US20250333914A1

US20250333914A1 - Carbon capture system and method for synthetic turf fields

Info

Publication number: US20250333914A1
Application number: US19/186,905
Authority: US
Inventors: Jason Smollett; Eric HABIB; Christopher Chisam
Original assignee: Tarkett Sports Canada Inc
Current assignee: Tarkett Sports Canada Inc
Priority date: 2024-04-24
Filing date: 2025-04-23
Publication date: 2025-10-30
Also published as: WO2025222295A1

Abstract

A synthetic turf system including a backing, turf fibers extended upward from the backing, and one or more infill layers positioned above the backing, below a top portion of the turf fibers. The one or more infill layers includes rock dust, or the synthetic turf system further includes a layer of the rock dust disposed above or below the one or more infill layers. The rock dust is accessible to rainwater from the top portion of the turf fibers, where the rainwater and the rock dust chemically react with each other, forming a carbonate or a bicarbonate.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/638,100, filed on Apr. 24, 2024, entitled “Carbon Capture System and Method for Synthetic Turf Fields”, which we incorporate by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Synthetic or artificial turf fields are composed of three primary components—from bottom to top: Shock pad, carpet, and infill. These components are generally assembled on top of a base of compacted stone. The shock pad is optional and serves to convey much of the shock absorption performance of the turf field, required for the safety of those playing on the surface in the case of impact with the surface. The carpet serves to mimic the blades of grass and root zone, conveying the softness and traction of the surface as well as many of the ball interaction properties. The infill is generally constituted of at least two layers, the bottom layer of which serves to weight down and stabilize the carpets that it is laid onto, whereas the top layers serve as an additional interface layer to those playing on the field, conveying surface softness, friction, traction, and much of the mechanical properties of the field that are felt directly by the players.
When installation of a synthetic turf field occurs, generally speaking, a living, natural turf field is being replaced with an artificial one. In this process, a living organism, e.g., grass, plants, etc., which naturally removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is removed. Additionally, the construction associated with a synthetic turf field, as well as the actual manufacturing of the synthetic turf, result in additional carbon entering the atmosphere.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claimed subject matter. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description presented later.
There remains a need for environmentally friendly and ultimately carbon-neutral or carbon-offsetting materials that present good mechanical properties and mechanical resistance, while presenting high availability, easy transportation, and low cost.
In aspects, a rock dust-based layer may be positioned immediately below the installation of an synthetic turf system, e.g., below a shock pad, on a top substrate material, e.g., a rock layer. In such a position, the rock dust-based layer may have a thickness of ⅛″ to ¼″.
In still other aspects, rock dust-based particles may be blended into a 1″ to 2″ topping stone layer positioned immediately below the shock pad.
In yet another aspect, a layer of rock dust-based particles may be positioned on a geotextile or subgrade layer. In such a position, the rock dust-based layer may have a thickness of ¼″ to ½″.
In another aspect, a rock dust-based material may be positioned at a bottom of a subdrain trench, below a layer of geotextile fabric.
In a further aspect, rock dust-based particles may be tilled or blended into native subgrade material. In such a position, the rock dust-based particles may be blended within the subgrade, e.g., soil, as discussed below.
In another aspect, a synthetic turf system includes a backing, turf fibers extended upward from the backing, and one or more infill layers positioned above the backing, below a top portion of the turf fibers. The one or more infill layers includes rock dust, or the synthetic turf system further includes a layer of the rock dust disposed above or below the one or more infill layers. The rock dust is accessible to rainwater from the top portion of the turf fibers, where the rainwater and the rock dust chemically react with each other, forming a carbonate or a bicarbonate.
In another aspect, infill for a synthetic turf system includes rock dust. The rock dust includes silicate rock, igneous rock, or reactive rock that forms a carbonate or bicarbonate with rainwater. At least 90 percent of the rock dust has a particle size less than 250 micrometers. Organic particles, rubber particles, elastomer particles, coated particles, or thermoplastic particles blended or layered with the rock dust in one or more infill layers.
In another aspect, a method of preparing a synthetic turf system includes dispersing rock dust over a top portion of turf fibers. The rock dust includes silicate rock, igneous rock, or reactive rock that forms a carbonate or bicarbonate with rainwater traveling through one or more infill layers.
In each of the foregoing aspects, certain carbon sequestration processes can occur as rainwater interacts with the rock dust-based particles, regardless of the position in the synthetic turf system. Further discussion of the processes referenced above are included in the following description.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the claimed subject matter are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects indicate various ways in which the subject matter may be practiced, all of which are intended to be within the scope of the disclosed subject matter. Other advantages and novel features may become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
These and other systems, methods, objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the drawings.
All documents mentioned herein are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference. References to items in the singular should be understood to include items in the plural, and vice versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise or clear from the text. Grammatical conjunctions are intended to express any and all disjunctive and conjunctive combinations of conjoined clauses, sentences, words, and the like, unless otherwise stated or clear from the context.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of an example synthetic turf system having an infill made of rock dust in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example application system employed in dispersing the rock dust over the synthetic turf system of FIG. 1 , in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example brush employed in grooming the rock dust into the synthetic turf system of FIG. 1 , in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of an example synthetic turf system having rock dust applied to a top surface of a base stone layer in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of an example synthetic turf system having rock dust incorporated into a base stone layer in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of an example synthetic turf system having the rock dust positioned on a geotextile component in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of an example synthetic turf system having rock dust positioned in a subdrain trench in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of an example synthetic turf system having rock dust diffused into a subgrade in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 9 is an example process flow for preparing a synthetic turf system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects of the subject disclosure are now described in more detail with reference to the annexed drawings, wherein like numerals generally refer to like or corresponding elements throughout. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description relating thereto are not intended to limit the claimed subject matter to the particular form disclosed. Instead, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the described and claimed subject matter.
The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the provided subject matter. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed between the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.
Further, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.
Numerical values in the specification and claims of this application should be understood to include numerical values which are the same when reduced to the same number of significant figures and numerical values which differ from the stated value by less than the experimental error of conventional measurement technique of the type described in the present application to determine the value. All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the recited endpoint.
The term “about” can be used to include any numerical value that can vary without changing the basic function of that value. When used with a range, “about” also discloses the range defined by the absolute values of the two endpoints, e.g., “about 2 to about 4” also discloses the range “from 2 to 4.” For example, the term “about” may refer to plus or minus 10% of the indicated number.
In accordance with some aspects described herein, there is provided an synthetic turf system that utilizes a material derived from one or more types of rock dust, including, for example and without limitation, basalt rock dust, igneous rock dust (such as andesite, diorite, gabbro, or rhyolite), limestone-derived dust (such as calcium carbonate-based materials), dolomitic lime (CaO/MgO), ultramafic rock dust (such as peridotite or dunite), industrial byproducts containing reactive silicates or carbonates, a blend of various types of rock dust, combinations thereof, or other similar mineral-based particulate materials. In some embodiments, the rock dust may be used as an intervening layer of material between existing layers of the system, mixed within a particular layer, lining a subdrain trench, on or mixed within a substrate, or combinations thereof. It will further be appreciated that as the rock dust is a natural byproduct of the mining industry, there is no additional carbon footprint from mining.
In some embodiments contemplated herein, the rock dust material, when in contact with rainwater, causes a chemical reaction to occur between carbonic acid naturally present in the rainwater and the rock dust. The reaction weathers the rock dust and converts the carbonic acid into a carbonate or bicarbonate. By converting the carbon dioxide into other substances, the carbon dioxide can no longer be released into the atmosphere. Further, the conversion of the carbonic acid has a de-acidifying effect on soils, storm water, rivers, and oceans, simultaneously enriching them with mineral nutrients. These carbonate or bicarbonate substances are carried by rivers to the sea, where they are ultimately deposited as limestone and dolomites, e.g., carbonate sediments. These carbonate sediments form a sink for carbon dioxide.
Turning now to FIG. 1 , there is shown a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of a portion of an synthetic turf system 100 utilizing rock dust 102 for carbon sequestration in accordance with an example implementation of the embodiment described above. As shown in FIG. 1 , the synthetic turf system 100 includes one or more infill layers 104, a backing 110, and a plurality of turf fibers 112 that emulate grass blades extending substantially perpendicularly upwards relative to the backing 110. As such, the infill layers 104 are positioned above the backing 110, in between the turf fibers 112, and below a top portion 114 of the turf fibers 112.
Infill, as shown in FIG. 1 , is representative of material that is deposited directly on top of the backing 110 and forms the infill layers 104 around the turf fibers 112. Infill is interspersed between the turf fibers 112, rising out of the backing 110. As depicted, the infill layers 104 have a total depth that covers a portion of the turf fibers 112, leaving at least part of the top portion 114 exposed and extending above the infill layers 104.
In accordance with some embodiments, the infill layers 104 assist in supporting the turf fibers 112 in an upright position from the backing 110, and provide traction and shock absorption. As a general matter, various types of infill arrangements are contemplated. In this regard, the one or more infill layers 104 may be a single homogeneous or graded layer, or a plurality of distinct layers. For example, two layer, three layer, or other further layered arrangements of the one or more infill layers 104 are contemplated. For convenience, the present description primarily discusses two and three layer embodiments.
In some embodiments, a first layer 120 of infill material may include, for example and without limitation, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) particles ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, other thermoplastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), composite materials can be used that combine thermoplastics, elastomers, reinforcements and/or fillers or other sufficient material, is incorporated. In accordance with some embodiments, a second layer 122 of infill material depicted in FIG. 1 may include a mixture of materials, e.g., material of the first layer 104 and a sand material. In such embodiments, a third layer 124 of infill material may include the aforementioned sand material, which may be implemented as a ballast layer.
In accordance with some embodiments, a shock pad (not shown) may be employed to achieve a desired shock absorption in accordance with a particular installation/purpose. For example, a shock pad (not shown) may be positioned below the one or more infill layers 104 shown in FIG. 1 . As such, the material of the infill layers 104 conveys many of the mechanical properties that may be desired for use as artificial turf infill. As shown in the depicted embodiment, the backing 110 may be positioned below the infill layers 104 shown in FIG. 1 . In such embodiments, the permeable backing may correspond to the material into which the turf fibers 112 are woven, held, inserted, etc.
In an embodiment where the rock dust 102 is incorporated in the synthetic turf system 100 as a top dressing, the rock dust 102 is periodically dispersed over the top portion 114 of the turf fibers 112 with an application system 130 depicted in FIG. 2 . With continued reference to FIG. 2 , the application system 130 includes a seed tender 132 and a tractor 134 that disperses the rock dust 102 over the synthetic turf system 100 from a broadcaster tool 140. The seed tender 132 is employed in conjunction with a hydraulically-controlled conveyor 142 and a hopper gate 144, which supply the tractor 134 the rock dust 102. As the tractor 134 moves at a consistent speed across the synthetic turf system 100 following a predetermined pattern, the hydraulically-controlled conveyor 142 and the hopper gate 144 precisely control a flow rate of the rock dust 102 to the tractor 134, ensuring uniform distribution across the synthetic turf system 100.
While, as depicted, the application system 130 includes the broadcaster tool 140 pulled by the tractor 134, and continuously fed the rock dust 102 by the seed tender 132 along or across the synthetic turf system 100, the application system 130 may additionally or alternatively include a variety of components configured to spread granular material across a field, such as, for example, a self-propelled, manually powered, or power take-off (PTO) driven broadcast material spreader, a pneumatic spreader, an air boom spreader, a drop spreader, a handheld spreader, or an aerial spreader for dispersing the rock dust 102 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Once the rock dust 102 is dispersed across the synthetic turf system 100 by the application system 130, the rock dust 102 is brushed into the one or more infill layers 104, including the first layer 120, the second layer 122, and the third layer 124. In this regard, a brush 150 depicted in FIG. 3 grooms the rock dust 102 into the one or more infill layers 104. Rotary brush action on the synthetic turf system 100 from the top portion 114 by the brush 150 effectively works the rock dust 102 downward between the turf fibers 112, ensuring proper placement within the infill material forming the one or more infill layers 104, while maintaining structural integrity and performance characteristics of the synthetic turf system 100, including at the top portion 114 and the first layer 120.
While, as depicted, the brush 150 is a motorized, walk-behind rotary brush apparatus, such as a Shindaiwa or Laymor brush system, the brush 150 may additionally or alternatively include various components for incorporating the rock dust 102 into the one or more infill layers 104 such as, for example, a ride-on turf groomer, a tractor-mounted brush that is dragged or PTO driven, or manual turf brushing equipment. Furthermore, brushes employed in such configurations may embody various shapes, sizes, and types, such as, for example, straight brushes, triangular brushes, hydraulic brushes, oscillating brushes, rigid brushes, flexible brushes, or brush assemblies including at least one plurality of brushes. Furthermore, the brush 150 may additionally or alternatively include specialty turf equipment, such as a vacuum or other devices complementary to the brush 150, and utilized to integrate the rock dust 102 into the existing infill material of the one or more infill layers 104 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Turning now to FIG. 4 , there is shown a more detailed three-dimensional cross-sectional view of a portion of the synthetic turf system 100 utilizing the rock dust 102 as a ballast infill material in accordance with the embodiment set forth above in FIG. 1 . It will be appreciated that while illustrated in FIG. 4 as a multi-stone layered installation, the rock dust 102 may be used in other types of turf systems and in varying mesh sizes, and the illustrations in FIGS. 1-7 are intended solely as one non-limiting example of turf carpet systems in which the rock dust 102 may be utilized.
As shown in FIG. 4 , the synthetic turf system 100, in addition to including the turf fibers 112, the rock dust 102, the infill layers 104, and the backing 110, further includes a first base stone layer 200 disposed below the backing 110 and above a second base stone layer 202. The synthetic turf system 100 further includes a geotextile component 204 that is a fabric disposed between the second base stone layer 202 and a subgrade 210. The synthetic turf system 100 may further include a subdrain trench component 212 formed in the subgrade and housing a drainage pipe 214.
The synthetic turf system 100 may include the rock dust 102 in the infill layers 104, or further include a layer of the rock dust 102 disposed above or below the one or more infill layers 104. In the embodiment of FIG. 4 , the rock dust 102 is applied to a top surface of the first base stone layer 200, below the backing 110 and the shock pad. More specifically, the rock dust 102 is layered directly on the top surface of the first base stone layer 200, and forms a continuous layer along the backing 110, where the layer of the rock dust 102 has a thickness of at least one eighth of an inch. Application may be made via a suitable top-dressing machine, as described above. In an embodiment, the rock dust 102 may be deposited with a thickness in the range of about ⅛″ to ¼″. In such an embodiment, rainwater would flow directly through the infill layers 104, the backing 110, and the rock dust 102, and flow into the first base stone layer 200.
The rock dust 102 is accessible to rainwater from the top portion 114 of the turf fibers 112, where the rainwater and the rock dust 102 chemically react with each other, forming a carbonate or a bicarbonate. More specifically, in operation, as rainwater contacts the rock dust 102, a chemical reaction occurs between carbonic acid naturally present in the rainwater and the rock dust. The reaction weathers the rock dust 102, e.g., silicate rock, igneous rock, or other reactive rock, rock blends, combinations thereof, etc., and converts the carbonic acid into a carbonate or bicarbonate. In this regard, the rock dust 102 may include wollastonite, basalt, peridotite, dunite, dolomitic lime, dolostone, andesite, diorite, gabbro, rhyolite, olivine, quick lime, lime stone, and other minerals in varying proportions effective for reacting with carbonic acid in rainwater.
The weathering rate and shape of particles forming the rock dust 102 are influenced by material selection and particle size distribution. In this regard, consistent particle sizing promotes uniform weathering rates across the one or more infill layers 104, maintaining overall field performance and carbon sequestration efficiency in the synthetic turf system 100. The rock dust 102 is accessible to rainwater traveling downward by gravity from the top portion 114 of the turf fibers 112 toward the backing 110. As the rock dust 102 weathers through exposure to rainwater, its constituent particles may substantially change morphology, or alternatively may remain largely the same shape. In embodiments, the selected silicate rock, igneous rock, or reactive rock materials form weathered particles that maintain a sphericity of about 0.65 to about 0.85. This sphericity range supports stable packing within the synthetic turf system, reduces compaction variability, and ensures continued mechanical performance while facilitating consistent chemical reactions for carbon capture.
The rock dust 102 has a particle size distribution that optimizes contact surface area and reactivity with rainwater, without preventing drainage of the rainwater from the synthetic turf system 100. In this regard, a majority of the particles forming the rock dust 102 may be silt, very fine sand, or fine sand in accordance with the Wentworth aggregate classification scheme. In such an embodiment, for example, at least 90 percent of the rock dust 102 by weight may have a particle size greater than 4 micrometers and less than 250 micrometers. In a further embodiment, at least 90 percent of the rock dust 102 by weight may have a particle size less than 125 micrometers. In a further embodiment, at least 90 percent of the rock dust 102 by weight may have a particle size less than 62 micrometers.
The infill material forming the infill layers 104 may also include additional materials such as organic particles, rubber particles, elastomer particles, coated particles, or thermoplastic particles blended or layered with the rock dust 102. In an embodiment, the rock dust 102 forms less than 10 percent of the infill by weight, as compared to the additional materials. In such an embodiment, the additional materials may be sized and shaped to provide an engineered drainage surface in the synthetic turf system 100, where the rock dust 102 reacts with rainwater without forming an impermeable barrier in the infill layers 104 or otherwise effectively blocking, clogging, or pooling flow of rainwater through the synthetic turf system 100.
As stated above, the conversion of the carbon dioxide into other substances, such as carbonate and bicarbonate substances prevents the release of the carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Further, the conversion of the carbonic acid has a de-acidifying effect on soils, storm water, rivers, and oceans, simultaneously enriching them with mineral nutrients. These carbonate or bicarbonate substances permeate the first base stone layer 200 and the second base stone layer 202, through the geotextile component 204 and into the subdrain trench component 212 and drainage pipe 214. Thereafter, the carbonate or bicarbonate substances are carried by rivers to the sea, where they are ultimately deposited as carbonate sediments such as limestone and dolomites, forming a sink for carbon dioxide.
Turning now to FIG. 5 , there is shown the synthetic turf system 100 utilizing the rock dust 102 in accordance with another embodiment. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5 , the rock dust 102 is incorporated into the first base stone layer 200. In accordance with one non-limiting example, the first base stone layer 200 may be implemented as layer of stone having a thickness in the range of about 1 inch to 4 inches, and in some particular embodiments, in the range of about 1 inch to about 2 inches. In such embodiments, the first base stone layer 200 may include ASTM #89 stone or the like. The rock dust 102 may be suitably mixed with the stone to distribute the rock dust 102 throughout the first base stone layer 200. Mixing of the rock dust 102 with the first base stone layer 200 may be accomplished on-site, remotely, e.g., quarry, mine, etc., or the like. As described in greater detail above, reaction of the rock dust 102 with rainwater would occur as described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 4 .
Turning now to FIG. 6 , there is shown another embodiment of the synthetic turf system 100 utilizing the rock dust 102. As illustrated in FIG. 6 , the rock dust 102 is disposed or layered on the geotextile component 204. In such a position, the layer of the rock dust 102 disposed on the geotextile component 204 may have a thickness of ¼″ to ½″. Stated another way, the layer of the rock dust 102 may be applied at the bottom of the second base stone layer 202, as shown in FIG. 6 . Application of the layer of the rock dust 102 in FIG. 6 may be accomplished, for example and without limitation, via a suitable top-dressing machine.
In accordance with one non-limiting example, the second base stone layer 202 may be implemented as layer of stone having a thickness in the range of about 2 inch to 6 inches, and in some particular embodiments, in the range of about 3 inches to about 4 inches. In such embodiments, the second base stone layer 202 may include ASTM #57 stone or the like. In this manner, the first base stone layer 200 is formed from stone having a first nominal size range, the second base stone layer 202 disposed below the first base stone layer 200 has a second nominal size range coarser than the first nominal size range, and the rock dust 102 is layered above, layered below, or mixed the first base stone layer 200 or the second base stone layer 202. Further, with this construction, the first base stone layer 200 and the second base stone layer 202 are water permeable, and the rock dust 102 is accessible by rainwater traveling from the top portion 114 of the turf fibers 112, through the one or more infill layers 104 by gravity
Further, reaction of rock dust 102 with rainwater would occur as described above with respect to FIGS. 1, 4, and 5 . It will be appreciated that placement of the rock dust 102 as shown in FIG. 6 may provide additional time for weathering of the rock dust 102, as the incorporation of the rock dust 102 into the first base stone layer 200 and the second base stone layer 202 may hold water for extended periods of time.
Referring now to FIG. 7 , there is shown another embodiment of the synthetic turf system 100 utilizing rock dust 102 for carbon sequestration. As illustrated in FIG. 7 , a layer of the rock dust 102 is positioned at a bottom of the subdrain trench component 212. In such an embodiment, the rock dust 102 may be placed at the lowest elevation within the system 100 to maximize the possibility of water coming into contact with the rock dust 102. In some embodiments, although not shown, the rock dust 102 may also be placed below the geotextile component 204, preventing the rock dust 102 from clogging up the drainage system at or between the geotextile component 204 and the subdrain trench component 212, or from being washed down stream. Accordingly, the elevation of the drainage pipe 214 as a storm drain outlet may be utilized to maximize the contact time with the storm water, effectively maximizing the weathering and carbon dioxide capture of the rock dust 102.
Although not shown, it is contemplated that the rock dust 102 may be blended with the stone of the second base stone layer 202 similar to the manner described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 4-6 . Similarly, although not illustrated in the accompanying figures, it is further contemplated that the rock dust 102 may be blended with stone in the subdrain trench component 212. The above described positions of the rock dust 102 would also enable the carbon capture reaction described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 4-6 .
Referring now to FIG. 8 , there is shown the synthetic turf system 100 utilizing rock dust 102 in accordance with another embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 8 , the rock dust 102 may be tilled and incorporated into the subgrade 210 of the synthetic turf system 100, e.g., soil, sediment, etc. In such an implementation, the geotextile component 204 and the 6″ to 8″ combined thickness of the first base stone layer 200 and the second base stone layer 202 may be installed on the modified subgrade 210 having the rock dust 102 distributed therein. It will be appreciated that more rock dust 102 may be used with this embodiment than the embodiments described above, thereby providing additional carbon sequestration capability. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that by placing the rock dust 102 into the subgrade 210, additional opportunity to capture carbon is presented, as soil contains more carbon dioxide then air. That is, as organic matter breaks down it creates additional carbon dioxide. Furthermore, the addition of rock dust 102 in the subgrade 210, in addition to carbon sequestration, may also provide firmer and more permeable subgrade, particularly if the subgrade 210 is formed of soft, silty, or sandy soils. Having rock dust 102 in the subgrade 210 where there is potential for more water availability increases the ability for the weathering reaction to occur, e.g., carbon sequestration. In addition, as described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 4-7 , rainwater reaction with the rock dust 102 provides the aforementioned carbon capture benefits.
Referring to FIG. 9 , a method 300 for preparing a synthetic turf system will be described according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 9 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1-8 . For simplicity, the method 300 will be described as a sequence of blocks, but the elements of the method 300 can be organized into different architectures, elements, stages, and/or processes.
At block 302, the method 300 includes measuring an aspect of the synthetic turf system 100. More specifically, a user may measure a thickness of an infill layer, such as one of the infill layers 104, may measure an acidity of rainwater at the infill layer, and may measure a quantity of silicate rock, ultramafic rock, or reactive rock present in the infill layer.
At block 304, the method 300 includes preblending or layering the silicate rock, ultramafic rock, or reactive rock with organic particles, rubber particles, elastomer particles, coated particles, or thermoplastic particles prior to dispersing the rock dust 102 over the top portion 114 of the turf fibers 112. In an embodiment, the method 300 includes determining desired compositional ranges of the rock dust 102 based on the measurement or measurements taken at block 302. In this manner, the wear rate and the minimum volume of the one or more infill layers 104 is controlled by adjusting the compositional ranges of components of the rock dust 102. In an embodiment, the rock dust 102 may be preblended or layered with wollastonite, olivine, limestone, or basalt, etc., and additional infill materials complementary to the one or more infill layers 104 for producing desired field conditions in the synthetic turf system 100.
At block 310, the method 300 includes dispersing the rock dust 102 over the top portion 114 of the turf fibers 112, where the rock dust 102 includes silicate rock, ultramafic rock, or reactive rock that forms a carbonate or bicarbonate with rainwater traveling through the one or more infill layers 104 by gravity. In an embodiment, dispersing the rock dust 102 includes dispersing a predetermined quantity of the rock dust 102 over the top portion 114 of the turf fibers 112 as a top dressing based on the measurement taken at block 302.
At block 312, the method 300 includes grooming the rock dust 102 into the one or more infill layers 104 of the synthetic turf system 100, between the turf fibers 112, at the backing 110 of the synthetic turf system 100. In this regard, the brush 150 grooms the rock dust 102 into and through the one or more infill layers 104, where the rock dust 102 contacts and rests on the backing 110.
While specific embodiments are shown and described herein, it is contemplated that alternative embodiments exist that employ alternative materials, mixtures, proportions, sizes, etc. without departing from the spirit and/or scope of the innovation as described in detail. These alternative embodiments are to be included within the spirit and scope of the innovation as described and claimed herein.
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter of the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example aspects.
Various operations of aspects are provided herein. The order in which one or more or all of the operations are described should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. Alternative ordering will be appreciated based on this description. Further, not all operations may necessarily be present in each aspect provided herein.
As used in this application, “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or”. Further, an inclusive “or” may include any combination thereof (e.g., A, B, or any combination thereof). In addition, “a” and “an” as used in this application are generally construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. Additionally, at least one of A and B and/or the like generally means A or B or both A and B. Further, to the extent that “includes”, “having”, “has”, “with”, or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising”.
Further, unless specified otherwise, “first”, “second”, or the like are not intended to imply a temporal aspect, a spatial aspect, an ordering, etc. Rather, such terms are merely used as identifiers, names, etc. for features, elements, items, etc. For example, a first channel and a second channel generally correspond to channel A and channel B or two different or two identical channels or the same channel. Additionally, “comprising”, “comprises”, “including”, “includes”, or the like generally means comprising or including, but not limited thereto.
Further, the term “in” as used to describe an object with respect to a given direction (e.g., an edge extended in a left-right direction) is intended to denote an orientation that is substantially parallel to the specified direction. In contrast, the term “along” as used to describe an object with respect to a given direction (e.g., an edge extended along a vertical direction) is intended to indicate that a feature or element possesses a common vector component in that direction, even if its overall alignment is not strictly parallel.
The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions and/or alternative embodiments exist that employ alternative materials, mixtures, proportions, sizes, etc., do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A synthetic turf system comprising:

a backing;

turf fibers extended upward from the backing; and

one or more infill layers positioned above the backing, below a top portion of the turf fibers, wherein the one or more infill layers includes rock dust, or the synthetic turf system further comprises a layer of the rock dust disposed above or below the one or more infill layers, and

the rock dust is accessible to rainwater from the top portion of the turf fibers, where the rainwater and the rock dust chemically react with each other, forming a carbonate or a bicarbonate.

2. The synthetic turf system of claim 1, wherein the rock dust includes wollastonite, basalt, peridotite, dunite, dolomitic lime, dolostone, andesite, diorite, gabbro, rhyolite, quick lime, or lime stone.

3. The synthetic turf system of claim 1, wherein the rock dust includes silicate rock, igneous rock, or reactive rock.

4. The synthetic turf system of claim 3, wherein the silicate rock, igneous rock, or reactive rock forms weathered particles having a sphericity of about 0.65 to about 0.85.

5. The synthetic turf system of claim 1, further comprising a base stone layer disposed below the backing, and the rock dust is layered above, layered below, or mixed in the base stone layer.

6. The synthetic turf system of claim 5, wherein the base stone layer is a first base stone layer formed from stone having a first nominal size range,

the system further comprises a second base stone layer disposed below the first base stone layer, the second base stone layer having a second nominal size range coarser than the first nominal size range, and

the rock dust is layered above, layered below, or mixed in the second base stone layer.

7. The synthetic turf system of claim 6, wherein the first base stone layer is at least one inch thick and formed from American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) #89 stone, and the second base stone layer is at least 2 inches thick and formed from ASTM #57 stone.

8. The synthetic turf system of claim 5, wherein the backing and the base stone layer are water permeable, and the rock dust is accessible by rainwater traveling through the one or more infill layers by gravity.

9. The synthetic turf system of claim 5, wherein the base stone layer includes silicate rock, igneous rock, or reactive rock that is accessible to rainwater traveling from the top portion of the turf fibers by gravity.

10. The synthetic turf system of claim 5, wherein the rock dust is layered directly on a top surface of the base stone layer, the rock dust forming a layer with a thickness of at least one eighth of an inch, or

the rock dust is layered below a geotextile component, the rock dust forming a layer with a thickness of at least half an inch, the geotextile component being disposed underneath the base stone layer,

the rock dust is tilled into a subgrade below the base stone layer, or

the rock dust is positioned in a subdrain below the base stone layer.

11. The synthetic turf system of claim 1, further comprising a subdrain trench below the backing, wherein the rock dust is blended with stone in the subdrain trench.

12. The synthetic turf system of claim 1, wherein at least ninety percent of the rock dust has a particle size less than 62 micrometers in diameter.

13. The synthetic turf system of claim 1, wherein the one or more infill layers include the rock dust, the one or more infill layers are disposed on top of the backing, between the turf fibers, and the top portion of the turf fibers extends above the one or more infill layers.

14. Infill for a synthetic turf system, the infill comprising:

rock dust including silicate rock, igneous rock, or reactive rock that forms a carbonate or bicarbonate with rainwater, wherein at least 90 percent of the rock dust has a particle size less than 250 micrometers in diameter; and

organic particles, rubber particles, elastomer particles, coated particles, or thermoplastic particles blended or layered with the rock dust in one or more infill layers.

15. The infill of claim 14, wherein the rock dust forms less than 10 percent of the infill by weight and includes wollastonite, basalt, peridotite, dunite, dolomitic lime, dolostone, andesite, diorite, gabbro, rhyolite, quick lime, or lime stone.

16. The infill of claim 14, wherein 90 percent of the rock dust by weight has a particle size of 4 to 125 micrometers in diameter.

17. A method of preparing a synthetic turf system, the method comprising:

dispersing rock dust over a top portion of turf fibers, wherein the rock dust includes silicate rock, igneous rock, or reactive rock that forms a carbonate or bicarbonate with rainwater traveling through one or more infill layers.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

grooming the rock dust into the one or more infill layers of the synthetic turf system, between the turf fibers, at a backing of the synthetic turf system.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

preblending the silicate rock, igneous rock, or reactive rock with organic particles, rubber particles, elastomer particles, coated particles, or thermoplastic particles prior to dispersing the rock dust over the top portion of the turf fibers.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

measuring an aspect of the synthetic turf system, including a thickness of an infill layer, an acidity of rainwater at the infill layer, or a quantity of silicate rock, igneous rock, or reactive rock present in the infill layer; and

dispersing a predetermined quantity of the rock dust over the top portion of the turf fibers as a top dressing based on the measured aspect.