Tropical Weather Event Weakening System

Abstract

This tropical cyclone weakening system involves, firstly, injecting cold water drawn from depths of at least 200 meters into the surface of seas and oceans, and secondly, injecting this water beneath a layer of sargassum seaweed to limit the warming of this deep water. This system operates primarily in areas of the North Atlantic where both the major cyclone tracks and sargassum beds are located. The aim is also to capture the sargassum at sea so that it no longer washes ashore. Furthermore, the system allows for continuous electricity production through its ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) plants and includes a sargassum collection system to utilize the harvested sargassum. (Simplified diagram: Fig. 5)

Description

Title of the invention: Tropical weather event mitigation system Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to systems aimed at weakening tropical weather events in order to downgrade them into lower category events, particularly targeting cyclones, which are the most violent events. Prior art

[0002] The terms typhoon, cyclone, and hurricane refer to the same meteorological phenomenon, namely a swirling phenomenon in tropical regions accompanied by winds with speeds of 120 km / h or greater. Hereafter, the term cyclone will be used to describe this phenomenon.

[0003] Climate change has multiple consequences for living organisms and infrastructure. While specialists cannot definitively state that cyclones and other extreme weather events will become more frequent, the majority agree that their severity and the damage they cause will increase significantly. Regarding cyclones, not only are increasingly violent winds observed and predicted (for example, Hurricane Irma in 2017), but the affected areas will also become increasingly large. To give a sense of scale, Katrina in 2015 resulted in 1,836 confirmed deaths, 80% of New Orleans flooded, and more than one million Louisianans displaced by the disaster, at a cost of over $180 billion. This should be put into perspective by the fact that approximately 80 cyclones form each year!

[0004] Numerous meteorological studies are leading to an increasingly detailed knowledge of cyclones and, among other things, to an increasingly reliable prediction of their trajectory and intensity, which makes it possible to warn populations in advance.

[0005] Knowledge concerning the conditions for the creation of a cyclone is fundamental.

[0006] These conditions for the creation of a cyclone are: - a humidity level above 70% in the troposphere to promote the formation of cumulonimbus cloud masses - an absence of wind at altitude so as not to disperse convective clouds, or steady winds - a pressure gradient to allow the movement of humid air masses and cause a depression - a geographical location of the formation site a few degrees of latitude away from the equator so that the Coriolis force is not zero, thus promoting the creation of a circular movement of air masses - an influx of warm, humid air resulting from gas exchange between the ocean and the atmosphere. - And in particular, a surface temperature of ocean waters exceeding 26°C to a depth of about fifty meters

[0007] A hundred or so patents have been filed to weaken cyclones or prevent their formation without any concrete results to date.

[0008] Some patents propose to act on solar radiation either through reflective surfaces or through injections of substances in order to influence the overall radiative balance.

[0009] The majority of patents will focus on the drop in ocean temperature which is the main driver of the cyclone.

[0010] Based on submarines such as US 20050133612, US 2007 0101921, and FR3078858. FR3078858, with a set of underwater modules, proposes injecting deep-sea water at the base of the eye of the cyclone and using ocean thermal energy to power the system. Despite advances in meteorology, the timing and location of cyclone formation remain unpredictable, and therefore the ocean area to be covered remains very large. Furthermore, submarines are a scarce resource, so deploying a fleet of them could prove even more complex.

[0011] In another embodiment, US20070101921 will perform the pumping from boats, or, for US2007084768, with large pipes potentially topped with wind turbines. The observation regarding the difficulty of locating the place and time of cyclone formation applies to all types of systems that deal with cyclones in a "firefighting" manner.

[0012] Document WO2006104809 proposes cooling the ocean surface by means of a nutrient fertilization process (e.g., iron sulfide) aimed at promoting vegetation growth (e.g., phytoplankton). It is possible that no concrete implementation has occurred due to the difficulty of injecting substances into the ocean. Furthermore, no numerical data are provided regarding the quantity of nutrients and the growth kinetics.

[0013] In document US 2002009338 it is proposed to inject gas (for example CO2) at a certain depth in order to bring up cold water from the depths. The term “cold” refers to the temperature, which is warmer at the surface than at depth. There are no concrete measures in place to date, and it is true that, since CO2 is a greenhouse gas, the current trend related to global warming encourages limiting CO2 emissions rather than releasing more CO2.

[0014] Document EP3777522 proposes continuously pumping cold deep water from the coast and injecting it at the surface. Figure 1 shows that it is advantageous to pump water from depths greater than 200 m in order to bring water at 10°C or below to the surface. The configuration of the underwater topography near the coast means that it is not always easy to find depths of at least 200 m close to the coast, which means pumping water potentially from quite far away and consequently requires significant energy expenditure. Furthermore, the water injected at the surface is directly heated by solar radiation. Description of the invention

[0015] The invention aims to remedy the disadvantages of the prior art by proposing a system for mitigating tropical weather events with permanent, efficient and targeted surface water cooling.

[0016] The idea is to have ships on the surface of the seas positioned along the path of cyclones, pumping cold water from the depths and injecting this cold water, preferably under a surface that protects it from direct sunlight. Figure 2 shows 150 years of cyclone path history in the North Atlantic and clearly illustrates the predominant paths of cyclones. The ships on the surface of the seas or oceans can be anchored or unanchored. The pumping system includes an ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) plant capable of both cooling the ocean surface with the raised cold water and supplying electricity to nearby islands or land. The floating device is preferably positioned directly above areas deeper than 200 m in order to pump water with a temperature below 10°C (see Figure 1).Indeed, the lower the temperature of the pumped water, the more efficient the cooling will be and the more efficient the output of the ETM plant will also be.

[0017] This system operates continuously throughout the year. It will be moved away in the event of a major cyclonic event.

[0018] Another scourge that particularly affects the North Atlantic and the Caribbean is the Sargassum invasion. Figure 3 shows an example of Sargassum locations in the North Atlantic, which are tracked by satellite. This satellite tracking helps guide the positioning of booms, also taking into account ocean currents (see Figure 4).

[0019] The idea is to block this sargassum seaweed well upstream, before it reaches the coast, using floating barriers (already frequently used near the coast). These sargassum beds form the protective surface under which cold water will be injected to limit the rapid warming of the water rising from the depths (preferably from depths greater than 200 m). The sargassum beds thus provide thermal protection for the cold water rising from the depths and, like artificial islands, also create areas of reduced evaporation, thereby reducing the supply of water vapor to the cyclone.

[0020] Sargassum seaweed can be harvested for use. The idea is to have boats dedicated to collecting and processing sargassum. Collection may be driven by environmental concerns, technical reasons, or as part of normal operating procedures. These boats are also responsible for continuously monitoring the environmental impact because, although sargassum constitutes an exceptional ecosystem and its growth captures CO2, such a large sargassum area is still unprecedented. Sargassum patches of a few square kilometers exist, but the areas envisioned are even larger and long-term.

[0021] The idea behind the arrangement of the floating barriers is to preferentially guide cyclones towards uninhabited areas, typically the North Atlantic, where the water temperature will gradually decrease and the cyclone will naturally lose intensity. An example of this is shown in [Fig. 5]. An alternative is to guide cyclones towards the equator, where the Coriolis force is zero and the cyclone will therefore dissipate.

[0022] Indeed, the idea is to have an area with conditions unfavorable to the feeding of cyclones which should allow its trajectory to be diverted.

[0023] Other vessels are dedicated to the deployment, positioning, orientation, and maintenance of the floating barrier. The cold water injection system is preferentially linked to the floating barrier so as to inject cold water along the entire length of the barrier in an optimal manner (see [Fig. 6]).

[0024] It is obviously necessary to maintain normal maritime traffic (see [Fig. 5]) between the sections of floating barriers. The lengths of the floating barriers and their respective positions will be determined by the constraint of maintaining normal maritime traffic, but also by optimizing the capture of sargassum while positioning them in the best possible locations relative to the most probable trajectories of cyclones.

[0025] The ETM plant has cold and hot water intake devices at optimal temperatures for ETM efficiency, which also correspond to ideal temperatures for surface cooling. The greater the temperature difference between the cold and hot water, the greater the efficiency of the ETM plant. The so-called cold water is drawn at temperatures less than 10°C, and the so-called warm surface water is preferentially drawn at a temperature above 22°C, for example at 26°C. Advantageously, the warm water drawn in is replaced by cold water discharged at the surface. The cold water discharge system allows the cold water to be sent under the sargassum, and the warm water discharge system preferably to depths greater than 50 m in order to mix this so-called warm water with water whose temperature is beginning to decrease (see [Fig. 1]).

[0026] Regarding the electricity supply from the ETM power plant, it can be provided by direct transmission to the mainland via cables or by storing electricity in batteries. The batteries are located in the floating device, preferably a boat that also houses the ETM power plant. The batteries can also be located on other boats, particularly boats dedicated to battery transport. These battery carrier boats recharge the batteries at the ETM power plant. These batteries can then be used on islands or on land in general, for electric vehicles, for example.

[0027] In order to better understand the sizing of the entire device, here are some orders of magnitude.

[0028] Order of magnitude: a. Sargassum seaweed in the North Atlantic represents approximately 20 million tons each year. Assuming a density of 5 kg of sargassum per m², the sargassum would cover 4000 km². Considering that not all of the sargassum is collected and that the density of a large accumulation is greater than 5 kg / m², an area of ​​1000 km² can be taken into account. b. Considering the volume relative to this surface of 1000 km2 (1 billion m2) with a depth of 50 m (water thickness at approximately 26°C) and starting from a pumping of water at 10°C and considering a final temperature of the mixture at 25°C (gain of 1°C on the temperature of the volume), it is necessary to inject approximately 3.3 billion m3 in 1 year, i.e. a flow rate of approximately 400,000 m3 / h. c. Considering a 100 MW ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) plant with a flow rate of 100,000 m³ / h, four distributed modules are needed to achieve the flow rate sufficient to obtain the 1°C temperature increase over the volume established previously. It is possible to imagine OTEC plants with varying power outputs, but the aim here is to have orders of magnitude that are both consistent and easy to remember. d. A 100 MW power plant can supply up to 900 GWh / year, or approximately 10% of the energy needs of an island like Guadeloupe. Example. Submarine cable power supply is possible in certain configurations, and can be replaced by battery storage if these conditions are not met. e. Considering a battery storage capacity of 200 Wh / kg and a supertanker with a payload of 500,000 tons, a maximum storage capacity of 100 GWh can be estimated. This, assuming an annual energy consumption of 900 GWh, results in at least nine trips per year. It is also possible to have dedicated storage vessels refueling at the ETM power plant. These "battery storage" vessels could travel to different islands to supply energy for electric vehicles, for example.

[0029] To summarize the advantages of the system, it provides targeted and efficient cooling of areas along the path of cyclones, thereby mitigating the cyclone's energy and potentially even diverting it towards uninhabited areas. This effective long-term cooling is achieved through the use of sargassum seaweed, which is a scourge for the Caribbean but acts as a thermal shield for the cold water rising from the depths. Not only does the majority of the sargassum not reach land, but it can also be used industrially. Furthermore, the OTEC plant can supply a significant amount of electricity from a virtually inexhaustible source. Therefore, in addition to combating two scourges—cyclones and sargassum—the system opens up considerable economic opportunities for the use of OTEC and sargassum. Brief description of the figures

[0030] The purpose of these figures is to illustrate the idea in order to try to make it better understood

[0031] Figure [1] is a thermocline of a tropical ocean. With this curve of the temperature at different depths, it is worth noting the rapid drop in temperature between 100 m and 200 m which shows the benefit of pumping beyond 200 m.

[0032] Fig. 2 represents 150 years of history of cyclone paths in the Atlantic and allows us to clearly observe where the trajectories of cyclones are mostly located in the North Atlantic.

[0033] Fig. 3 is an example of the location of sargassum in the North Atlantic, the monitoring of which is carried out by satellite, making it possible to imagine how to position the barriers while also taking into account marine currents (see Fig. 5).

[0034] Figure 4 is a macroscopic view of ocean currents in the North Atlantic. These currents must be taken into account and used to the best of their ability in the temporal positioning of the system.

[0035] Figure 5 is an example of positioning the system off the Lesser Antilles in order to weaken cyclones or smaller tropical events and attempt also to influence the trajectory of tropical event 70, 71. Boats 30, 40, and especially 50 shown can draw electricity from the ETM power plant, also called "ETM-energy transfer" 10. The "battery carrier" boats 50 bring the energy to the surrounding islands. 40 collects the sargassum for use. The large light gray rectangle 20 represents an example of the area where floating booms are deployed during cyclone season. The boats 30 are those used to position and maintain the floating boom. A schematic example of a typical shipping channel is represented by the dark gray rectangle 60. It should be understood that although a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it should not be limited to the specific form or arrangement shown here. It will be evident to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and the invention should not be considered limited to what is shown and described in the description and drawings.

[0036] Fig. 6 is an example of positioning the cold water injection tube 23, connected by means 22 to the dam 21 in order to inject cold water under the sargassum.

[0037] Fig. 7 shows the "new sagasso sea" which is part of the area on which the device will operate. Detailed description of an implementation method

[0038] Fig. 5 shows a possibly static diagram positioned off the Lesser Antilles which is intended to explain the whole device.

[0039] The preferential positioning of the floating barriers is carried out so as to block the sargassum on the one hand and to direct the trajectory (70, 71) of the cyclones towards uninhabited areas on the other hand and preferentially towards areas of colder water or areas with very low Coriolis force.

[0040] In detail the device will position itself over the entire area of ​​formation and development of sargassum (see [Fig.7]) and this throughout the year except in the case where the device is on the probable trajectory of a major cyclonic event.

[0041] Thanks to satellite tracking, floating barriers approximately one kilometer in length will be positioned in front of the largest sargassum beds. These floating barriers can be connected to each other according to the topography of the sargassum beds to be captured.

[0042] Initially, the floating barrier positioning vessels 30 and the "ETM-energy transfer" vessels 10 are deployed to block the sargassum and begin cooling beneath it. This pair of vessels 10 and 30, along with the entire system of barriers, is pushed by ocean currents (see [Fig. 4]) and swell. There are two preferred directions. The first is a passage through the southern Lesser Antilles arc, continuing into the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. The The second preferential passage is located north of the Antilles arc towards the Sargasso Sea (see [Fig.7]).

[0043] The 50 "battery-carrying" vessels preferentially operate near the coast to limit the length of journeys. The "ETM-energy transfer" unit 10 can be replaced if necessary by another "ETM-energy transfer" unit 10 in order to transfer its energy before resuming rotation in the sargassum collection area.

[0044] The supply of electricity by the "ETM-energy transfer" power plant (10) and the supply of electricity to the surrounding lands by boats (50) is carried out throughout the year except during periods of intense cyclonic events.

[0045] The 40 sargassum recovery boats will intervene before the sargassum washes ashore on the coasts or for any other reason necessary for the proper functioning of the system.

[0046] The cycle time between the start of the installation of the barriers and the collection of all or part of the sargassum is estimated at 3 months. This time is largely dependent on the initial positioning of the barriers, the end of the journey, and the speed of the current.

[0047] The east-to-west paths of the sargassum booms, along with the associated cooling beneath the sargassum, cover a very large area encompassing the most probable cyclone tracks. In addition to monitoring the sargassum, knowledge of water temperature and humidity levels over the North Atlantic guides the positioning strategy of the floating booms to maximize efficiency in sargassum collection, energy production, and, of course, targeted cooling of the most strategic areas.

[0048] It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention should not be considered as limited to what is described in this example of embodiment.

[0049] "The proposed invention therefore consists of a cyclone weakening system tropical, including:

[0050] - A boat, called "ETM-energy transfer" (10) comprising itself: • An ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) plant and its cold and hot water intake systems at optimal temperatures for OTEC efficiency • A cold water discharge system under the sargassum seaweed • A hot water discharge system, preferably at depths greater than 50 m • A device for transferring electricity for direct use or storage • An on-board electrical energy storage device • A set of floating barriers (21) for blocking sargassum seaweed • One or more boats (30) to position and maintain the barriers between 2 or more boats. • One or more boats (40) for collecting and managing sargassum • One or more (50) battery recovery and / or charging boats battery from the ETM control unit

[0051] Cold water pumped from depths exceeding 200m for cooling the surface of seas and oceans and for the operation of the OTEC plant will be injected under the sargassum seaweed, replacing the hot water pumped from the surface for the operation of the OTEC plant.

[0052]

[0053] The preferential positioning of this floating barrier is carried out so as to block the sargassum on the one hand and to direct the trajectory (70, 71) of the cyclones towards uninhabited areas on the other hand and preferentially towards areas of colder water or areas with very low Coriolis force.

[0054]

[0055] The cold water discharge system (23) is preferably physically linked (22) to the floats of the floating dam (21) in order to keep the cold water injection site constantly optimal.

[0056]

[0057] The boats (30) allowing the positioning, orientation and maintenance of the barrier between 2 or more boats, is associated with at least one device (10) “ETM-energy transfer”.

[0058]

[0059] The supply of electricity by the "ETM-energy transfer" power plant (10) and the supply of electricity to the surrounding lands by boats (50) is carried out throughout the year except during periods of intense cyclonic events.

[0060]

[0061] When using battery energy storage, "battery carrier" boats (50) are powered by the floating system and the batteries integrated into the "ETM-energy transfer" (10) act as a buffer between two power supplies to "battery carrier" boats (50).

[0062]

[0063]

Claims

Demands

1. A tropical cyclone weakening system, comprising: - A vessel, called "ETM-energy transfer" (10) itself comprising: • An ocean thermal energy conversion plant and its cold and hot water intake devices at optimal temperatures for the efficiency of the ETM • A cold water discharge device under the sargassum • A hot water discharge device preferably at depths greater than 50 m • An electricity transfer device for direct use or storage • An onboard electrical energy storage device - A set of floating barriers (21) for blocking sargassum - One or more vessels (30) for positioning and maintaining the barriers between 2 or more vessels.- One or more boats (40) for collecting and managing sargassum - One or more boats (50) for recovering batteries and / or charging batteries from the ETM plant Characterized in that cold water pumped from depths beyond 200m for cooling the surface of the seas and oceans and for the operation of the ETM plant will be injected under the sargassum replacing the hot water pumped from the surface for the operation of the ETM plant.

2. A tropical cyclone weakening system according to claim 1, characterized in that the preferential positioning of this floating barrier (21) is carried out so as to block sargassum on the one hand and to direct the trajectory (70, 71) of cyclones towards uninhabited areas on the other hand and preferentially towards areas of colder water or areas with very low Coriolis force.

3. A tropical cyclone weakening system according to claim 1 characterized in that a cold water discharge system (23) is preferably physically linked (22) to the floats of the floating barrier (21) in order to keep the cold water injection site permanently optimum.

4. A tropical cyclone weakening system according to claim 1, characterized in that the boats (30) for positioning, orienting and maintaining the barrier between 2 or more boats, are associated with at least one “ETM-energy transfer” device (10).

5. A tropical cyclone weakening system according to claim 4, characterized in that the supply of electricity by the "ETM-energy transfer" device (10) and the supply of electricity to surrounding lands by boats (50) is carried out throughout the year except during periods of intense cyclonic events.

6. A tropical cyclone weakening system according to claim 4, characterized in that when battery energy storage is used, "battery carrier" boats (50) are powered by the floating system and the batteries integrated into the "ETM-energy transfer" (10) serve as a buffer between 2 power supplies of "battery carrier" boats (50).

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