Process and apparatus to remove carbon-14 from carbon-dioxide in atmospheric gases and agricultural products grown in controlled environments

Abstract

This invention relates to a process and apparatus for growing agricultural products with a reduced abundance of radioactive carbon-14 (14C) by employing centrifugal separation of atmospheric gases to selectively remove carbon dioxide (CO2) with 14C. Agricultural products with reduced 14C content can be grown in controlled environments with filtered atmospheric gases for the benefit of reducing harmful damage to human DNA that is unavoidable with our current food chain, due to the natural abundance of 14C in atmospheric gases. Bilateral and unilateral compression helikon vortex apparatus provide efficient and economical removal of CO2 with 14C from atmospheric gases with a single filtration pass, which is ideally suited for large scale agricultural production.

Description

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a process and apparatus for growing agricultural products with a reduced abundance of carbon-14 (¹⁴C) by employing centrifugal separation of atmospheric gases to remove carbon dioxide (CO₂) with radioactive ¹⁴C. Agricultural products with reduced ¹⁴C content can be grown in controlled environments for the benefit of reducing harmful damage to human DNA that is unavoidable with our current food chain, due to the natural abundance of ¹⁴C in atmospheric gases. Radioactive ¹⁴C decay to nitrogen-14 with the release of 156 KeV has long been known to have biological effects (Purdom, C. E.). Sequencing of the human genome has identified 6.1 billion base pairs in human DNA, with 119 billion carbon atoms in the DNA of each nucleated cell (Lander, E. S., and Genome Reference Consortium (GRC) Human Genome Assembly build 38 (GRCh38)). Recent quantitative analysis of human tissues has estimated 3 trillion nucleated cells in the human body (Sender, R., Fuchs, S., & Milo, R.). Given the natural abundance and half-life of ¹⁴C and composition of our genome (i.e., a mean of roughly 6.0×10⁹ base pairs with 19.5 carbon atoms each), in the average human this decay is occurring once per second in human DNA, resulting in potential bond ruptures, DNA strand breakage, and nitrogen substitution in canonical bases (Sassi, M., et. al.). This cumulative damage has been positively correlated to cancer diagnoses (Patrick, A. D., & Patrick, B. E.), and may have other yet-to-be-quantified effects on human tissues as we age. In fact, no mammal has yet lived without this cumulative damage, so the qualitative benefits of precluding this genetic alteration are yet-to-be-quantified. To preclude this cumulative damage and genetic alteration, it is necessary to perform isotope separation on large volumes of atmospheric gases to remove ¹⁴C from agricultural products and their derivatives in the food chain. This requires an economical means for the filtration of atmospheric gases and the growth of agricultural products in controlled environments.

BACKGROUND—PRIOR ART

In commercial applications, isotope separation has most commonly been applied to uranium isotopes utilizing a centrifugal separation process. The helikon vortex has been applied to uranium isotope enrichment in South Africa utilizing a multi-stage cascade design (Feiverson, H. A., Glaser, A., Mian, Z., & Von Hippel, F. N., and Moore, J. D. L.), but has not been applied to the selective isotope separation of CO₂ from atmospheric gases in prior art.

Turner, et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 8,460,434, shows that a helikon vortex can be utilized as a centrifugal separator in a multi-stage cascade design as one part of a process to separate methane from landfill gas. Although the multi-stage cascade design of the helikon vortex can separate gases by molecular density, it was developed for the separation of uranium isotopes, which are very heavy and differ in mass by a small amount (i.e., ²³⁵U and ²³⁸U, which differ in mass by 1.3%), which is one of the most challenging applications for centrifugal separation. Due to this multi-stage cascade design, it is very energy intensive to operate, and although it can be applied to the separation other gases by molecular density, it is uneconomical for the filtration of atmospheric gases on a large-scale for agricultural production.

Shacter, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,925,036, shows a method for cycling gases through a cascade of multiple stages to achieve the separation other gases by molecular density. This multi-stage cascade design was also intended for the separation of uranium isotopes, and due to the reasons noted above is very energy intensive to operate, and although it can be applied to the separation other gases by molecular density, it is uneconomical for the filtration of atmospheric gases on a large-scale for agricultural production.

Steimel, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,004,158, shows that a gas centrifuge can separate molecules of different masses by applying extremely high velocities while utilizing ionization of the gas with electric currents and the control of magnetic fields around the gas chamber. Although this process is effective for the separation of isotopes of heavy elements, such as uranium (i.e., ²³⁵U and ²³⁸U, which differ in mass by 1.3%), it is very energy intensive to operate and the apparatus itself is complex to construct, including a large electromagnet, electrodes, and controlling mechanisms. While all of this may be essential for the difficult and energy intensive separation of heavy isotopes from each other (e.g., ²³⁵U and ²³⁸U), the separation of carbon isotopes (e.g., ¹²C and ¹⁴C, which differ in mass by 16.7%) is much less energy intensive, due to the relatively large mass difference between isotopes. Being more energy intensive than necessary for the desired application, this process is uneconomical for the filtration of atmospheric gases on a large-scale for agricultural production.

Gerber, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,594,573, shows that heavy and light isotopes can be separated from a fluid by applying a rotating electric field and ionization of the liquid with electrodes or a radioactive source. Although this process may have economical applications for liquids at atmospheric pressures, utilization of this process for the separation of CO₂ with ¹⁴C from atmospheric gases would first require the separation of CO₂ from other atmospheric gases, the liquification of the removed CO₂, and then the application of the described process. After this, the CO₂ without ¹⁴C would need then to be re-combined with atmospheric gases without CO₂. Together, with the added complexity of removing CO₂ from atmospheric gases, liquification of this gas, application of the described process, and then recombination of gases, this approach is uneconomical for the filtration of atmospheric gases on a large-scale for agricultural production.

Janes, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,354, shows that ions can be separated from a plasma source utilizing mass acceleration. Similarly, Drummond, et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 3,942,975, shows that matter can be converted by an arc heater into an ionized plasma in excess of 5,000° K and stabilized with magnetic fields. Although this process was developed for the separation of rare valuable elements, such as metals, these could be adapted to separate carbon isotopes from sources of carbon. Utilization of these methodologies for the separation of CO₂ with ¹⁴C from atmospheric gases would first require the separation of CO₂ from other atmospheric gases, then application of the described process to the removed CO₂ (or conversion of some other carbon source to plasma) and then removal of ¹⁴C. After this, the carbon without ¹⁴C would need to be combined with oxygen to produce CO₂, which would then need to be mixed with the atmospheric gases that had the CO₂ removed earlier. Together, with the added complexity of removing CO₂ from atmospheric gases, application of the described process, conversion of carbon to CO₂, and then recombination of gases, this appears to be an uneconomical alternative for the filtration of atmospheric gases on a large-scale for agricultural production. McKinney, et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 3,421,334, shows that isotopes of helium can be separated while in liquid form by exploiting unique physical properties of different isotopes. Although the claim was limited for use with helium, a similar approach could exploit the physical properties of CO₂ in a liquid state. This approach would be complicated by the fact CO₂ is a compound rather than an element and that there are three stable isotopes of oxygen (i.e., ¹⁶O, ¹⁷O, and ¹⁸O) that are naturally found in combinations with three naturally occurring isotopes of carbon (i.e., ¹²C, ¹³C, and ¹⁴C). Even so, exploiting the unique molecular weight of ¹²C¹⁶O₂ in a liquid state would require the removal of all CO₂ from atmospheric gases, application of this new process, and then recombination of the CO₂ without ¹⁴C with the atmospheric gases without CO₂. Altogether, even if this claim were modified for this application, it would also appear to be an uneconomical alternative for the filtration of atmospheric gases to remove ¹⁴C on a large-scale for agricultural production.

Russ, Fischer, and Crawford, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,332,715 (2008), shows that gas at an atmospheric pressure can be passed through an ionization chamber with an electrode that generates ions, which pass through an ion filter apparatus with voltage differentials, thereby performing mass spectrometry, which demonstrates one form of isotope separation. Although this process is useful for the identification and measurement of the molecular and isotopic constituents of a gas, it is not readily extensible or adaptable to the removal of one isotopic component of atmospheric gases on a large scale, since each molecule of atmospheric gas needs to be ionized prior to filtration.

Lashoda, et al, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,584,073, shows that isotopes of an element in a compound can be separated utilizing a laser when the compound is deposited in a monolayer on small glass beads. Although this process has useful applications, utilization of this process for separation of CO₂ with ¹⁴C from atmospheric gases would first require the separation of CO₂ from all other atmospheric gases, the liquification of the removed CO₂, and then the application of the described process. After this, the CO₂ without ¹⁴C would then need to be re-combined with atmospheric gases without CO₂. Together, with the added complexity of removing CO₂ from atmospheric gases, liquification of the removed CO₂ gas, application of the described process, and then recombination of gases, this approach is uneconomical for the filtration of atmospheric gases on a large-scale for agricultural production.

Several instances of prior art utilize condensation of gases or condensates as part of a system or method to remove isotopes. Redmann, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,638,674, shows that isotopes can be removed from a continuous stream of gas through condensation, although the claims are limited to gas streams from a nuclear plant rather than atmospheric gases. Similarly, Schweiger in U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,209, shows that radioactive tritium isotopes can be removed from gas from a nuclear reactor by utilizing condensation. These claims are also limited to gases from nuclear reactors.

Janner, et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,311,674, shows that one isotope component of gases can be selectively excited from a condensate using radiation from a laser. Utilization of this process for separation of CO₂ with ¹⁴C from atmospheric gases would first require the condensation of CO₂ from all other atmospheric gases by increasing the pressure of the gases to exceed 5.1 bars, and then application of the described process. After this, the CO₂ without ¹⁴C would then need to be re-combined with atmospheric gases without CO₂. Together, with the added complexity of removing CO₂ from atmospheric gases, liquification of the removed CO₂ gas, application of the described process, and then recombination of gases, this approach is uneconomical for the filtration of atmospheric gases on a large-scale for agricultural production.

Wikdahl, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,070,171, shows that gas mixtures can be separated by molecular or atomic weight by centrifugal force in a vortex. The described apparatus utilizes velocities exceeding the speed of sound and has been utilized for uranium isotope separation, which is among the most technically difficult isotope separation applications. This apparatus could be adapted for the less rigorous application of ¹⁴C separation, although the small diameter limits the utility for the filtration of atmospheric gases on a large-scale for agricultural production, and effective ¹⁴C separation can be achieved at lower velocities than those required for more demanding applications. Therefore, this apparatus would be less economical than an alternative that does not require such extremely high velocities, which limits efficiency, and such a small diameter, which limits the volume of throughput.

Mangadoddy, et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 9,579,666 B2, shows that dense medium can be separated by centrifugal force in a vortex. Although this apparatus appears very similar to Wikdahl's apparatus, as noted above, it has a larger diameter, is intended for the separation of particles rather than molecules, and is functional at lower velocities. Although this apparatus was not intended for isotope separation, and that subject is outside the scope of the claims, it could be modified and adapted for the application of separating CO₂ with ¹⁴C from atmospheric gases. In conclusion, no method or process has been formerly developed for maintaining a controlled environment from which CO₂ with ¹⁴C has either been removed or reduced to a lower level than the natural abundance of ¹⁴C, as required for growing agricultural products with reduced ¹⁴C content. Similarly, no apparatus has been formerly developed with the specific intent to efficiently and economically remove CO₂ with ¹⁴C from atmospheric gases with a single filtration pass, as required for large scale agricultural production.

SUMMARY

A process to grow agricultural products with a reduced abundance of radioactive ¹⁴C will have health benefits by reducing harmful damage to human DNA, which has been correlated to cancer. Other benefits of reduced cumulative genetic damage over long periods of time have yet to be quantified. To-date, removal of ¹⁴C from agricultural products on a large scale has not been possible due to a lack of an economical means to remove ¹⁴C from CO₂ on a scale sufficient for agricultural production. Such agricultural products can be grown in a large variety of controlled environments so long as they are airtight, such as a sealed container, greenhouse, or building, and provided the other requirements for agricultural growth are also satisfied, such as light, water, and micronutrients. The controlled environment must be airtight so that the gases therein can be controlled and constitute filtered atmospheric gases from which CO₂ with ¹⁴C has been removed. With the proper sensors, control valves, and control systems, 1) the abundance of CO₂ in the controlled environment can be automatically maintained by circulating atmospheric gases through the filtration system, operating control valves, and circulation of fresh filtered air through the controlled environment, 2) to ensure the quality of the agricultural products, the control system can also ensure the filtration system is effective prior to routing filtered atmospheric gases into the controlled environment, and 3) the air pressure inside the controlled environment can be maintained at a positive pressure with respect to the external atmospheric air pressure, to prevent any leakage that could contaminate the controlled environment. Together with hydroponic growing methodologies, this process enables the complete automation of large scale agricultural production with reduced ¹⁴C.

The bilateral and unilateral compression helikon vortex designs provide efficient, single-pass systems for the effective filtration of ¹⁴C from CO₂ that is suitable for the filtration of large quantities of atmospheric gases as required for agricultural production (Patrick, A. D., & Patrick, B. E.). These designs are effective due to the relatively large mass difference between stable carbon and unstable carbon isotopes (i.e., ¹²C and ¹⁴C, which differ in mass by 16.7%), which is much less energy intensive to separate than the typical subjects of nuclear isotope separation, i.e., the heavy element isotopes of uranium, such as ²³⁵U and ²³⁸U, which differ in mass by 1.3% and require much more energy to separate. The designs also benefit from the fact unlike uranium, which is a scarce resource and cannot be wasted, atmospheric gases are relatively abundant and available for filtration at no material cost. Therefore, if a portion of perfectly usable air is lost as “waste” from the filtration process, there is no material cost for the separation process, and consequently, the filtration process does not require a high level of material efficiency to be successful or effective at removing ¹⁴C. The designs are simple without requiring electromagnets or electrodes for the ionization of gas, like some isotope separation methodologies. Also, many of the designs that utilize or require the ionization of gas are more complex and resource intensive to construct and operate. The single-pass system designs are also efficient without requiring a multi-stage cascade design, which requires many more resources to build than a single-pass filtration system, as well as much more energy to operate. The designs are more efficient in both design and operation than any of the designs that require liquification of the gases, or ionization of liquified gases, which introduce the process complexities of liquifying atmospheric gases, the maintenance hazards of operating with highly pressurized systems, and the recombination of filtered gases after liquification. The designs are also more efficient and economical than processes that would require converting CO₂ to plasma and stabilizing ionized plasma with magnetic fields. Since the designs only require the acceleration of atmospheric gases, they are also more efficient than processes that require ionization and processing of each molecule of gas in mixtures of gases being separated. Since the designs utilize atmospheric gases directly, they do not require condensation of gases from nuclear power plants or require the excitation of condensates by lasers, which would only add inefficiencies. The designs do not require the acceleration of gases to velocities exceeding the speed of sound, which is required for centrifugal gas separation methodologies applied to more technically difficult isotope separation applications. The designs also do not require the very small diameter of apparatus required by centrifugal gas separation systems intended for more technically challenging isotope separation applications. Since the designs are effective at lower velocities and larger diameters, they are more efficient and well suited for the high throughput of atmospheric gases volumes required for large scale agricultural production applications. The designs are not constrained by particulate separation, only the densities of atmospheric gases, and any particulates that enter the designs would generally be discarded with the high-density atmospheric gases, including the CO₂ with ¹⁴C. The designs are intended to efficiently and economically remove CO₂ with ¹⁴C from atmospheric gases with a single-pass filtration, as required for large scale agricultural production.

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a Flow Diagram for the Separation of Atmospheric Gases to Remove CO₂ with ¹⁴C Utilizing a Helikon Vortex and Control System.

FIGS. 2A to 2D are various views of a Bilateral Compression Helikon Vortex Overview.

FIGS. 3A to 3D are various views of a Unilateral Compression Helikon Vortex Overview.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are Perspective Views of a Bilateral Compression Helikon Vortex (FIG. 4A) and a Unilateral Compression Helikon Vortex (FIG. 4B).

FIGS. 5A to 5D are various views of a Wide Vortex Chamber with Tangential Input Overview.

FIG. 6 is a Perspective View of a Wide Vortex Chamber with Tangential Input.

FIGS. 7A to 7C are various views of a Lateral Vortex Chamber Adapter Overview.

FIGS. 8A to 8C are various views of a Narrow Vortex Chamber Overview.

FIGS. 9A to 9D are various views of a Narrow Vortex Chamber Cap/Outlet Overview.

FIGS. 10A to 10D are various views of a Wide Vortex Chamber Cap/Outlet Overview.

FIGS. 11A to 11C are various views of a Manually Calibrated Helikon Vortex Cone Overview.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are various cross-section views of a Manually Calibrated Helikon Vortex Cone.

FIGS. 13A to 13C are various views of an Alternative Threaded Cone Overview.

FIGS. 14A to 14C are various views of a Vortex Exhaust/Cone Alignment Base Overview.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are various perspective views of a Vortex Exhaust/Cone Alignment Base.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are various views of a Vortex Exhaust/Alternative Threaded Cone Alignment Base Overview.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are various perspective views of a Vortex Exhaust/Alternative Threaded Cone Alignment Base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1. is a flow diagram for the separation of atmospheric gases to remove CO₂ with ¹⁴C in accordance with the process, control system, and Helikon Vortex Bilateral and Unilateral Compression designs within the invention. The Helikon Vortex 1 (see FIGS. 2A-2D or FIGS. 3A-3D for details) constitutes a means to remove CO₂ with ¹⁴C from the atmospheric gases 2. Several alternative processes or apparatus could substitute 1 in this flow diagram, with respective losses of efficiency as described in the background section, and constitute an alternative means to remove CO₂ with ¹⁴C from 2. The atmospheric pressure p₁ of the atmospheric gases 2 is measured by pressure sensor 3 and CO₂ abundance c₁ in the atmospheric gases 2 is measured by CO₂ sensor 4, both of which are monitored by a control system 13. A commercial high-speed air blower 5, which can be activated by the control system 13, accelerates the atmospheric gases to velocity v and volume V₀ per second which is output directly into an airflow adapter 6 which is connected to the vortex chamber 7, into which the air is injected tangentially to maximize centrifugal acceleration. A cone 8 which is aligned with the vortex chamber 7 by the vortex exhaust/cone alignment base 9. The position of the cone 8 can be raised or lowered relative to the vortex chamber 7 to reduce or widen the gap between the vortex chamber 7 and the cone 8. The positioning of the cone 8 to achieve the desired separation is hereafter referred to as calibration. Dense molecular gas 10 is forced to the outside of the vortex chamber 7 by centrifugal acceleration a and exits the vortex chamber 7 through the gap near the cone 8, where it is exhausted to the atmosphere, reentering the atmospheric gases 2. Low density molecular gas 11 with reduced ¹⁴C content is slowed by the cone 8 and exits the vortex chamber opposite the cone at the top. The calibration (or cone position) can be adjusted by an electrical motor 12 which can raise or lower the cone 8 position relative to the vortex chamber 7 through axial rotation. Low density molecular gas 11 can exit through either manual or solenoid operated electrical control valves 14 and 17, which can be controlled by the control system 13. Control valve 14 is a relief valve which opens and releases gases while the high-speed blower 5 is starting, while the vortex chamber is pressurizing, or while the cone position is changing during calibration. CO₂ abundance c₂ of the relief valve gas output 15 is measured at CO₂ sensor 16 and monitored by the control system 13. Once the vortex chamber 7 is pressurized and CO₂ separation is adequate per the helikon vortex calibration, relief control valve 14 is closed and the vortex chamber control valve 17 is simultaneously opened by the control system 13. CO₂ separation is adequate when CO₂ sensor calibration adjusted measurements c₂/c₁<S, where the required separation S<1, and S is dependent on the efficiency of the helikon vortex. While the vortex chamber control valve 17 (i.e., the control valve for gaseous input to the controlled environment) is open, the CO₂ abundance c₃ of the vortex chamber control valve output 18 is monitored by CO₂ sensor 19 to ensure CO₂ separation is adequate, per the helikon vortex calibration, and proper operation of the vortex. CO₂ separation is adequate when CO₂ sensor calibration adjusted measurements c₃/c₁<S. The vortex chamber control valve output 18 passes directly into a controlled environment 20 which can be used for applications requiring CO₂ with reduced ¹⁴C content (e.g., agricultural production applications). The pressure p₂ of gases inside the controlled environment 20 is measured by a pressure sensor 21 and monitored by the control system 13 with to ensure a positive pressure (i.e., p₂>p₁) is maintained inside the controlled environment 20 to preclude contamination with CO₂ containing ¹⁴C in the event of a leak or rupture. Control valve 22 remains closed while p₂<p₁ when 17 is open until 20 has a positive pressure differential over the atmospheric pressure (as determined by comparing pressure sensors 3 and 21), or p₂>p₁+p₀, where p₀ is the minimum additional pressure required by 20, to ensure atmospheric gases 2 do not enter 20 through 22. When control valve 17 is open and a sufficient positive pressure exists in the controlled environment 20, or p₂>p₁+p₀, control valve 22 will be opened by the control system 13, allowing controlled environment gases 23 to exit through 22, where it is exhausted to the atmosphere, reentering atmospheric gases 2. Control valve 22 may also be opened by 13 when atmospheric pressure p₁ decreases so that p₂>p₁+2*p₀, as an emergency relief, to ensure the pressure in 20 is not so high that controlled environment gases 23 do not enter 7 through 17 when 17 is opened. When p₁ is rising, 13 can also turn on 5 to increase p₂ to maintain a positive pressure in 20; as described above, 5 pressurizes 7, whereby 17 is opened, increasing p₂. When CO₂ abundance decreases in 20 due to utilization or consumption by applications, as measured by c₃, and c₃<c₀, where c₀ is the minimum CO₂ abundance required by 20, 13 will turn on 5 to replace the controlled environment gases in 20. In this manner, 13 can regulate both the pressure and CO₂ abundance in the controlled environment 20 as the natural atmospheric pressure p₁ of 2 fluctuates and CO₂ with reduced ¹⁴C content is utilized in 20. The control system 13 can either be programmed or configured to operate 5, 14, 17, and 22 utilizing electronic controls or switches with digital or analog signals, constituting a means to operate the blower and control valves. Similarly, 13 can either be programmed or configured to monitor digital or analog signals from 3, 4, 16, 19, and 21, constituting a means to monitor the sensors.

FIGS. 2A-2D are various views of a Bilateral Compression Helikon Vortex Overview, with a front view (FIG. 2A), top view (FIG. 2B), and right-side view (FIG. 2C), and cross-section of the tangential airflow stabilizer (FIG. 2D). This assembly is one instantiation of the helikon vortex 1 in FIG. 1, and several components from FIG. 1 are recognizable here, including the airflow adapter 6, helikon vortex chamber 7, cone 8, and helikon vortex exhaust/cone alignment base 9. The vortex output adapter 24 is where CO₂ with reduced ¹⁴C content is output, and this is attached to the narrow vortex chamber cap/outlet 25, which is on top of 7. The vortex chamber consists of the upper narrow vortex chamber 26, extends through the center of the upper lateral vortex chamber adapter 27, the center of the airflow adapter 6, the center of the lower lateral vortex chamber adapter 32, and the lower narrow vortex chamber 33. The upper and lower narrow vortex chambers have an interior radius of r₁ and combined height of h₁, where the height of 26 is less than or equal to half the height of 33. The airflow adapter 6 consists of several components identifiable here, including the blower input connector 28, radial to tangential airflow adapter 29, tangential airflow stabilizer 30, and the wide vortex chamber with tangential input 31. The wide vortex chamber has an interior radius of r₂ and height of h₂, and is connected to the narrow vortex chambers 26 and 33 of interior radius r₁ by 27 and 32, each with a height h₃. The blower input connector 28 is a circular adapter with an interior radius of r₀ and thickness of t₀ for an exterior radius of r₀+t₀, providing a cross-section area of πr₀² for V₀ per second of input from the high-speed blower 5. The radial to tangential airflow adapter 29 changes the radial airflow at 28 to a vertical stream at the tangential airflow stabilizer 30 with an interior stream height of h₀, a maximum width of w₀ where πr₀²≥h₀w₀. The stream cross-section 34 can be compressed to increase pressure in the vortex chamber or to achieve a higher input velocity based on the performance of 5. The stream can also be tapered or shaped at the top and bottom excluding wedges from the tangential airflow 35 of height h₄ and width w₁ from the tangential edge closest to the center of the vortex chamber (See FIG. 2D), where h₄≤h₀/2 and w₁<w₀, yielding a cross section area of h₀w₀−h₄w₁≤πr₀², to evenly distribute pressure in 31 as gases are compressed in 27 and 32. Below the vortex chamber 7, the cone 8 is held in a position aligned with the center of 7 by the helikon vortex exhaust/cone alignment base 9 which is attached to the bottom of 33. The position of 8 can be adjusted for calibration of the helikon vortex while remaining in alignment with the lower narrow vortex chamber 33. The top view (FIG. 2C) obstructs components below 31, but shows reinforcement for the tangential airflow 36, which is also visible on the right-side view (FIG. 2C).

The interior volume of the Bilateral Compression Helikon Vortex as defined isV=πr₁²h₁+πr₂²h₂+2π(r₁²+r₁r₂+r₂²)h₃/3.

FIGS. 3A-3D are various views of a Unilateral Compression Helikon Vortex Overview, with a front view (FIG. 3A), top view (FIG. 3B), and right-side view (FIG. 3C), and cross-section of the tangential airflow stabilizer (FIG. 3D). This assembly is one instantiation of the helikon vortex 1 in FIG. 1, and several components from FIG. 1 are recognizable here, including the airflow adapter 6, helikon vortex chamber 7, cone 8, and helikon vortex exhaust/cone alignment base 9. The vortex output adapter 24 is where CO₂ with reduced ¹⁴C content is output, and this is attached to the wide vortex chamber cap/outlet 37, which is on top of 6. The vortex chamber consists of the lower narrow vortex chamber 33, and extends through the lower lateral vortex chamber adapter 32, and the center of the airflow adapter 6. The lower narrow vortex chamber has an interior radius of r₁ and height of h₁. The airflow adapter 6 consists of several components that are identifiable here, including the blower input connector 28, radial to tangential airflow adapter 29, tangential airflow stabilizer 30, and the wide vortex chamber with tangential input 31. The wide vortex chamber has an interior radius of r₂ and height of h₂, and is connected to the narrow vortex chamber 33 of interior radius r₁ by 32, with a height h₃. The blower input connector 28 is a circular adapter with an interior radius of r₀ and thickness of t₀ for an exterior radius of r₀+t₀, providing a cross-section area of r₀² for V₀ per second of input from the high-speed blower 5. The radial to tangential airflow adapter 29 changes the radial airflow at 28 to a vertical stream at the tangential airflow stabilizer 30 with an interior stream height of h₀, a maximum width of w₀ where πr₀²≥h₀w₀. The stream cross-section 34 can be compressed to increase pressure in the vortex chamber or to achieve a higher input velocity based on the performance of 5. The stream can also be tapered or shaped at the bottom excluding a wedge from the tangential airflow 35 of height h₄ and width w₁ from the tangential edge closest to the center of the vortex chamber (See FIG. 3d), where h₄≤h₀/2 and w₁<w₀, yielding a cross section area of h₀w₀−h₄w₁/2≤πr₀², to evenly distribute pressure in 31 as gases are compressed in 32. Below the vortex chamber 7, the cone 8 is held in a position aligned with the center of 7 by the helikon vortex exhaust/cone alignment base 9 which is attached to the bottom of 33. The position of 8 can be adjusted for calibration of the helikon vortex while remaining in alignment with the lower narrow vortex chamber 33. The top view (FIG. 3B) obstructs components below 31, but shows reinforcement for the tangential airflow 36, which is also visible on the right-side view (FIG. 3C).

The interior volume of the Unilateral Compression Helikon Vortex as defined isV=πr₁²h₁+πr₂²h₂+π(r₁²+r₁r₂+r₂²)h₃/3.

FIGS. 4A-4D are Perspective Views of a Bilateral Compression Helikon Vortex (FIG. 4A) and a Unilateral Compression Helikon Vortex (FIG. 4B).

FIGS. 5A-5D are various views of a Wide Vortex Chamber with Tangential Input Overview, with a front view (FIG. 5A), back view (FIG. 5B), top view (FIG. 5C), and right-side view (FIG. 5D). On all four views, the blower input connector 28, the radial to tangential airflow adapter 29, and the wide vortex chamber with tangential input 31 are visible. On all but the right-side view, the tangential airflow stabilizer 30 is visible. Cross-sections of 30 are provided in FIGS. 2D and 3D, detailing the interior cross-section area of the tangential airflow stabilizer 34 and variable exclusion wedges 35 detailed above, as related to the radius r₀ of 28. The outer reinforcement for the tangential airflow 39 are clearly seen on FIG. 5B, FIG. 5C, and FIG. 5D. These are evenly spaced vertically and centered around the input axis of 28, providing reinforcement for both 30 and 31 near the tangential input. The inner reinforcement for the tangential airflow 40 are seen on FIG. 5C and FIG. 5D, and are also evenly spaced vertically and centered around the input axis of 28, providing reinforcement for both 30 and 31 near the tangential input.

FIG. 6 is a Perspective View of a Wide Vortex Chamber with Tangential Input. From this front-upper perspective view the tangential airflow vent 41 is visible inside 31, which was not visible from any of the four views on FIGS. 5A-5D. As illustrated in FIG. 6, 41 has tangential dimensions with a height of h₀ and width of w₀ and is configured for either a bilateral or unilateral helikon vortex configuration with h₄=0 and w₁=0, omitting any exclusion wedges (i.e., 35) from the tangential airflow. The airflow adapter 6, as seen on FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, utilizes 28, 29, 30, and 35, as seen on FIGS. 2A-2D and 3A-3D, to constitute a means to stabilize and shape the airflow of said atmospheric gases 2 into 34, as seen on FIGS. 2A-2D and 3A-3D, prior to passing through 41 into 31, as seen here on FIG. 6.

FIGS. 7A-7C are various views of a Lateral Vortex Chamber Adapter Overview, with a front view (FIG. 7A), upper-front perspective view (FIG. 7B), and lower-front perspective view (FIG. 7C). The lateral vortex chamber adapter is utilized twice in the bilateral compression helikon vortex configuration 27 and 32, and once in the unilateral compression helikon vortex configuration 32. The lateral adapter 44 connects to a wide vortex chamber 32 with a wide vortex chamber connector 42 and connects to a narrow vortex chamber to a narrow vortex chamber 26 or 33 with a narrow vortex chamber connector 43. As illustrated in FIG. 7B, the interior of the narrow vortex chamber connector 45 has a radius equal to the outside radius of the narrow vortex chamber (See FIGS. 8A-8C). The interior of the lateral adapter 47 is a smooth surface in the shape of a truncated cone and has a radius of r₁ at the minimum radius at the edge shared with 45. The interior of the wide vortex chamber connector 46 has a radius equal to the outside radius of the wide vortex chamber 31. The maximum radius of 47 is equal to r₂ at the edge shared with 46. Thereby, 47 provides a smooth surface inside the vortex chamber of height h₃ between 45 and 46 for the compression of gases for separation by centrifugal acceleration while connecting wide and narrow vortex chamber components.

FIGS. 8A-8C are various views of a Narrow Vortex Chamber Overview, with a front view (FIG. 8A), top view (FIG. 8B), and upper-front perspective view (FIG. 8C). The narrow vortex chamber is utilized twice in the bilateral compression helikon vortex configuration 26 and 33, and once in the unilateral compression helikon vortex configuration 33. To reduce helikon vortex manufacturing costs, commercial pipe with standard inner and outer diameters can be utilized for narrow vortex chambers by sizing the connectors on all connecting components, including 9, 25, 27, and 32, to match the outer and inner diameters of standard commercial pipe(s). For instance, the interior diameter of narrow vortex chamber connector 45 must match the outer diameter of the exterior of the narrow vortex chamber 49, and the minimum interior diameter of 47 must match the interior diameter of 48. An example of adapting a commercial pipe would be a 3 inch Schedule 40 PVC pipe, in which case the outer diameter of 49 would be 88.9 mm and the interior diameter of 48 would be 76.2 mm. Any commercial pipes must be cleaned with solvents and in the case of plastic or related synthetic polymers (e.g., polyvinyl chloride), they must be rigid and the interior of the narrow vortex chamber 48 must be coated with an antistatic treatment prior to utilization.

FIGS. 9A-9B are various views of a Narrow Vortex Chamber Cap/Outlet Overview, with a front view (FIG. 9A), top view (FIG. 9B), top upper-front perspective view (FIG. 9C), and lower-front perspective view (FIG. 9D). The narrow vortex chamber cap/outlet 25 is utilized in the bilateral compression helikon vortex, and the vortex output adapter 24 is visible in FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B, and FIG. 9C. The top of the narrow vortex chamber cap 50 is visible on FIG. 9B and FIG. 9C. To reduce helikon vortex manufacturing costs, the interior dimensions of the vortex output adapter 24 are intended to connect to commercial pipe with standard inner and outer diameters. The interior of vortex output adapter 51, visible in FIG. 9B, FIG. 9C, and FIG. 9D, has a diameter matching the outer diameter of a commercial pipe, while the vortex chamber cap outlet 52, visible in FIG. 9B and FIG. 9B, has a diameter matching the interior diameter of the same matching commercial pipe. E.g., when connecting 24 to a ½ inch Schedule 40 PVC pipe, the matching dimensions for 51 would be a diameter of 21.33 mm and 52 would be a diameter of 15.80 mm. The bottom of 50 is visible in FIG. 9D, which must be a smooth anti-static surface, like the other interior components of the helikon vortex.

FIGS. 10A-10D are various views of a Wide Vortex Chamber Cap/Outlet Overview, with a front view (FIG. 10A), top view (FIG. 10B), top upper-front perspective view (FIG. 10C), and lower-front perspective view (FIG. 10D). The wide vortex chamber cap/outlet 37 is utilized in the unilateral compression helikon vortex, and the vortex output adapter 24 is visible in FIG. 10A, FIG. 10B, and FIG. 10C. The top of the wide vortex chamber cap 53 is visible on FIG. 10B and FIG. 10C. To reduce helikon vortex manufacturing costs, the interior dimensions of the vortex output adapter 24 are intended to connect to commercial pipe with standard inner and outer diameters. The interior of vortex output adapter 51, visible in FIG. 10B, FIG. 10C, and FIG. 10D, has a diameter matching the outer diameter of a commercial pipe, while the vortex chamber cap outlet 52, visible in FIG. 10B and FIG. 10D, has a diameter matching the interior diameter of the matching commercial pipe. E.g., when connecting 24 to a ½ inch Schedule 40 PVC pipe, the matching dimensions for 51 would be a diameter of 21.33 mm and 52 would be a diameter of 15.80 mm. The bottom of 53 is visible in FIG. 10D, which must be a smooth anti-static surface, like the other interior components of the helikon vortex.

FIGS. 11A-11C are various views of a Manually Calibrated Helikon Vortex Cone Overview, with a front view (FIG. 11A), top view (FIG. 11B), and lower-front perspective view (FIG. 11C). The manually calibrated helikon vortex cone is one instantiation of 8 which can be utilized in either Bilateral or Unilateral Helikon Vortex configurations. The effective surface of the cone 54 is visible in FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B, and FIG. 11C. This surface must be a smooth anti-static surface, like the other interior components of the helikon vortex. The base of the cone 55 is visible in FIG. 11A and FIG. 11C. In the center of the base of the cone is the threaded core of the cone 56 which is visible in FIG. 11C. To reduce helikon vortex manufacturing costs, the threads are industry standard fine thread count and diameter so that the manually calibrated helikon vortex cone can be used with industry standard bold sizes. E.g., an industry standard ⅜″ bolt size has a fine thread count of 24 threads per inch (TPI).

FIGS. 12A-12B are various cross-sectional views of the Manually Calibrated Helikon Vortex Cone, with a Vertical Cross-Section View (FIG. 12A) and a Horizontal Cross-Section View (FIG. 12B). The effective surface of the cone 54 is visible in FIG. 12A on the upper external surface of the vertical cross-section, while the base of the cone 55 is visible on the bottom. The effective surface of the cone 54 is visible in FIG. 12B on the outer circumference of the horizontal cross-section. The threaded core of the cone 56 is visible on FIGS. 12A and 12B. To reduce helikon vortex manufacturing costs, the interior of the cone 57 is hollow, as seen on FIGS. 12A and 12B, precluding the utilization of unnecessary materials. The base of the cone is reinforced in three ways. First, a thick area of material reinforcement for the threaded core 58 is provided around 56, as seen on FIGS. 12A and 12B. Second, radial reinforcement structures 59 and 60 extend from 58 (i.e., near the center of the cone) to 54 (i.e., the outside of the cone), as seen on FIG. 12B. Third, and finally, a circular reinforcement structure 61 goes around the base of the cone and 56, as seen on FIGS. 12A and 12B, connecting the inner radial reinforcement structures 59 to the outer reinforcement structures 60. The inner and outer reinforcement structures, 59 and 60, are distributed at even intervals of angles around the central axis of the cone, but the angles separating structures for 59 and 60 are not necessarily equal, as seen on FIG. 12B, where six 59 are connected to 61 and eight 60 structures are connected to 61. Larger cones may have multiple circular reinforcements 61, in concentric circles, each connected by radial reinforcement structures, such as 59 or 60, while smaller cones may not require a circular reinforcement structure 61 and only a single set of radial reinforcement structures, such as 59, which would then directly connect 58 to 54.

FIGS. 13A-13C are various views of an Alternative Threaded Cone Overview, with a front view (FIG. 13A), bottom view (FIG. 13B), and lower-front perspective view (FIG. 13C). The alternative threaded cone differs from the manually calibrated helikon vortex cone in FIGS. 11A-11C in that it has no threaded core 56 and instead has a single threaded extrusion 62 and multiple axial alignment extrusions 63, as seen on FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C. The extrusions 62 and 63 are aligned with the central axis of the cone, with 62 being on the central axis as seen from the bottom view in FIG. 13B. One or more axial alignment extrusions, 63, appear around the central axis, with four visible on FIGS. 13B and 13C. The alternative threaded cone is intended for use with an electric motor 12 and the vortex exhaust/alternative threaded cone alignment base on FIGS. 15A-15B and 16A-16B.

FIGS. 14A-14C are various views of a Vortex Exhaust/Cone Alignment Base Overview, with a front view (FIG. 14A), top view (FIG. 14B), and bottom view (FIG. 14C). The vortex exhaust/cone alignment base 9 is utilized with the cone 8 illustrated in FIGS. 11A-11C and has several critical functions. First, the bottom of the base 64, visible on FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C, is held perpendicular to the central axis of the lower vortex chamber 7 via the connector to the vortex chamber 65, visible on FIGS. 14A and 14B, which attaches to the lower narrow vortex chamber 33. The inner diameter of 65 matches the outer diameter of 33 for alignment, and is large enough for the base of the cone 8 to be lowered into 9. Second, two or more vertical vent fins 66, visible on FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C, are symmetrically distributed around the central axis of 9, connecting 64 to 65, while being tangential to airflow from 33. The gaps between 66 permit exhaust to exit from the vortex chamber 9. Third, the bottom of the base 64 is structurally reinforced to hold the cone 8 in alignment with the central axis of the lower vortex chamber 7 with one or more circular reinforcements 67, visible on FIGS. 14A and 14B, symmetrically distributed radial reinforcements 68, visible on FIG. 14B, and a central reinforcement 69, visible on FIG. 14B, around the center of 64. The structural reinforcements 67, 68, and 69 support the alignment of the cone 8 while precluding the utilization of unnecessary materials. At the top of the base, 65 is contoured to maximize surface area with 66 to add structural strength. The cone is held in place by a commercial hex that is inserted from the bottom of 64 into the cylindrical hollow central shaft of the base 70, visible on FIGS. 14B and 14C. The hex head of the bolt fits into the base hex nut intrusion 71 which is visible on FIG. 14C. Therefore, the manually calibrated helikon vortex cone 8, in FIGS. 11A-11C, can be attached to this vortex exhaust/cone alignment base 9, in FIGS. 14A-14C, with a commercial hex bolt. The cone can be lowered by turning it clockwise, from the top view, down onto the threaded bolt, and raised by turning it counter-clockwise. When the cone is in a lower position there is a larger gap between the cone 8 and the lower narrow vortex chamber 33, allowing a larger volume of atmospheric gases to exhaust out of 7. These exhaust gases, which exit below 65 on FIG. 14A between the vent fins 66, are the densest atmospheric gases, being on the outside perimeter of 7 while under centrifugal acceleration.

FIGS. 15A-15B are various Perspective Views of the Vortex Exhaust/Cone Alignment Base, with an upper-front perspective view (FIG. 15A) and a lower-front view perspective view (FIG. 15B). All the reference numerals in FIGS. 14A-14C are visible in FIGS. 15A-15B. On FIG. 15A, the circular and radial structural supports 67 and 68 can be seen to rise above the base 64, providing reinforcement to 69. The outermost circular structural support 67 also provides more surface area and structural support for 66 to attach to the base 64. The intrusion for the hex bolt 71 can be clearly seen on FIG. 15B in the center of the base 64. The variable outer diameter of 65 can also be seen on FIG. 15B, reducing materials required for construction while enhancing the surface are and structural support for 66 to attach to the connector 65. The vortex exhaust/cone alignment base 9 utilizes a hex bolt held stationary in axial alignment by 69, 70, and 71, and held in alignment with the lower narrow vortex chamber 33, as seen on FIGS. 2A-2D and 3A-3D, by 65 and a plurality of 66, while said hex bolt is threaded into cone 8 holding 8 in axial alignment by 56 and 58, which are reinforced by 61 and a plurality of 59 and 60, as seen on FIGS. 12A-12B, while 8 can be rotated clockwise and counter-clockwise to raise and lower position of 8 inside 33, constitutes a means to position said cone 8 inside said lower narrow vortex chamber 33.

FIGS. 16A-16B are various views of a Vortex Exhaust/Alternative Threaded Cone Alignment Base Overview, with a top view (FIG. 16A), and bottom view (FIG. 16B). The vortex exhaust/alternative cone alignment base 9 is utilized with the alternative threaded cone 8 illustrated in FIGS. 13A-13C and differs by the vortex exhaust/cone alignment base 9 illustrated in FIGS. 14A-14C in a few ways. First, instead of a smooth hollow central shaft 70, this base has a threaded central shaft 72, as seen on FIGS. 16A and 16B. Second, instead of the central reinforcement 69 being immediately around 70, there is a circular central shaft 73 that can rotate clockwise and counter-clockwise, as seen on FIGS. 16A and 16B. Third, the central reinforcement for the base 69 goes around 73 in this configuration, as seen on FIG. 16A. Fourth, there are axial alignment shafts 74 which extend through the radial reinforcements 68 and the base 64, as seen on FIGS. 16A and 16B. The front view of this configuration of 9 appears to be the same as FIG. 14A. The axial alignment extrusions 63 on the alternative threaded cone 8 extend through the axial alignment shafts 74 as the threaded extrusion 62 is threaded into 72. Together, the alignment extrusions 62 and shafts 74 align the cone 8 with the vortex chamber 7, as the cone position is raised and lowered by rotating 73 clockwise and counter-clockwise. Fifth, an axial alignment shaft reinforcement 75 is around each shaft 74 to reinforce the radial reinforcements 68, as seen on FIG. 16A. Finally, there is a motor attachment mount 76 on the bottom of 73, as seen on FIG. 16B. This is where an electrical motor 12 can be attached to rotate 73 to raise and lower the cone 8 via a control system 13 to automate the calibration process.

FIGS. 17A-17B are Perspective Views of the Vortex Exhaust/Alternative Threaded Cone Alignment Base, with an upper-front perspective view (FIG. 17A) and a lower-front view perspective view (FIG. 17B). All the reference numerals in FIGS. 16A-16B are visible in FIGS. 17A-17B. On FIG. 17A, the axial alignment shaft reinforcement 75 can be seen having a similar height to the radial, circular, and central reinforcement structures 67, 68, and 69. The circular central shaft 73 can be seen extending from the center of 69 in FIG. 17A to the center of 64 on FIG. 17B, where the motor attachment mount 76 is located. The other functions of 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, and 69 identified on FIGS. 15A-15B above are applicable here. The vortex exhaust/alternative threaded cone alignment base 9 utilizes a threaded central shaft 72 that is held in axial alignment by 69 and 73, and reinforced by a plurality of 68, and held in alignment with the lower narrow vortex chamber 33, as seen on FIGS. 2A-2D and 3A-3D, by 65 and a plurality of 66, while 72 is threaded onto 62 of cone 8, as seen on FIGS. 13A-13C, holding 8 in axial alignment by a plurality of extrusions 63 which are inserted into 74, which are reinforced by 68 and 75, while 76 can be rotated clockwise and counter-clockwise manually or by an electric motor 12 to raise and lower the position of 8 inside 33, constitutes a means to position said cone 8 inside said lower narrow vortex chamber 33.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

• 1 helikon vortex
• 2 atmospheric gases
• 3 pressure sensor for atmospheric gases
• 4 CO₂ sensor for atmospheric gases
• 5 high-speed blower
• 6 airflow adapter
• 7 helikon vortex chamber
• 8 helikon vortex cone
• 9 helikon vortex exhaust/cone alignment base
• 10 dense molecular gas (vortex chamber exhaust)
• 11 low density molecular gas (vortex chamber product)
• 12 electrical motor
• 13 control system
• 14 relief control valve
• 15 relief valve gas output
• 16 relief valve output CO₂ sensor
• 17 vortex chamber control valve or controlled environment gaseous input control valve
• 18 vortex chamber control valve output
• 19 vortex chamber control valve output CO₂ sensor
• 20 controlled environment
• 21 pressure sensor for controlled environment
• 22 controlled environment gaseous output control valve
• 23 controlled environment exhaust
• 24 vortex output adapter
• 25 narrow vortex chamber cap/outlet
• 26 upper narrow vortex chamber
• 27 upper lateral vortex chamber adapter
• 28 blower input connector
• 29 radial to tangential airflow adapter
• 30 tangential airflow stabilizer
• 31 wide vortex chamber with tangential input
• 32 lower lateral vortex chamber adapter
• 33 lower narrow vortex chamber
• 34 interior cross-section area of tangential airflow stabilizer
• 35 excluded wedge from tangential airflow
• 36 reinforcement for the tangential airflow
• 37 wide vortex chamber cap/outlet
• 39 outer reinforcement for the tangential airflow
• 40 inner reinforcement for the tangential airflow
• 41 tangential airflow vent
• 42 narrow vortex chamber connector
• 43 wide vortex chamber connector
• 44 lateral adapter
• 45 interior of narrow vortex chamber connector
• 46 interior of wide vortex chamber connector
• 47 interior of lateral adapter
• 48 interior of narrow vortex chamber
• 49 exterior of narrow vortex chamber
• 50 narrow vortex chamber cap
• 51 interior of vortex output adapter
• 52 vortex chamber cap outlet
• 53 wide vortex chamber cap
• 54 effective surface of cone
• 55 base of cone
• 56 threaded core of cone
• 57 hollow interior of cone
• 58 reinforcement for threaded core of cone
• 59 inner radial reinforcement structure for cone
• 60 outer radial reinforcement structure for cone
• 61 circular reinforcement for cone
• 62 threaded extrusion
• 63 axial alignment extrusion
• 64 bottom of base
• 65 connector to vortex chamber
• 66 vent fin
• 67 circular reinforcement for base
• 68 radial reinforcement for base
• 69 central reinforcement for base
• 70 hollow central shaft
• 71 base hex nut intrusion
• 72 threaded central shaft
• 73 circular central shaft
• 74 axial alignment shaft
• 75 axial alignment shaft reinforcement
• 76 motor attachment mount

OPERATION

The operation for growing agricultural products with reduced ¹⁴C content requires a controlled environment 20 with filtered atmospheric gases 2 from which CO₂ with ¹⁴C has been removed.

1. A filtration system comprising a blower 5 and a helikon vortex 1 constitutes a means to remove CO₂ with ¹⁴C from atmospheric gases 2; blower 5 output velocity of 322 km per hour or greater is required for effective filtration with helicon vortex 1;

2. Control valves 17, 22 are required to control the flow of gases entering and exiting the controlled environment 20;

3. When the CO₂ sensor 19 inside the controlled environment 20 detects a CO₂ abundance lower than a predetermined amount, the said filtration system is turned on by the control system 13 and the relief control valve 14 is opened;

4. The CO₂ sensor 16 at the relief output is monitored and compared to the CO₂ sensor 4 for atmospheric gases 2 outside the controlled environment to ensure said filtration system removal of CO₂ with ¹⁴C from atmospheric gases 2 is effective by detecting a predetermined delta which can be determined by said filtration system efficiency;5. Once effective filtration is verified, the control system 13 closes the relief control valve 14 and opens control valves 17, 22 which are connected to the controlled environment 20;6. When the CO₂ sensor 19 inside the controlled environment 20 detects a CO₂ abundance above a predetermined amount, the said filtration system is turn off and the control valves 17, 22 are closed by the control system 13;7. When the controlled environment input control valve 17 is open, the output control valve 22 is only opened by the control system 13 when the air pressure inside the controlled environment 20 as measured by the air pressure sensor 21 exceeds the atmospheric gas air pressure outside of the controlled environment by a predetermined amount as measured by air pressure sensor 3;8. Operation of said filtration system is initially required for a duration sufficient to replace the entire volume of air inside the controlled environment 20. Thereafter, continuous, periodic, or intermittent operation as determined by CO₂ sensor 19, as detailed above, may be used to determine periods of operation for the filtration system to maintain sufficient CO₂ levels inside the controlled environment 20;9. The control system 13 can either be programmed or configured to operate 5, 14, 17, and 22 utilizing electronic controls or switches with digital or analog signals, constituting a means to operate the blower and control valves. Similarly, 13 can either be programmed or configured to monitor digital or analog signals from 3, 4, 16, 19, and 21, constituting a means to monitor the sensors.10. Helikon vortex 1 above may comprise either a bilateral compression helikon vortex or a unilateral compression helikon vortex as detailed below; effective filtration has been demonstrated with centrifugal acceleration exceeding 16,000 g, a maximum narrow vortex chamber radius of 5.08 cm, and a maximum height of 1.94 m.11. Bilateral compression helikon vortex (FIG. 2) consists of an airflow adapter 6 (consisting of blower input connector 28, radial to tangential airflow adapter 29, tangential airflow stabilizer 30, and exclusion wedge 35), vortex chamber 7 (consisting of a wide vortex chamber 31, upper narrow vortex chamber 26, lower narrow vortex chamber 33, upper lateral adapter 27, and lower lateral adapter 32), cone 8, exhaust/cone alignment base 9, vortex output adapter 24, and narrow vortex chamber cap/outlet 25;12. Unilateral compression helikon vortex (FIG. 3) consists of an airflow adapter 6 (consisting of blower input connector 28, radial to tangential airflow adapter 29, tangential airflow stabilizer 30, and exclusion wedge 35), vortex chamber 7 (consisting of a wide vortex chamber 31, lower narrow vortex chamber 33, and lower lateral adapter 32), cone 8, exhaust/cone alignment base 9, vortex output adapter 24, and wide vortex chamber cap/outlet 37;13. During operation, the atmospheric gases 2 are accelerated by blower 5 and enter the airflow adapter 6 were they are stabilized and shaped prior to tangential injection into the wide vortex chamber 31; Centrifugal acceleration occurs while the atmospheric gases are separated by molecular density in vortex chamber 7; after separation, the high-density gases exit 7 between 33 and 8, while low-density gases exit 7 through 24;14. Calibration of the helikon vortex is essential prior to operation and this is accomplished by adjusting the position of the cone 8 inside the narrow vortex chamber 33 to ensure effective separation of CO₂ with ¹⁴C. For manual calibration, the vortex exhaust/cone alignment base 9 utilizes a hex bolt held stationary in axial alignment by 69, 70, and 71 (FIG. 15), while cone 8 can be rotated clockwise and counter-clockwise to raise and lower the position of 8 inside 33. Alternatively, the calibration process can be automated with an electric motor 12. The vortex exhaust/alternative threaded cone alignment base 9 utilizes a threaded central shaft 72 that is held in axial alignment by 69 and 73 (FIG. 16), holding 8 in axial alignment by a plurality of extrusions 63 (FIG. 13) which are inserted into 74, while 76 can be rotated clockwise and counter-clockwise by an electric motor 12 to raise and lower the position of 8 inside 33.

REFERENCES CITED

U.S. Patent Documents

3,004,158    October 1961 Steimel, K.
3,421,334    January 1969 McKinney, et al. . . . 62-28
3,594,573    July 1971 Gerber, H.
3,925,036    December 1975 Shacter, J. . . . 55/158
3,939,354    February 1976 Janes, G. S. . . . 250/484
3,942,975    March 1976 Drummond, et al. . . . 75/10 R
4,070,171    January 1978 Wikdahl . . . 55/419
4,311,674    January 1982 Janner, et al. . . . 204/157.22
4,584,073    April 1986 Laboda, et al. . . . 204/157.2
4,638,674    October 1983 Redmann . . . 73/863.12
4,816,209    July 1986 Schweiger . . . 376/309
7,332,715 B2 February 2008 Russ, et al. . . . 250/288
8,460,434    June 2013 Turner, et al. . . . 95/117
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OTHER PUBLICATIONS

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Claims

1. A method of growing agricultural products with a reduced abundance of carbon-14 comprising: a. providing a mixture of atmospheric gases with a measurable abundance of carbon dioxide and a measurable abundance of carbon dioxide with carbon-14;b. removing, in a vortex chamber, carbon-dioxide with carbon-14 from said mixture of atmospheric gases;c. a forcing, via a blower, said mixture of atmospheric gases through said vortex chamber to produce filtered atmospheric gases consisting of low density molecular gases;d. venting, via an input control valve, airflow of said filtered atmospheric gases from said vortex chamber into a controlled environment having an airtight seal; ande. outputting, via an output control valve, gasses from said controlled environment; further comprising verifying carbon-dioxide removal in said vortex chamber prior to venting, via the input control valve, airflow of said filtered atmospheric gases from said vortex chamber into said controlled environment; wherein verifying carbon-dioxide removal in said vortex chamber prior to venting, via the input control valve, airflow of said filtered atmospheric gases from said vortex chamber into said controlled environment includes: a. detecting, via a first carbon-dioxide sensor, carbon-dioxide abundance outside said controlled environment; b. detecting, via a second carbon-dioxide sensor, carbon-dioxide abundance in a relief output of said vortex chamber; d. comparing, via a control system, the detected carbon-dioxide abundance outside said controlled environment and the detected carbon-dioxide abundance in the relief output; and e. opening, via the control system, the input control valve when the detected carbon-dioxide abundance outside said controlled environment and the detected carbon-dioxide abundance in the relief output is at or above a predetermined delta.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising regulating carbon-dioxide abundance in said controlled environment.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein regulating carbon-dioxide abundance in said controlled environment includes: a. detecting, via a carbon-dioxide sensor, carbon-dioxide abundance in said controlled environment; andb. controlling, via a control system, at least one of the input control valve, the output control valve, or the blower based on the detected carbon-dioxide abundance to maintain a predetermined carbon-dioxide abundance in said controlled environment.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising maintaining a predetermined positive pressure into said controlled environment when said output control valve is opened or closed.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein maintaining a predetermined positive pressure into said controlled environment when said output control valve is opened or closed includes: a. detecting, via an internal air pressure sensor, internal air pressure in said controlled environment;b. detecting, via an external air pressure sensor, external air pressure of atmospheric gases outside said controlled environment; andc. operating, via a control system, the input and output control valves to maintain the predetermined positive pressure into said controlled environment based on the detected internal and external air pressures.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein verifying carbon-dioxide removal in said vortex chamber prior to venting, via the input control valve, airflow of said filtered atmospheric gases from said vortex chamber into said controlled environment additionally includes: a. detecting, via a third carbon-dioxide sensor, carbon-dioxide abundance in said controlled environment; andb. opening, via the control system, a relief output control valve to provide the relief output from the vortex chamber when the detected carbon-dioxide abundance in said controlled environment is below a predetermined amount.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein verifying carbon-dioxide removal in said vortex chamber prior to venting, via the input control valve, airflow of said filtered atmospheric gases from said vortex chamber into said controlled environment further includes closing, via the control system, the relief output control valve when the detected carbon-dioxide abundance outside said controlled environment and the detected carbon-dioxide abundance in the relief output is below a predetermined delta.