Marine based buoyant carbon sequestration structure

Abstract

The present invention concerns a marine-based carbon sequestration buoyant structure. The structure comprises a frame, a peripheral platform area (1) for housing accommodation and amenities, and carbon sequestration apparatus, wherein the frame supports the peripheral platform area and carbon sequestration apparatus (2,3). The present invention further relates to a method of carbon sequestration, the method comprising providing the marine-based carbon sequestration buoyant structure in a major ocean gyre circulation

Claims

1. A marine-based carbon sequestration buoyant structures for capturing global anthropogenic carbon output, each structure comprising: a frame; a peripheral platform area which houses accommodation and amenities; and carbon sequestration apparatus, the carbon sequestration apparatus comprising light transmitting means in the form of light pipes or light trees for connecting with sub-thermocline waters, wherein the frame supports the peripheral platform area and carbon sequestration apparatus, and wherein each structure is modular, comprising a plurality of units coupled together, whereby the one or more structures capture up to 10 Gt of carbon per year.

2. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral platform area is configured to at least partially encompass the carbon sequestration apparatus.

3. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral platform area has an annular form.

4. A structure according to claim 3, wherein the structure further comprises a moon pool provided within the peripheral platform area.

5. A structure according to claim 4, wherein the moon pool has a diameter of up to approximately 40-50 km and the peripheral platform area is substantially 1-4 km wide.

6. A structure according to claim 4, wherein the carbon sequestration apparatus is mountable within the moon pool.

7. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral platform area is provided as a cross-shaped or grid-like configuration, where the carbon sequestration apparatus is provided between elements of the cross-shaped or grid-like peripheral platform area extending normally to one another.

8. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the light transmitting means are glass tendrils for connecting with sub thermocline waters.

9. A structure according to claim 8, wherein the glass tendrils extend approximately 70 to 300 metres below the water surface level.

10. A structure according to claim 9, wherein the glass tendrils extend around 10 km radially outward.

11. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the carbon sequestration apparatus further comprises water exchanging means.

12. A structure according to claim 11, wherein the water exchanging means comprises wave pump tubes.

13. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the carbon sequestration apparatus further comprises monitoring means for monitoring carbon dioxide levels/carbon capture quantities.

14. A structure according to claim 1, wherein said structure is situated in oligotrophic gyres.

15. A structure according to claim 1, wherein modules of the structure are rigidly or semi-rigidly coupled.

16. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the carbon sequestration apparatus further comprises light providing means.

17. A structure according to claim 16, wherein the light providing means comprises: a plurality of photo-voltaic panels; copper conducting cables; and light emitting diodes.

18. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the carbon sequestration apparatus further comprises control means.

19. A structure according to claim 18, wherein the control means is a shutter.

20. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the carbon sequestration apparatus further comprises a lens.

21. A method of carbon sequestration, the method comprising providing a marine-based carbon sequestration buoyant structure comprising a marine-based carbon sequestration buoyant structure, comprising: a frame; a peripheral platform area which houses accommodation and amenities; and carbon sequestration apparatus, the carbon sequestration apparatus comprising light transmitting means in the form of light pipes or light trees for connecting with sub-thermocline waters, wherein the frame supports the peripheral platform area and carbon sequestration apparatus, and wherein each structure is modular, comprising a plurality of units coupled together, whereby the one or more structures capture up to 10 Gt of carbon per year, in a major ocean gyre circulation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a representative view of an example of a marine-based carbon sequestration buoyant structure, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(3) Referring to FIG. 1, a representative view is provided of a marine-based carbon sequestration buoyant structure, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

(4) In this example, the buoyant structure is approximately 50 kilometres in diameter and takes the form of a man-made floating island or raft. The buoyant structure is self-propelled and comprises a peripheral platform area 1 supported on a frame. The peripheral platform area may typically be approximately 2 kilometres wide in a radial direction. As shown, in this example, the peripheral platform area is annular.

(5) Although not shown in FIG. 1, the structure may be sectional and/or modular. The sections may be rigidly or semi-rigidly coupled. In this regard, the structure may comprise a plurality of polygonal profiled elements coupled together. For example, regular polygonal shaped elements, such as hexagons may be used as building blocks for the structure. Each such element may be around 11 km flat side to flat side and in this case 19 of them could form a full structure

(6) In this connection, whilst alternative materials may be used to form the buoyant structure, hemperete or a similar natural fibre based building material may be preferred. In this respect, compared to grassland, hemp plant absorbs a high level of atmospheric CO.sub.2 as it grows, and consequently hemperete may lock away a net 100 kg of CO.sub.2 per metre cubed or more. As such, it represents a carbon zero or better than carbon zero construction solution.

(7) Furthermore, appropriate buoyancy for the structure can be readily attained, with the typical density of hemperete falling within 93-136 kg/m.sup.3.

(8) In order to enhance buoyancy, the hemperete may be at least partially plasticised. In this regard, areas of the hemperete may be left un-plasticised to promote continued CO.sub.2 uptake. For example, upward facing or upper areas of the structure may be un-plasticised.

(9) As shown, a giant moon-pool is formed within the peripheral platform area 1. The moon-pool has a diameter of substantially 46 kilometres with the entire structure being substantially 50 kilometres in diameter.

(10) The moon-pool is occupied by devices (2) for connecting the surface waters with sub-thermocline waters. These devices may include pipes to exchange water, and transparent bodies (3) to carry light and/or radiative heat to deep nutrient rich waters (4). Such bodies (3) may take the form of light pipes or light trees, for example having glass tendrils formed of fibre-optic elements. The light pipes or light trees may be provided with a surface lens for enhancing their function. The light pipes preferably have a glass chemistry conducive to conveying visible light, in particular a spectrum centred on the visible spectrum of 350-700 nm (nanometers).

(11) Although not shown in the drawing, the devices (2) may include light providing means. These can take the form of solar panels, such as photo-voltaic panels, coupled by way of electrical conductors, such as copper cables, to light emitting devices, such as light emitting diodes.

(12) Such light providing means may be provided additionally to or instead of the transparent bodies,

(13) The structure is held largely geo-stationary by propulsion units (5) in oligotrophic ocean gyres at tropical and sub-tropical latitudes.

(14) Whilst the peripheral platform area could be narrower or wider to suit local requirements, preferably the outer peripheral platform area 1 of the island is substantially 2 kilometres wide.

(15) The peripheral platform area 1 is provided with for example, hotels, houses, shops, and other amenities that one would find in an area populated by humans.

(16) Preferably, the outer ring may house an international scale airport (6), as well as leisure facilities, such as water sports and fishing.

(17) Preferably, the outer ring will sustainably provide for up to 1 million visitors to the structure.

(18) Preferably, 10-30 of the buoyant structures, as depicted in FIG. 1, may be present in each of the 5 major oligotrophic gyres of the world's oceans.

(19) In total it is expected that 100 of these islands would be required to both reverse the anthropogenic carbon dioxide levels if required, but more importantly to work as Climostats (CLIMate thermOSTATS), or Carbostats, to control the levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide and ocean acidification that we wish to achieve on our planet. Typically, according to the approximate relative surface areas of the 5 gyres, 10 of these Productivity Islands may be necessary in the North Atlantic, 15 may be necessary in the South Atlantic, 20 in the Indian Ocean, 25 in the North Pacific, and 30 in the South Pacific oligotrophic gyres. In total, the Productivity Islands will have a capacity to capture between 5 and 10 Gt and therefore more than enough capacity to control the volume of atmospheric carbon dioxide taken up through gas exchange to mitigate our anthropogenic climate impacts; and control the level of ocean acidification to restore coral reefs to their former glory. Furthermore, the geographical presence of these Productivity Islands is considered ideal for cleaning-up the ocean garbage patches and improving our understanding of ocean circulation. The material within the garbage patches may be incorporated into the fabric of the buoyant structures.

(20) In this way, it is calculated that less than million km2 of these oligotrophic gyres is required to control up to 10 Gt of extra carbon uptake, which is more than the 7-9 Gt annual anthropogenic excess. This area is less than 0.1% of ocean surface area and less than 0.7% of the surface of the deep ocean oligotrophic gyres.