting and tracking system allows contractors to create waste management plans. Cities and other governing bodies can manage and enforce their recycling policies. Property owners can track the recycling on construction debris within their property. Recycling facilities can create diversion reports and upload tickets directly to a project. Users communicate and interact via the system. Waste management plans can be submitted directly to the governmental bodies. Users track recycling on construction projects through detailed recycling reports. The system calculates a plan's emissions and gives suggestions on how to reduce a plan's carbon footprint.

Apparatus and method for managing energy of a home or other structure are disclosed. An energy management system for a home network comprises a central device controller configured to communicate with energy consuming devices, energy generation devices and storage devices at a home. Power / energy measuring devices provide consumption measurements for the home and each device to the controller. A user interface has a client application configured to provide information to a user / consumer and to an energy provider / utility about energy consumption, energy generation and storage. An energy profile and a carbon footprint of an individual's home are generated along with recommendations for energy savings and / or possible addition of on site generation or energy storage.

An on-line waste management reporting and tracking system allows contractors to create waste management plans. Cities and other governing bodies can manage and enforce their recycling policies. Property owners can track the recycling on construction debris within their property. Recycling facilities can create diversion reports and upload tickets directly to a project. Users communicate and interact via the system. Waste management plans can be submitted directly to the governmental bodies. Users track recycling on construction projects through detailed recycling reports. The system calculates a plan's emissions and gives suggestions on how to reduce a plan's carbon footprint.

Methods for making a fuel composition comprising contacting one or more components of a hydroprocessing feedstock, for example both a fatty acid- or triglyceride-containing component and a paraffin-rich component, with hydrogen under catalytic hydroprocessing conditions are disclosed. The methods are effective to upgrade the component(s) and provide a hydroprocessed biofuel. A representative method utilizes a single-stage process in which hydrogen-containing recycle gas is circulated through both a hydrodeoxygenation zone and a hydrocracking zone in series.

Described herein are various apparatuses, methods, and computer program products for providing a carbon-footprint modeling environment that determines a consumer's carbon footprint based on the consumer's acquisition of goods and / or services, as indicated by the consumer's transaction data. For example, the carbon-footprint modeling environment collects the consumer's transaction data for a predefined period of time and identifies transaction data that indicates the consumer's acquisition of goods and / or services that, when produced and / or consumed, result in greenhouse gas emissions. According to some embodiments, the carbon-footprint modeling environment categorizes goods and / or services into, for example, the following categories: transportation, housing, food, waste, and miscellaneous. Based on information gleaned from the consumer's transaction data, the modeling environment may determine the quantities of goods and services the consumer consumed in each of the categories and then apply conversion ratios to convert the respective quantities of goods and / or services consumed into units of greenhouse gas emissions.

Gamma-butyrolactone (“GBL”) and Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (“GHB”) having a unique carbon footprint as defined by the percent modern carbon (pmc) are described herein. The percent modern carbon can be controlled by varying the amounts of biobased, renewable starting materials and petroleum-based starting materials to prepare GBL or GHB having a defined pmc or by preparing mixtures of GBL or GHB prepared from biobased renewable starting materials and GBL or GHB prepared from petroleum-based starting materials.

Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the computer implemented method evaluates the sustainability of land development plan. The computer implemented method applies sustainability data to the land planning and engineering design elements of a land development plan to generate sustainability measures. These sustainability measures may include environmental impacts such as carbon footprints, energy consumption, and increased storm water runoff. In addition, the computer implemented method estimates the costs involved in investing in sustainable land development and construction, provides a cost benefit analysis, compares the sustainability of numerous land development plans, and calculates the near and long term effects of sustainable land development on a land site. This real time analysis will allow developers, municipalities, and residents to quantify land planning decisions without expending significant time and money in a cumbersome land planning process.

The invention relates to reducing or minimising the environmental footprint comprising a water footprint and a carbon footprint of a food product.