He was familiar with how fast and how large certain bio-crops grow, as well as with the process of phytoremediation, the mechanism by which plants and trees can uptake nutrients, pollutants and other problematic substances from soils and waters.

Given their extraordinary growth rate and size, he reasoned that bio-crops should be able to remove substantially more of such substances, than regular crops. And, if such bio-crops and their resulting biomass could then be used multiple times, the effective cost of the nutrient removal and that of any bio-products, made from it, could be reduced, accordingly.

Working through its several, state-based operating affiliates, ATP has demonstrated the CRBBP Process as a cost-effective tool for removing excess nutrients from Chesapeake Bay watershed farm soils, to protect the Bay's aquatic life, while also making cost-advantaged bio-products, including those made using ATP's patented torrefaction process, which is described below.

Once again, given the extraordinary growth rate and size of the bio-crops used, ATP's founder reasoned that they should also be able to remove substantially more atmospheric CO 2, than trees and other crops, using a process called photosynthesis.  In fact, a researcher from the University of California, at Berkeley, has found that our preferred bio-crop can extract nearly four times the atmospheric CO 2, over a 15-year period, as the same acreage of newly-planted trees.  ATP is working on an innovative CRBBP Process application, which may capture nearly eight times the atmospheric CO 2, as an equal acreage of trees.

Therefore, again working through its state-based operating affiliates, ATP seeks to demonstrate how its CRBBP Process now includes the additional task of cost-effectively capturing CO 2, as an effective means of combating Climate Change, on Earth, while also facilitating the ability of humans to colonize a planet, like Mars, whose atmosphere primarily consists of CO 2. And, these efforts will also involve making cost-advantaged bio-products, including those made using ATP's torrefaction process.

ATP-MD, LLC and the Exelon Foundation's Climate Change Investment Initiative:

Last fall, ATP's Maryland operating affiliate, ATP-MD, LLC (ATP-MD), proposed an innovative, multi-benefit, CRBBP Process Project, in Baltimore, Maryland, to the Exelon Foundation’s Climate Change Investment Initiative (See: https://www.exelonfoundation.org/), to, among many other things, capture flue gas CO 2, from power plants and other large CO 2 emitters, and as we also remediate contaminated brownfield sites, as we would also capture atmospheric CO 2 along with substantial amounts of airborne particulate matter.  This last task is especially important, these days, because the residents of Baltimore communities, like those in parts of many states, are heavily impacted by this type of air pollution and, unfortunately, they disproportionately suffer from asthma and other respiratory diseases and, therefore, disproportionately suffer from COVID-19 illnesses, to a more severe and much more deadly extent. In the news, these days, reports are discussing how COVID-19 is floating and lingering in the air, and being transmitted, over extended periods, in the air.

Torrefaction is a process which uses heat, in a low oxygen environment, to convert plant and wood biomass into a clean, renewable char, from which one can make bio-based fillers, which make composites, plastics and, we bekieve, tires, which perform better; biochars, which increase the productivity of poor soils; and a clean and renewable bio-coal, which can be co-fired in coal-fired plants, to reduce pollution and greenhouse gases; as well as several, other, useful bio-products.

ATP has access to innovative torrefaction technology developed by North Carolina State University (NCSU) and the US patent was issued, in November 2012. Patents are also issued or are pending in other target countries. 

Click on this link to see a video of NC State University Torrefaction process inventor, Chris Hopkins, operating the field-scale prototype unit.

ATP's process cost-effectively converts cellulosic biomass, like wood chips and bio-crops, into a substance, which can be used as a clean and renewable coal substitute; as a superior feedstock from which to make stronger, more energy dense and water repellent energy pellets; and as a superior feedstock from which to make bio-fuels, using gasification methods.

ATP's standard, commercial machine, called the Torre-Tech 5.0, is available for order now, with expected delivery in 6-8 months. It will produce five tons of torrefied wood, an hour. 

Unlike some of our competitors,ATP's units: 

• Do not require pre-drying of the biomass to reduce moisture to 20% and can essentially accept most biomass feedstock, as is, after chipping and storage.

• Essentially make all of their own process heat, once at operating temperature.

• Are simpler and more reliable.

• Are less expensive - The Torre-Tech 5.0 costs approximately $5.0 million US.

ATP is continuing to work with its South Carolina operating affiliate, ATP-SC, LLC, to develop a pilot torrefaction plant in Allendale, South Carolina. Mr. James says, "We have had very strong, global interest in our machines, as our torrefaction process is believed to be among the most cost-effective in the world.” In addition to producing and selling torrefaction equipment, ATP intends to develop and operate a few torrefaction processing plants, on a global basis, in conjunction with key strategic partners. 

ATP is very grateful for the support it has received from various federal and state agencies, as well as private sector organizations. We have had strong interest from many would-be customers from the US's forestry, pellet and electric utility sector, as well as from all over the world, as our process is seen to be among the most cost-effective.

Feel free to contact us.