Carbon dioxide deep-sea in-situ hydrate synthesis fixing device

Abstract

This application provides a deep-sea in-situ carbon dioxide hydrate synthesis fixation device, comprising: a reaction chamber, a control chamber, a carbon dioxide storage chamber, a catalytic solution storage chamber, a drive assembly, and a connecting valve; the reaction chamber has a reaction cavity, and the carbon dioxide storage chamber and the catalytic solution storage chamber are connected to the reaction cavity, and the drive assembly is connected to the carbon dioxide storage chamber and the catalytic solution storage chamber; the connecting valve is located on the reaction chamber, and when the connecting valve is in the open state, the connecting valve connects the reaction cavity to external seawater; the control chamber is communicatively connected to the drive assembly and the connecting valve; the carbon dioxide storage chamber is used to store carbon dioxide, the catalytic solution storage chamber is used to store the catalytic solution, and the control chamber is used to: control the connecting valve to be in the open state so that after seawater enters the reaction cavity, control the drive assembly to drive the carbon dioxide and catalytic solution into the reaction cavity. This device can safely and accurately start and complete the hydrate synthesis reaction in the deep sea.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of deep-sea equipment technology, and in particular to a device for fixing carbon dioxide in-situ hydrate synthesis in the deep sea. Background Technology

[0002] Deep-sea carbon dioxide hydrate synthesis technology is a cutting-edge carbon sequestration technology. The core of this technology is to inject industrially captured carbon dioxide into a specific low-temperature, high-pressure environment in the deep sea, causing the carbon dioxide to combine with seawater to form a solid, cage-like compound, thereby achieving long-term, stable sequestration of greenhouse gases. In the context of global efforts to address climate change and pursue carbon neutrality, this technology offers a highly promising solution for coastal areas with high carbon dioxide emissions. This technology possesses several significant advantages: First, the resulting solid hydrate is chemically extremely stable under the low-temperature, high-pressure environment of the deep sea, enabling safe sequestration over millennia; second, the sequestration sites are far from densely populated human activity areas and are protected by multiple barriers from overlying seawater and seabed geological layers, ensuring high safety; finally, its theoretical applicability is broad, as most ocean areas worldwide with depths exceeding several hundred meters possess the naturally occurring temperature and pressure conditions, providing ample space for large-scale application.

[0003] However, despite the promising prospects of this technology, it is currently still in the early stages of indoor mechanism research and technological exploration. The core technical challenge in transitioning from laboratory research to deep-sea engineering applications lies in the lack of engineered equipment and methods capable of safely, reliably, and precisely automatically triggering and controlling the carbon dioxide hydrate synthesis reaction in the high-pressure, dark, and extremely difficult and dangerous environment of the deep sea. Existing technologies struggle to achieve precise replacement of the reaction medium, controllable injection of reactants, and efficient mixing in situ at deep sea levels, hindering the safe and precise initiation and completion of the hydrate synthesis reaction. This severely impedes the technology's transition from theory to engineering verification and large-scale application. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a deep-sea in-situ carbon dioxide hydrate synthesis fixation device to solve the problem in the prior art that it is difficult to safely and accurately start and complete the hydrate synthesis reaction in the deep sea.

[0005] This application provides a deep-sea in-situ carbon dioxide hydrate synthesis and fixation device, the device including a reaction chamber, a control chamber, a carbon dioxide storage chamber, a catalytic solution storage chamber, a drive assembly, and connecting valves;

[0006] The reaction chamber is provided with a reaction cavity, the carbon dioxide storage chamber and the catalytic solution storage chamber are connected to the reaction cavity, and the drive assembly is connected to the carbon dioxide storage chamber and the catalytic solution storage chamber;

[0007] The connecting valve is located on the reaction chamber. When the connecting valve is in the open state, the connecting valve connects the reaction chamber to the outside seawater.

[0008] The control cabin is communicatively connected to the drive assembly and the communication valve;

[0009] The carbon dioxide storage chamber is used to store carbon dioxide, the catalytic solution storage chamber is used to store the catalytic solution, and the control chamber is used for:

[0010] After the connecting valve is opened to allow seawater to enter the reaction chamber, the driving assembly is controlled to drive the carbon dioxide and the catalytic solution into the reaction chamber.

[0011] Optionally, the drive component includes a water pump;

[0012] The carbon dioxide storage chamber includes a carbon dioxide storage cavity for storing the carbon dioxide and a carbon dioxide push piston movably disposed within the carbon dioxide storage cavity;

[0013] The catalytic solution storage chamber includes a catalytic solution storage cavity for storing the catalytic solution and a catalytic solution actuating piston movably disposed within the catalytic solution storage cavity;

[0014] The carbon dioxide storage chamber and the catalytic solution storage chamber are connected to the reaction chamber;

[0015] The water pump's inlet is connected to the outside seawater, and the water pump's outlet is connected to the carbon dioxide storage chamber and the catalytic solution storage chamber, respectively. The outlet is also connected to the side of the carbon dioxide-driven piston and the catalytic solution-driven piston facing away from the reaction chamber.

[0016] The carbon dioxide and the catalytic solution are respectively stored on the side of the carbon dioxide-driven piston and the catalytic solution-driven piston facing the reaction chamber;

[0017] The control cabin is communicatively connected to the water pump, and the control cabin is used to control the water pump to perform driving actions, including:

[0018] Seawater is drawn from the outside through the inlet and injected into the carbon dioxide storage chamber and the catalytic solution storage chamber through the outlet. This seawater acts on the side of the carbon dioxide-driven piston and the catalytic solution-driven piston facing away from the reaction chamber, so that the carbon dioxide-driven piston and the catalytic solution-driven piston respectively push the carbon dioxide and the catalytic solution into the reaction chamber.

[0019] Optionally, the carbon dioxide storage chamber is connected to the reaction chamber via a first one-way valve, and the catalytic solution storage chamber is connected to the reaction chamber via a second one-way valve;

[0020] The first check valve and the second check valve are configured to control the unidirectional flow of fluid into the reaction chamber.

[0021] Optionally, the device further includes a pressure sensor disposed in the reaction chamber, the pressure sensor being used to detect the pressure value of the fluid inside the reaction chamber;

[0022] The pressure sensor is communicatively connected to the control cabin, which is used to: after acquiring the pressure value from the pressure sensor, control the speed of the water pump and the opening degree of the connecting valve based on the pressure value.

[0023] Optionally, the control cabin is specifically used for:

[0024] Compare the pressure value with the first preset value;

[0025] When the pressure value is less than the first preset value, the water pump is controlled to increase its rotation speed.

[0026] When the pressure value is greater than the first preset value, the opening degree of the connecting valve is increased.

[0027] Optionally, the device further includes a matrix sensor disposed within the reaction chamber, the matrix sensor comprising: a sensor assembly and a matrix probe connected to the sensor assembly; multiple matrix probes are provided and arranged in a distributed manner within the three-dimensional space of the reaction chamber;

[0028] The dot matrix sensor is used to detect at least one environmental parameter at different locations within the reaction chamber via the dot matrix probe. The environmental parameter includes ambient temperature and ambient pH.

[0029] The control cabin is communicatively connected to the matrix sensor, and the control cabin is used to acquire and record the environmental parameters from the matrix sensor.

[0030] Optionally, the device further includes a thermoelectric cooler disposed on the outer wall of the reaction chamber; the control chamber is communicatively connected to the thermoelectric cooler.

[0031] The control chamber is used to: after acquiring the ambient temperature value from the dot matrix sensor, control the cooling capacity of the semiconductor refrigeration chip to adjust the temperature inside the reaction chamber.

[0032] Optionally, the control cabin is specifically used for:

[0033] Compare the ambient temperature value with the second preset value;

[0034] When the ambient temperature is greater than the second preset value, the semiconductor cooling chip is controlled to enhance its cooling capacity in order to reduce the temperature inside the reaction chamber.

[0035] When the ambient temperature is less than the second preset value, the semiconductor refrigeration chip is controlled to reduce its cooling capacity in order to increase the temperature inside the reaction chamber.

[0036] Optionally, the device further includes a camera module disposed in the reaction chamber, the camera module being used to acquire image information of the interior of the reaction chamber;

[0037] The control cabin is communicatively connected to the camera module, and the control cabin is used to acquire and record the image information from the camera module.

[0038] Optionally, the outer wall of the reaction chamber is provided with an insulation layer covering the reaction chamber.

[0039] The carbon dioxide deep-sea in-situ hydrate synthesis and fixation device provided in this application has the following technical advantages:

[0040] The device's control compartment opens the control valve, allowing deep-sea seawater to automatically enter the reaction chamber under environmental pressure. This design directly utilizes deep-sea seawater as the reaction medium and pressure source, which not only obtains the raw materials for synthesis but also directly establishes the high-pressure environment necessary for the synthesis of hydrates in the reaction chamber, thus safely and efficiently completing the environmental preparation before the reaction.

[0041] Subsequently, the control cabin's control drive assembly is activated, pushing the reactants pre-stored in the carbon dioxide storage chamber and the catalyst solution storage chamber into the seawater-filled reaction chamber to carry out the hydrate synthesis reaction. This process is completed automatically within the device, without the need for human intervention in the deep sea. Attached Figure Description

[0042] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application.

[0043] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the carbon dioxide deep-sea in-situ hydrate synthesis and fixation device provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 1 ;

[0044] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the connection between the reaction chambers provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the carbon dioxide deep-sea in-situ hydrate synthesis and fixation device provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 2 ;

[0046] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the deep-sea in-situ carbon dioxide hydrate synthesis fixation device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0047] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a dot matrix sensor structure provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0048] Figure label:

[0049] 100-Reaction Chamber;

[0050] 110 - Reaction Chamber;

[0051] 200 - Control Cabin;

[0052] 300-carbon dioxide storage compartment;

[0053] 310 - First check valve;

[0054] 320-Carbon Dioxide Storage Chamber;

[0055] 330-carbon dioxide drives the piston;

[0056] 340 - First hatch cover;

[0057] 400-Catalyst solution storage chamber;

[0058] 410 - Second check valve;

[0059] 420 - Catalytic solution storage chamber;

[0060] 430 - Catalytic solution drives the piston;

[0061] 440 - Second hatch cover;

[0062] 500-Driver Components;

[0063] 600 - Connecting valve;

[0064] 700-Pressure sensor;

[0065] 800-dot matrix sensor;

[0066] 810 - Sensor Assembly;

[0067] 820-dot matrix probe;

[0068] 900 - Semiconductor cooling chip;

[0069] 1000 - Camera Module;

[0070] 1100 - Insulation layer.

[0071] The accompanying drawings illustrate specific embodiments of this application, which will be described in more detail below. These drawings and descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the concept in any way, but rather to illustrate the concept of this application to those skilled in the art through reference to particular embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0072] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments matching this application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods matching some aspects of this application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0073] To address the problem of the difficulty in safely and accurately initiating and completing the synthesis reaction of carbon dioxide hydrate in the deep sea in existing technologies, the technical concept of this application is as follows: A device for the synthesis reaction of carbon dioxide hydrate in the deep sea is designed, including a reaction chamber, a control chamber, a carbon dioxide storage chamber, a catalytic solution storage chamber, a drive assembly, and connecting valves. After the device is placed in the deep sea, the control chamber controls the opening of the connecting valves, allowing seawater to enter the reaction chamber. The control chamber then controls the drive assembly to drive the carbon dioxide and catalytic solution from the two storage chambers into the reaction chamber, thereby carrying out the synthesis reaction of carbon dioxide hydrate within the reaction chamber.

[0074] The technical solution of this application and how the technical solution of this application solves the above-mentioned technical problems are described in detail below with specific embodiments. These specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be described again in some embodiments. The embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0075] Example 1

[0076] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the carbon dioxide deep-sea in-situ hydrate synthesis and fixation device provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 1 ,like Figure 1 As shown, the device includes a reaction chamber (100), a control chamber (200), a carbon dioxide storage chamber (300), a catalyst solution storage chamber (400), a drive assembly (500), and a connecting valve (600). The carbon dioxide storage chamber (300) is used to store carbon dioxide, and the catalyst solution storage chamber (400) is used to store the catalyst solution.

[0077] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the reaction chamber connection provided in an embodiment of this application, as shown below. Figure 2As shown, the reaction chamber (100) is provided with a reaction chamber (110). The chambers inside the carbon dioxide storage chamber (300) and the catalytic solution storage chamber (400) for storing substances (e.g., they can be formed by the inner walls of the chambers) are connected to the reaction chamber (110). A connecting valve (600) is provided on the reaction chamber (100). When the connecting valve (600) is in the open state, the connecting valve (600) connects the reaction chamber (110) to the outside seawater.

[0078] The drive assembly (500) is connected to the carbon dioxide storage chamber (300) and the catalyst solution storage chamber (400); the control chamber (200) is communicatively connected to the drive assembly (500) and the connecting valve (600);

[0079] The control cabin (200) is used for:

[0080] After the control valve (600) is in the open state to allow seawater to enter the reaction chamber (110), the control drive assembly (500) drives carbon dioxide and catalytic solution into the reaction chamber (110).

[0081] First, the structure and connection relationships of the device will be explained.

[0082] Reaction Chamber (100): The reaction chamber (100) is a container for performing the carbon dioxide hydrate synthesis reaction. It has a sealed reaction chamber (110) inside. The reaction chamber (110) has at least two inlets on its wall, which are used to connect the carbon dioxide storage chamber (300) and the catalyst solution storage chamber (400), respectively. In addition, the reaction chamber (100) is also equipped with a connecting valve (600). One end of the valve is connected to the reaction chamber (110), and the other end is connected to the outside of the device for exchanging with the outside deep seawater.

[0083] Storage Unit: This unit includes a carbon dioxide storage chamber (300) and a catalyst solution storage chamber (400). The carbon dioxide storage chamber (300) is used to store liquid or high-pressure gaseous carbon dioxide; the catalyst solution storage chamber (400) is used to store a catalyst solution that can promote the formation of carbon dioxide hydrate, such as an amino acid solution or a surfactant solution. The carbon dioxide storage chamber (300) and the catalyst solution storage chamber (400) are connected to the reaction chamber (110) of the reaction chamber (100) via pipelines.

[0084] Drive assembly (500): The drive assembly (500) is connected to the carbon dioxide storage chamber (300) and the catalyst solution storage chamber (400). The drive assembly (500) provides power to push the substances (carbon dioxide and catalyst solution) stored in the carbon dioxide storage chamber (300) and the catalyst solution storage chamber (400) into the reaction chamber (110) separately or simultaneously. In one possible implementation, the drive assembly (500) may include a power source (such as a waterproof servo motor or stepper motor), a motion conversion mechanism (such as a ball screw or rack and pinion), and a piston rod. In the carbon dioxide storage chamber (300) and the catalyst solution storage chamber (400), each is provided with a piston that is sealed to the inner wall of the chamber. The front end of the piston rod of the drive assembly (500) is connected to the piston that is sealed to the inner wall of the chamber. When the control chamber (200) issues a command, the power source starts and converts the rotational motion of the motor into the linear motion of the piston rod through the motion conversion mechanism, thereby pushing the pistons in the two storage chambers forward (towards the reaction chamber (110)). The pistons squeeze the stored material (carbon dioxide or catalytic solution) at their front end, forcing the stored material to enter the reaction chamber (110) through the outlet pipe and the corresponding valve.

[0085] Control compartment (200): The control compartment (200) integrates a controller, power supply and communication module. The control compartment (200) can communicate with the drive assembly (500) and the connecting valve (600) via wired or wireless signals, thereby sending commands to the drive assembly (500) and the connecting valve (600) to control the opening, closing and operation of the drive assembly (500) and the connecting valve (600).

[0086] Furthermore, to adapt to the deep-sea environment, the device can have the following design:

[0087] Chamber structure: The shells of the reaction chamber (100), carbon dioxide storage chamber (300), catalytic solution storage chamber (400) and control chamber (200) are designed to withstand pressure. The shells are designed to be cylindrical or spherical to evenly distribute the huge external hydrostatic pressure. The materials can be high-strength titanium alloy, high-grade stainless steel or composite materials.

[0088] Static sealing: All hull flange connections use metal sealing rings (such as O-rings, C-rings) or high-performance polymer sealing rings, and are designed with sealing grooves, so as to form a reliable static seal under bolt tightening, preventing seawater from seeping in.

[0089] Dynamic seals: Moving parts in the drive assembly (500) that come into contact with seawater can be sealed with tandem mechanical seals or pressure-compensated stuffing boxes. For example, multiple seals can be designed for the piston rod, and clean grease at a pressure higher than ambient can be injected between two seals to form a barrier that effectively prevents seawater from entering the drive mechanism.

[0090] Connecting valve (600): This can be an electrically driven high-pressure ball valve or a pilot-operated solenoid valve. The valve body and core must be made of seawater-resistant materials (such as Hastelloy), and a pressure balance channel must be configured to ensure reliable opening and closing with a small driving torque under deep-sea high pressure. When the valve is fully open, the flow area must be large enough to quickly replace seawater and avoid pressure differential impacting the hull structure.

[0091] Pressure compensation: The control compartment (200) can be designed as a pressure-resistant sealed compartment, bearing all external pressure itself. Alternatively, to reduce costs, a hydraulically compensated control compartment (200) can be used, that is, the control compartment (200) is filled with insulating oil and connected to the outside seawater through a pressure compensator (such as a rubber diaphragm bladder), so that the internal and external pressures are basically balanced, and the compartment only needs to bear a small pressure difference, thereby greatly reducing the requirements for the strength of the compartment.

[0092] Drive assembly (500): The drive assembly (500) can be hydraulically driven or electric-piston direct-drive, wherein:

[0093] Hydraulic drive: Specifically, a small hydraulic pump station is integrated inside the device, which uses hydraulic oil to drive the cylinder, thereby driving the piston in the storage compartment. This design has the advantages of large output, stable control, and good pressure resistance of hydraulic components.

[0094] Electric-piston direct-drive: This type uses a waterproof deep-sea motor (self-pressure compensated or oil-filled) to directly drive a ball screw or rack and pinion through a reduction mechanism, converting rotary motion into linear piston motion. The motor and transmission mechanism must be encapsulated in a pressure-resistant or pressure-compensated housing.

[0095] Reactant transfer piping: The piping connecting the storage tank and the reaction chamber (110) should be short and straight, with fewer bends to reduce flow resistance. The material of the reactant transfer piping should be the same as that of the tank body, and high-pressure compression fittings or welding should be used at the joints to ensure a seal. Damping orifices or small static mixers can be installed on the piping near the reaction chamber (100) to promote the initial mixing of carbon dioxide, catalytic solution and seawater when they enter the reaction chamber (110).

[0096] Redundancy design: A mechanical safety relief valve can be installed on the reaction chamber (100) as a second protection. When the connecting valve (600) fails and the pressure in the reaction chamber (110) rises abnormally, the safety relief valve can automatically relieve pressure to prevent the chamber from bursting.

[0097] The working process of this device is described below.

[0098] Step 1: Deploy and initialize the device.

[0099] Specifically, a certain amount of deionized water is first injected into the reaction chamber (110) as the initial medium. Then, carbon dioxide and catalytic solution are injected into the carbon dioxide storage chamber (300) and the catalytic solution storage chamber (400), respectively. The connecting valve (600) is in the closed state.

[0100] Next, the device is lowered to the designated deep-sea seabed location using a surface support vessel. Typically, the device can be precisely grasped and placed at the target seabed location using the robotic arm of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to ensure that the device sits stably on the seabed.

[0101] Step 2: Displace the reaction medium and establish pressure equilibrium:

[0102] Specifically, after the device is in place, the control center of the surface support vessel sends a command to open the connecting valve (600) in the control compartment (200) of the device. Once the connecting valve (600) is opened, due to the immense environmental pressure of the deep sea, external seawater rapidly rushes into the reaction chamber (110) within the reaction chamber (100), forcing out the pre-stored deionized water in the reaction chamber (110) through the valve, thus completing the in-situ replacement of the reaction medium. Afterward, the connecting valve (600) remains open, ensuring that the pressure inside the reaction chamber (110) is balanced with the deep-sea environmental pressure in real time, creating the necessary high-pressure conditions for hydrate synthesis.

[0103] Step 3: Inject reactants to initiate the hydrate synthesis reaction:

[0104] After confirming that the pressure in the reaction chamber (110) is stable, the control chamber (200) sends a working command to the drive assembly (500). At this time, the drive assembly (500) starts to operate and applies driving force to the carbon dioxide storage chamber (300) and the catalyst solution storage chamber (400) simultaneously or in a predetermined sequence. For the carbon dioxide storage chamber (300), the pressure applied by the drive assembly (500) forces the stored carbon dioxide into the seawater-filled reaction chamber (110) through the connecting pipeline; for the catalyst solution storage chamber (400), the pressure applied by the drive assembly (500) forces the stored catalyst solution into the reaction chamber (110) through another pipeline.

[0105] After carbon dioxide and the catalytic solution enter the reaction chamber (110), they are fully mixed and come into contact with seawater inside the chamber. Under the combined effect of the inherent low temperature environment of the deep sea and the high pressure environment maintained by the connecting valve (600) in the reaction chamber (110), carbon dioxide gas begins to undergo a hydration reaction with seawater under the promotion of the catalytic solution, generating solid carbon dioxide hydrate.

[0106] Step 4: Reaction Termination and Product Seal-up:

[0107] When the reaction reaches the predetermined time or is determined to be basically completed by the preset conditions, if the rate of pressure change in the reaction chamber (110) reaches a set value, the control chamber (200) controls the drive assembly (500) to stop working and cut off the continued supply of reactants. Subsequently, the control chamber (200) sends a closing command to the connecting valve (600). The connecting valve (600) closes, completely sealing the reaction chamber (110) containing the synthesized carbon dioxide hydrate, making it an independent high-pressure container. Since the pressure inside the chamber is consistent with the deep-sea pressure at the moment the valve is closed, and the low-temperature environment of the deep sea is maintained, the carbon dioxide hydrate inside the chamber can be sealed in place for a long time under stable high-pressure and low-temperature conditions.

[0108] Figure 1 The device shown has the following technical effects:

[0109] The control chamber (200) of the device controls the opening of the connecting valve (600), allowing deep-sea seawater to automatically enter the reaction chamber (110) under environmental pressure. This design directly utilizes deep-sea seawater as the reaction medium and pressure source, which not only obtains the synthetic raw materials, but also directly establishes the high-pressure environment necessary for the synthesis of hydrates in the reaction chamber (110), thereby safely and efficiently completing the environmental preparation before the reaction.

[0110] Subsequently, the control chamber (200) controls the drive assembly (500) to start, pushing the reactants pre-stored in the carbon dioxide storage chamber (300) and the catalyst solution storage chamber (400) into the reaction chamber (110) filled with seawater to carry out the hydrate synthesis reaction. This process is completed automatically within the device without human intervention in the deep sea.

[0111] Example 2

[0112] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the carbon dioxide deep-sea in-situ hydrate synthesis and fixation device provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 2 ,like Figure 3 As shown, the device includes: a reaction chamber (100), a control chamber (200), a carbon dioxide storage chamber (300), a catalytic solution storage chamber (400), a drive assembly (500), and a connecting valve (600).

[0113] The carbon dioxide storage chamber (300) is equipped with a first check valve (310), and the catalytic solution storage chamber (400) is equipped with a second check valve (410).

[0114] The reaction chamber (100) is also equipped with a pressure sensor (00), a dot matrix sensor (800), a semiconductor cooling chip (900), and a camera module (1000).

[0115] The relevant descriptions of the reaction chamber (100), control chamber (200), and connecting valve (600) can be found in Example 1, and will not be repeated here. Next, the carbon dioxide storage chamber (300) and the catalyst solution storage chamber (400) will be described first.

[0116] exist Figure 3 On this basis, Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the carbon dioxide deep-sea in-situ hydrate synthesis and fixation device provided in the embodiments of this application, as shown below. Figure 4 As shown, the carbon dioxide storage chamber (300) includes a carbon dioxide storage cavity (320) for storing carbon dioxide gas, a carbon dioxide push piston (330) movably disposed in the carbon dioxide storage cavity (320), and a first cover (340) for sealing the carbon dioxide storage cavity (320).

[0117] The catalyst solution storage chamber (400) includes a catalyst solution storage cavity (420) for storing a catalyst solution, a catalyst solution actuating piston (430) movably disposed in the catalyst solution storage cavity (420), and a second cover (440) for sealing the catalyst solution storage cavity (420).

[0118] The carbon dioxide storage chamber (320) is connected to the reaction chamber (110) through the first check valve (310), and the catalytic solution storage chamber (420) is connected to the reaction chamber (110) through the second check valve (410); the first check valve (310) and the second check valve (410) are configured to control the unidirectional flow of fluid into the reaction chamber (110).

[0119] The drive assembly (500) includes a water pump, the water pump inlet is connected to the outside seawater, the water pump outlet is connected to the carbon dioxide storage chamber (320) and the catalyst solution storage chamber (420) respectively, and the outlet is connected to the side of the carbon dioxide driving piston (330) and the catalyst solution driving piston (430) opposite to the reaction chamber (110) respectively.

[0120] Carbon dioxide gas and catalytic solution are stored on the side of the carbon dioxide-driven piston (330) and the catalytic solution-driven piston (430) facing the reaction chamber (110), respectively.

[0121] The control compartment (200) is communicatively connected to the water pump and is used to control the water pump to perform drive actions, including:

[0122] Seawater is drawn from the outside through the inlet and injected into the carbon dioxide storage chamber (320) and the catalyst solution storage chamber (420) through the outlet. The seawater acts on the side of the carbon dioxide driving piston (330) and the catalyst solution driving piston (430) facing away from the reaction chamber (110), so that the carbon dioxide driving piston (330) and the catalyst solution driving piston (430) respectively drive the carbon dioxide gas and the catalyst solution into the reaction chamber (110).

[0123] Specifically, the drive assembly (500) includes a water pump whose inlet is connected to the external seawater environment outside the device via a pipe. The water pump also has at least two outlets (or a splitter connected to one outlet), which are respectively connected via pipes to the interior of the carbon dioxide storage chamber (300) and the interior of the catalytic solution storage chamber (400). The water pump may be a micro-flow pump driven by an electric motor.

[0124] The carbon dioxide storage chamber (300) includes a carbon dioxide storage cavity (320) for storing carbon dioxide. Inside the carbon dioxide storage cavity (320), there is a carbon dioxide actuating piston (330) movable along the inner wall of the cavity, which divides the carbon dioxide storage cavity (320) into two non-communicating chambers. One end of the carbon dioxide storage cavity (320) is sealed by a first cover (340). The chamber facing the reaction chamber (110) (i.e., the front end of the piston) stores carbon dioxide; while the chamber facing away from the reaction chamber (110) (i.e., the rear end of the piston) is connected to an outlet of a water pump via a pipe.

[0125] The structure of the catalytic solution storage chamber (400) is the same as that of the carbon dioxide storage chamber (300), including a catalytic solution storage cavity (420) for storing the catalytic solution and a catalytic solution actuating piston (430) movable along the inner wall of the cavity, which divides the catalytic solution storage cavity (420) into two non-communicating chambers. One end of the catalytic solution storage cavity (420) is sealed by a second cover (440). Similarly, the chamber facing the reaction chamber (110) (i.e., the front end of the piston) of the catalytic solution actuating piston (430) stores the catalytic solution, while the chamber facing away from the reaction chamber (110) (i.e., the rear end of the piston) of the carbon dioxide actuating piston (330) is connected to another outlet of the water pump.

[0126] The carbon dioxide storage chamber (320) (specifically, the chamber at the front end of the piston) is connected to the reaction chamber (110) of the reaction chamber (100) via a pipeline and a first one-way valve (310); the catalytic solution storage chamber (420) (specifically, the chamber at the front end of the piston) is connected to the reaction chamber (110) of the reaction chamber (100) via another pipeline and a second one-way valve (410). The installation direction of the first one-way valve (310) and the second one-way valve (410) is configured to allow fluids (carbon dioxide and catalytic solution) to flow unidirectionally from the storage chamber into the reaction chamber (110), strictly preventing seawater or mixtures in the reaction chamber (110) from flowing back into the storage chamber, thus avoiding contamination and pressure imbalance.

[0127] Before the device is lowered, the carbon dioxide storage chamber (320) (piston front end) and the catalytic solution storage chamber (420) (piston front end) are filled with reactants respectively, and the reaction chamber (110) can be pre-filled with some medium such as deionized water. After the device is lowered by a surface vessel or carried to the predetermined seabed position by an ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle), the control cabin (200) issues a command to open the connecting valve (600), and the high-pressure deep-sea seawater rushes into the reaction chamber (110), displacing the original medium, so that the pressure inside the reaction chamber (110) is instantly balanced with the pressure of the deep-sea environment, creating the necessary high-pressure conditions for hydrate synthesis. Afterward, the connecting valve (600) remains open to maintain this pressure.

[0128] Subsequently, the control chamber (200) starts the water pump, which draws in seawater through its inlet and then pumps it into the piston rear chambers of the carbon dioxide storage chamber (300) and the catalytic solution storage chamber (400) through its outlet. The injected seawater acts on the back of the carbon dioxide-driven piston (330), pushing it towards the reaction chamber (110) and thus squeezing the carbon dioxide at its front end. At the same time, the seawater also acts on the back of the catalytic solution-driven piston (430), pushing it towards the reaction chamber (110) and squeezing the catalytic solution at its front end. Under the push of the piston, the carbon dioxide overcomes the opening pressure of the first one-way valve (310) and enters the reaction chamber (110); the catalytic solution overcomes the opening pressure of the second one-way valve (410) and enters the reaction chamber (110).

[0129] Carbon dioxide and catalytic solution meet and mix in a reaction chamber (110) filled with in-situ seawater. Under the conditions of low temperature (maintained by the environment) and high pressure (maintained by an open connecting valve (600)) in the deep sea, the catalytic solution promotes the combination of carbon dioxide gas and seawater, gradually forming solid carbon dioxide hydrate crystals.

[0130] It should be noted that the device uses a water pump to introduce high-pressure deep-sea seawater as the driving medium to drive the reactants into the reaction chamber (110). The structure is reliable and avoids the use of complex high-pressure pumps or compressors, making it particularly suitable for use in deep-sea high-pressure environments. It has high environmental adaptability and reliability.

[0131] Furthermore, to adapt to the deep-sea environment, the carbon dioxide-driven piston (330) and the catalyst solution-driven piston (430) are sealed with high-performance dynamic sealing components such as Step seals and Glyd rings between their respective storage chambers (carbon dioxide storage chamber (320) and catalyst solution storage chamber (420)) to ensure that when reciprocating under high pressure, seawater at the rear end of the piston leaks to the front end and contaminates the reactants, while preventing carbon dioxide or catalyst solution at the front end of the piston from leaking to the rear end.

[0132] Both the first check valve (310) and the second check valve (410) are made of all-metal seal or reinforced polymer seal to ensure reliable sealing under high pressure and low temperature.

[0133] The water pump and motor feature a waterproof seal to prevent high-pressure seawater intrusion and are made of corrosion-resistant materials.

[0134] Figure 3 The device also includes a pressure sensor (00) located in the reaction chamber (100), which is used to detect the pressure value of the fluid inside the reaction chamber (110);

[0135] The pressure sensor (00) is connected to the control cabin (200) for communication. The control cabin (200) is used to: after the pressure sensor (00) obtains the pressure value, control the speed of the water pump and the opening degree of the connecting valve (600) according to the pressure value.

[0136] Specifically, the pressure sensor (00) is installed on the wall of the reaction chamber (100). The detection end of the pressure sensor (00) is in direct contact with the fluid inside the reaction chamber (110) (i.e., the mixture of seawater, reactants and the hydrates formed thereafter). Its function is to detect the pressure value of the fluid inside the reaction chamber (110) in real time and accurately.

[0137] The pressure sensor (00) establishes a communication connection with the control cabin (200) and transmits the collected pressure electrical signals to the control cabin (200) in real time. At the same time, the control cabin (200) maintains communication connections with the water pump and the connecting valve (600) and has the ability to send control commands to them.

[0138] Furthermore, the control cabin (200) is specifically used for:

[0139] Compare the pressure value with the first preset value;

[0140] When the pressure value is less than the first preset value, control the water pump to increase its speed;

[0141] When the pressure value is greater than the first preset value, the control valve (600) is opened more.

[0142] Specifically, before the device is started, a target pressure value (i.e., the first preset value) required for hydrate synthesis needs to be set in the control cabin (200). After the device is deployed to the seabed and the connecting valve (600) is opened, the pressure inside the reaction chamber (110) quickly balances with the deep-sea environment pressure. At this time, the initial value detected by the pressure sensor (00) is the environmental pressure.

[0143] When the control cabin (200) controls the water pump to start, seawater is pumped into the carbon dioxide storage chamber (300) and the catalyst solution storage chamber (400) to push the reactants (carbon dioxide and catalyst solution) into the reaction chamber (110). The injection of reactants will slightly disturb the fluid volume and pressure in the reaction chamber (110). The pressure sensor (00) continuously monitors the pressure change and sends the real-time pressure value to the control cabin (200).

[0144] Simultaneously, the control cabin (200) compares the received real-time pressure value with the preset target pressure value. Based on the comparison result, the control cabin (200) generates control commands:

[0145] Adjusting the pump speed: If the real-time pressure value is lower than the target pressure value (due to the gas consumed in the reaction or the pressure tending to decrease due to temperature fluctuations), the control chamber (200) can instruct the pump to increase its speed. The increase in pump speed leads to an increase in the amount of external seawater pumped into the piston rear end of the carbon dioxide storage chamber (300) and the catalyst solution storage chamber (400) per unit time, thereby pushing the piston faster and accelerating the injection rate of carbon dioxide gas and catalyst solution into the reaction chamber (110), thereby increasing the pressure in the reaction chamber (110).

[0146] Adjusting the opening of the connecting valve (600): When the real-time pressure value is significantly higher than the target pressure value, the control chamber (200) can appropriately increase the opening of the connecting valve (600) so that the excessive pressure in the reaction chamber (110) can be relieved and balanced with the huge external water body (deep sea) more quickly through the valve, thereby rapidly reducing the pressure to the target pressure value.

[0147] When it is necessary to maintain a precise pressure slightly higher than the ambient hydrostatic pressure, the control chamber (200) can adjust the connecting valve (600) to a small opening to keep it in a micro-fluid balance state, and in conjunction with the injection control of the water pump, achieve dynamic stability of the pressure in the reaction chamber (110).

[0148] The above scheme uses a pressure sensor (00) to detect the pressure in the reaction chamber (110) and uses a control chamber (200) to adjust the pump speed and the opening of the connecting valve (600) according to the detected pressure value. This can dynamically stabilize the pressure in the reaction chamber (110) within the optimal pressure range required for hydrate synthesis, thereby significantly improving the efficiency and reliability of the synthesis reaction.

[0149] like Figure 3 As shown, the device also includes a dot matrix sensor (800) disposed in the reaction chamber (110).

[0150] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the dot matrix sensor structure provided in the embodiments of this application, as shown below. Figure 5 As shown, the dot matrix sensor (800) includes: a sensor assembly (810) and a dot matrix probe (820) connected to the sensor assembly (810); multiple dot matrix probes (820) are provided and are distributed in the three-dimensional space of the reaction chamber (110);

[0151] The dot matrix sensor (800) is used to detect at least one environmental parameter at different locations within the reaction chamber (110) via a dot matrix probe (820). The environmental parameters include ambient temperature and ambient pH.

[0152] The control cabin (200) is in communication with the matrix sensor (800), and the control cabin (200) is used to acquire and record environmental parameters from the matrix sensor (800).

[0153] Specifically, the sensor assembly (810) is made of high-strength, pressure-resistant, and corrosion-resistant materials (such as titanium alloy and stainless steel) and is fixedly installed on the prefabricated interface of the reaction chamber (100) wall using a sealing flange or threaded connection. The sensor assembly (810) integrates signal conditioning circuitry, a multi-channel data acquisition module, and a waterproof pressure balancing mechanism, thereby providing mechanical support, electrical connection, and ensuring reliable sealing under the high pressure environment of the deep sea for the dot matrix probe (820).

[0154] Multiple (e.g., four, eight or more) of the dot matrix probes (820) are provided. One end of the dot matrix probes (820) is electrically connected to the internal circuitry of the sensor assembly (810), and the other end extends into the reaction chamber (110). These probes have an elongated rod-like or needle-like structure, and their bodies are encapsulated and protected by a chemically inert and insulating material (such as polyetheretherketone PEEK, specific ceramics), exposing only the micro-sensing element at the end.

[0155] Multiple lattice probes (820) are distributed in the three-dimensional space of the reaction chamber (110). In this way, the probes are not concentrated at a single point, but are arranged in a regular spatial manner along the length, width, and height of the reaction chamber (110) according to the monitoring requirements. For example, they can be arranged as a linear array distributed along the vertical axis, a planar array distributed in a grid pattern on the horizontal cross section, or a three-dimensional array that can cover the main reaction area.

[0156] The function of the dot matrix sensor (800) system is to synchronously or sequentially detect at least one environmental parameter at different locations within the reaction chamber (110) using dot matrix probes (820) distributed throughout the reaction chamber (110). These environmental parameters include, but are not limited to:

[0157] Ambient temperature value: This is achieved by integrating a miniature thermocouple or thermistor (RTD) at the probe tip, used to accurately measure the seawater temperature at a specific location within the reaction chamber (110). The hydrate synthesis reaction is extremely sensitive to temperature, and multi-point temperature monitoring can reveal the exothermic / endothermic regions of the reaction, temperature gradients, and heat transfer efficiency.

[0158] Ambient pH value: Achieved by integrating a miniature composite pH electrode at the probe tip, used to measure the acidity and alkalinity changes of the reaction solution at different stages and locations of the reaction. pH value is a key indicator reflecting the activity of the catalytic solution, the progress of side reactions, and the chemical environment of the solution.

[0159] The dot matrix probe (820) transmits the detected analog signals (such as micro-voltage and resistance changes) to the sensor assembly (810) via embedded wires. The circuitry within the sensor assembly (810) amplifies, filters, and performs analog-to-digital conversion on the signals. Subsequently, these digitized environmental parameter data are transmitted to the device's control compartment (200) via waterproof cables or buses (such as RS-485 or CAN bus).

[0160] The data acquisition card or communication interface inside the control chamber (200) polls or synchronously receives environmental parameter data from various dot matrix probes (820) according to a preset sampling frequency (e.g., once per second or once per minute). The processor in the control chamber (200) parses, calibrates (according to the sensor calibration curve), and converts the units of the acquired raw data. Subsequently, the temperature values ​​and pH values ​​from different spatial locations are packaged together with the timestamp and probe number (corresponding to the spatial location) and recorded in real time in a non-volatile memory (such as a solid-state drive) inside the control chamber (200), forming three-dimensional environmental field data that changes over time.

[0161] The recorded data is used for the following purposes:

[0162] Operators or researchers can visually observe the dynamic three-dimensional evolution of the temperature field and pH field in the reaction chamber (110) during the nucleation and growth of hydrates through the returned data, and analyze the reaction front, mixing efficiency, etc., to provide a direct basis for optimizing reaction conditions.

[0163] like Figure 3 As shown, the device also includes a semiconductor cooling chip (900) disposed on the outer wall of the reaction chamber (100); the control chamber (200) is communicatively connected to the semiconductor cooling chip (900);

[0164] The control chamber (200) is used to: after the ambient temperature value is obtained from the matrix sensor (800), control the cooling capacity of the semiconductor refrigeration chip (900) to regulate the temperature inside the reaction chamber (110).

[0165] The control cabin (200) is specifically used for:

[0166] Compare the ambient temperature value with the second preset value;

[0167] When the ambient temperature is greater than the second preset value, the semiconductor cooling chip (900) is controlled to enhance its cooling capacity to reduce the temperature inside the reaction chamber (110);

[0168] When the ambient temperature is less than the second preset value, the semiconductor cooling chip (900) is controlled to reduce its cooling capacity in order to increase the temperature inside the reaction chamber (110).

[0169] Specifically, at least one thermoelectric cooler (900) is fixedly installed on the outer wall surface of the reaction chamber (100). The installation method can be as follows: the cooling surface (cold end) of the thermoelectric cooler (900) maintains close thermal contact with the metal wall of the reaction chamber (100) through a high thermal conductivity insulating material (such as a ceramic sheet or a thermally conductive silicone pad) to ensure efficient heat conduction; its heating surface (hot end) is equipped with a heat sink (such as a finned heat sink), which is exposed to the surrounding seawater, utilizing the flow and high heat capacity of the seawater to remove heat. The thermoelectric cooler (900) operates based on the Peltier effect; by changing the polarity and magnitude of the input current, the heat absorption power of its cooling surface can be precisely controlled.

[0170] The control chamber (200) is electrically connected to the drive circuit of the semiconductor cooling chip (900) via a waterproof cable to enable power supply and control of the cooling chip. At the same time, the control chamber (200) maintains a continuous communication connection with the dot matrix sensor (800) to acquire the ambient temperature values ​​of multiple locations in the reaction chamber (110) detected by the dot matrix probe (820) in real time.

[0171] The control logic of the control cabin (200) is as follows:

[0172] During device operation, the control chamber (200) continuously acquires ambient temperature values ​​at various points within the reaction chamber (110) from a matrix sensor (800) at a set sampling frequency. The processor of the control chamber (200) can process the temperature data of these discrete points, such as calculating the average value, finding the highest value (hot spot) or the lowest value, as the current temperature value representing the overall or key area temperature state of the reaction chamber (110).

[0173] In the control chamber (200), there is a second preset value as the control target. This second preset value is usually set based on the phase equilibrium temperature of carbon dioxide hydrate under the deep-sea pressure, taking into account a certain safety margin, to determine the ideal reaction temperature. The control chamber (200) compares the acquired current ambient temperature value with the second preset value in real time.

[0174] When the ambient temperature exceeds the second preset value: the control chamber (200) determines that the temperature of the reaction chamber (110) is too high, posing a risk of decomposition of existing hydrates or inhibition of new hydrate formation. Therefore, the control chamber (200) outputs a control signal to the thermoelectric cooler (900) to enhance its cooling capacity, specifically by increasing the input current (or voltage) to the thermoelectric cooler (900). The enhanced cooling capacity causes the cooling surface to absorb more heat from the walls of the reaction chamber (100), reducing the temperature of the walls and the internal reaction system through heat conduction, thereby lowering the temperature inside the reaction chamber (110) and bringing it closer to the second preset value.

[0175] When the ambient temperature is lower than the second preset value: the control chamber (200) determines that the temperature of the reaction chamber (110) is too low. Although this is beneficial to the stability of hydrates, it may cause energy waste or other problems, such as the risk of pipe icing or a slow reaction rate. At this time, the control chamber (200) outputs a control signal to the semiconductor cooling chip (900) to reduce its cooling capacity, which can be achieved by reducing the input current. After the cooling capacity is reduced, the temperature in the reaction chamber (110) will slowly rise due to chemical reactions (such as weak exothermic reactions) or small amounts of heat exchange with the surrounding environment (although there is insulation, there is still weak heat exchange), thereby increasing the temperature in the reaction chamber (110) and bringing it back to the second preset value.

[0176] Through the above scheme, the device can dynamically offset temperature fluctuations caused by exothermic reactions and environmental thermal disturbances, stabilizing the temperature in the reaction chamber (110) within a very small fluctuation range around the second preset value. This precise temperature maintenance can ensure the efficient generation of carbon dioxide hydrate during the synthesis stage and its long-term stability during the storage stage.

[0177] like Figure 3As shown, the device also includes a camera module (1000) located in the reaction chamber (100), which is used to acquire image information inside the reaction chamber (110);

[0178] The control cabin (200) is communicatively connected to the camera module (1000), and the control cabin (200) is used to acquire and record image information from the camera module (1000).

[0179] Specifically, the camera module (1000) is a sealed housing integrating optical, lighting, and electronic components. Its main internal components include:

[0180] Camera: Typically, a high-pressure resistant, small-volume fixed-focus or zoom underwater high-definition camera is used. Its image sensor (such as CMOS) is sealed in a pressure-resistant chamber inside the module and faces the reaction chamber (110) through an observation window.

[0181] The observation window is made of a high-strength, high-transmittance and corrosion-resistant material (such as sapphire or special optical glass). It is the channel for the camera's observation reaction chamber (110). Specifically, it is sealed on the housing of the camera module (1000) and can withstand the internal and external pressure difference while maintaining optical clarity.

[0182] Lighting Unit: Due to the absence of natural light in the deep-sea environment, the camera module (1000) requires an integrated lighting system. Typically, an LED array arranged around the observation window or at multiple angles is used as the light source. LEDs offer advantages such as low heat generation, long lifespan, and adjustable brightness; their power supply and control circuits must be waterproof and pressure-resistant.

[0183] The camera module (1000) is connected to the control compartment (200) of the main body of the device via a composite watertight cable that integrates power lines and communication lines (such as coaxial cable, network cable or optical fiber) to receive power supply, control commands and transmit video data.

[0184] The camera module (1000) can be fixedly installed on a pre-fabricated opening in the bulkhead of the reaction chamber (100) via a high-precision waterproof and pressure-resistant flange or threaded interface. This opening faces the cavity inside the reaction chamber (100), namely the reaction chamber (110). During installation, the camera module (1000) needs to ensure strict static sealing and pressure boundary integrity to withstand the extreme hydrostatic pressure of the deep sea.

[0185] The function of the camera module (1000) is to acquire image (or video) information inside the reaction chamber (110), specifically:

[0186] When observation is required, the control cabin (200) sends a command to the camera module (1000), which first activates the lighting unit. LEDs light up, and light shines through the observation window to illuminate a specific area within the reaction chamber (110). Subsequently, the camera is activated, and its lens captures the illuminated reaction area through the same observation window. The resulting image is converted into a digital video signal by an image sensor.

[0187] The camera module (1000) can observe the following, for example:

[0188] The process of injecting and dispersing carbon dioxide gas in the form of bubbles;

[0189] The initial mixing state of the catalytic solution with seawater and carbon dioxide;

[0190] The entire process of carbon dioxide hydrate crystal nucleation, growth, aggregation, and even the formation of flocculent or snow-like solids on the walls of the reaction chamber (110) or in the solution;

[0191] The morphology and distribution of hydrate deposits or masses in the later stages of the reaction.

[0192] The control cabin (200) establishes bidirectional communication with the camera module (1000) via a communication line in a watertight cable. The control cabin (200) can send commands to the camera module (1000) to control its power supply, brightness adjustment of the lighting unit, camera shooting mode (such as continuous recording, timed shooting), focus adjustment (if supported), etc. The camera module (1000) transmits the acquired raw digital video stream to the control cabin (200) in real time through a high-speed communication interface (such as Ethernet or a dedicated video interface).

[0193] The control cabin (200) integrates a video capture card and storage unit (such as a high-capacity solid-state drive), responsible for receiving and processing video streams. It can encode and compress the video streams to reduce data volume, and then record and store the timestamped image information (video files or image sequences). The recorded image information has the following uses:

[0194] 1. Image information can be transmitted to the monitor of the water surface control center in real time, so that the operators can intuitively grasp the physical and chemical changes that are taking place in the reaction chamber (110) and judge whether the reaction process is normal.

[0195] 2. The recorded high-definition video data is valuable scientific research data. Researchers can review the footage to analyze in detail the kinetics of hydrate formation, crystal morphology evolution, yield estimation, etc., to verify models and optimize process parameters.

[0196] It is evident that by setting up a camera module (1000), comprehensive monitoring of the deep-sea in-situ hydrate synthesis process can be achieved through visualization and data processing.

[0197] like Figure 4 As shown, the outer wall of the reaction chamber (100) is provided with a thermal insulation layer (1100) covering the reaction chamber (100). Specifically, the thermal insulation layer (1100) is directly attached to the entire outer surface of the reaction chamber (100) (the cylindrical surface of the chamber body and the two end caps), forming a wrapping layer. To ensure the integrity of the thermal insulation effect, for components that pass through the chamber wall (such as the sensor assembly (810), the flange interface of the camera module (1000), the pipeline interface, etc.), the thermal insulation layer (1100) can be perforated or partially molded and wrapped, and the interface is sealed to prevent the formation of thermal short circuits or water seepage channels.

[0198] The insulation layer (1100) can be made of flexible or rigid insulation materials with extremely low thermal conductivity, high closed-cell ratio, and the ability to withstand the high pressure and corrosive environment of the deep sea. Optional materials include:

[0199] Synthetic foam materials, such as pressure-resistant polyurethane foam and epoxy resin foam, are filled with closed micropores. Since gases are poor conductors of heat, they effectively block heat conduction.

[0200] Vacuum insulation panels: Maintaining a high vacuum within a rigid shell virtually eliminates gas heat conduction and convection, resulting in excellent thermal insulation performance. However, it is necessary to ensure that the shell can withstand the hydrostatic pressure of the deep sea.

[0201] Multi-layer composite thermal insulation material: It is composed of multiple layers of high-reflectivity thin film and low thermal conductivity spacer material, and mainly provides thermal insulation by reflecting radiant heat.

[0202] The function of the insulation layer (1100) is:

[0203] 1. In the deep-sea environment, although the water temperature is low, there may still be slight temperature differences or thermal disturbances at different depths or when ocean currents are present. The high thermal resistance of the insulation layer (1100) can slow down the rate at which changes in the external seawater temperature are transferred to the interior of the reaction chamber (110) through the highly thermally conductive bulkhead metal material, and also suppress the convective heat transfer through the seawater, making the internal environment of the reaction chamber (110) less susceptible to external transient disturbances.

[0204] 2. During the hydrate synthesis stage, the reaction may be exothermic or endothermic; during the subsequent storage stage, a low temperature must be maintained to prevent decomposition. The insulation layer (1100) makes it easier to maintain a uniform and constant internal temperature field established by the semiconductor cooling chip (900) or the deep-sea environment, reducing the energy compensation required to maintain the set temperature and improving the thermal management efficiency of the device.

[0205] Finally, it should be noted that other embodiments of the invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This invention is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention that follow the general principles of the invention and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein, and is not limited to the precise structures described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for the in-situ synthesis and fixation of carbon dioxide hydrates in deep sea, characterized in that, The device includes a reaction chamber (100), a control chamber (200), a carbon dioxide storage chamber (300), a catalytic solution storage chamber (400), a drive assembly (500), and a connecting valve (600). The reaction chamber (100) is provided with a reaction cavity (110), the carbon dioxide storage chamber (300) and the catalyst solution storage chamber (400) are connected to the reaction cavity (110), and the drive assembly (500) is connected to the carbon dioxide storage chamber (300) and the catalyst solution storage chamber (400); The connecting valve (600) is located on the reaction chamber (100). When the connecting valve (600) is in the open state, the connecting valve (600) connects the reaction chamber (110) to the outside seawater. The control cabin (200) is communicatively connected to the drive assembly (500) and the connecting valve (600); The carbon dioxide storage chamber (300) is used to store carbon dioxide, the catalytic solution storage chamber (400) is used to store the catalytic solution, and the control chamber (200) is used for: After controlling the connecting valve (600) to be in the open state so that seawater enters the reaction chamber (110), the driving assembly (500) is controlled to drive the carbon dioxide and the catalytic solution into the reaction chamber (110).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive assembly (500) includes a water pump; The carbon dioxide storage chamber (300) includes a carbon dioxide storage cavity (320) for storing the carbon dioxide and a carbon dioxide push piston (330) movably disposed in the carbon dioxide storage cavity (320). The catalytic solution storage chamber (400) includes a catalytic solution storage cavity (420) for storing the catalytic solution and a catalytic solution pushing piston (430) movably disposed in the catalytic solution storage cavity (420). The carbon dioxide storage chamber (320) and the catalyst solution storage chamber (420) are connected to the reaction chamber (110); The water pump's inlet is connected to the outside seawater, and the water pump's outlet is connected to the carbon dioxide storage chamber (320) and the catalytic solution storage chamber (420), respectively. The outlet is also connected to the side of the carbon dioxide driving piston (330) and the catalytic solution driving piston (430) facing away from the reaction chamber (110). The carbon dioxide and the catalytic solution are respectively stored on the side of the carbon dioxide-driven piston (330) and the catalytic solution-driven piston (430) facing the reaction chamber (110); The control cabin (200) is communicatively connected to the water pump, and the control cabin (200) is used to control the water pump to perform driving actions, the driving actions including: Seawater is drawn from the outside through the inlet and injected into the carbon dioxide storage chamber (320) and the catalytic solution storage chamber (420) through the outlet. This seawater acts on the side of the carbon dioxide driving piston (330) and the catalytic solution driving piston (430) facing away from the reaction chamber (110), so that the carbon dioxide driving piston (330) and the catalytic solution driving piston (430) respectively drive the carbon dioxide and the catalytic solution into the reaction chamber (110).

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The carbon dioxide storage chamber (320) is connected to the reaction chamber (110) through a first one-way valve (310), and the catalytic solution storage chamber (420) is connected to the reaction chamber (110) through a second one-way valve (410). The first check valve (310) and the second check valve (410) are configured to control the unidirectional flow of fluid into the reaction chamber (110).

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The device also includes a pressure sensor (700) disposed in the reaction chamber (100), the pressure sensor (700) being used to detect the pressure value of the fluid inside the reaction chamber (110); The pressure sensor (700) is communicatively connected to the control cabin (200), and the control cabin (200) is used to: after obtaining the pressure value from the pressure sensor (700), control the speed of the water pump and the opening degree of the connecting valve (600) according to the pressure value.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The control cabin (200) is specifically used for: Compare the pressure value with the first preset value; When the pressure value is less than the first preset value, the water pump is controlled to increase its rotation speed. When the pressure value is greater than the first preset value, the opening degree of the connecting valve (600) is increased.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The device also includes a matrix sensor (800) disposed in the reaction chamber (110). The matrix sensor (800) includes: a sensor assembly (810) and a matrix probe (820) connected to the sensor assembly (810). Multiple matrix probes (820) are provided and are distributed in the three-dimensional space of the reaction chamber (110). The dot matrix sensor (800) is used to detect at least one environmental parameter at different locations within the reaction chamber (110) via the dot matrix probe (820). The environmental parameters include ambient temperature and ambient pH. The control cabin (200) is communicatively connected to the matrix sensor (800), and the control cabin (200) is used to acquire and record the environmental parameters from the matrix sensor (800).

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The device also includes a semiconductor cooling chip (900) disposed on the outer wall of the reaction chamber (100); the control chamber (200) is communicatively connected to the semiconductor cooling chip (900); The control chamber (200) is used to: after obtaining the ambient temperature value from the dot matrix sensor (800), control the cooling capacity of the semiconductor refrigeration chip (900) to adjust the temperature inside the reaction chamber (110).

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, The control cabin (200) is specifically used for: Compare the ambient temperature value with the second preset value; When the ambient temperature value is greater than the second preset value, the semiconductor cooling chip (900) is controlled to enhance its cooling capacity to reduce the temperature inside the reaction chamber (110); When the ambient temperature is less than the second preset value, the semiconductor cooling chip (900) is controlled to reduce its cooling capacity in order to increase the temperature inside the reaction chamber (110).

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The device also includes a camera module (1000) disposed in the reaction chamber (100), the camera module (1000) being used to acquire image information inside the reaction chamber (110); The control cabin (200) is communicatively connected to the camera module (1000), and the control cabin (200) is used to acquire and record the image information from the camera module (1000).

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The outer wall of the reaction chamber (100) is provided with a thermal insulation layer (1100) covering the reaction chamber (100).

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