BUOYANT POWER SYSTEM METHOD AND APPARATUS

Abstract

A system in a water body uses buoyant force of gaseous Hydrogen and Oxygen to generate electrical power with one or more turbines that includes power resulting from the buoyant force while transporting the Hydrogen or Oxygen to a higher elevation, without loss of electrons, for conversion to electricity at the higher elevation. Conversion of Hydrogen and Oxygen to water through a Hydrogen Fuel Cell or by burning at the higher elevation may generate additional steam power, hydropower, or purified water. Portable submersible modules may transport the system below or above the water to and from the base of a plumbing portion of the system. The amount of gaseous fuel energy available at the higher elevation is not detrimentally impacted by the generation of electricity by the turbine.

Claims

1. A system, comprising: a Hydrogen receiver having an intake and having a discharge, wherein the intake of the Hydrogen receiver is coupled to a Hydrogen output of a Hydrogen and Oxygen separator device; a Hydrogen buoyancy engine having an intake and having a discharge, wherein the intake of the Hydrogen buoyancy engine is coupled to the discharge of the Hydrogen receiver, wherein the Hydrogen buoyancy engine is partially motivated by a Hydrogen buoyant force of Hydrogen received from the Hydrogen discharge of the Hydrogen receiver that partially causes rotational output motion from the Hydrogen buoyancy engine; and a Hydrogen energy convertor coupled to the Hydrogen buoyancy engine that converts the rotational output motion of the Hydrogen buoyancy engine partially caused by the Hydrogen buoyant force into electrical energy.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a Hydrogen delivery plumbing section having an intake and having a discharge, wherein the intake of the Hydrogen delivery plumbing section is coupled to the discharge of the Hydrogen buoyancy engine.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the Hydrogen delivery plumbing section extends upward from the discharge of the Hydrogen buoyancy engine at a first elevation to the discharge of the Hydrogen delivery plumbing section at a second elevation, wherein the second elevation is higher than the first elevation.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the Hydrogen buoyancy engine includes a Hydrogen turbine such that a flow of Hydrogen gas received from the Hydrogen and Oxygen separator impinges on the Hydrogen turbine and partially causes the Hydrogen turbine to spin as a result of buoyant force of the Hydrogen.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the Hydrogen and Oxygen separator includes a water Hydrolysis device.

6. The system of claim 3 further comprising a Reverse Osmosis device that provides purified water to the Hydrogen and Oxygen separator, wherein the Reverse Osmosis devices is located at an elevation below the first elevation, and wherein the elevation of the Reverse Osmosis device is located in a body of water substantially below the surface thereof.

7. A system that directs at least one partially-buoyancy-motivated flow of Hydrogen gas to a turbine via one or more components of a plumbing system to generate power from at least one of the one or more partially buoyancy-motivated flows of the gasses.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the at least one partially-buoyancy-motivated flow of Hydrogen gas rises via the plumbing system from a first elevation to a third elevation that is higher than an elevation of the turbine, which is at a second elevation, wherein the gases are used as a fuel at the third elevation for the generation of one or more of electrical power, thermal power, or hydro power.

9. The system in claim 7 wherein Hydrogen produced by the system is combined with Oxygen from atmospheric air to create electricity in a Hydrogen Fuel Cell at higher elevations than where the Hydrogen originated.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein the turbine power created by the system adds electrical charge to batteries that provide power to a Hydrogen-producing device that produces the at least one partially-buoyancy-motivated flow of Hydrogen gas.

11. The system of claim 7 wherein the plumbing system transports electrons via the at least one partially-buoyancy-motivated flow of Hydrogen gas from a depth in an aqueous body of water to a higher elevation than the depth in the aqueous body of water such that the electrons do not lose thermal energy and are recovered for use in generating electricity from the Hydrogen.

12. The system of claim 7 wherein at least one of the at least one partially-buoyancy-motivated flow of Hydrogen gas is burned in the presence of Oxygen gas at a depth in a body of water, wherein the result of said burning is combined with pure water from a reverse osmosis system located in the body of water to generate steam that rises in a plumbed structure for use in producing electrical power thermal power, hydro power, or pure water at a higher elevation than the depth in the body of water where the Hydrogen is burned.

13. The system of claim 7 wherein outputs of a plurality of water Hydrolysis devices are merged together before being directed to the turbine.

14. The system of claim 7 further comprising one or more turbines in addition to the turbine of claim 7, wherein the plumbing system directs the at least one partially-buoyancy-motivated flow of Hydrogen gas to each of the turbines.

15. The system of claim 7 further comprising one or more turbines in addition to the turbine of claim 7, wherein each of the turbines is located at substantially the same elevation as each of the other turbines and wherein an output shaft of each of the turbines is coupled to an output shaft of at least one of the other turbines, and wherein the output shaft of at least one of the turbines is coupled to an electric generator.

16. The system of claim 7 further comprising a portable modular submersible structure used to house at least one water Hydrolysis device, a reverse osmosis device, and a power subsystem wherein an output of the at least one water Hydrolysis device provides at least one of the at least one partially-buoyancy-motivated flow flows of Hydrogen gas to the plumbing.

17. A method, comprising: producing a Hydrogen gas flow at a first elevation, wherein the Hydrogen gas is produced at a first pressure; providing the Hydrogen gas flow to a Hydrogen buoyancy engine at a second elevation that is higher than the first elevation; performing a first amount of work with the Hydrogen buoyancy engine based on the Hydrogen gas flow; and wherein the pressure of the Hydrogen gas flow provided to the Hydrogen buoyancy engine at the second elevation is a second pressure that is higher than the first pressure due at least to buoyant force acting on the Hydrogen gas between the first elevation and the second elevation.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the first amount of work performed is electrical energy proportional to the second pressure of the Hydrogen gas flow.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising: directing the Hydrogen gas flow to a third elevation that is higher than the second elevation after the first amount of work is performed at the second elevation; performing a second amount of work at the third elevation based on the Hydrogen gas flow; and wherein the second amount of work is not less than it would have been had the first amount of work not been performed at the second elevation.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the second amount of work performed is electrical energy proportional the amount of Hydrogen gas molecules in the Hydrogen gas flow.

21. A method, comprising: producing a Hydrogen gas flow at a first elevation, wherein the Hydrogen gas is produced at a first pressure; providing the Hydrogen gas flow to a second elevation that is higher than the first elevation; performing a first amount of work at the second elevation based on the Hydrogen gas flow; wherein the pressure of the Hydrogen gas flow at the second elevation is a second pressure that is higher than the first pressure due at least to buoyant force acting on the Hydrogen gas between the first elevation and the second elevation; wherein the Hydrogen gas flow is produced by a Hydrolysis device located in a body of water below the surface thereof at the first elevation; and wherein the Hydrogen gas flow is directed from the Hydrolysis device from the first elevation to the second elevation via a plumbing system wherein there is no water in the plumbing system between the first elevation and the second elevation.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the first amount of work performed is electrical energy proportional to the second pressure of the Hydrogen gas flow.

23. The method of claim 21 further comprising: directing the Hydrogen gas flow to a third elevation that is higher than the second elevation after the first amount of work is performed at the second elevation; performing a second amount of work based on the Hydrogen gas flow at the third elevation; and wherein the second amount of work is not less than it would have been had the first amount of work not been performed at the second elevation.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein the second amount of work performed is electrical energy proportional the amount of Hydrogen gas molecules in the Hydrogen gas flow at the third elevation.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the second amount of work is performed at least by a fuel cell device.

26. The method of claim 21 wherein the second amount of work is performed as a result of burning the Hydrogen gas molecules in the Hydrogen gas flow at the third elevation.

27. The method of claim 21 wherein the first amount of work is performed as a result of Hydrogen of the Hydrogen gas flow at the second pressure operating on a turbine at the second elevation.

28. The method of claim 21 further comprising providing at least one reverse osmosis device in the body of water that provides pure water to the at least one Hydrolysis device in the body of water at the first elevation such that weight of the water at the first elevation due to gravity forces water from the body of water through the reverse osmosis device.

29. A system, comprising: a Hydrolysis device to produce a Hydrogen gas flow at a first elevation, wherein the Hydrogen gas is produced at a first pressure; a plumbing system to provide the Hydrogen gas flow to a second elevation that is higher than the first elevation; a Hydrogen Buoyancy Engine to perform a first amount of work at the second elevation based on the Hydrogen gas flow; wherein the pressure of the Hydrogen gas flow at the second elevation is a second pressure that is higher than the first pressure due at least to buoyant force acting on the Hydrogen gas between the first elevation and the second elevation; wherein the Hydrogen gas flow is produced by the Hydrolysis device located in a body of water below the surface thereof at the first elevation; and wherein there is no water in the plumbing system between the first elevation and the second elevation.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein the first amount of work performed is electrical energy proportional to the second pressure of the Hydrogen gas flow.

31. The system of claim 29 wherein the plumbing system further directs the Hydrogen gas flow to a third elevation that is higher than the second elevation after the first amount of work is performed at the second elevation; one or more devices for performing a second amount of work based on the Hydrogen gas flow at the third elevation; and wherein the second amount of work is not less than it would have been had the first amount of work not been performed at the second elevation.

32. The system of claim 29 wherein the second amount of work performed is electrical energy proportional the amount of Hydrogen gas molecules in the Hydrogen gas flow at the third elevation.

33. The system of claim 29 wherein the at least one device for performing the second amount of work is at least one of a fuel cell device or a water turbine.

34. The system of claim 29 wherein the at least one device for performing the second amount of work performs at least one of combustion of the Hydrogen gas molecules in the Hydrogen gas flow at the third elevation or converts a flow of water from the third elevation to an elevation lower than the third elevation, wherein the flow of water is derived from the Hydrogen gas flow at the third elevation.

35. The system of claim 29 wherein the Hydrogen Buoyancy Engine is a turbine at the second elevation.

36. The system of claim 29 further comprising a reverse osmosis device in the body of water to provide pure water to the Hydrolysis device in the body of water at the first elevation such that weight of the water at the first elevation due to gravity forces water from the body of water through the reverse osmosis device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a buoyancy power system engine (BPSE) embodiment that purifies water through reverse osmosis before it converts the gravity of water in an ocean, lake, or a body of water into the buoyant gases Hydrogen and Oxygen for the purpose of driving n+1 power turbines, recharging batteries, and transporting the gases to the surface of the aqueous body.

[0058] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a submerged buoyancy power system engine that recharges its batteries, transports Hydrogen and Oxygen to the surface, and uses a Hydrogen fuel cell to create electricity and pure water from Hydrogen and Oxygen at the surface of the aqueous body.

[0059] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a submerged buoyancy power system engine that recharges its batteries and transports the produced Hydrogen and Oxygen up an artificial or natural structure from a depth to a high elevation prior to using a Hydrogen fuel cell to create electricity and pure water. The pure water is placed in a reservoir and released to produce hydropower as it flows down the structure.

[0060] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a submerged buoyancy power system engine that recharges it's batteries and transports the Hydrogen and Oxygen to the surface where it is ignited to create steam that further drives a steam turbine and then rises up the side of an artificial or natural structure in plumbing to an elevation where the pure water is captured in a condenser and stored in a reservoir. The water in the reservoir is released down the structure to produce hydropower, irrigate, or feed the potable water grid.

[0061] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a submerged buoyancy power system engine that produces Hydrogen and Oxygen that is transported to the surface and burned in the presence of water from reverse osmosis to produce steam that drives a steam turbine to create electricity for use to recharge the batteries of the buoyancy power system engine. Steam from the system is condensed into pure liquid water downstream and stored in a reservoir for distribution on the water grid.

[0062] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a submerged buoyancy power system engine that produces Hydrogen and Oxygen at a depth that is burned in the presence of water added from reverse osmosis that generates a steam convection up the plumbing driving n+1 turbines that recharge the systems batteries and create power. Steam from the system is condensed into pure liquid water downstream and stored in a reservoir for distribution on the water grid.

[0063] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a submerged buoyancy power system engine that produces Hydrogen and Oxygen at a depth that is burned in the presence of water added from reverse osmosis that generates a steam convection up the plumbing driving n+1 turbines that recharge the systems batteries and create power. Steam from the system is released into the atmosphere where it can condense in the upper atmosphere to produce dew, rain, hail, and snow.

[0064] FIG. 8A is an illustration of a submerged buoyancy power system that leverages n+1 buoyancy power system engines that have n+1 Proton Exchange Membranes (PEM). This diagram uses 3 PEMs per a BPSE and shows 3 BPSEs in an interconnected configuration to amplify Hydrogen and Oxygen output to the surface.

[0065] FIG. 8B is an illustration of a submerged buoyancy power system that leverages n+1 buoyancy power system engines that have n+1 Proton Exchange Membranes (PEM). This diagram uses 3 PEMs per a BPSE and shows 2 BPSEs in a parallel configuration to amplify the Hydrogen and Oxygen output to the surface.

[0066] FIG. 8C is an illustration of a submerged buoyancy power system that leverages n+1 buoyancy power system engines that have n+1 Proton Exchange Membranes (PEM). This diagram uses 3 PEMs per a BPSE and shows 3 BPSEs in an interconnected configuration to amplify Hydrogen and Oxygen output. Two of the interconnected BPSE clusters as shown in FIG. 8A are run in parallel side by side to amplify the Hydrogen and Oxygen output to the surface.

[0067] FIG. 9A is a BPSE that uses a modular submersible embodiment that contains the PEM, Reverse Osmosis, Power, and optional propulsion system. The submersible module is attached at the base of the BPSE plumbing and can either move or be towed to the surface by a submersible or tug.

[0068] FIG. 9B is the same as FIG. 9A, but allows the modular submersible embodiment to be placed in an n+1 configuration at the base of the BPSE for the purpose of amplifying the Hydrogen and Oxygen output to the surface.

[0069] FIG. 10 is an illustration of n+1 modular submersible embodiment that contains the PEM, Reverse Osmosis, Power, and optional propulsion system that can be chained to a main module for additional power and propulsion capability. This configuration is streamlined for submersible transport of the n+1 modules.

[0070] FIG. 11 is an illustration that shows n+1 modular submersible embodiment that contains the PEM, Reverse Osmosis, Power, and optional propulsion system that can be tethered in parallel to a ship, submersible, or other water craft at the surface of the body of water. The chained embodiment from FIG. 10 is illustrated as an optional tethered configuration to a ship, submersible, or other water craft at the surface of the body of water. Portability of BPSE configurations is stressed here.

[0071] FIG. 12 is an illustration that shows n+1 modular submersible embodiment that contains the PEM, Reverse Osmosis, Power, and optional propulsion system that can transform from FIG. 11 parallel configuration into a tethered spread out configuration consisting of one or more ships, submersibles, or other water craft at the surface of the body of water.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements. The detailed description does not limit the invention.

[0073] As a preliminary matter, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many methods, embodiments, and adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described as well as many variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the substance or scope of the present invention.

[0074] Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The following disclosure is not intended nor is to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.

[0075] Systems and methods herein describe the buoyant power system engine (BPSE) 100 of FIG. 1. The BPSE is composed of a submersible structure that contains a Reverse Osmosis (RO) system 101. RO system 101 is capable of purifying water from aqueous solutions 102 that contain dissolved molecules such as salts using pressure. Pressure for RO system 101 comes from the force the mass of the aqueous solution exerted on the RO system. In FIG. 1 the BPSE is submerged in a body of water 102 such as the ocean or a lake at a depth capable of producing enough pressure to produce pure water via RO 101 on demand. The Force exerted on RO system 101 can be increased with depth 103 since the aqueous pressure on an object is increased with depth in an aqueous body such as the ocean.

[0076] Gravitational force on a body of water creates Pressure (P=F/A, where P is pressure, F is force, and A is area). The Force being F=ma=mg, where m is mass, a and g are the acceleration due to gravity. The deeper the ocean the greater the pressure and force of water that can be used to do work in purifying water using RO system 101. The BPSE uses RO system 101 to do work on an aqueous solution by purifying water. Saline & brine water with dissolved molecules has less thermal explosive energy than pure water. This is due to having less combustible Hydrogen & Oxygen atoms by volume. Contaminants in the saline water are preferably removed prior to working on the water molecules with the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) system 104. The PEM preferably uses pure water to avoid catalytic poisoning of the PEM by contaminants.

[0077] A typical PEM system uses 55 volts Direct Current (DC) and 1250 Amps of power. PEMs are not limited in DC range and can be built to specification for DC voltage & power consumption. The power source 105 of the BPSE can be any conventional power source that produces DC voltage and power capable of driving the PEM. Conventional power sources includes nuclear, wind, solar, battery, etc. that are capable of producing electrical DC voltage to the PEM. The optimal use of re-chargeable battery power 105 may be used to optimize the efficiency and flexibility of the BPSE.

[0078] PEM 104 typically uses an inorganic metal catalyst (such as platinum, 316 stainless steel, etc.) to switch off the Hydrogen and Oxygen covalent bonds of the water molecule with efficiency close to 100%. This process requires 4 electrons per 2 water molecules and is defined by the Hydrolysis of Water reaction in eq. 1.

4e.sup.−+2H.sub.2O< >2H.sub.2+2O  Eq. 1

[0079] This is true at 1 atmosphere on land (i.e., Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP)). It is not true under the extreme pressure at very deep ocean depths when used to purify water from saline ocean water. Instead, the force of gravity that acts on the ocean water now comes into the stoichiometry of the chemical reaction and the chemical reaction changes to one that includes the energy from the gravitational Force (F.sub.g) of water that becomes a buoyant force (F.sub.b) during the electronic switch off of the covalent bonds between Hydrogen and Oxygen in the water molecule. At a depth 103 below the ocean surface the equation for hydrolysis must take into consideration the thermal energy put into the water by the RO process that involved the forces of the Earth's gravity acting on the water molecule. The reaction of RO plus Hydrolysis of Water at an ocean depth is:

4e.sup.−+F.sub.g+2H.sub.2O< >F.sub.b+2H.sub.2+2O  Eq. 2

The Hydrogen 106 and Oxygen 107 gases produced by the PEM have densities less than that of water or any aqueous solution making them buoyant at any ocean depth. Hydrogen also has a density substantially less than that of air and is also buoyant in air at any depth within the ocean and beyond the ocean's surface. The gravitational Force (F.sub.g) that acts on ocean water mass at any depth has an acceleration of gravity that is 9.8 m/s.sup.2. This gravitational force that pulls the ocean water acts on objects in the water with a force known as the buoyant force.

[0080] In FIG. 1 Hydrogen gas 106 or Oxygen gas 107 moves from PEM 104 at a gas output (either Hydrogen or Oxygen) of the PEM into a receiver 170. Only one receiver is shown in the figure, but it will be appreciated that separate receivers 170 may be used for Hydrogen and Oxygen gases discharged from the PEM. The Hydrogen or oxygen receiver 170 may be merely a section, or spool, of piping that connects a discharge of PEM 104 to an intake portion 172, represented schematically, of a hydrogen or oxygen energy engine 111, which is shown in the figure with a capital ‘T’ to indicate that a component of engine 111 is a preferably a turbine that converts buoyant force that is motivating gas 106 or 107 to rise in plumbing system 108. Engine 111 includes a discharge 174 that allows gas to continue to rise in plumbing 108 to an open end of plumbing or to an intake 172 of another engine 111 as shown in the figure. Gases 106 or 107 rise upwardly through plumbing 108 due to buoyant force so the acceleration of the rising gas in the water (or in the air in a scenario where turbines 11 and plumbing 108 is designed to operate without water in the plumbing) a.sub.i is designated as a positive value for reference herein. The buoyant force (F.sub.b) can be computed using the formula F.sub.b=V.sub.g×D×g, where V.sub.g is the volume of the gas, D is the density of the liquid the gas is submerged in, and g is gravity. The density of sea water varies between 1020-1050 Kg/m.sup.3 from shallow warm water to deep cold water. A simple F.sub.b computation for a liter of gas (0.001 m.sup.3) is F.sub.b=0.001 m.sup.3×1050 Kg/m.sup.3×9.81 m/s.sup.2=10.30 Kg/m.sup.2s.sup.2 10.30 Newtons. At a shallow depth in warmer sea water the F.sub.b is substantially 0.001 m.sup.3×1020 Kg/m.sup.3×9.81 m/s.sup.2=10.01 Kg×m/s.sup.2=10.01 Newtons. (Because the gas is compressible, this determination of F.sub.b is not exact because the volume of the gas decreases proportionally to the depth of the gas.) Acceleration due to gravity is 9.81 m/s.sup.2. Thus, the buoyant force of seawater for 1 liter of Hydrogen or Oxygen gas ranges from ˜10.01-10.30 Newtons. Consequently, the buoyant force acting on 1 m.sup.3 or 1000 Liters, of gas would be between ˜10,100-10,300 Newtons depending on the depth and warmth of the sea water.

[0081] This results in the ability of Hydrogen and Oxygen to accelerate through water as a gas from an ocean depth to the ocean surface at a rate greater than 9.8 m/s.sup.2 (i.e., the gas rises in the water.) The density of Hydrogen (0.082 Kg/m.sup.3) is less than that of air (1.225 Kg/m.sup.3 at sea level) at the ocean surface and the upper atmosphere. For example, the F.sub.b of Hydrogen could be calculated as F.sub.b=1 m.sup.3*1.225 Kg/m.sup.3*9.81 m/s.sup.2=12.00 Kg×m/s.sup.2=12.00 Newtons. This means that Hydrogen can accelerate beyond the ocean surface into the upper atmosphere at a rate greater than 9.8 m/s.sup.2. The observed accelerations from the buoyant force (F.sub.b) act on the Oxygen & Hydrogen gases to move either or both of them upwardly in a system that receives the Oxygen and/or Hydrogen and which system may include turbines, impellers, or other similar modes of converting buoyant force acting on the upwardly rising gases into rotational energy.

[0082] The method of transferring Hydrogen 107 and Oxygen 106 from an ocean depth directs the rising gas, or gasses, into the plumbing system 108 to direct the gases from an ocean depth to the surface of the ocean and may continue to direct the rising gases to an elevation higher than the surface of the ocean shown in FIG. 3. In the case of Hydrogen, plumbing 108 may direct Hydrogen flow to the surface 109. The Hydrogen plumbing could initially contain air, but would eventually be purged of air by upward pressurized flow of Hydrogen (the pressure being substantially a function of the production of Hydrogen by a PEM, but may also be partially the result of buoyancy acting on the Hydrogen). Plumbing material 108 is such that the path for Hydrogen to rise to the surface of the ocean is not crushed or collapsed by the pressure of the surrounding aqueous body that the BPSE resides in at depths. Reinforcement of the plumbing may be designed for the directing of Hydrogen generated at greater depths, which reinforcement designs may include internal pipe cross beams at greater depths, which may not only provide reinforcement but that may also provide interconnecting piping with valving that may be used to direct gas flow from more than one PEM to one or more turbines that may be coupled in a series fashion or the plumbing system may fan out at a more shallow depth to multiple turbines that may be at a given depth or elevation and that may have their output shafts rotationally coupled. The buoyant force (F.sub.b) of Hydrogen can be used to drive n+1 turbines 111 as it rises to, and above, the ocean surface 109. The constant acceleration of the buoyant force exceeds the inertia and friction of, and acting upon, turbine 111 and accelerates the turbine to an angular momentum that is capable of producing power. Here some of the buoyant force (F.sub.b) is converted into an electromotive force (F.sub.emv) by the turbine which creates electrical power when the turbine is coupled to an electric generating device, such as a generator or alternator, or other similar mode for converting rotational motion into electrical energy.

[0083] In an example, Inertia (I) of a turbine may be defined by the formula I=½ mr.sup.2 for a cylindrical shaped turbine, where m is the mass of the turbine and r is the radius of the turbine arms. The angular momentum (p) of the turbine is defined as my, where m is the mass and v is the velocity. Rising gas motivated by buoyant force (F.sub.b) impinges on the turbine to create angular momentum F.sub.b=p=mv. The turbine's angular momentum is used in conjunction with a wired armature (e.g., an electric generator) that converts angular momentum into electricity having electromotive force (F.sub.emv). The turbine power 115 at the lower ocean depths 103 can be used to charge batteries 105 that are used to power the Hydrogen generating portion of the BPSE (i.e., the power form the turbine/generator may be used to add charge to batteries 105 to beneficially extend the useful period of power delivery from the batteries because additional energy from another source is added to the batteries, or until the batteries are swapped for fully charged batteries. Additional power from turbines 111 may be transmitted downstream to be used by other electrical systems 114. Additional space for a manned control room with computer controls is available at 110.

[0084] Oxygen 107 may be pressurized during creation by PEM 104 and may be forced to the surface in the same manner as Hydrogen but with lesser buoyant force than acts on Hydrogen due to the density of Oxygen compared to the density of Hydrogen). However, Oxygen 107 is denser than air and water vapor, but lighter than water. Oxygen gases will float upward in plumbing 116 that has pure water in it due to the buoyant force (F.sub.b) acting on Oxygen when in water. Gas creation and the use of pure water in the system allows for upward buoyant flow of Oxygen gas as it is produced. There are compression effects on gases at depths within large aqueous bodies. These are countered by continuous gas creation, for example by a PEM 104. PEM 104 typically produces an output pressure at a Hydrogen or Oxygen output of about 1,100 psi. Pressure from the output gas 106 or 107 may drive turbines/engines 111 or 112. Buoyant force as gases 106 or 107 rise in plumbing 108 imparts additional energy to the blades of turbine 111 when plumbing 108 is substantially vertical from an elevation of PEM 104 to an elevation of turbine 111 such that energy output of turbine 111 that is available to turn an energy converter, an electric generator for example, is higher than the energy output that would be available to turn the turbine's blades if the turbine and PEM were at substantially the same elevation because in the later scenario there would be substantially no buoyant force adding to the pressure of the gas at the input to turbine 111 if the input thereof is at the same elevation as the PEM.

[0085] Current produced by Oxygen 107 may be used to drive turbines 112 in the system 100 shown in FIG. 1. The electricity from the turbines may also be used to add charge 115 the batteries 105 of the BPSE or transmit energy 114 downstream for use elsewhere. A water-based plumbing and turbine current configuration 116 can also be used with Hydrogen and pure water plumbing. The terminal velocity of Hydrogen or Oxygen depends on the plumbing configuration. The force of drag is negligible on the gases Hydrogen or Oxygen in a plumbed environment without liquid.

[0086] In an aspect, turbines may be sized and spaced in the plumbing fabric according to depth in water, according to the terminal velocity of the gases, force of drag that may vary according to the density of the liquid the gases are rising in, the force of inertia of the turbines, and desired rotational speed of the turbine.

[0087] Turning to FIG. 2, Hydrogen and Oxygen in the BPSE can be brought to the ocean surface 109 from any depth in plumbing material that is pressure-resistant to the aqueous body of water that the BPSE 100 resides in due to the buoyant force (F.sub.b). Furthermore, Hydrogen can be brought into the upper atmosphere due to this buoyant force as shown in FIG. 3. The Hydrogen & Oxygen captured at the ocean surface 109 can be passed over a Hydrogen Fuel Cell 117 to produce electricity 118 and water 119 as shown in FIG. 2. The Hydrogen Fuel Cell can be located on land or may be a floating object 120 at the ocean's surface. The re-formation of water has the reaction:

F.sub.b+2H.sub.2+2O< >e.sup.−+F.sub.emv+2H.sub.2O  eq. 3

[0088] Re-formation of water through the Hydrogen Fuel Cell 117 yields two water molecules and 4 electrons that can be used for direct current (DC) 118. The water molecules can be captured in reservoir 119 and used for consumption by humans or animals because the water is pure. The water may be filtered and antiseptic chemicals added thereto to prevent contamination of biologicals and toxins. The water can be used on the local water grid 121 for traditional potable water purposes. The ability to use the four electrons that were transferred from an ocean depth by the Hydrogen and Oxygen atoms in the plumbing results in a very efficient mode of transferring energy. There is no loss of electrons in transmission from any ocean depth using the BPSE Hydrogen and Oxygen plumbing and the total number of electrons transmitted from the ocean depth from the PEM of system 100 to a Hydrogen Fuel stack at a higher elevation than the PEM is conserved per the defined reaction:

4e.sup.−+F.sub.g+2H.sub.2O< > F.sub.b+2H.sub.2+2O< >4e.sup.−+F.sub.emv+2H.sub.2O  eq. 4

[0089] Use of Oxygen from the BPSE is optional at the surface of the ocean because air 122 contains ˜20% Oxygen and can be used as the input 123 to the Hydrogen Fuel Cell if so desired as shown in FIG. 2.

[0090] Hydrogen is capable of traveling beyond the surface of the ocean into the upper atmosphere 124 due to the buoyant force in air 129 FIG. 3. Hydrogen flow 129 and Oxygen flow 132 can be plumbed upward along natural structures such as the sides of mountains 125 or artificial/man-made towers/structures 126 to higher elevation 128. This allows Hydrogen to be collected at an elevation high up (for example 1,000 ft) and converted to direct current electricity 118 and water 119 at that elevation with a Hydrogen Fuel Cell 117 using Oxygen 122 from the atmosphere 123 at the higher elevation. Oxygen can also be or pumped up 132 under creation pressure (i.e., output pressure from PEM generation) to higher elevation 128. Water can be created there and can be placed into a reservoir 121 at elevation 128. The water can be allowed to flow freely or controlled by control mechanisms 130 such, for example, one or more dams, one or more terraces, restrictive orifices in a descending plumbing system, and the like) from the reservoir back to a lower elevation such as sea level 131 thus producing hydro energy as the gravitational force accelerates the water down the structure 125/126. The purified water may be used for consumption, irrigation, or other uses. A benefit is that water pumping costs are reduced using this technique.

[0091] A similar method shown in FIG. 4 can be used whereby the Hydrogen is burned 133 in the presence of Oxygen to create steam water vapor 134 that will drive a steam turbine(s) 135 to create power 136 and the steam vapor 134 continues to rise to the top of a mountain 125 or artificial structure 126 and condense in a condenser 137 to form water 119 at the top. The water can then be stored in a reservoir 121 at the elevation 128. The water can be allowed to flow freely or controlled via control mechanisms 130 from the reservoir to a lower elevation such as sea level thus producing more hydro energy as the gravitational force accelerates the water down the structure to sea level 131. The purified water may be used for consumption, irrigation, or other uses.

[0092] Hydrogen 106 and Oxygen 107 from the BPSE 100 or Oxygen from air can be burned from a jet 138 at the ocean surface 109 as shown in FIG. 5 to generate steam 129 that can drive a steam-based turbine power system 135. The power from the traditional steam-based power system can be used on the power grid conventionally 140, and the water can be condensed by a condenser 141 into a reservoir 142 and used for consumption, irrigation, and other conventional uses because it is pure.

[0093] Turbine power can also be used to re-charge 115 the batteries 105. The BPSE creates an abundant amount of pure water by default because water is ultimately the byproduct of power generation in the BPSE. The ability to capture water in geographical regions while generating electricity is a benefit that may be used to reduce drought conditions in areas such as the Western United States. The ability to create water at high elevations that can serve as reservoirs allows the water to be distributed using the force of gravity. Water pumping costs are reduced using this strategy.

[0094] The BPSE 100 can be modified in such a way to burn the Hydrogen 106 and Oxygen 107 produced by the PEM 104 using a jet system 138 at an ocean depth 113 as shown in FIG. 6. Water from RO system 101 can be injected 143 into the system to maximize the volume of water vapor 129 produced by the BPSE in the plumbing 144. The steam water vapor produced at a depth can be used to drive traditional steam turbine(s) 135 in FIG. 6 below the ocean's surface as the water vapor rises to produce power 140 just as it can be performed at the ocean's surface as shown in FIG. 5. Water can be condensed 141 and captured in a reservoir 142. The value of this process is that it allows the dielectric properties of the water vapor to create a cyclonic current 145 as it rises from beneath the ocean that create low pressures at the surface of the ocean. The cyclonic water vapor current 145 is clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. These low pressures can contribute to furthering natural cyclonic water vapor behavior near the BPSE plumbing outlet 146 of the water vapor into the upper atmosphere when vented into the upper atmosphere as shown in FIG. 7. This case allows the water vapor to condense 147 in the upper atmosphere 148 and produce rain 149 naturally under atmospheric conditions that allow the water vapor to accumulate and condense in the upper atmosphere 148. In other colder atmospheric conditions snow 150 and hail 151 can be produced from the accumulation of water in the upper atmosphere under colder atmospheric temperatures. The cost of electrical power to the BPSE is reduced when the turbines are used add re-charge current 115 the batteries 105 used to power the BPSE 100 in FIG. 7. This water vapor configuration and any of the BPSE 100 plumbed configurations 152 can be amplified in an n+1 BPSE configuration with n+1 PEMs 153 FIG. 8A. More than one BPSE n+1 system can be placed nearby to amplify the output further 153 FIG. 8B and FIG. 8C.

[0095] Hydrogen does not pose a combustion leak threat in the BPSE plumbing at ocean depths because there is no Oxygen surrounding the Hydrogen plumbing to support combustion. Hydrogen use at sea level or higher elevations must use special plumbing to avoid leaks & combustions. Impermeable and bendable polymer-based plumbing is recommended. Hydrogen has a burn rate greater than methane, alcohol, gasoline, natural gas, propane, and diesel. These burn rates can be achieved with Hydrogen base stocks collected from the BPSE by diluting the Hydrogen to the respective burn rate with inert Nitrogen from air (78% Nitrogen), or purified Nitrogen from air. Hydrogen will not react with Nitrogen unless it is heated to 200° C. or greater under contained pressure. This means that Nitrogen diluted Hydrogen can be used in traditional carbon-based heating & combustion systems with lower burn rates than Hydrogen and Oxygen alone. These systems may include transportation, natural gas grids, power systems, etc. that are capable of using fuels with burn rates that are slower than that of pure Hydrogen. Power plants that use natural gas can be converted to Nitrogen diluted Hydrogen provided from the BPSE. Hydrogen can also be diluted with other combustible gases such as natural gas to adjust the burn rate to that of a carbon-based fuel. The key is to eliminate carbon from burning, so the dilution gas of choice is inert Nitrogen.

[0096] Hydrogen can be used as a heat source and feed stock into the acid catalyzed process known as Sabatier plus Fischer Tropsch. This is a process whereby carbon material from pyrolysis or natural gas is used to create carbon-based fuels, lubricants, and waxes. Typically, these processes are inefficient because they use heat and acids to create the acid catalysis across an inorganic metal center. They are an option when the carbon-based fuels are not available for traditional distillation from crude oil. The BPSE provides Hydrogen fuel for heating and Hydrogen protons for acid catalysis in Sabatier+Fischer Tropsch process in an efficient manner to sea level or above geographies whereby the Gas to Fuel (GTF) cost methods can be brought down relative to the ones driven by natural gas heating. These are traditional Synthetic Fuel (Syn-Fuel) methods that are now conventionally used. Higher GTF yields are possible using Hydrogen for heating, electricity, and acid catalysis in the GTF process. These methods may be used in conjunction with the buoyancy engine that captures energy from buoyant force as discussed herein and wherein the capture of energy from buoyant force does not impose a detriment to these other methods as compared to a system where hydrogen is produced but energy from buoyant force is not captured.

[0097] A typical PEM from Treadwell corporation used in a BPSE is capable of producing 12,742.58 liters/hr of Hydrogen and ˜6371 liters/hr of Oxygen. The use of the buoyant force (F.sub.b) to re-charge the batteries in the BPSE to continue running the BPSE in time may reduce amount of external power needed to operate for the PEM system. One of these PEMs can produce ˜80,790 gallons of Hydrogen a day, which may contain energy equivalent to 242,368 gallons of gasoline a day. PEMs 104 of this type can be used in n+1 configurations to amplify the volume of Hydrogen produced by the BPSE FIG. 8A. Three PEMs per a BSPE used in a three BPSE configuration as shown in FIG. 8A could produce 9× the output of Hydrogen a day totaling ˜727,110 gallons of Hydrogen a day. The gasoline energy equivalent of FIG. 8A would be ˜2,181,330 gallons of gasoline a day. Additionally, n+1 PEM subsystems in n+1 BSPE systems can be used to amplify the total output of Hydrogen power as in FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C. The BPSE architecture in FIG. 8B would have the capacity to produce ˜1,454,220 gallons of Hydrogen a day which is equivalent to ˜4,362,660 gallons of gasoline a day in energy terms. The USA used 391.73 million gallons of gasoline a day in 2016 according to the US Energy Information Administration. A total of 180 BPSE 153 configurations shown in FIG. may generate the Hydrogen energy equivalent of 392,639,400 gallons of gasoline per a day.

[0098] The submersible structure that houses the RO & PEM of the BPSE can be modular in nature 154 as shown in FIG. 9A and can be exchanged from the BPSE plumbing configuration 152 at the base of the plumbing 155. These modular submersible structures 154 can be paired at the base of the BPSE plumbing for the purpose of providing n+1 feeds into the BPSE plumbing to the surface of the ocean or lake FIG. 9B. It is possible to place the BPSE into an artificial reservoir as well, but it must provide the ability to implement the submersible structure to house the RO & PEM system. The value of exchanging the submersible structure that houses the RO & PEM systems in the BPSE is that it enables maintenance to occur at the ocean surface or on land of the submersible structure. The ability to bring the submersible structures up to the surface allows them to be re-charged at the surface by conventional power such as solar, wind, etc. in the event that turbines are not being used by the BPSE system that generates Hydrogen & Oxygen to re-charge the batteries of the BPSE when batteries are used in the BPSE. Optionally, nuclear power can be used in the BPSE system for long periods of time. The BPSE system can be made to be portable so that it can feed ships, barges, and water craft capable of storing or using Hydrogen and/or Oxygen at sea or on a body of water. The portability of the BPSE may also be used for atmospheric condensation techniques required in different geographical regions of the earth at different times of the year for different purposes.

[0099] A modular system 154 FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B can be used to configure the BPSE submersible structure that houses the RO & PEM subsystems. The modular submersible structure may or may not have a propulsion system 156. A submersible tug 157 can be used to move the modular submersible structure through the body of water. A chained configuration 158 of n+1 submersible structures 154 may be used in conjunction with a submersible tug 157 module to transport the n+1 submersible structures beneath and above the surface of an aqueous body of water FIG. 10. An aerodynamic submersible structure 154 may be used in order to create a chain linked structure 158 that can efficiently travel through water. Distribution of portable power from the submersible tug 157 using the architecture illustrated in 158 FIG. 10 provides the ability to have n+1 BPSE feeds to systems that are idle or moving. The submersible module(s) 154 may be tethered to the base of the BPSE to fix its position as in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B. The submersible module(s) may also be tethered 160 to a ship, barge, water craft, or another submersible 159 in FIG. 11 for the purpose of providing Hydrogen & Oxygen feeds 161. Tethering 160 can also provide in-tow support of the submersible module 158 as the ship, barge, water craft, or another submersible 159 travels through the aqueous body of water in FIG. 11.

[0100] The combined submersible architecture 158 may be configured such that the modular system 154 can separate 163 but remain powered by the main submersible tug 157 as shown in FIG. 12. Power connectivity 162 from the submersible tug 157 to the submersible modules 154 would enable Hydrogen & Oxygen generation in 154. Battery systems may be used in submersible modules 154 at times for power. The interconnected power configuration illustrated in FIG. 12 allows battery charging or continuous power from the primary submersible tug 157. Conventional power systems such as nuclear power can be used by the submersible tug 157. Use of a centralized power source 157 keeps the costs of Hydrogen & Oxygen production down when producing Hydrogen & Oxygen for n+1 water craft 159. The primary submersible tug 157 may connect and charge the n+1 submersible module(s) 154 battery systems and then release to perform other tasks without interrupting the Hydrogen & Oxygen generation to the downstream water craft 159.

[0101] The submerged nature of the BPSE described herein protects the power generation system from natural catastrophes such as hurricanes, floods, tidal waves, lightning, etc. The ability of the power generation system to operate under these conditions holds true as long as the output of Hydrogen is not threatened by structural damage. The BPSE can be shut down during catastrophic events and then re-started very easily in the event that risk to the Hydrogen plumbing system occurs. The key components of the system can be designed such that they are capable of withstanding the type of land-based catastrophes that have occurred in the past. Earthquake resistant BPSE systems can be designed in such a way that only downstream terrestrial plumbing & systems are susceptible to the impacts of earthquakes. Tethering or buoyancy can be used to keep the BPSE systems from being directly fixed to the ocean floor in order to protect the BPSE system and it's plumbing from earthquakes & shifting. The BPSE can be raised and lowered during storms to protect the plumbing structures described herein.

[0102] Additionally, the submerged nature of the BPSE makes it difficult to reach. This can be strategic in nature relative to accessibility of the BPSE and provides additional security. The BPSE submerged components are more secure to attack. The location beneath the water reduces the risk of terrorism attacks on the BPSE. Typical land-based systems are easily accessible using conventional travel methods. In addition, conventional land-based attacks can disable a land-based power plant. The submerged nature of the BPSE reduces the ability to access the power generation system. Conventional attacks against the BPSE are not usable in the submerged environments. The capacity to reach submerged BPSE systems is difficult and expensive which limits the general population from easy accessibility that they have on land. Radar, sonar, and other conventional surveillance systems can be used to safeguard the submersible components of the BPSE.

[0103] Overall the BPSE creates a means to mine Hydrogen and Oxygen from the oceans of the earth in fixed, tethered, or portable structures. This solution provides a method of using buoyant force to produce additional power in the transmission of the Hydrogen and Oxygen gases downstream without losing energy to heat or electrical resistance and without imposing a detriment to availability of amount of hydrogen produced by a PEM, or similar device other as compared to availability of amount hydrogen to the other uses if energy from the buoyant force action on the Hydrogen was not captured before the uses of the Hydrogen. Water vapor can be generated using the buoyant force generated by burning Hydrogen & Oxygen created by a BPSE. Hydrogen provides a turn-key mechanism that can be used with Hydrogen fuel cells or hydro power to create additional power on land. Hydrogen can be diluted using combustible or inert gases to reduce the burn rate in the presence of Oxygen. Nitrogen diluted Hydrogen can be used as an energy source to fuel combustion engines that burn fuels at lower rates than Hydrogen and Oxygen alone. Hydrogen and diluted Hydrogen can be used as a Gas-To-Fuel (“GTF”) energy source to synthetically make carbon-based fuels and lubricants using Sabatier+Fischer Tropsch methods. The traditional yields from the GTF methods can be improved to more efficiently produce synthetic fuels and lubricants.

[0104] Some embodiments have been described herein with a focus on a Hydrogen buoyancy engine that captures energy from a buoyancy force acting on a flow of Hydrogen in a Hydrogen plumbing system received from a Hydrogen and Oxygen separator, such as a PEM or other type of water electrolysis device, a Hydrogen converter, and capturing Hydrogen buoyancy force without reducing an amount of work or potential energy that may be contained in the flow of Hydrogen. It will be appreciated that energy from a buoyant force acting on a flow of Oxygen gas from the Hydrogen and Oxygen separator may also be captured in a similar manner, using similar components such as an Oxygen buoyancy engine, an Oxygen convertor and an Oxygen plumbing system.