U.S. patent application number 15/208362 was filed with the patent office on 2016-11-03 for systems and methods for underwater storage of carbon dioxide.
This patent application is currently assigned to Elwha LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Elwha LLC. Invention is credited to Kenneth G. Caldeira, Philip A. Eckhoff, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Lowell L. Wood,, JR..
Application Number | 20160319991 15/208362 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50274681 |
Filed Date | 2016-11-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160319991 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Caldeira; Kenneth G. ; et
al. |
November 3, 2016 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR UNDERWATER STORAGE OF CARBON DIOXIDE
Abstract
An underwater carbon dioxide storage facility including a carbon
dioxide deposit stored underwater as a clathrate includes a
flexible barrier disposed at least partially over the carbon
dioxide deposit. The carbon dioxide deposit may be stored in or at
the bottom of a body of water.
Inventors: |
Caldeira; Kenneth G.;
(Redwood City, CA) ; Eckhoff; Philip A.;
(Kirkland, WA) ; Hyde; Roderick A.; (Redmond,
WA) ; Ishikawa; Muriel Y.; (Livermore, CA) ;
Wood,, JR.; Lowell L.; (Bellevue, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Elwha LLC |
Bellevue |
WA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Elwha LLC
Bellevue
WA
|
Family ID: |
50274681 |
Appl. No.: |
15/208362 |
Filed: |
July 12, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13621705 |
Sep 17, 2012 |
9395045 |
|
|
15208362 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F17C 2203/0685 20130101;
F17C 2250/034 20130101; F17C 2250/0491 20130101; F17C 2201/0171
20130101; Y02C 20/40 20200801; F17C 2205/0394 20130101; F17C
2250/0678 20130101; F17C 2201/0176 20130101; F17C 1/16 20130101;
F17C 2205/0157 20130101; F17C 2223/036 20130101; F17C 2201/052
20130101; F17C 2205/0184 20130101; F17C 2203/0619 20130101; F17C
1/007 20130101; F17C 2205/0323 20130101; F17C 2205/018 20130101;
F17C 2223/0138 20130101; B65D 2590/046 20130101; F17C 2203/0617
20130101; F17C 2250/0439 20130101; F17C 2260/044 20130101; F17C
2270/0128 20130101; F17C 2205/0391 20130101; F17C 2250/0426
20130101; F17C 2250/043 20130101; F17C 2250/0478 20130101; F17C
2201/0166 20130101; F17C 2221/013 20130101; F17C 2223/0153
20130101; F17C 2223/035 20130101; Y02C 10/14 20130101; F17C
2201/0128 20130101; F17C 2201/0109 20130101; F17C 2201/018
20130101; F17C 2203/066 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F17C 1/00 20060101
F17C001/00 |
Claims
1. A method of storing carbon dioxide underwater, comprising:
receiving carbon dioxide at an underwater storage location; and at
least partially covering a carbon dioxide clathrate in the storage
location with a flexible barrier.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising separating the carbon
dioxide from a source of carbon dioxide.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising transporting the
carbon dioxide to the storage location.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising converting the carbon
dioxide to the carbon dioxide clathrate.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the conversion of the carbon
dioxide to the clathrate occurs before the carbon dioxide is
transported to the storage facility.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the conversion of the carbon
dioxide to the clathrate occurs at the storage facility.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting the
underwater storage location to provide a temperature and pressure
that stabilizes the clathrate.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the barrier covered carbon
dioxide clathrate at least one of rests on the bottom of a body of
water and is anchored to the bottom of the body of water.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving additional
carbon dioxide at the underwater storage location after covering
the carbon dioxide clathrate with a barrier.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising sensing at least one
of a rupture of the barrier and the amount of enclosed carbon
dioxide.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising converting the carbon
dioxide to a clathrate using a clathrate reactor, wherein the
clathrate is a product of high pressure oxygen rich combustion of a
hydrocarbon.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising transporting the
clathrate to the underwater storage location.
13. A method of storing carbon dioxide underwater, comprising: at
least partially filling a storage container with a carbon dioxide
clathrate, wherein the storage container comprises a bladder; and
moving the storage container to an underwater storage location.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising separating the
carbon dioxide from a waste stream.
15. The method of claim 13, further comprising converting the
carbon dioxide to the carbon dioxide clathrate.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the
conversion of carbon dioxide to carbon dioxide clathrate occurs
within the storage container.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein the underwater storage location
provides a temperature and pressure selected to stabilize the
clathrate.
18. The method of claim 13, further comprising at least partially
filling the storage container before moving the storage container
to the underwater storage location.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising changing the depth
of the storage container after at least partially filling the
storage container with carbon dioxide.
20. The method of claim 13, further comprising reporting to a
remote location at least one of a rupture of the storage container,
the amount of enclosed clathrate in the storage container, and the
carbon dioxide content of the storage container.
21. The method of claim 13, wherein the clathrate is a product of
high pressure oxygen rich combustion of a hydrocarbon, and wherein
other combustion gasses are not fully separated out of the carbon
dioxide before forming the clathrate.
22. The method of claim 15, wherein the converting step is
performed before the moving step.
23. The method of claim 13, further comprising using the storage
container to transport the carbon dioxide clathrate from an initial
location to a second location.
24. An underwater carbon dioxide storage system, comprising: a
bladder configured to store carbon dioxide as a clathrate; wherein
the bladder substantially encloses the carbon dioxide
clathrate.
25. The system of claim 24, further comprising a buoyancy control
device configured to maintain the carbon dioxide clathrate within a
selected depth range of a body of water.
26. The system of claim 24, wherein the bladder is configured to be
moved to a different location, further comprising a propulsion
engine configured to aid in changing the location of the
bladder.
27. The system of claim 24, further comprising a beacon to inform
nearby vessels of their proximity to the bladder.
28. The system of claim 24, further comprising a transmitter
configured to transmit at least one of the location and the status
of the bladder to a remote location.
29. The system of claim 28, wherein the transmitter is at least one
of an acoustic or electromagnetic transmitter.
30. The system of claim 28, wherein the transmitter is located
remote from the bladder and operatively coupled to the bladder via
a communications channel.
31. The system of claim 24, further comprising a sensor configured
to determine the location of the bladder.
32. The system of claim 24, further comprising a sensor configured
to determine the status of the bladder.
33. The system of claim 32, wherein the sensor is configured to
sense at least one of the amount of enclosed clathrate, the carbon
dioxide content of the bladder, the temperature of the clathrate,
the pressure of the clathrate, and that the bladder has
ruptured.
34. The system of claim 24, further comprising a mechanical
support, wherein the mechanical support is configured to at least
one of interface with a docking station and couple with other
mechanical supports on the bladder.
35. The system of claim 24, further comprising weights configured
to aid in moving the bladder to a desired depth in a body of water.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/621,705, filed Sep. 17, 2012, which is
currently co-pending and incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety and for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present application relates to the storage or
sequestration of carbon dioxide. In particular, the present
application relates to systems and methods for maintaining the
integrity of stored carbon dioxide and monitoring such storage
systems.
[0003] Carbon dioxide is a byproduct of the combustion of fossil
fuels. Due to concerns relating to the increasing of carbon dioxide
concentration levels in the atmosphere, people have proposed
storing carbon dioxide in locations where the carbon dioxide is not
freely emitted into the atmosphere. For example, the carbon dioxide
maybe separated from the effluent of a coal plant and stored for a
long period of time rather than being permitted to enter the
atmosphere and increase the concentration of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere. One such way of sequestering carbon dioxide is in the
ocean, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,553 titled "Method
and Apparatus for Sequestering Carbon Dioxide in the Deep Ocean or
Aquifers."
SUMMARY
[0004] One exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to an
underwater carbon dioxide storage facility including a carbon
dioxide deposit stored underwater as a clathrate and a flexible
barrier disposed at least partially over the carbon dioxide
deposit.
[0005] Another exemplary embodiment relates to a method of storing
carbon dioxide underwater. The method includes receiving carbon
dioxide at an underwater storage location and at least partially
covering the carbon dioxide in the storage location with a flexible
barrier.
[0006] Still another exemplary embodiment relates to a method of
storing carbon dioxide underwater. The method includes at least
partially filling a storage container with a carbon dioxide
clathrate where the storage container is a bladder, and moving the
storage container to an underwater storage location in a body of
water.
[0007] Yet another exemplary embodiment relates to a system for
maintaining an underwater stored carbon dioxide deposit. The system
includes a flexible barrier covering at least a portion of a stored
carbon dioxide deposit, where the carbon dioxide deposit is in the
form of at least one of a liquid or a clathrate; a sensor
configured to provide a signal indicative of the status of the
carbon dioxide deposit; and a transmitter configured to send the
signal indicative of the status of the carbon dioxide deposit to a
remote location.
[0008] Yet another exemplary embodiment relates to a system for
storing carbon dioxide underwater. The system includes an
underwater storage site; a source of carbon dioxide; a reactor
configured to convert the carbon dioxide into a carbon dioxide
clathrate; a filling station configured to deliver the carbon
dioxide to the storage site; and a flexible barrier configured to
cover at least a portion of the carbon dioxide in the storage
site.
[0009] It should be appreciated that all combinations of the
foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater
detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent)
are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter
disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed
subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are
contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter
disclosed herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The invention will become more fully understood from the
following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to
like elements, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is schematic view of multiple potential
configurations of under water carbon dioxide storage sites.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a carbon dioxide storage site
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 3 is an elevation view of a carbon dioxide storage
container coupled to a mooring structure according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 4 is an elevation view of three carbon dioxide
containers located at various depths in a body of water.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a carbon dioxide storage
container according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 6 is an elevation view of a carbon dioxide storage
container in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 7 is an elevation view of a carbon dioxide storage
container coupled to a docking station according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a process for storing carbon
dioxide according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a process for storing carbon
dioxide according to another exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the
exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the
application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth
in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be
understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description
only and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, three storage sites 102, 104, and 106
for carbon dioxide 110 are shown in accordance with three exemplary
embodiments. Storage sites 102, 104, and 106 are shown to contain
carbon dioxide 110 in some form resting on the ocean floor 108. In
other embodiments storage sites 102, 104, and 106 may be in other
locations, such as under other bodies of water such as lakes or
other locations where the conditions are suitable for storage. The
carbon dioxide may be gathered from a source such as a fossil fuel
plant where it is produced as a byproduct along with other
combustion gasses. The carbon dioxide 110 may be stored in
different forms depending upon the desired storage configuration
and the conditions of the storage site. For example, carbon dioxide
110 may be stored as a liquid, as a carbon dioxide clathrate, or as
a carbon dioxide hydrate, which is a clathrate in which the host
material comprises water (fresh water or seawater). References to
carbon dioxide clathrates herein are intended to be inclusive of
carbon dioxide hydrates. The carbon dioxide clathrate may be formed
in a clathrate reactor, for example, as a product of high pressure
oxygen rich combustion of a hydrocarbon. Other combustion gasses
may or may not be separated out before forming the clathrate.
Storing the carbon dioxide 110 as a clathrate under water may have
certain advantages relating to the required pressure and
temperature to maintain the clathrate in a stable configuration.
Storage of a carbon dioxide clathrate is discussed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,397,553. Further reference may be made to Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change, Special Report on Carbon Dioxide Capture and
Storage, Cambridge University Press (2005) (with particular
reference to Chapter 6 "Ocean Storage" and Section 6.2.1.3 "Basic
behaviour of CO.sub.2 released in different forms"). This document
discusses the pressure and temperature stability regimes for
underwater storage of carbon dioxide clathrates and liquid carbon
dioxide. Storage as a clathrate can provide some advantages over
storage as a liquid. One possible advantage is that the less
stringent pressure and temperature requirements for clathrate
storage allow storage at shallower depths than storage as a liquid.
Additionally, a greater fraction of the ocean volume satisfies the
pressure and temperature conditions for clathrate storage than for
liquid storage. Another possible advantage of clathrate storage
versus liquid storage is the greater structural integrity and
environmental isolation offered by solid-phase carbon dioxide
clathrates compared to liquid carbon dioxide.
[0022] Referring again to FIG. 1, storage sites 102, 104, and 106
each include a deposit of carbon dioxide 110 in some form at least
partially covered with a barrier, shown as, but not limited to
cover 112 (e.g., bladder, bag, membrane, etc.). In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 1, cover 112 shown with respect to sites 102, 104,
and 106 may be utilized to prevent migration of the carbon dioxide
110 (e.g. in ocean currents). Because storage of carbon dioxide 110
may be desired for a long period of time (e.g. hundreds of years),
even low rates of migration due to slowly moving ocean currents or
other naturally occurring processes may result in a significant
portion of the stored carbon dioxide 110 being leached away. The
cover or bladder 112 is intended to maintain the structural
integrity of carbon dioxide 110 storage site and prevent direct
contact of carbon dioxide 110 with water currents or other
processes that would result in leakage or movement of carbon
dioxide 110 away from the intended storage site. In an exemplary
embodiment, the barrier (e.g., cover 112) is flexible (in contrast
to a rigid tank, capsule, or other pressure vessel such as may be
found on a ship or submarine).
[0023] In one embodiment, as shown with respect to storage site
104, cover 112 may substantially encompass carbon dioxide 110. In
another embodiment, as shown with respect to storage sites 102 and
106, cover 112 may instead cover a portion of carbon dioxide 110
while the remaining carbon dioxide 110 (in whatever form) is in
direct contact with ocean floor 108 or structures 109 rising from
ocean floor 108. For example, cover 112 may overlay the top and
sides of carbon dioxide deposit 110, as shown with respect to
storage site 102, or may overlay only a top portion of carbon
dioxide deposit 110, as shown with respect to storage site 106.
Such a cover 112 that only covers a portion of carbon dioxide 110
may be advantageous relative to a complete cover due to less
material being used. Cover 112 may be coupled to floor 108 or a
structure 109 rising from floor 108 at one or more points (e.g.,
around the periphery of cover 112) with one or more anchors 113. In
embodiments where the cover 112 is flexible, the cover 112 may be
folded, rolled, or otherwise compacted for ease of delivery to the
site of the carbon dioxide deposit 110.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, a carbon dioxide storage site 114
according to another exemplary embodiment similar to storage site
102 includes stored carbon dioxide 110 maintained between ocean
floor 108 and a cover shown as a barrier layer 116. In operation,
storage site 114 may be created by generating the compound in which
carbon dioxide 110 is stored (e.g. a carbon dioxide clathrate),
delivering carbon dioxide deposit 110 to a location on ocean floor
108, and covering carbon dioxide deposit 110 with barrier 116. In
some embodiments, barrier 116 may be put into place after storage
site 114 has been completely filled with carbon dioxide 110 while
in other embodiments, barrier 116 may be put into place prior to
adding any of carbon dioxide 110 or after site 114 has been
partially filled with carbon dioxide 110. If barrier 116 is put
into place prior to storage site 114 being completely filled with
carbon dioxide 110, a valve 118 may be used to provide for the
input of further carbon dioxide 110 until storage site 114 has been
filled. Valve 118 may be configured in various ways in order to
function appropriately given the size, pressure, temperature,
material composition, and so forth of the carbon dioxide 110. Valve
118 may be an active valve or a passive valve. Valve 118 may
prevent water from passing through barrier 116 or may allow water
to pass through barrier 116 to contact or mix with stored carbon
dioxide 110.
[0025] Further referring to FIG. 2, barrier 116 may include
multiple layers of materials, the multiple layers having varying
functions. For example, a first layer 120 may be an interior layer
that is selected to interface directly with carbon dioxide 110
stored within storage site 114. An outer layer 122 may be
configured to provide structural integrity and may be selected to
interface directly with the water, debris, sediment, or flora and
fauna in the water. First layer 120 may be configured to prevent
diffusion of carbon dioxide 110 through first layer 120 to the
outside of storage site 114 while at the same time allowing water
to diffuse into storage site 114. The porosity of outer layer 122
with respect to either the stored carbon dioxide 110 or the
surrounding water, on the other hand, may not be a consideration if
first layer 120 with the desired porosity is already in place.
Instead, outer layer 122 may be configured to provide structural
integrity to barrier 116 and may therefore be a mesh or have
various material types that would not suffice as a single layer but
perform well as part of a multiple layer barrier 116. In other
embodiments, the barrier 116 may include further layers to serve
different functions and provide structural integrity as
desired.
[0026] Further referring to FIG. 2, an anchor or tether 124 or
multiple anchors or tethers 124 may be used to secure barrier 116
to ocean floor 108. The tethers 124 may be configured to secure
multiple barriers as may be desired (e.g., multiple containers of
carbon dioxide connected to a single guy wire). Tethers 124 may be
put into place after storage site 114 has been filled with carbon
dioxide 110. In other embodiments, for example, where the
properties of the ocean would not disrupt placement of barrier 116,
tethers 124 may not be required. For example, storage site 106
shown in FIG. 1 may simply have a cover 112 on the top of the
carbon dioxide 110 and not utilize any tethers between cover 112
and ocean floor 108 or structures 109 on ocean floor 108. The mass
of cover 112 in such an embodiment without tethers would be
sufficient to maintain cover 112 in place over the carbon dioxide
in suitable environmental conditions.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 3, a container 130 according to an
exemplary embodiment may fully encompass carbon dioxide 110,
effectively functioning as a bladder (e.g., similar to cover 112
shown with respect to storage site 104 in FIG. 1). Container 130
may be constructed with multiple layers such as shown in FIG. 2 and
may also have other components shown with respect to other storage
sites. In one embodiment, container 130 is configured to be moored
to a mooring structure 132, mooring structure 132 located in a
desired location for storage of container 130. In one embodiment,
mooring structure 132 may be placed on floor 108 at the bottom of
the ocean or body of water in a desired location. In another
embodiment, mooring structure 132 may be placed at some depth above
floor 108 of the ocean or other body of water. The coupling
mechanism between container 130 and mooring structure 132 may take
various forms depending upon the size of the container and the
forces expected on the container (e.g. ocean currents).
[0028] Referring to FIG. 4, three containers 140, 142, and 144 are
shown in different locations to further demonstrate the discussion
with respect to FIG. 3. Because the containers fully encompass
carbon dioxide 110, the containers may be moved to different
locations in the body of water, including different depths below
the surface of the water as desired (e.g. to maintain appropriate
pressure and temperature for stable storage of whatever form of
carbon dioxide 110 is selected or to move the container away from
an initial filling station so that more containers can be filled
from the same location). For example, a container 140 is shown at a
relatively shallow depth below the surface of the water as may be
desired for an initial filling location. Container 142 is shown
floating at a level H above floor 108 of the ocean. Depending upon
the selected depth in the ocean, the container 142 may be buoyant,
while in other circumstances, the container 142 may have a neutral
buoyancy. In some cases, due to the density of carbon dioxide
clathrates compared to seawater, the container may include
flotation gas to provide additional buoyancy. Because it may be
desirable to change the buoyancy of the carbon dioxide deposit, the
container 142 may further include a buoyancy control device (e.g.,
as is known in the submarine field) to maintain the carbon dioxide
deposit within a selected depth range. In one embodiment, the
buoyancy control device is a buoyancy engine, such as used to
propel sea gliders (using a hydraulic system to inflate a bladder
to control the density of the container). Container 142 may be
tethered to floor 108 using a tethering structure 146 designed to
maintain the location of the container 142 notwithstanding various
forces acting on container 142. Container 144 is shown anchored to
the ocean floor 108 to maintain the secure placement of container
144. In one embodiment a single anchor 148 may be utilized to
secure container 144 to floor 108. In other embodiments, multiple
anchors 148 may be utilized to secure container 144 to floor 108.
Further, a single anchor 148 may be used to secure multiple
containers in some embodiments. Anchors 148 may interface directly
with ocean floor 108 or anchors 148 may be coupled to corresponding
devices on floor 108 such as mooring structure 132 shown in FIG.
3.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 5, a container 150 for storing carbon
dioxide 110 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment to
include a number of baffles 152 (e.g., dividers, interior walls,
separators, etc.) that separate container 150 into interior
compartments 154, each containing carbon dioxide 110. Baffles 152
may include valves 156 that allow movement of the carbon dioxide
110 between compartments 154. While four compartments 154 are shown
in FIG. 5, any number of compartments 154 may be constructed within
container 150 depending upon the desired size, configuration, and
storage capacity of the container 150. In one embodiment, baffles
152 provide a mechanism to separate areas of container 150 to
mitigate the consequences of a breach in one area of the container
(i.e. by maintaining the integrity of the non-breached compartments
154). Like the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, container 150 may
have an outer layer 158 that is constructed of a different material
than baffles 152, and outer layer 158 may have multiple layers if
desired. Further, container 150 may have a structure for being
tethered or moored to another structure or the ocean bottom and may
also include a valve that permits the container to be filled and/or
release carbon dioxide as desired.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 6, in an exemplary embodiment, a container
160 completely encompasses a volume of carbon dioxide 110. A
propulsion device, shown as, but not limited to, propulsion engine
162 is coupled to container 160 and powers a propulsion system 163
known in the art, such as a propeller to move container 160 within
the body of water to a selected special region. In an exemplary
embodiment, the propulsion engine 162 is a similar to that used to
propel underwater/sea gliders (including a density control system
and wings for low power propulsion). Multiple propulsion engines
162 may be used depending on the size and configuration of
container 160 and the location to which container 160 is to be
moved. The type of engine 162 utilized on container 160 and related
propulsion system 163 may be selected from systems commonly used at
substantial depths under water to move submersible objects. The
embodiment shown in FIG. 6 may be used where container 160 is
filled with carbon dioxide 110 in one location but then moved to a
long term storage location away from the filling location. In some
embodiments, the container 160 may not have its own propulsion
capability, but be towed to the long term storage location by a
separate vehicle which may then return to the filling station to
pick up and tow a second container. The long term storage location
may be at the same depth as the filling location or may be at a
different depth, such as at the floor of the ocean. Weights 164 may
be added to container 160 to aid in moving container 160 to the
correct depth or to equalize the mass of container 160 relative to
the ocean pressure to achieve the desired balance. In one
embodiment, a transmitter 166 is used to transmit the location of
container 160 to a remote receiver (e.g., on a ship, on another
container, on land, etc.). The transmitter 166 may be a beacon to
inform nearby vessels of their proximity to the container 160.
Depending upon the depth of the container 160, the transmitter 166
(or multiple transmitters) may use different types of signals. For
example, the transmitter 166 may be acoustic when mounted at
container 160. In other embodiments, the transmitter may be located
remote from container 160 and be operatively coupled to the
container 160 via a communications channel (e.g., using optical or
radiofrequency (RF) communication). For example, a communications
channel may include an optical fiber, a conductor, a coaxial cable,
or other physical communications connector. The communications
channel may also involve short-range wireless transmission, such as
a low-power acoustic link between the container and a higher power,
longer range transmitter at or near the surface.
[0031] Because it is unlikely that it would be necessary to move
container 160 at a high speed, engine 162 and propulsion system 163
may instead be configured to utilize a small amount of energy
sufficient to transport container 160 to a long term storage
location. In other circumstances (e.g., where a change of ocean
conditions requires movement of container 160 or container 160 has
lost structural integrity) engine 162 and propulsion system 163 may
be configured to again move container 160 to a different depth,
location, or to a facility for repair.
[0032] Referring further to FIG. 6, a sensor 168 or multiple
sensors 168 may be coupled to container 160 to sense various
parameters. For example, a sensor 168 may indicate the location of
container 160 (e.g. an inertial sensor as would be found in an
inertial navigation system). For example, gravitational or magnetic
sensors may be used to locate the container by comparison to
pre-mapped gravitational or magnetic regional properties. For
example, acoustic sensors may be used to detect signals from remote
acoustic beacons, and thereby enable determination of the location
of the container. A GPS system may be utilized to aid in the
location detection, e.g., by using a GPS receiver at or near the
surface of the body of water in communication with the container
160, which may be located at a depth at which GPS signals cannot be
received. In another embodiment, sensor 168 may indicate the depth
of container 160 (e.g. via a pressure sensor). Other example sensor
types may sense information such as temperature in container 160,
pressure in container 160, filled volume of container 160, the
status of the contents of container 160 (e.g., carbon dioxide
stored as a liquid or as a carbon dioxide clathrate), whether
container 160 has maintained its structural integrity, etc. The
type of sensors may be selected based upon what parameters are to
be sensed (e.g. a temperature sensor, an acoustic sensor, a
magnetic sensor, a gravitational sensor, etc.). Sensor 168 may
provide a signal indicative of the sensed parameter to a control
system 165. In one embodiment, sensor 168 may provide a signal
representing the sensed parameter to transmitter 166 that transmits
the signal to a receiver at a remote location. Transmitter 166 may
be a wireless transmitter or may be wired to the remote location in
some fashion. If transmitter 166 is a wireless transmitter, RF
technology may be used to transmit the wireless information as is
known in the art. Local control system 165 on container 160 may
include a receiver or inputs 167 for receiving data, such as from
sensor 168, and a processor 169 programmed to act upon the received
information. For example, the receiver may receive a query for
information from the sensor 168 (e.g., the status or position of
the container 160). The processor may instruct sensor 168 to take
more readings or instruct a transmitter 166 to provide data to a
remote receiver.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 7, a carbon dioxide container 170 may
include mechanical supports 172 and 174 used for a number of
functions. For example, mechanical supports 172 and 174 can aid in
the structural integrity of the container as necessary. Further
mechanical supports 172 and 174 may be used to couple the container
170 to another container having a mechanical support that
interfaces appropriately or to a docking station 176, for example
on ocean floor 108 as shown in FIG. 7. Mechanical supports 172 and
174 aid in providing an offset between container 170 and other
structures in the ocean (e.g. the ocean floor 108) to ensure that
structures on ocean floor 108 do not damage the outer layers of
container 170 (e.g., a barrier layer configured to contain carbon
dioxide 110).
[0034] In another embodiment, components similar to transmitter
166, one or more sensors 168, and local control system 165 may be
provided for other storage sites described above, such as shown in
FIG. 1 (storage sites 102 and 106) and FIG. 2 (storage site 114) in
which cover 112 or multi-layer barrier 116 is coupled directly to
floor 108 or structure 109 rising from floor 108 or as shown in
FIG. 1 (storage site 104), FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, or FIG. 7. For
example, cover 112 or barrier 116 may include a sensor such as a
GPS sensor configured to determine the location of carbon dioxide
110 and a transmitter configured to transmit the location to a
remote location. Cover 112 or barrier 116 may further include other
sensors, such as a sensor to sense the properties of carbon dioxide
110 (e.g., the amount of enclosed clathrate, the carbon dioxide
content of the deposit) and cover 112 or barrier 116 itself (e.g.,
whether cover 112 or barrier 116 has ruptured). The sensors may
provide a signal indicative of the sensed parameter to a control
system and the control system may provide the signal to the
transmitter to be transmitted to a receiver at a remote location or
may be programmed to act upon the received information.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 8, a process 800 for storing carbon
dioxide is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Carbon
dioxide is gathered from a source such as a fossil fuel plant (step
801). There are known technologies for stripping out the carbon
dioxide from the effluent stream. Because the plant may not be
located near a facility appropriate for storage of carbon dioxide,
the carbon dioxide that is stripped out of the effluent stream is
delivered to the storage facility (step 802) utilizing technologies
such as a pipeline where the carbon dioxide is maintained under the
appropriate pressure, or via a tanker truck, rail car, etc. Once at
the storage facility, the carbon dioxide may be combined with water
to create a clathrate or converted into another form suitable for
storage such as a pressurized liquid or a clathrate (step 803).
Step 803 may be performed using a reactor to create the carbon
dioxide clathrate using appropriate input streams as is known in
the art. The carbon dioxide is then delivered to the storage
location in a body of water (step 804). For example, the carbon
dioxide may be placed into a container such as any one of the
containers shown in FIGS. 1-7 and the container moved to a storage
location in a body of water. Initial placement of the carbon
dioxide into the container may be accomplished using a filling
station (e.g., a land or water based system configured to deliver
the carbon dioxide (e.g., clathrate) to the container via a pumping
station or other appropriate delivery means. When utilizing a
container such as shown in FIG. 1 (storage sites 102 and 106) and
FIG. 2 (storage site 114), the carbon dioxide may be placed into
the storage location (e.g. by piping it under water to the
appropriate location). Once the carbon dioxide is delivered to the
storage location, the carbon dioxide is at least partially covered
with a barrier or cover.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 9, a process for storing carbon dioxide is
shown according to another embodiment. In the process 900, the
carbon dioxide is separated from a waste stream and gathered in
manner similar to that described in process 800 (step 901). The
carbon dioxide is transported to a fill location at a storage
facility (step 902) and combined with water to form a carbon
dioxide clathrate (step 903). After formation of the carbon dioxide
clathrate, a storage container may then be at least partially
filled (step 904). In one embodiment, the carbon dioxide is loaded
into a container such as that shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 7 where
the carbon dioxide is completely enclosed by a barrier (step 904).
The container is moved to a storage location in a body of water
(step 905). Selection of the storage location may depend upon a
number of factors including space considerations, buoyancy
considerations (depending upon the form of storage, the carbon
dioxide density may be greater or less than that of the surrounding
water at certain depths), stability considerations (depending upon
the form of storage, carbon dioxide remains stable at certain
pressure and temperature ranges), and so forth. See the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Special Report on Carbon
Dioxide Capture and Storage, Chapter 6 (2005) for more information
on the physical properties of carbon dioxide at different
temperatures and pressures in sea water. In certain embodiments, it
may be advantageous to store carbon dioxide clathrate at depths
below 500 meters in the ocean and to store liquid carbon dioxide at
depths below 3000 meters.
[0037] In another embodiment of the processes of FIGS. 8 and 9, the
cover is placed onto the carbon dioxide fill location in the body
of water and tethered at one or more points to the sea floor 108
with respect to storage site 102 to formation or structure 109
rising from the floor 108 with respect to storage site 106 (see
FIG. 1).
[0038] In another embodiment of the processes of FIGS. 8 and 9,
another step of transporting a partially or a fully filled
container to another location after filling is included, such as an
embodiment in which the container includes its own engine and
propulsion device such as shown in FIG. 6, or by using another
means of moving the container, such as on a track, a line, being
towed, etc.
[0039] In another embodiment of the processes of FIGS. 8 and 9, the
carbon dioxide may be converted into a form suitable for storage,
such as a pressurized liquid or a clathrate prior to being
transported to a storage facility.
[0040] It is important to note that the construction and
arrangement of the elements of the systems and methods as shown in
the exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a
few embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in
detail, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will
readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g.,
variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions
of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting
arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without
materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the
subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally
formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements. It should
be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the enclosure may
be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide
sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of
colors, textures, and combinations. Additionally, in the subject
description, the word "exemplary" is used to mean serving as an
example, instance or illustration. Any embodiment or design
described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed
as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs.
Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts
in a concrete manner. Accordingly, all such modifications are
intended to be included within the scope of the present inventions.
The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied
or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Any
means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures
described herein as performing the recited function and not only
structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other
substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in
the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the preferred
and other exemplary embodiments without departing from scope of the
present disclosure or from the spirit of the appended claims.
[0041] The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and
program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing
various operations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may
be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special
purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated
for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments
within the scope of the present disclosure include program products
comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having
machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon.
Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be
accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other
machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable
media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical
disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage
devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store
desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions
or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose
or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. When
information is transferred or provided over a network or another
communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a
combination of hardwired or wireless) to a machine, the machine
properly views the connection as a machine-readable medium. Thus,
any such connection is properly termed a machine-readable medium.
Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of
machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include,
for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose
computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing
machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.
[0042] Although the figures may show a specific order of method
steps, the order of the steps may differ from what is depicted.
Also two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with
partial concurrence. Such variation will depend on the software and
hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations
are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software
implementations could be accomplished with standard programming
techniques with rule based logic and other logic to accomplish the
various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps and
decision steps.
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