Method and system for alkalizing a body of water and removing carbon dioxide, and input station therefor

Abstract

A method and system are described for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by adding a CO2-reactive chemical base to a body of water in contact with the atmosphere and determining the amount of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere or prevented from reaching the atmosphere. The addition of alkali to the body of water is controlled by an injection device capable of determining the amount of CO2-reactive alkali needed to achieve an acceptable target carbon dioxide removal. The rate of alkali flow is affected by input from sensors monitoring conditions in the body of water.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the sequestration of carbon dioxide gas from the atmosphere, and in particular to a method and system for alkalizing a body of water in contact with the atmosphere and measuring carbon dioxide absorption and storage, and a dosing station therefor used to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. [Background technology]

[0002] To avoid adverse climate and marine chemical impacts, it is beneficial to reduce or stabilize atmospheric CO2 concentrations. A variety of thermochemical and electrochemical processes have been developed to reduce CO2 emissions and to remove CO2 from the air.

[0003] Among these processes, CO2 capture through reaction with certain CO2-reactive alkaline chemicals has been investigated in the capture and sequestration of CO2 from a variety of concentrated and diluted sources. These alkaline chemicals include, but are not limited to, metal oxides, hydroxides, carbonates, and silicates, which may be in dissolved, solid, or mixed form that can eventually dissolve fully or partially to generate alkalinity in solution.

[0004] For example, adding CO2 reactive alkali to surface ocean waters can remove and store atmospheric CO2 through converting some of the CO2 naturally dissolved in seawater into dissolved bicarbonate and carbonate ions. This can create a CO2 undersaturation in the seawater relative to air, which, when equilibrated with air, allows CO2 to diffuse from the air into the seawater via the air-sea gas equilibration process. Thus, creating a sink for atmospheric CO2.

[0005] On the other hand, adding a CO2-reactive alkali to a CO2-supersaturated solution, where the CO2 partial pressure in the solution is naturally greater than that of the atmosphere, consumes some or all of the excess CO2, thereby reducing or preventing the natural flow of CO2 from the solution to the air that would otherwise occur. In this way, such natural addition of CO2 to the existing atmospheric CO2 load is advantageously reduced or avoided. Examples include adding a CO2-reactive alkali to areas of the surface ocean or other bodies of water that are naturally supersaturated with CO2 relative to air, which are natural sources of atmospheric CO2. Ocean areas where subsurface ocean waters supersaturated with CO2 move to the ocean surface due to wind-driven upwelling or other mixing mechanisms. In the extreme, if enough alkali is added to areas of such natural CO2 emissions to the atmosphere, the CO2 in the seawater can become undersaturated with air, thus converting what was once an atmospheric CO2 source into a CO2 sink.

[0006] There is significant global potential for such approaches to contribute to atmospheric CO2 management. However, actual measurement and verification of such CO2 removal and / or sequestration is difficult. Therefore, there is a need in industry to develop systems and methods for accurate determination of carbon dioxide removal, and injection stations therefor. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Methods and systems are described for adding CO2-reactive compounds, particularly certain chemical bases or alkalis, such as magnesium hydroxide or another metal hydroxide, to bodies of water in contact with the atmosphere to effect CO2 removal from the atmosphere or to prevent CO2 from entering the atmosphere.

[0008] More specifically, methods and systems are described that allow for maximum CO2 removal or emission reduction while remaining within desired environmental limits and allowing for increased precision and accuracy in measurement of resulting CO2 removal or emission reduction, including dosing and monitoring devices that automatically adjust dosing rates based on pH, total suspended solids, or other parameter thresholds that are not desired to be exceeded.

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention also include methods for quantifying overall CO2 removal. In particular, a method is described for quantifying the efficiency of CO2 removal / storage relative to the amount of alkali added by measuring alkali loss from the surface mixed layer of a body of water relative to the air / water CO2 exchange rate. A method is also described that calculates net CO2 removal and accounts for uncertainties in previous measurements.

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system, method, dosage station, and controller that determines and dispenses the amount of alkali into a body of water in contact with the atmosphere to achieve an acceptable target carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-implemented method for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) from the atmosphere using a body of water in contact with the atmosphere, the method comprising: (1) setting the amount of CO2 reactive alkali to be added to the water body and the rate at which the amount is discharged into the water body, and the amount of CO2 reactive alkali is less than the target amount; (2) Discharge said amount of CO2 reactive alkali into the body of water at said rate of discharge; (3) monitoring the body of water with one or more sensors during said discharge and adjusting the rate of discharge to ensure that the readings of said one or more sensors are within respective predetermined limits; (4) Estimate the CDR achieved by the above discharge according to the chemical mass stoichiometry of carbon dioxide reaction with CO2 reactive alkali; (5) F, which indicates the ratio of alkaline CO2-deficient water to air equilibration. equiladjusting the estimated CDR from step (4) by considering the factors, thus determining the adjusted CDR; (6) determining the cumulative amount of CO2 reactive alkali delivered to the body of water over time; and (7) If the cumulative amount of alkali is less than the predetermined target amount of alkali to be discharged into the body of water, repeat steps (1) through (6) until the predetermined target amount of alkali is discharged, thereby removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

[0012] The method is further: Before step (1), a step of setting a target CDR; determining the cumulative adjusted CDR after step (5); and In step (7), further verifying whether the cumulative adjusted CDR is less than the target CDR, and repeating steps (1) to (6) until a predetermined target amount of alkali is dispensed or the target CDR is achieved, whichever occurs first. Equipped with.

[0013] The method further includes: (5a) F, which indicates the degree of uncertainty of the adjusted target CDR. hback Step (5a) is performed after step (5), comprising further adjusting the adjusted CDR by considering the factor, thereby determining a further adjusted CDR.

[0014] In the method described above, the CDRs in step (5a) are determined as follows.

[0015] CDR = (t added alkali × t removed CO2 / t alkali) × (F equil -F hback ), where "t" is the quantity measured in tons (metric tons).

[0016] The method further includes: (5b) CDR achieved within the wastewater pipe prior to discharge into said water body. ww further adjusting the further adjusted CDR of step (5a) by taking into account wwis determined under the assumption that the unalkalized wastewater is supersaturated with CO2 relative to air, and step (5b) is carried out after step (5a).

[0017] In the method described above, the CDRs in step (5b) are determined as follows:

[0018] CDR = [(t added alkali × t removed CO2 / t alkali) - CDR ww ]×(F equil -F hback )+CDR ww where "t" is the quantity measured in tons and F hback is a factor indicating the degree of uncertainty of the adjusted target CDR in step (5).

[0019] The method further comprises: (5c) further adjusting the CDR of step (5b) by taking into account carbon dioxide emissions generated during the generation, transportation, and distribution of the CO2 reactive alkali.

[0020] In the method described above, the CDRs in step (5c) are determined as follows.

[0021] CDR net = [(t added alkali × t removed CO2 / t alkali) - CDR ww )]×(F equil -F hback )+CDR ww -LCA emiss , where "t" is the quantity measured in tons.

[0022] In the method described above, the step of adjusting the rate of delivery comprises: discharging the amount of CO2-reactive alkali into the body of water in several doses over a predetermined time period; measuring respective water properties with the one or more sensors at predetermined time intervals; and adjusting the magnitude of the next injection as a function of two successive measurements of said one or more sensors, a predefined lower limit and a predefined upper limit of each of said one or more sensors for the next injection. Further includes:

[0023] In the methods described above, the CO2 reactive alkali is a metal hydroxide, such as a monovalent metal hydroxide or a polyvalent metal hydroxide, such as magnesium hydroxide.

[0024] In the method described above, step (5) further comprises adding a chemical tracer mixed with the CO reactive alkali to detect F. equil determining the factor and monitoring downstream concentrations of the chemical tracer at designated locations in the body of water.

[0025] In the method described above, step (5) further comprises measuring the partial pressure of carbon dioxide pCO in the air above the alkalized body of water. 2air , and the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the alkalized water body, pCO 2ocean Using F equil The method includes determining the factor.

[0026] In the method described above, step (5) comprises the steps of: equil =(Gas ex -CDR loss ) / Gas ex Like F equil determining a factor, wherein Gas ex is the rate of air-water gas exchange, and CDR loss is the rate at which CO2-unsaturated water moves to a depth where it is no longer in contact with the atmosphere, where GAS ex >CDR loss is.

[0027] In the methods described above, the one or more sensors are capable of measuring one or more of the following characteristics of the body of water:

[0028] Temperature (T); Salinity (S); Pressure (depth); pH, H+ Measurement of concentration; pCO2, partial pressure of CO2; TSS, total suspended solids; NH3, ammonia concentration; DIC, total dissolved inorganic carbon; and TA, total alkalinity.

[0029] In the methods described above, the body of water is one or more of the following: seawater; the ocean; a body of water discharging into the ocean; a wastewater discharge; a cooling water discharge from an industrial facility; a natural or artificial reservoir of water.

[0030] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) from the atmosphere using a body of water in contact with the atmosphere, the system comprising an input station, the input station comprising: Reservoirs containing dissolved, partially dissolved, or undissolved CO2 reactive alkali; Dispenser for discharging CO2 reactive alkali into water bodies; a processor; a memory device; and a controller including computer-executable instructions stored in the memory device for execution by the processor. The computer-executable instructions include: (1) setting the amount of CO2 reactive alkali to be added to the water body and the rate at which the amount of CO2 reactive alkali is discharged into the water body, the amount of CO2 reactive alkali being less than the target amount; (2) discharging a quantity of CO2 reactive alkali into the body of water at a rate of discharging; (3) monitoring the body of water with one or more sensors during discharge and adjusting the rate of discharge to ensure that the measurements of the one or more sensors are within respective predetermined limits; (4) estimating the CDR achieved by exhalation according to the chemical mass stoichiometry of the carbon dioxide reaction with the CO2 reactive alkali; (5) F, which indicates the ratio of alkaline CO2-deficient water to air equilibration. equil adjusting the estimated CDR from (4) by considering the factors, thus determining an adjusted CDR; (6) determining the cumulative amount of CO2 reactive alkali discharged into the body of water over time; and (7) if the cumulative amount of alkali is less than the predetermined target amount of alkali to be discharged into the body of water, repeating steps (1) through (6) until the predetermined target amount of alkali is discharged. thereby removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

[0031] In the system described above, the computer-executable instructions further cause the processor to: before (1), set a target CDR; after (5), determine a cumulative adjusted CDR; and in (7), further verify whether the cumulative adjusted CDR is less than the target CDR and repeat steps (1) through (6) until a predetermined target amount of alkali is dispensed or the target CDR is achieved, whichever occurs first.

[0032] The system described above further comprises a floating platform having a hull for holding the CO2 reactive alkali for delivering and disposing the required amount of exhaled CO2 reactive alkali into a body of water.

[0033] According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) from the atmosphere using a body of water in contact with the atmosphere, the system comprising an input station, the input station comprising: Reservoirs containing dissolved, partially dissolved, or undissolved CO2 reactive alkali; a dispenser for discharging the required amount of CO2 reactive alkali into the body of water at the required rate to achieve an acceptable target CDR from the atmosphere; a processor; a memory device; and a controller including computer-executable instructions stored in the memory device for execution by the processor. The computer-executable instructions cause the processor to determine a required amount of CO2 reactive alkali and an acceptable target CDR, which includes: Setting the target CDR; (i) estimating the amount of CO2 reactive alkali to be added to the water body to achieve a target CDR, as determined by the chemical mass stoichiometry of the carbon dioxide reaction with the CO2 reactive alkali; (ii-1) adjusting the target CDR by considering the Fequil factor, which indicates the proportion of the alkalinized water that is equilibrated with air and thus determines the adjusted target CDR and the corresponding adjusted amount of CO2 reactive alkali; (iii) monitoring the body of water with one or more sensors to further define an adjusted amount of CO2-reactive alkali and an adjusted target CDR, whereby when the further adjusted amount of CO2-alkali is dispensed into the body of water over a given time interval, the measurements of the one or more sensors are within respective predetermined limits, thus determining the further adjusted amount of CO2-reactive and the corresponding further adjusted target CDR; (iv) setting the further adjusted amount of CO2 reactive alkali as the required amount and the further adjusted target CDR as the acceptable target CDR, and determining the required rate of delivery over a given time interval based on the acceptable target CDR and the respective predetermined limits of the measurements of the one or more sensors; and (v) discharging the required amount of CO2 reactive alkali into the body of water at the required rate, thereby achieving an acceptable target CDR from the atmosphere for a given time interval.

[0034] In the system described above, the computer-executable instructions further cause the processor to: (ii-2) calculate F indicating the uncertainty of the adjusted target CDR; hback By considering the factors, the amount of CO2 reactive alkali in (ii-1) is further adjusted before (iii).

[0035] In the system described above, the CDRs of (ii-2) are determined as follows:

[0036] CDR = (t added alkali × t removed CO2 / t alkali) × (F equil -Fhback ), where "t" is the quantity measured in metric tons.

[0037] In the system described above, the system includes a wastewater pipe that discharges wastewater into a body of water, and wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the processor to (ii-3) still further adjust the adjusted amount of CO2-reactive alkali and the adjusted target CDR of (ii-1) before (iii) by taking into account a CDRww achieved in the wastewater pipe prior to discharge into the body of water, wherein the CDRww is determined under the assumption of CO2 supersaturation relative to air in the alkali discharge wastewater.

[0038] In the system described above, the CDR of (ii-3) is determined by considering the CO2 supersaturation in the wastewater relative to the air and the CDRww that occurs in the wastewater pipe before discharge to the water body as follows:

[0039] CDR = [(t added alkali × t removed CO2 / t alkali) - CDR ww )]×(F equil -F hback )+CDR ww , where "t" is the quantity measured in metric tons, and F hback is a factor that indicates the uncertainty of the adjusted target CDR.

[0040] In the system described above, the computer-executable instructions further cause the processor to: (ii-4) further adjust the adjusted amount of CO2-reactive alkali and the adjusted target CDR of (ii-1) by taking into account carbon dioxide emissions generated during the generation, transportation, and distribution of the CO2-reactive alkali.

[0041] In the system described above, the CDRs of (ii-4) are determined as follows:

[0042] CDR net = [(t added alkali × t removed CO2 / t alkali) - CDR ww )]×(Fequil -F hback )+CDR ww -LCA emiss , where "t" is the quantity measured in metric tons, and F hback is a factor indicating the uncertainty of the adjusted target CDR, and CDRww is achieved in the wastewater pipe before discharge to the water body, where CDRww is determined under the assumption of CO2 supersaturation in the alkaline discharge wastewater, and is emiss represents the carbon dioxide emissions during the generation, transportation, and distribution of the CO2 reactive alkali.

[0043] In the systems described above, the CO2 reactive alkali is, for example, a metal hydroxide, such as a monovalent metal hydroxide or a polyvalent metal hydroxide.

[0044] In the system described above, the CO2 reactive alkali is magnesium hydroxide.

[0045] In the system described above, F equil The parameter is determined by adding a chemical tracer mixed with a CO2 reactive alkali and monitoring the downstream concentration of the chemical tracer at a designated location in the body of water.

[0046] In the system described above, F equil The factor is the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the air above the alkalized water body, pCO 2air , and the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the alkalized water body, pCO 2ocean is further determined using

[0047] In the system described above, F equil The factors are determined as follows: F equil =(Gas ex -CDR loss ) / Gas ex , where Gas ex is the rate of air-water gas exchange, and CDR loss is the rate of migration of CO2-unsaturated water to depths not in contact with the atmosphere, where Gas ex>CDR loss is.

[0048] In the system described above, one or more sensors measure the following properties of the body of water: temperature (T); salinity (S); pressure (depth), pH, H + It is possible to measure one or more of the following: a measure of concentration; pCO2, partial pressure of CO2; TSS, total suspended solids; NH3, ammonia concentration; DIC, total dissolved inorganic carbon; TA, total alkali concentration, or any other chemical, physical, or biological parameter to control the rate of addition of said CO2-reactive alkali to a body of water.

[0049] In the systems described above, the body of water is one or more of the following: seawater; the ocean; a body of water discharging into the ocean; a wastewater discharge; a cooling water discharge from an industrial facility.

[0050] The system further comprises a floating platform having a hull for holding the CO2 reactive alkali for delivering and disposing the required amount of exhaled CO2 reactive alkali into the body of water.

[0051] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) from the atmosphere using a body of water in contact with the atmosphere, the method comprising: Setting the target CDR: (i) estimating the amount of CO2 reactive alkali to be added to the water body to achieve a target CDR, as determined by the chemical mass stoichiometry of the carbon dioxide reaction with the CO2 reactive alkali; (ii-1) adjusting the target CDR by considering the Fequil factor, which indicates the proportion of the alkalinized water that is equilibrated with air and thus determines the adjusted target CDR and the corresponding adjusted amount of CO2 reactive alkali; (iii) monitoring the body of water with one or more sensors to further define an adjusted amount of CO2-reactive alkali and an adjusted target CDR, whereby when the further adjusted amount of CO2-alkali is dispensed into the body of water over a given time interval, the measurements of the one or more sensors are within respective predetermined limits, thus determining the further adjusted amount of CO2-reactive and the corresponding further adjusted target CDR; (iv) setting the further adjusted amount of CO2 reactive alkali as the required amount and the further adjusted target CDR as the acceptable target CDR, and determining the required rate of delivery over a given time interval based on the acceptable target CDR and the respective predetermined limits of the measurements of the one or more sensors; and (v) discharging a required amount of CO2 reactive alkali into the body of water at a required rate, thereby achieving an acceptable target CDR from the atmosphere for a given time interval; Equipped with.

[0052] The method further comprises: (ii-2) before (iii), adding F indicating the uncertainty of the adjusted target CDR hback The method further includes a step of adjusting the amount of CO2 reactive alkali in (ii-1) by taking into consideration factors.

[0053] The method further comprises determining the CDRs of (ii-2) as follows:

[0054] CDR = (t added alkali × t removed CO2 / t alkali) × (F equil -F hback ), where "t" is the quantity measured in metric tons.

[0055] The method further comprises: (ii-3) CDR achieved in the wastewater pipe before discharge into the water body. ww Further adjusting the adjusted amount of CO2 reactive alkali and the adjusted target CDR of (ii-1) before (iii) by taking into account wwis determined under the assumption of CO2 supersaturation in the alkaline effluent wastewater.

[0056] The method further comprises determining the CDR of (ii-3) taking into account the CO2 supersaturation in the wastewater and the CDRww occurring in the wastewater pipe before discharge into the water body, as follows:

[0057] CDR = [(t added alkali × t removed CO2 / t alkali) - CDR ww )]×(F equil -F hback )+CDR ww , where "t" is the quantity measured in metric tons, and F hback is a factor that indicates the uncertainty of the adjusted target CDR.

[0058] The method further includes: (ii-4) further adjusting the adjusted amount of CO2-reactive alkali and the adjusted target CDR of (ii-1) by taking into account carbon dioxide emissions generated during the generation, transportation, and distribution of the CO2-reactive alkali.

[0059] The method further includes (ii-4) determining the CDRs as follows:

[0060] CDR net = [(t added alkali × t removed CO2 / t alkali) - CDR ww )]×(F equil -F hback )+CDR ww -LCA emiss , where "t" is the quantity measured in metric tons, and F hback is a factor that indicates the uncertainty of the adjusted target CDR, and CDR ww is achieved in the wastewater pipe before discharge into said water body, where CDR ww is determined under the assumption of CO2 supersaturation in alkaline wastewater, and emiss represents the carbon dioxide emissions during the generation, transportation, and distribution of the CO2 reactive alkali.

[0061] In the method described above, the step of adjusting the rate of delivery comprises: discharging the amount of CO2-reactive alkali into the body of water in several doses over a predetermined time period; measuring respective water properties with the one or more sensors at predetermined time intervals; and adjusting the magnitude of the next injection as a function of two successive measurements of said one or more sensors, a predefined lower limit and a predefined upper limit of each of said one or more sensors for the next injection. Further includes:

[0062] In the methods described above, the CO2 reactive alkali is a metal hydroxide, such as, for example, a monovalent metal hydroxide or alternatively, a polyvalent metal hydroxide.

[0063] In the method described above, the CO2 reactive alkali is magnesium hydroxide.

[0064] The method further comprises administering a chemical tracer mixed with the CO2 reactive alkali and monitoring the downstream concentration of the chemical tracer at a designated location in the body of water. equil The method includes determining the factor.

[0065] The method further comprises measuring the partial pressure of carbon dioxide, pCO in the air above the alkalized body of water. 2air , and the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the alkalized water body, pCO 2ocean Using F equil The method includes determining the factor.

[0066] The method further comprises: equil =(Gas ex -CDR loss ) / Gas ex Like F equil determining a factor, wherein Gas ex is the rate of air-water gas exchange, and CDR loss is the rate at which CO2-unsaturated water moves to a depth where it is no longer in contact with the atmosphere, where Gas ex>CDR loss is.

[0067] In the method described above, one or more sensors measure the following properties of the body of water: temperature (T); salinity (S); pressure (depth); pH, H + It is possible to measure one or more of the following: a measure of concentration; pCO2, partial pressure of CO2; TSS, total suspended solids; NH3, ammonia concentration in the gas; DIC, total dissolved inorganic carbon; and TA, total alkalinity.

[0068] In the methods described above, the body of water is one or more of the following: seawater; the ocean; a body of water discharging into the ocean; a wastewater discharge; a cooling water discharge from an industrial facility.

[0069] According to another aspect of the invention, Reservoirs containing dissolved, partially dissolved, or undissolved CO2 reactive alkali; Dispenser for discharging CO2 reactive alkali into water bodies; a processor; a memory device; and a controller including computer-executable instructions stored in the memory device for execution by the processor. The input station is provided with computer-executable instructions that direct a processor to: (1) setting the amount of CO2 reactive alkali to be added to the water body and the rate at which the amount of CO2 reactive alkali is discharged into the water body, the amount of CO2 reactive alkali being less than the target amount; (2) discharging a quantity of CO2 reactive alkali into the body of water at a rate of discharging; (3) monitoring the body of water with one or more sensors during discharge and adjusting the rate of discharge to ensure that the measurements of the one or more sensors are within respective predetermined limits; (4) estimating the CDR achieved by exhalation according to the chemical mass stoichiometry of the carbon dioxide reaction with the CO2 reactive alkali; (5) F, which indicates the ratio of alkaline CO2-deficient water to air equilibration. equiladjusting the estimated CDR from (4) by considering the factors, thus determining an adjusted CDR; (6) determining the cumulative amount of CO2 reactive alkali discharged into the body of water over time; and (7) if the cumulative amount of alkali is less than the predetermined target amount of alkali to be discharged into the body of water, repeating steps (1) through (6) until the predetermined target amount of alkali is discharged. thereby removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

[0070] In the dosing station described above, the computer-executable instructions further cause the processor to: before (1), set a target CDR; after (5), determine a cumulative adjusted CDR; and in (7), further verify whether the cumulative adjusted CDR is less than the target CDR and repeat steps (1) through (6) until a predetermined target amount of alkali is dispensed or the target CDR is achieved, whichever occurs first.

[0071] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a controller for a dosing station for determining a required amount of alkali for discharging in a body of water in contact with the atmosphere for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) from the atmosphere, the controller including: a processor; a memory device; and computer-executable instructions stored in the memory device for execution by the processor, the computer-executable instructions causing the processor to: (1) setting the amount of CO2 reactive alkali to be added to the water body and the rate at which the amount of CO2 reactive alkali is discharged into the water body, the amount of CO2 reactive alkali being less than the target amount; (2) discharging a quantity of CO2 reactive alkali into the body of water at a rate of discharging; (3) monitoring the body of water with one or more sensors during discharge and adjusting the rate of discharge to ensure that the measurements of the one or more sensors are within respective predetermined limits; (4) estimating the CDR achieved by exhalation according to the chemical mass stoichiometry of the carbon dioxide reaction with the CO2 reactive alkali; (5) F, which indicates the ratio of alkaline CO2-deficient water to air equilibration. equil adjusting the estimated CDR from (4) by considering the factors, thus determining an adjusted CDR; (6) determining the cumulative amount of CO2 reactive alkali discharged into the body of water over time; and (7) if the cumulative amount of alkali is less than the predetermined target amount of alkali to be discharged into the body of water, repeating steps (1) through (6) until the predetermined target amount of alkali is discharged. Thus, an improved method, system, injection station, and controller for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere using a body of water in contact with the atmosphere has been provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0072] The accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification, illustrate certain embodiments of the invention and, together with the detailed description of certain embodiments, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0073] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a scheme for removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from air using a body of water, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 illustrates the chemical interactions involved in carbon dioxide exchange between water and adjacent air. [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic of an implementation of the scheme of FIG. 1 utilizing a controlled input station and multiple sensors, according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 illustrates exemplary parameters characterizing the properties of water before, during, and after a dosing process for use in embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 5]1 illustrates a general system for dosing according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising a dosing station mechanically coupled to a discharge pipe and communicatively coupled to a sensor, and an external device including computing capabilities. [Figure 6] 1 is an overview of a process that quantitatively relates carbon dioxide removal (CDR) to multiple factors, including raw water characteristics, amount of temporary treatment, if any, amount of alkali applied, ambient physical conditions, etc., according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Schematic of the first input mechanism based on temporary raw water treatment in the input compartment and direct release into the water body. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic of a second input mechanism based on temporary treatment of directly supplied raw water in a vessel and pipes before discharge into a body of water, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic of a third input mechanism based on temporary treatment of raw water drawn from a body of water in a container and pipes before discharge into the body of water, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 10 is a schematic of a particular implementation of a fourth throwing mechanism that combines the first throwing mechanism and the third throwing mechanism, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 6 illustrates a hierarchy of sensors communicatively coupled to the controller of the input station of FIG. 5. [Figure 12] 12 illustrates a table maintained in a controller of a dosing station showing the locations and types of sensors of FIG. 11 and identification data including time-varying data related to the measured water properties for use in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 1 illustrates a method for measuring advection delay through a flowing medium according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 6 illustrates an exemplary input controller for use in the input station of FIG. 5; [Figure 15] 1 illustrates a master macro-level decision table for use in a global controller of a multi-site input system working with multiple geographically distributed input stations, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 1 illustrates the variation of CDR with respect to acidity level, expressed as a ratio of CDR units per alkaline unit versus pH level, for use in embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 17] 1 illustrates the variation of calculated CDR versus weight of alkaline material according to five approximation methods for use in embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 18] 1 illustrates the variation of seawater carbon dioxide versus weight of alkaline material applied for use in embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 19] 1 illustrates exemplary sensor types for in-flow channel water property monitoring. [Figure 20] Illustrates the use of salinity mixing lines to determine pCO2 in wastewater, the effect of alkali addition on wastewater pCO2, and therefore, wastewater CDR. [Figure 21] 16 illustrates a method for site-specific evaluation of CDR processes using different alkaline materials for input into the master macro-level decision table of FIG. 15 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] 1 illustrates an end-to-end system with a wastewater pipe discharging to the ocean and associated parameters used to measure the chemical impact of alkali addition and to control the dosage of added alkali, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23] 1 illustrates the variation of wastewater pH in response to dissolved alkaline material added to the wastewater for use in embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 24] 1 illustrates the variation in relative weight (grams per liter) of total suspended solids (TSS) versus the relative weight of particulate alkaline material for use in embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 25] 1 illustrates the variation in rate of CO2 consumption versus dissolved alkaline material added to wastewater for use in embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 26] Illustrates a criterion for injection control based on adherence to a single reference value for each specified parameter. [Figure 27] 1 illustrates a criterion for injection control based on adherence to reference intervals of acceptable values ​​for each specified parameter, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 28] 27 illustrates the core algorithm of an injection control discipline based on the criteria of FIG. 27 (which falls back to the criteria of FIG. 26 when the width of the reference interval is set equal to zero), according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 29] 29 illustrates an exemplary application of the core algorithm of FIG. 28 with zero-width reference intervals and constant magnitude input increments and decrements. [Figure 30] 29 illustrates an exemplary application of the core algorithm of FIG. 28 with a specified positive width of the reference interval and constant input increments and decrements. [Figure 31] 1 illustrates the application of the core algorithm with the reference interval set to zero and adaptively sized input increments and decrements. [Figure 32] 29 illustrates an exemplary application of the core algorithm of FIG. 28 with a specified positive width of the reference interval and adaptive value input increments and decrements. [Figure 33] 1 illustrates a procedure for determining adaptive input increments and decrements according to a single reference value for each specified parameter, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 34] 1 illustrates a procedure for determining adaptive input increments and decrements according to a reference interval of acceptable values ​​for each specified parameter, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 35] Illustrated is a dosing period where the interval between dosings is equal to a known advection delay through the flowing medium. [Figure 36] Illustrates injection periods where the inter-injection interval exceeds a known advection delay. [Figure 37] An injection period in which the interinjection interval is half the known advection delay through the flowing medium. [Figure 38] Illustrates an injection period in which the inter-injection interval is a small proportion of the known advection delay through the flowing medium. [Figure 39]1 illustrates the steps for determining and refining CDR predictions. [Figure 40] Illustrates the selection of a site for application of a particular alkaline substance. [Figure 41] The pH is related to the dosage rate. [Figure 42] 1 illustrates a direct mode of operation of the input station 340. [Figure 43] 10 illustrates the reverse mode of operation of the input station 340.

[0074] Reference number 100: Removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from air using bodies of water 120: A process for applying controlled inputs of alkaline substances to a body of water 140: A process for measuring changes in water properties resulting from the above inputs. 160: Process for ensuring compliance with directives or desired regulations 180: Process to adjust input speed if necessary 200: Chemical interactions related to CO2 exchange between water and adjacent air 210: Air-ocean CO2 saturation equilibrium before alkaline treatment 220: Imbalance of CO2 saturation in air and water after alkaline treatment 230: Transfer of CO2 from air to water due to imbalance 300: Overview of Process 100 Implementation 320: The portion of the body of water surrounding the point of application of alkali 340: Dosing station for dosing alkaline substances 360: One of several sensors employed to detect the effect of an injection 400: Exemplary water parameters to be monitored 420: Vector of selected water parameters 500: An exemplary configuration for dosing, including a dosing station mechanically coupled to a discharge pipe and communicatively coupled to sensors and external devices, including an external computing device. 520: A container for holding a selected alkaline substance that can be mixed with raw water. 522: Alkaline substances 524: Stirrer 526: Tube 530: Pump 531: Mechanical connection of pump to reservoir 520 and discharge tube 538 532: Electrical coupling of pump to electronic controller 538: Discharge pipe 540: Input controller 560: Wireless or other communication channels to sensors and other devices 600: Overview of a system for quantitatively relating carbon dioxide removal (CDR) to the amount of alkali applied, the raw water being treated, the raw water characteristics, and the surrounding physical conditions. 620: Combining the encoded mathematical model and the acquired experimental data 622: Cumulative weight of alkaline substances 624: Encoded behavior and environmental constraints 632: Data characterizing raw water 634: Cumulative volume of traced raw water 640: Measured or calculated CDR 700: Outline of the first insertion mechanism 710: A container for holding a supply of alkaline material that can be mixed with raw water 712: A loading compartment for holding a measured amount of the contents of the container 710 720: Selected alkaline substances 736: Sensor for characteristics of contents of input compartment 712 738: Upper door 739: Lower door for discharging the contents of the input compartment into a body of water 747: Weight sensor 761: Dual communication path from sensor 747 to controller 762: Dual communication path from sensor 736 to controller 800: Outline of the second insertion mechanism 810: Pipe for transferring raw wastewater to the container 520 812: Raw wastewater sensor (inlet sensor) 814: Electronic circuitry coupled to the inlet sensor 812 860: Wireless or other communication channels to sensors (812, 882) and other devices 882: Sensor for wastewater modified due to mixing with alkaline material 522 (outlet sensor) 884: Electronic circuitry connected to the exit sensor 882 890: Pipes for transporting reformed wastewater to water bodies 900: Outline of the third injection mechanism 902: Waterbody or body of water 912: Sensor of raw water extracted from water body 902 (inlet sensor) 930: First pump for drawing raw water from the water body 931: Mechanical connection of first pump 930 to pipe 935, which directs raw water to pump 930 932: Electrical coupling of the first pump 930 to the controller 540 960: Wireless or wired communication channel to sensors 912 and 982 and other external devices 1000: Overview of the 4th insertion mechanism 1100: Hierarchy of sensors communicatively coupled to controller 540 1110: Type A sensor configured to detect changes in water properties near the input station 1120: Type B sensor configured to detect changes in lower level water properties at a predefined distance from the input station. 1130: Type C sensor configured to detect significantly lower levels of water property changes at predefined greater distances from the injection station; essentially measuring the spatial reach of the injection 1200: A table of data relating to different sensor types 1210: Sensor identifier (which may be a vector of quantified characteristics); with Σ sensor types, Σ>1; the number of sensors may significantly exceed Σ, as multiple sensors of a particular type may be placed at different locations. 1220: Coordinates of each installed sensor at a given site; sensors placed at equal radial distances from the point of entry, but at different angular displacements, may report significantly different readings due to fluctuating water currents. 1230: Parameters of interest characterizing the specified water 1300: Overview of methods for measuring advection delay through flowing water media 1320: Process for applying test doses of selected alkaline sources 1340: Simultaneous reporting of start and end of insertion phase indications to the controller via wired or wireless (including Bluetooth®) communication channels. 1360: Concurrent execution of two processes 1362 and 1364 on a selected sensor 1362: Detection of (significant) water quality changes attributable to selected alkalinity sources 1364: Reports the start and end of the detection interval (if any) to the controller 1380: Repeat the sequence of processes 1320, 1340 and 1360 a predetermined number of times (based on known rules of statistical significance) to allow for the calculation of a reliable estimate of the advection delay of the flowing medium. 1400: Controller 540 details 1410: Hardware processor that may include multiple processing units operating simultaneously and independently or in a pipeline. 1420: Network interface that allows communication with external controllers 1430: A sensor interface that allows communication with sensors associated with the input station 1440: Pump interface (electrical connection) 1450: A software module containing an encoded input control algorithm 1460: Software module containing encoded chemical formulas 1470: A memory device that stores pre-calculated or experimental data necessary to execute the software modules 1450 and 1460. 1480: Work data memory for holding intermediate execution data 1500: Master macro level determination table 1510: Alkaline source 1520: Application or Experimental Site 1530: Calculated net CDR for a specific alkali source and a specific site 1600: Variation of CDR with respect to acidity level, expressed as the ratio of CDR units per unit of alkaline substance to pH level 1700: Variation of calculated CDR with respect to weight of alkaline substance by five methods 1710: CDR for added alkali according to calculation 1 (Equation 3) 1720: CDR for added alkali according to calculation 2 (Equation 9) 1730: CDR for added alkali according to calculation 3 (Equation 10) 1740: CDR for added alkali according to calculation 4 (Equation 11) 1750: CDR for added alkali according to Calculation 5 (Equation 14) 1780: Vertical line illustrating the limit on the amount of CO2-alkali imposed by the sensor measurement 1800: Variation of carbon dioxide in water relative to the weight of alkaline substance applied 1900: Monitoring water characteristics 1920: In-line (standalone) water sensor 1940: Acidity sensor 1960: Carbon dioxide partial pressure sensor 1980: Total suspended solids sensor 2000: Variation of total CO2 removed with salinity 2010: pCO before adding alkali 2before 2020: pCO after adding alkali 2after 2030: Mixing line illustrating the change in salinity before adding CO2 reactive alkali 2040: Mixing line illustrating the change in salinity after adding CO2 reactive alkali 2100: Site-specific evaluation methods for CDR (processes 2110 through 2195) 2200: A system having a wastewater pipe for discharging treated wastewater into the ocean and arrangements for measuring water characteristics in the pipe and in the ocean near the outlet of the pipe. 2300: Variation of water-water pH in response to dissolved alkaline substances added to wastewater 2400: Variation in the relative weight of total suspended solids (grams per liter) to the relative weight of particulate alkaline material. 2500: Variation in CO2 consumption rate with respect to dissolved alkaline substances added to wastewater 2600: Injection control based on adherence to a single reference value of a specified parameter (or based on a vector of parameters) 2610: Monitoring time (time when sensor signal is processed) 2620: Reference value of the parameter of interest 2630: Value of parameter based on sensor reading (2630A refers to the value of the parameter above the reference value, 2630B refers to the value of the parameter below the reference value) 2700: Input control based on adherence to a reference interval of acceptable values ​​of a parameter 2720: Lower limit of the acceptable interval 2730: Width of the acceptable interval 2740: Upper limit of acceptable interval 2800: The core of the injection control method of the present invention based on the criteria 2700 (falling back to the criteria 2600 when the width of the tolerance interval 2730 is set equal to zero) 2900: Application of method 2800 to periodic injection by criterion 2600 (single reference value) with constant value injection increments and decrements 2910: Reference value of the selected parameter 2920: Single measurement of a parameter 2940: Instructions for incrementing or decrementing each input 2941: Increment or decrement (arbitrary unit) 2942: Input size after increment or decrement 3000: Application of method 2800 to periodic injections according to criterion 2700 (reference interval) with constant injection increments and decrements 3010: Lower bound of the interval of acceptable values ​​for the parameter 3020: Interval of acceptable values ​​for a parameter 3030: Upper limit of the interval of acceptable values ​​for the parameter 3100: Application of method 2800 to periodic injection by criterion 2600 (single reference value) with adaptive values ​​of injection increment and decrement 3200: Application of method 2800 to periodic injection by criterion 2700 (reference interval) with adaptive values ​​of injection increments and decrements 3300: Procedure for adjusting inputs according to a single reference value 3400: Procedure for adjusting input amounts according to reference intervals of acceptable values 3500: injection period with inter-injection interval equal to known advection delay 3520: Amount of alkaline substance added 3580: Parameter value 3600: injection period where the inter-injection interval exceeds the known advection delay 3700: injection period where the interinjection interval is half the known advection delay 3800: injection period where the interinjection interval is a small fraction of the known advection delay 3900: CDR prediction judgment 4000: Selection of base for application of specific alkaline substances Notation Ω: The current value of a parameter that represents one of the water properties Ω*: Parameter target value Ω L :The lower bound of the reference interval that defines the acceptable values ​​of the parameter Ω H : Upper limit of reference interval Ω j, j>0: the value of the parameter at successively spaced time points t0, t1, t2, ... η0: Previous value of Ω Current value of η1:Ω β: Nominal magnitude of input increment or decrement Δ: Current magnitude of input increment or decrement Φ: the current amount of alkaline material periodically applied δ: Advection delay in aqueous media DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0075] A general object of the invention is to improve methods and apparatus for performing carbon dioxide removal (CDR) from the atmosphere or other sources of excess CO through the addition of CO-reactive chemical bases or alkalis to large bodies of water, such as the oceans. It is known that various chemical bases, such as metal oxides, hydroxides, carbonates, and silicates, can react with and consume CO to form solid or dissolved metal carbonates and / or bicarbonates. In fact, as a result of such natural geochemical reactions, dissolved metal bicarbonates in seawater form the largest carbon reservoir on the Earth's surface. Therefore, it would be beneficial to enhance or increase such reactions to reduce the atmospheric CO load.

[0076] In one embodiment of the present invention, a CO2-reactive metal hydroxide, such as Mg(OH)2, is added to the surface ocean to consume some of the dissolved CO2 in the surface ocean and induce CO2 undersaturation with air. When this undersaturated water is exposed to air, removal of CO2 from the air occurs through CO2 diffusion from the air to the ocean.

[0077] In another example embodiment, Mg(OH)2 is first added to an existing permitted outlet of industrial or municipal wastewater that ultimately discharges into the ocean. It should be noted that other types of alkalis can be used, including other metal hydroxides or oxides such as Ca(OH)2, CaO, KOH, MgO, and NaOH, and soluble metal carbonates such as MgCO3 and Na2CO3, in addition to or in addition to Mg(OH)2. Metals in this context refer to elements included in the alkali or alkaline earth metals, Groups IA and IIA of the periodic table. Other discharges into the ocean for alkali addition may also be considered, including natural discharges such as cooling water discharges from power plants, rivers and streams, and artificial discharge points from land-based or floating or submersible platforms. Discharges into bodies of water other than the ocean, including lakes, rivers, and natural or non-natural reservoirs or ponds, for the purpose of conducting CDR, may also be considered.

[0078] When a CO2 reactive alkali is added to water, some or all of the dissolved CO2 contained in the water is consumed and converted to bicarbonate and carbonate ions.

[0079] This consumption of dissolved CO2, and therefore its reduction in concentration, results in either i) undersaturation of dissolved CO2 with respect to the air or ii) a reduction in dissolved CO2 supersaturation with respect to the air. Therefore, when such alkaline water comes into contact with the atmosphere, either i) a negative air-water CO2 concentration gradient is formed, or ii) a reduction in a positive air-water CO2 concentration gradient occurs. Due to this CO2 concentration gradient, either i) CO2 is drawn into the air or removed from the air, or ii) the natural diffusion of CO2 from water to air is reduced. In either case, the atmospheric CO2 load is desirably reduced through i) CO2 absorption and storage by the water, or ii) a reduction in CO2 emissions from water to air.

[0080] It is desirable to measure the amount of CO2 removed from the atmosphere or the amount of avoided emissions. This can be determined by either i) measuring the increase in dissolved carbon concentration in the water following alkalized water absorbing CO2 from the air, or ii) maintaining the dissolved carbon concentration above what would otherwise be the case in the absence of alkalization and, therefore, loss of CO2 from the water. However, such measurements are difficult, if not impossible, due to the rapid horizontal and vertical diffusion and dilution of added alkalinity and CO2 depletion that occurs in the surface ocean compared to the slow air-water CO2 gas exchange (several months). Such measurements require extensive geographic and temporal coverage. Because alkalized CO2-deficient water diffuses over time and is extensively diluted by the surrounding seawater, measurements need to be performed with a higher accuracy than current direct analytical methods can achieve. Therefore, the present invention provides new methods and procedures for measuring or estimating the achieved CDR and an injection station therefor.

[0081] 1 illustrates a scheme 100 for removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from air using a body of water. The scheme is based on implementing a process 120 of applying a controlled dose of alkaline material to a body of water, a process 140 of measuring changes to the water properties as a result of said dose, a process 160 of ensuring compliance with prescribed or desired regulations, and a process 180 of adjusting the dose rate, if necessary.

[0082] Figure 2 illustrates the chemical interactions 200 associated with carbon dioxide exchange between water and adjacent air. Starting from an air-ocean CO saturation equilibrium (reference 210) before alkaline treatment, the addition of alkaline substances to the water results in an imbalance in CO saturation in the air and water (reference 220). The resulting imbalance gradually transfers CO from the air to the water, resulting in the removal of a certain amount of CO from the air (reference 230).

[0083] Figure 3 is an overview 300 of an implementation of the scheme of Figure 1, where a dosing station 340 is configured to release a controlled amount of alkaline material into a body of water (shown portion 320), and at least one sensor 360 is used to detect specific changes in the water's properties near the dosing station. Generally, multiple sensors may be placed in the water at selected monitoring points.

[0084] FIG. 4 illustrates example parameters 400 that characterize the water properties of a body of water before, during, and after a dosing process.

[0085] 5 illustrates a general system 500 for dosing alkalinity added to a body of water, including a dosing station 340 mechanically coupled to a discharge line 538 and communicatively coupled to sensors and an external device. The external device may include computing functionality for performing associated analytical studies. The system 500 includes a container or reservoir 520 for holding a selected alkaline substance 522, which may be mixed with the source water. The container may include an agitator 524.

[0086] For example, pump 530 is mechanically coupled to vessel 520 (reference 531) through induction conduit 526 for extracting multiple doses of the vessel's contents that are discharged through discharge conduit 538 into a body of water.

[0087] An input controller 540 is configured to receive signals from the plurality of sensors and process the content of the signals to adaptively adjust the release of alkaline substances in the water.

[0088] The pump 530 may be electrically coupled to the controller 540 (reference 532) to receive control signals. The pump 530 may also be communicatively coupled only to the controller 540. The controller 540 communicates with the sensors, and possibly with the computing functions, through a communication channel 560.

[0089] 6 is an overview 600 of a process for quantitatively relating estimated carbon dioxide removal (CDR) to multiple factors, including raw water characteristics, the amount of temporary treatment, if any, the amount of alkali applied, and ambient physical conditions. An apparatus 620 for estimating CDR may be based on a combination of mathematical models and acquired experimental data. The amount of CDR may be a function of (1) the cumulative weight 622 of the alkali applied, (2) the raw water characteristics 632, (3) the cumulative volume 634 of the raw water mixed with the alkali before discharge into the body of water, and (4) operational and environmental constraints 624.

[0090] 7 is a schematic 700 of a first input mechanism based on temporary raw water treatment in an input compartment and direct release into a body of water. The mechanism includes a container 710 for holding a supply of alkaline material 720, which can be mixed with raw water, and an input compartment 712 for holding a measured amount of the contents of the container 710. A sensor 736 detects a characteristic of the contents of the input compartment 712, and a sensor 747 indicates the weight of the material in the container 710. An upper door 738 and a lower door 739 of the compartment 712 are controlled using a servo mechanism to regulate the release of the contents of the input compartment into the body of water. Dual communication channels 761 from the sensor 747 to a controller and 762 from the sensor 736 to the controller are provided. The communication channels may be wireless channels (including Bluetooth channels for relatively short distances).

[0091] 8 is a schematic 800 of a second input mechanism based on temporary treatment of directly supplied raw water (such as wastewater) in a vessel 520 through a pipe 810 before discharge into a body of water. An inlet sensor 812 (which may include multiple dedicated sensor units) detects specified properties of the raw water. The inlet sensor 812 is communicatively coupled to an electronic circuit 814 for partial processing of the signal from the sensor.

[0092] A pump 530 is mechanically coupled to the vessel 520 through an induction pipe 526 for extracting multiple doses of the vessel's contents which are discharged into the body of water through an outlet pipe 538 (reference 531).

[0093] The outlet sensor detects a specified characteristic of the treated water, which is raw water mixed with alkaline material 522 in vessel 522 and transported through outlet pipe 538. Outlet sensor 882 is communicatively coupled to electronic circuitry 884 for partial processing of the signal from the outlet sensor. Pipe 890 transports the treated water to a body of water. Controller 540 has a communication channel 860, wireless or otherwise, to the sensors and other devices.

[0094] FIG. 9 is a schematic 900 of a third input mechanism based on temporary treatment of raw water drawn from a body of water 902 in a vessel 520 prior to discharge into the body of water.

[0095] A first pump 530A draws raw water from the body of water 902. Pump 530A is mechanically coupled (reference 531A) to pipe 935 and pipe 910. Pump 530A is electrically coupled (reference 532A) to controller 540. A second pump 530B is mechanically coupled (reference 531B) to vessel 520 through inlet pipe 526 for extracting multiple doses of the vessel's contents which are discharged into the body of water through outlet pipe 538. Pump 530B is electrically coupled (reference 532B) to controller 540.

[0096] An inlet sensor 912 (which may include multiple dedicated sensor units) detects designated properties of the source water. The inlet sensor 912 is communicatively coupled to electronic circuitry 814 for electronic processing of signals from the inlet sensor 912 (similar to the arrangement in FIG. 8 ). An outlet sensor 882 (which may include multiple dedicated sensor units) detects designated properties of the partially treated water in vessel 520. The outlet sensor 882 is communicatively coupled to electronic circuitry 884 for electronic processing of signals from the outlet sensor 882. In addition to the sensors and pumps described above, controller 540 is communicatively coupled to external devices via communication path 960.

[0097] FIG. 10 is a schematic 1000 of a specific implementation of a fourth injection mechanism that combines features of the first injection mechanism 700 and the third injection mechanism 900, based on temporary treatment of raw water drawn from the body of water 902 in a compartment 712 before discharge into the body of water 902.

[0098] A first pump 530A draws raw water from the body of water 902. Pump 530A is mechanically coupled (reference 531A) to pipe 935 and pipe 910. Pump 530A is electrically coupled (reference 532A) to controller 540. A second pump 530B is mechanically coupled to compartment 712 (reference 531B) through an inlet pipe 1026 for extracting multiple doses of the contents of compartment 1026 that are released into the body of water through an outlet pipe 538.

[0099] An inlet sensor 1012 (which may include multiple dedicated sensor units) detects designated properties of the raw water extracted from the body of water 902. The inlet sensor 1012 is communicatively coupled to electronic circuitry (not shown) for electronic processing of signals from the inlet sensor 1012. An outlet sensor 1082 (which may include multiple dedicated sensor units) detects designated properties of the partially treated water. The outlet sensor 1082 is communicatively coupled to electronic circuitry (not shown) for electronic processing of signals from the outlet sensor 1082.

[0100] The controller 540 is communicatively coupled to a servomechanism that regulates the release of the contents of the container 710 holding the supply of alkaline substance 720 into the input compartment 712. The controller 540 is therefore communicatively coupled to the sensors 1012, 1082, the pump 530A, the pump 530B, and the servomechanisms. Additionally, the controller 540 may be communicatively coupled to an external computing device.

[0101] FIG. 11 illustrates a hierarchy 1100 of sensors communicatively coupled to the controller 540 of the input station of FIG. 5. The sensors may have different configurations depending on their intended proximity from the point of release of alkaline material into each body of water. Type A sensors 1110 are configured to detect changes in water properties near the input station. Type B sensors 1120 are configured to detect lower levels of water property changes at predefined distances from the input station. Type C sensors 1130 are configured to detect significantly lower levels of water property changes at predefined greater distances from the input station; essentially, they measure the spatial reach of the input.

[0102] FIG. 12 illustrates a table 1200 maintained in the input station controller showing identification data, including location and type, of the sensors of FIG. 11, and time-varying data relating to the measured water properties.

[0103] For each of a number Σ (Σ>1) of sensors, the table shows the sensor identifier 1210 (which may be a vector of quantified properties), location coordinates 1220, and the respective property 1230 detected (in the illustrated example, a subset of properties P1 to P9).

[0104] The sensor identifiers 1210 may include a serial number and an indication of the respective sensor type, determined from a list of available sensor types. The location coordinates 1220 of an installed sensor at a given site may be planar polar coordinates (ρ, φ), where ρ is the radial distance from the point of injection and φ is the angular displacement from a predefined direction. Depth dimensions relative to the (calm) water surface may be taken into account. Sensors placed at equal radial distances but different angular displacements from the injection point may report significantly different readings due to varying water currents. Parameters of interest 1230 characterizing a given water may vary according to the coordinates of the installed sensor.

[0105] 13 illustrates a method 1300 for measuring advection delay through a flowing medium. Process 1320 applies a test dose of a selected alkali source. Process 1340 simultaneously reports indications of the start and end of the dose phase to a controller via a wired or wireless (including Bluetooth wireless) communication channel.

[0106] At the selected sensor, process 1360 executes two processes 1362 and 1364 simultaneously.

[0107] Process 1362 detects (significant) water quality changes attributable to the selected alkalinity source. Process 1364 reports the start and end (if any) of the detection interval to the controller. The sequence of processes 1320, 1340, and 1360 is repeated a predetermined number of times (based on known rules of statistical significance) to allow for the calculation of a reliable estimate of the advection delay of the flowing medium (action 1380).

[0108] Figure 14 illustrates components 1400 of an exemplary dosage controller for use in dosage station 340 of Figure 5. A hardware processor 1410 is coupled to a network interface 1420, a sensor interface 1430, a pump interface 1440, a memory device 1450 (shown in more detail below) that holds encoded dosage control algorithms according to the various models of Figure 17 for calculating the CDR versus the amount of alkali added to the body of water, a memory device 1460 that holds encoded chemical analysis formulas, a memory device 1470 that stores operational data, and a memory device 1480 that holds intermediate process data. The hardware processor 1410 may include multiple processing units that operate simultaneously and independently or in a pipeline fashion.

[0109] The network interface is configured to communicate with an external controller. The sensor interface 1430 is configured to communicate with sensors associated with the dosage station. The pump interface 1440 is configured to generate electrical signals that control specific operations of the dosage pump. The operational data stored in memory device 1470 includes pre-calculated or experimental data necessary to execute the software modules stored in memory devices 1450 and 1460.

[0110] 15 illustrates a master macro-level decision table 1500 for use in a global controller (not shown) of a multi-site dosing system interfacing with multiple geographically distributed dosing stations. For each alkali source type 1510 of a set of N available alkali source types (N>1), and for each application or experimental dosing site 1520, a calculated feasible CDR 1530 is entered into the table to facilitate decision-making in multi-site dosing projects.

[0111] Figure 16 illustrates the variation of CDR with respect to acidity level, expressed as the ratio of CDR units per alkalinity unit versus pH level. An example of the sensitivity of CDR / Mg(OH)2 to pH, salinity (S), and temperature (T) is shown. The base case corresponds to T = 20°C, S = 35°C, and pressure = 10 dbar.

[0112] Figure 17 illustrates the dependence of CDR on the weight (amount) of alkaline material added to a water body for five estimation methods / models. The figure shows the progressive refinement of the calculation of CDR as a function of the mass of Mg(OH)2 added to the ocean's surface mixed layer.

[0113] The addition of Mg(OH) to seawater, and therefore the calculated CDR, can be limited by the desire to remain within specified seawater chemical parameters. In the illustrated case, 3 × 10 Mg(OH) in equilibrium with air 8 L(10 7The rate at which Mg(OH)2 can be uniformly added to 100 L / day of well-mixed seawater over a month is approximately 500 tonnes / month (17 tonnes / day) if the pH does not exceed 9.

[0114] FIG. 18 illustrates the dependence of carbon dioxide in seawater versus the weight (amount) of alkaline substance applied.

[0115] An initial estimate of the potential overall CDR effect of a given mass of alkali added to a body of water, such as the ocean, is determined by the chemical mass stoichiometry of the CO2 reaction with that alkali. For example, at pH < 6, on a molar basis, the approximate reaction is Mg(OH)2 + 2CO2 → Mg++ + 2HCO3-. Applying the respective molar weights of the compounds calculates 1.51 tons (metric tons) of CO2 removed per ton of Mg(OH)2. Thus, an initial calculation of the CDR for a given addition of a given mass of Mg(OH)2 to a body of water is as follows:

[0116] CDR = t added alkali × 1.51 t removed CO2 / t alkali (1) where t = metric tonnes (tonnes).

[0117] However, the pH of many bodies of water is significantly higher than in the previous example, which significantly affects the previous reaction in that carbonate ions are also generated in this case. Because carbonate ions are divalent, they require twice as much Mg as HCO3- for charge balance. 2+ For example, the average pH of the surface ocean is about 8.1, so the molar reaction is: Mg 2+ +2OH - +A(CO 2aq ) → Mg 2+ +B(HCO3 - )+C(CO3 2- +H2O)+D(OH - ) (2) where A = B + C and B + (2 × C) + D = 2. In equilibrium seawater at 20°C and pH 8.1 at shallow depth (close to sea surface pressure), A = 1.65 moles of CO2 per mole of Mg(OH)2, and B, C, and D are 1.48, 0.17, and 0.18 moles / mole, respectively. The molar ratio A decreases with increasing seawater pH. For example, at pH = 8.3, the ratio falls to 1.56 (Figure 16).

[0118] This molar ratio can be converted to a mass ratio. For example, at pH = 8.1, 1.65 mol CO2 / mol Mg(OH)2 × 44 (wt / mol CO2) / 58.3 (wt / mol Mg(OH)2) = 1.25 t removed CO2 / t Mg(OH)2. Therefore, the CDR calculation for typical seawater is:

[0119] CDR = t alkali added × 1.25t CO2 removed / t Mg(OH)2(3) An example of the use of this equation in calculating CDR as a function of the mass of Mg(OH)2 added to the ocean is shown in "Calculation 1" 1710 in Figure 17. In Figure 17:

[0120] The graph in calculation 1 1710 uses equation 3 above; the graph in calculation 2 1720 uses F equil Calculation 1 is modified by incorporating =0.90 (Equation 9 below); the graph of Calculation 3 1730 shows that in this example, F hback Factor = 0.15 (Equation 10 below); Calculation 4 1740 graph shows the CDR in this example ww Factor = 30% of CDR in calculation 1 (Equation 11 below); and Calculation 5 1750 graph is in this example LCA emiss Factor = 0.35 tonnes CO2 released / tonne including Mg(OH)2 added to the ocean (Equation 14 below).

[0121] Further refinement / limitation of the amount of magnesium hydroxide allowable to be added to a body of water, and the corresponding reduced CDR, was also determined by considering measurements from sensors, such as pH, temperature, salinity, and pressure in the body of water. That is, vertical line 1780 in Figure 17 illustrates the maximum amount of magnesium hydroxide allowable to be added to a predetermined volume of water per month to maintain a pH < 9, which also defines the corresponding allowable CDR, with Calculation 1, Calculation 2, Calculation 3, Calculation 4, and Calculation 5, designated as graphs 1710, 1720, 1730, 1740, and 1750, as appropriate, corresponding to each maximum allowable amount of magnesium hydroxide.

[0122] In this application, the maximum allowable amount of magnesium hydroxide is referred to as the "required amount of CO2 reactive alkali" or "target amount of CO2 reactive alkali," and the corresponding acceptable CDR is referred to as the "acceptable target CDR" or "target CDR."

[0123] The above graphs Calculation 1, Calculation 2, Calculation 3, Calculation 4, and Calculation 5 (1710, 1720, 1730, 1740, and 1750) determine the amount of magnesium hydroxide to be added to a body of water under different progressively improved calculation models 1710, 1720, 1730, 1740, and 1750 to achieve the respective carbon dioxide removal (CDR) from the atmosphere corresponding to the above models.

[0124] The ton / ton ratio also varies between different sources of alkali used, depending on the valence and molar weight of the alkali. For example, the equivalent of the above 1.25 ratio for Mg(OH)2 is 1.82 t CDR / t NaOH and 0.98 t CDR / t Ca(OH)2 in typical seawater.

[0125] In situations where the source alkali is chemically impure or unknown, the ratio can be empirically determined by adding a given mass of alkali to a known volume of stirred water or seawater equilibrated with air. After complete dissolution of the alkali and re-equilibration with air, multiplying the increase in the solution's DIC concentration by the solution volume and dividing by the mass of added alkali provides a direct measurement of the CDR mass / alkali mass ratio at the test solution's pH, salinity, temperature, and pressure. Indeed, experimental 2-L-scale seawater tests showed that with rapid stirring of 1 mM Mg(OH)2 in seawater, approximately 50% of the theoretical carbon uptake per mass of alkali added was achieved on the first day after alkalinization, and 99% of the theoretical yield, 1.25 t CO2 removed / t Mg(OH)2, was achieved after approximately 20 days. Therefore, by knowing the tons of CDR per ton of alkali, the potential CDR achieved by adding a given mass of alkali to a body of water can be determined by multiplying the tons of alkali added by the previous tons of CDR / tons of alkali.

[0126] However, a further improvement is to use the CDR calculation 1 1710 in Figure 17 to account for the vertical dispersion of alkalized CO2-depleted water in a body of water, such as the ocean. Here, the natural movement of such water away from the surface ocean reduces the available time for equilibration with air. Furthermore, the added alkali may be in particulate form and may not completely dissolve before sinking from the surface water. It should be noted that CO2-reactive alkali is preferably added to the surface mixed layer of a body of water to maximize the extent of i) alkali dissolution, ii) achieved dissolved CO2 depletion, and iii) equilibration with air. Even when alkali is added to surface water, the alkalized water or alkali particles may sink rapidly before dissolving or equilibrating with air, thus reducing the realized CDR per mass of alkali added. Once removed from the surface mixed layer and no longer in contact with air, the portion with fully dissolved alkali potentially provides little or no CDR until it returns to the surface (which in the ocean can take as long as millennia, depending on ocean currents and conditions). Therefore, for closer term assessment of CDR, the vertical movement of alkalized water relative to the air-water CO2 gas exchange rate at a given location where alkali is added needs to be considered.

[0127] In the case of magnesium hydroxide, dissolution of solid Mg(OH) occurs on timescales of hours to days, the reaction of dissolved Mg(OH) with dissolved CO occurs almost instantaneously, and air-sea CO equilibration (CDR) occurs on timescales of weeks to months, while advection of surface ocean water to depths where it loses contact with the atmosphere can occur in minutes to months. For example, global model outputs for CO equilibration timescales show a global mean value of about 4 months, a standard deviation of about 3.5 months, and values ​​exceeding about 12 months only in a small proportion of offshore waters.

[0128] Ratio of air-equilibrated alkaline water F equil The method for measuring the rate of air-sea gas exchange (Gas ex , moles CO2m -2 day -1), and the rate at which CO2-unsaturated water moves to a depth that is not in contact with the atmosphere (CDR loss , moles CO2 m -2 day -1 ) difference is Gas ex This involves dividing by:

[0129] F equil =(Gas ex -CDR loss ) / Gas ex (4) Gas ex >CDR loss For example, if alkalinity occurs in shallow, well-mixed coastal or nearshore waters, CDR loss can be close to zero, which means that almost all of the alkalized water will eventually equilibrate with the atmosphere, and F equil This means that Gas ex Rapid surface water movement (high CDR loss value) is F equil can be made close to zero.

[0130] Gas ex can be determined by this formula:

[0131] Gas ex =K × (pCO 2air -pCO 2ocean,t ) (5) where K is the gas exchange coefficient and pCO 2air is the average pCO2 in the air above the location of the alkalized water, and pCO 2ocean is the pCO2 of the alkalized water in contact with air at time t. Figure 18 shows the pCO2 (relative to an initial pCO2 of 420 uatm) in response to the addition of alkali, without air-sea gas exchange. 2ocean More specifically, Figure 18 shows the reduction of seawater m 3 Figure 1 illustrates the reduction in seawater pCO2 (= initially 420 uatm) for the addition of Mg(OH)2 in tonnes per tonne. Therefore, pCO 2ocean pCO 2airWhen the pCO2 difference between the air and ocean increases with the presence of Mg(OH)2, the difference in pCO2 between the air and ocean increases with the presence of Mg(OH)2, and thus the difference in pCO2 between the air and ocean increases with the presence of Mg(OH)2. ex increases proportionally. K can be estimated from the wind speed or by other methods known in the art.

[0132] Gas ex can also be measured by eddy covariance in the air over the alkalized ocean, where high-frequency wind and scalar atmospheric data (CO2, energy, and momentum) can yield values ​​for the vertical CO2 flux across the air / sea boundary.

[0133] CDR loss is measured via downstream monitoring of the concentration of a chemical tracer, such as rhodamine or fluorescein, either naturally occurring in wastewater or other effluents or artificially added, or other tracers known in the art that can be uniformly mixed with alkali before addition to the ocean. After addition to the ocean, the concentration of the tracer decreases over time with distance from the ocean discharge point due to dilution by unaltered seawater. Its presence in the ocean at any concentration at any point and time after release indicates that some proportion of wastewater plus alkali has passed to a given location at a given time.

[0134] Therefore, by measuring any increase in the concentration of the tracer above background over time in the waters in and below the ocean surface mixed layer (water in contact with the atmosphere), and integrating the rate at which the tracer is lost from the mixed layer over each affected volume, f t can be determined: f t =Rhod subsurf,t / (Rhod surf,t +Rhod subsurf,t ) (6) Rhod surf,t is the volume integral of rhodamine in the ocean surface mixed layer at time t, and Rhod subsurf,t is the volume-integrated amount of rhodamine below the ocean surface at time t, and CDRloss,t can then be determined:

[0135] CDR loss,t =f t × tons of added Mg(OH)2 × (tons of CDR / tons of added Mg(OH)2) (7) As previously mentioned, ton of CDR / ton of added Mg(OH)2 can equal 1.25 in typical seawater.

[0136] F equil Another option for estimating is the CDR loss,t That is, over a period of time sufficient to allow most of the surface seawater to equilibrate with air after alkalinization, e.g., 3 months, F equil is simply the average fraction of alkalized CO2-unsaturated seawater at the surface during t:

[0137] F equil =1-(0.5×f t ) (8) Here, 0.5 × f t is used to represent the average f during time t (not time = t), assuming a linear increase in f between 0 at t = 0 and a larger rate at t >> 0, e.g., 3 months.

[0138] Gas ex , CDR loss , and therefore, F equil can also be estimated or predicted via computer models of ocean chemistry and physics (known in the art). Models that rely on a range of regional oceanographic observations (e.g., turbulence velocities and density gradients) utilize certain assumptions to predict the gas concentration in alkalized ocean regions. ex and CDR loss , and therefore, F equil can be estimated.

[0139] It is also possible to predict the rate of air equilibrium using computer models of ocean physics and air-sea gas exchange, influenced by measured or prescribed wind, heat, salinity, and geostrophic forces. Such models can be used to predict the distribution and surface ocean residence time of added alkali mass at a given point in the ocean over a set period of time.

[0140] Finally, the accuracy and precision of the previous model can be checked or adjusted and improved, and the uncertainty of the predictions reduced by comparison with the measurements described above. The use of a model with such improved accuracy and precision allows the F equil This may reduce the uncertainty in the estimation and therefore the uncertainty in the CDR calculation.

[0141] F equil Whatever method is used to measure or estimate CDR, it can be inserted into equation (3) to provide a more accurate estimate of CDR:

[0142] CDR = (t added alkali × t removed CO2 / t alkali) × F equil (9) In this case, t = ton.

[0143] An example of the effect of calculating CDR according to equation (9) is shown as the Calculation 2 1720 graph in FIG.

[0144] Embodiments of the present invention provide additional refinement to the CDR calculation by considering the uncertainty in the previous CDR estimate and then reducing the CDR value appropriately to provide a more conservative and more robust estimate:

[0145] CDR = (t added alkali × t removed CO2 / t alkali) × (F equil -F hback ) (10) For example, if the 95% confidence level of the previous CDR estimate is + / - 15%, a reduction factor of 0.15% may be introduced into the calculation to provide greater certainty in the resulting estimate. The calculated F for a given alkali discharge may be reduced or increased if the uncertainty in the initial calculation is reduced or increased by more direct measurements of alkali emissions after that discharge into a body of water or by the use of a more accurate model. hback can be reduced or increased after discharge (calculation 3, 1730 in FIG. 17).

[0146] 19 illustrates an exemplary device 1900 for in-flow water property monitoring that includes a set of different types of independent sensors 1920. Set 1920 may include an acidity or pH sensor 1940, a carbon dioxide partial pressure sensor 1960, and a total suspended solids (TSS) sensor 1980.

[0147] Embodiments with wastewater pipes A further refinement provided by the present invention is consideration of any CDR effected prior to adding alkali to a body of water. For example, in the case of using municipal wastewater discharge as a means for alkali addition to the surface ocean, the high biomass content and biological metabolic characteristics of these waste streams mean that they are very highly supersaturated with CO relative to air. Therefore, by adding alkali to these streams, there is significant potential for CO removal to occur in the delivery line before the alkalized wastewater is delivered to the ocean. Because this respired CO represents CO recently removed from the atmosphere by biological activity (e.g., plant photosynthesis), any removal and storage of this carbon can be considered CDR.

[0148] CDR WW represents the tons of CDR generated in wastewater or other pipelines that hold supersaturated CO2 (relative to air) before being discharged into the ocean.

[0149] Therefore, when and where CO2 supersaturation is present in the alkaline effluent, CDR wwThe CDR calculation can be refined by adding the term:

[0150] CDR = [(t added alkali × t removed CO2 / t alkali) - CDR ww )]×(F equil -F hback )+CDR ww , where t = t (11) That is, the amount of CDR achieved before discharge into water or the ocean (CDR WW ) can be added to the CDR calculated in equation (9), but the amount of CDR resulting in the body of water is reduced proportionately to reflect that some CO2 reactive alkali was consumed before discharge. This calculation assumes that all CO2 consumed before discharge to the ocean or body of water would otherwise have been released to the atmosphere, and therefore the CDR in this example WW is the F in the case of CO2 reactive alkali discharge into the ocean or water body. equil and F hback CDR calculation WW An example of this effect of the inclusion of is shown in calculation 41740 in Figure 17. Otherwise, CDR WW The same F as that applied to CDR occurring in water bodies equil and F hback If subject to the factor, CDR WW Identification of the CDR is not required and the calculation of the total CDR up to this point is as shown in equation (10).

[0151] CDR WW can be measured directly by determining the difference between i) the wastewater CO2 partial pressure (pCO2) before or upstream of the addition of alkali to the wastewater stream, and ii) the pCO2 after alkali addition to the wastewater measured at or near the point of discharge to the ocean. This decrease in pCO2, along with the length of time it was measured and the affected wastewater discharge rate, can be used to calculate the tons of CO2 removed from the waste stream.

[0152] in particular: CDR WW(tons) = (WW pCO 2pre -WW pCO 2post ) × solubility coefficient × WW rate × time (12) where solubility coefficient is the temperature and salinity sensitive solubility coefficient of CO2 in the wastewater, in this case tonnes CO2 μatm -1 m -3 The WW rate is measured using conventional methods and averaged over the time length of alkali addition, m 3 where WW pCO is the wastewater discharge rate in hours, and "hours" in equation (12) is the duration of alkali addition in hours. 2pre is the wastewater pCO2 before alkali addition (in μatm), measured upstream of alkali addition. 2post is the wastewater pCO2 after alkali addition (in μatm), measured at or near the point of discharge into the ocean.

[0153] Using conventional methods, WW pCO 2pre and WW pCO 2post pCO2 is measured either directly in the wastewater stream or by lowering a sampling tube into the flowing pipe and drawing the wastewater directly into an above-ground reservoir containing a pCO2 probe (e.g., using a peristaltic pump). In this way, the wastewater is contacted with the probe before being drawn back into the wastewater pipe, as illustrated in FIG. 19, which shows an in-flow wastewater sensor box 60 used both upstream and downstream of alkali addition. Conversely, pCO2 can be measured in the volume of gas equilibrated with the wastewater stream, for example, in the gas headspace above the flowing wastewater in the pipe.

[0154] WW pCO 2pre and pCO 2post Both are measured continuously or at least hourly. The upstream unalkalinated WW pCO before and during the alkalinization process 2preThe pCO2 of the wastewater upstream of the alkali addition point is also monitored before and during alkalinization to account for any temporal changes in pCO2. The difference between the upstream and end-of-pipe pCO2 before alkalinization begins measures changes in pCO2 between the upstream and discharge points due to CO2 leakage from the pipe to the atmosphere or due to non-alkalinization processes, such as dilution of the wastewater stream by storm drain overflow.

[0155] WW pCO 2post Other options for measuring are:

[0156] Option 1: If a second access point is not available, a piece of tubing connected to an above-ground sensor box is deployed in the pipe and led downstream from the single access point. The length of the tubing determines the distance to the Mg(OH)2 addition point.

[0157] Option 2: A wire-mounted sensor package is sent downstream down the tube to the end of the system. This sensor (our "artificial fish") is propelled downstream down the tube by the effluent flow, while internally logging pCO2 measurements (and possibly other auxiliary data channels). The length of the released wire tether determines where the effluent is detected.

[0158] Option 3, a piece of tubing (as in option 1) or a sensor package (as in option 2) is inserted into the wastewater stream from the end of the tube (ie, where the waste exits into the ocean).

[0159] WW pCO at or near the point of final discharge into the ocean 2post At sites where direct in-pipe measurements of pCO are not feasible, this value can be estimated using marine measurement surveys near the point of discharge. Since wastewater typically has a much lower salinity than seawater, the WW pCO at the wastewater salinity 2postThe "mixing line and extrapolation" method for calculating pCO2 is illustrated in Figure 20 and is based on determining wastewater discharge pCO2 with alkali addition 2040 and without alkali addition 2030, and background ocean pCO2 using data graphs and extrapolation. In Figure 20, MH represents magnesium hydroxide.

[0160] Measurements of seawater pCO2 and salinity throughout and outside the effluent plume can result in covariability along "mixing lines" 2030, 2040 that illustrate the change in salinity versus distance near the point of discharge from the effluent pipe into the body of water. Mixing lines 2030 and 2040 correspond to before (2030) and after (2040) alkali addition, and extrapolating mixing lines 2030 and 2040 to the y-axis (i.e., zero salinity) can provide a measure of the change in pCO2. 2before (2010) and pCO 2after (2020), each referred to as WW pCO 2post In addition, at wastewater salinity, which is now zero, the difference between "before MH(Mg(OH)2) addition" pCO22010 and "after MH(Mg(OH)2) addition" pCO22020 is ww can be used to calculate:

[0161] CDR ww =(pCO 2before -pCO 2after ) × C × total alkalinized WW discharge volume (m 3 ) (13) where C is the T- and S-sensitive solubility constant, in this case ton CO2 / (u atm × m 3 ) units. It is therefore much more efficient than the CDR, which would otherwise be measured more directly in the exhaust pipe as described above. WW was used as a comparable "ocean-based" estimate for the term.

[0162] A further refinement provided in the CDR calculation in equation (11) is the subtraction of CO2 emissions released in the production, transportation, and distribution of the alkali mass used in the CDR, thus resulting in a net CDR achieved, CDR netAllows the calculation of the amount of CO2 emitted in tonnes of CO2, Life Cycle Analysis CO2 emissions, LCA emiss This term is then inserted into the CDR calculation as follows:

[0163] CDR net = [(mass of alkali added × removed CO2 / mass of alkali - CDR ww )×(F equil -F hback )]+CDR ww -LCA emiss (14) For example, if 1,000 t of Mg(OH)2 is used for CDR, resulting in 200 t of CO2 being released during production, 100 t of CO2 being released during transportation, and 50 t of CO2 being released during its distribution, then 350 t of CO2 is subtracted from the previously calculated CDR, resulting in a CDR of 1,000 t. net It is necessary to provide a value for the LCA for CDR calculation. emiss An example of this effect is shown in calculation 5 1750 of FIG.

[0164] The above describes the CDR that can be achieved for a given addition of alkali, e.g., Mg(OH)2, to a body of water. net However, the rate at which alkali can be added to a volume of water may be limited by the chemical or physical effects of such addition, so that the effects do not exceed desirable or acceptable limits. For example, if alkali is added at a rate of 10 7 If added to 1 L of well-mixed, aerated seawater, a maximum of about 17 tons of Mg(OH)2 per day could be added to that volume, thereby maintaining the pH at or below the desired pH of 9. This limit is indicated by vertical line 1780 in FIG.

[0165] The effect of dosage rate on pH and vice versa for the example described above is shown in Figure 41. As can be seen from Figure 41, when the pH is equal to pH=9, the dosage rate of alkali addition is about 17 tons / day.

[0166] Similarly, other physical or chemical limitations, such as total suspended solids (TSS), may further limit the dosage rate below that permitted by pH. Increasing the volume of water per day to which alkali is added provides further dilution of the alkali added, reducing its effect on chemical or physical parameters and thus allowing for greater alkali addition rates than would be possible with smaller volumes of water.

[0167] Dosing station 340 was utilized in two modes of operation: In the first mode of operation of dosing station 340, referred to as the "reverse" mode of operation, a target CDR (e.g., as set by a government or environmental agency) is set and then the corresponding amount of alkali to be added to the body of water to achieve the target CDR is determined according to models 1720, 1730, 1740, and 1750 of Figure 17.

[0168] The target CDR may be further limited to an acceptable target CDR under the limitations imposed by the water sensor measurements 1110, 1120, 1130 as shown by vertical line 1780 in FIG. 17, which appropriately limits the amount of alkali added.

[0169] Thus, in the first mode of operation, we solve the so-called "inverse" problem of how much alkali needs to be added (which is not known in advance) to achieve a target CDR.

[0170] The first mode of operation of the input station 340 is illustrated in more detail in flow chart 5000 of FIG.

[0171] At the start, a target CDR is set (box 5150), and then the amount of alkali to be discharged into the body of water to achieve the target CDR is estimated (box 5200) according to the stoichiometry of the carbon dioxide reaction with the CO2-reactive alkali. Next, procedure 5000 determines the ratio of the alkalinized water equilibrated with air, and therefore the adjusted target CDR and the adjusted amount of CO2-reactive alkali. equilThe target CDR is adjusted by considering the factors (step 5300). Additionally, procedure 5000 further includes a suppression F that indicates the uncertainty of the adjusted target CDR. hback By taking the factors into account, the adjusted CDR and the adjusted amount of CO2 reactive alkali are adjusted (box 5400). Next, the procedure 5000 further adjusts the CDR achieved in the wastewater pipe before discharge to the body of water. WW The amounts of CDR and alkali are adjusted from step 5400 by taking into account: WW is determined under the assumption of CO2 supersaturation in the alkali effluent wastewater (box 5500). The procedure continues to monitor the body of water with the sensor (box 5600) and limits the rate at which alkali is added to the body of water, and therefore the rate at which an adjusted target CDR is achieved, thereby ensuring that the sensor measurements are within predetermined limits (box 5800), thereby determining an acceptable target CDR that can be achieved in a given time span (box 5900). Procedure 5000 sends instructions to processor 1410 to cause dispenser 700 to dispense the amount of alkali determined in step 5800 into the body of water at the required rate as determined by the sensor measurements (box 5950).

[0172] In a second mode of operation of the dosing station 340, referred to as the "direct" mode of operation, the dosing station 340 continues to dispense alkali into the body of water and calculates the corresponding CDR achieved during each dispensing cycle according to models 1720, 1730, 1740, and 1750 of Figure 17. The dosing station 340 also calculates the cumulative amount of alkali added and the corresponding cumulative CDR after multiple dispensing cycles, and ends the method when a predetermined target amount of alkali has been added and / or when an additional target amount of CDR has been achieved.

[0173] The second mode of operation of the input station 340 is illustrated in more detail in flow chart 6000 of FIG.

[0174] At start, procedure 6000 sets the amount of CO2-reactive alkali to be added to the body of water, the rate of delivery of that amount to the body of water, and the amount of CO2-reactive alkali is less than the target amount (box 6100). Procedure 6000 then causes processor 1410 to deliver that amount of CO2-reactive alkali to the body of water at that rate, monitor the body of water with one or more sensors during delivery, and adjust the rate of delivery to ensure that the measurements of the one or more sensors are within their respective predetermined limits (box 6150). Procedure 6000 further causes processor 1410 to estimate the CDR achieved by the amount of CO2-reactive alkali delivered according to the stoichiometry of the carbon dioxide reaction with the CO2-reactive alkali (box 6200), and then calculates F, which indicates the proportion of alkalinized CO2-deficient water equilibrated with air. equil By taking the factors into account, the estimated CDR is adjusted and an adjusted CDR is determined accordingly (box 6250). Procedure 6000 also continues to track the cumulative amount of CO2 reactive alkali added to the body of water (box 6300), and if the cumulative amount of alkali is less than the predetermined target amount of alkali to be dispensed into the body of water (exit No from box 6350), procedure 6000 again returns to step 6100, thereby repeating the procedure for the next amount of alkali to be added until the target amount of alkali has been dispensed (exit Yes from box 6350), and then ends the procedure (box 6400).

[0175] Alkaline Selection Process For a given alkali discharge site, one or more sources of alkali that are safe and cost-effective to use must be identified and characterized. Specifically, the potential CDR performance of a given source, the economic and financial desirability of its use, and the size or capacity of the source must be determined. This evaluation begins by obtaining representative samples of various alkali sources and characterizing the particle size distribution, moisture content, and elemental and chemical composition present in the materials. Those materials thus identified as having sufficient alkalinity are further tested by submerging each in a volume of water or seawater (e.g., 30 mg / L) where the solution pH, total dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), and / or dissolved alkalinity are measured over time. This then provides a measure of the expected potential CDR when released into a body of water such as the ocean. Specifically, this measures the ratio of potential CDR / ton (dry or wet weight) of added alkaline material (OAE ratio). In conjunction with the measured increase in pH, DIC, and / or alkalinity, the release of other dissolved elements or compounds accompanying the dissolved alkalinity release (such as trace metals, chlorine, sulfur, or organic compounds) is also measured to predict any undesirable chemical impacts on the body of water into which the alkalinity is released, and thus determine the rate at which alkaline material can be desirably and safely added to the body of water. If discharge to a body of water is regulated by a maximum allowable concentration of one or more elements or compounds, the experimentally released pre-concentration per mass of alkalinity added to a given volume of freshwater or seawater can be used to determine the maximum alkalinity input rate allowed to the body of water, thereby ensuring that the allowable element or compound concentration in the receiving body of water is not exceeded.

[0176] Figure 21 illustrates the alkaline selection method. In particular, Figure 21 illustrates a method 2100 for site-specific estimation of the amount of CDR (carbon dioxide removal) achievable for different alkaline materials. The results are used to input into the master macro-level decision table of Figure 15.

[0177] Process 2110 accesses information related to a specified alkalinity source. Process 2120 selects a candidate source. Process 2130 determines the chemical and physical characteristics of the candidate source and, if present, the variability of the candidate source. Process 2140 performs laboratory testing of potential Ocean Alkaline enhancement (OAE). Process 210 normalizes the OAE measurements. Process 2160 determines the feasible CDR (CDR) of the candidate alkalinity source. net In process 2170, the CDR net Determine whether the CDR meets an acceptable level. net If the CDR is acceptable, the candidate alkali source identifier is entered into a site-specific list of eligible sources. net If the level is not acceptable, an attempt is made to adapt the candidate alkali source to meet acceptable levels. If adaptation is feasible, the identifier of the candidate alkali source, along with a description of the adaptation action, is entered into a site-specific list of eligible sources. If adaptation is not feasible, the identifier of the candidate alkali source is recorded for further tracking if necessary.

[0178] If additional alkaline resources can be considered, process 2185 reruns process 2120, thereby activating processes 2130 through 2185. Otherwise, the site-specific evaluation is considered complete.

[0179] Alkali Dosing Station For this embodiment, the process of adding or dosing alkali at a specific rate to the wastewater stream, or optional discharge to the ocean, is performed using dosing station 340 of FIG. 5. Dosing station 340 has a large vessel or reservoir 520 containing a slurry of dissolved and particulate Mg(OH)2, and a dosing pump. Importantly, the pump dosing rate is controlled by downstream chemical measurements to ensure that the alkali addition does not violate desired or acceptable chemical concentrations in the wastewater or receiving water body. Thus, one or more chemical measurements made in the pipe, described below, are used to control the dosing rate, either manually or by computer, via an electronic feedback loop.

[0180] As described in more detail below, input station 340 includes a hardware processor 1410, a controller 540 having memory devices 1450, 1460, 1470, and 1480 that store computer-executable instructions for execution by processor 1410 to control input station 340 in accordance with the computational model of FIG. 17 (shown in more detail in FIG. 14).

[0181] Such chemical measurements include, but are not limited to:

[0182] Temperature (T), salinity (S) and pressure (depth) - necessary to determine chemical conditions and carbon system concentrations - are measured directly at regular intervals, either in spots or continuously, using conductivity, temperature and depth (CTD) sensors. pH—Measured directly periodically, either in spots or continuously. When measured along with either pCO2, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), or total alkalinity (TA), all four parameters can be estimated. pH is also commonly measured to ensure that acceptable wastewater levels are not violated. As explained later, seawater pH is also necessary to calculate ocean carbon transfer. pCO2—The partial pressure of CO2, pCO2, is measured directly, either in spots or continuously, using dedicated sensors, or via water sampling and analysis. It can also be calculated from any pair of directly measured parameters: pH, DIC, TA, when temperature, salinity, and pressure are known. This parameter is necessary to determine the seawater CO2 partial pressure relative to air and, therefore, the air-sea CO2 flux rate. As explained later, reduction of pCO2 in a closed system (not in equilibrium with air), such as in a wastewater pipe, via alkali addition, can be used to calculate CDR. WW Provides direct measurement of . Units: μatm or ppm.

[0183] TSS - Total suspended solids determined by filtration of a water sample or by a calibrated visibility meter or other device capable of detecting changes in particle concentration in a wastewater discharge. Height above background provides a measure of undissolved Mg(OH)2. Units: mg / L.

[0184] The ammonia concentration in a gas, such as air, equilibrated with the NH3-wastewater stream can be determined by an ammonia gas sensor located in the gas headspace above the wastewater. The height of the NH3 concentration above a desired maximum level can then be used to reduce Mg(OH)2 delivery (reducing pH), which affects the NH3 concentration.

[0185] DIC - Total Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (HCO - +CO3 2-+CO2) concentrations can be measured directly, typically with high precision (uncertainty of about 0.2% or less), via experimental analysis of water samples (wastewater or seawater). DIC can also be calculated with less precision using any two of the following three core parameters: pH, pCO2, and total alkalinity, when temperature, salinity, and pressure are known. Units: μM or micromoles / kg of solution.

[0186] TA - Total Alkalinity is a measure of a solution's ability to neutralize acids and absorb and store CO2 when not in equilibrium with air. It is most accurately measured by experimental analysis of water samples (wastewater or seawater). Like DIC, TA can be calculated with less precision from any two of the following three parameters: pH, pCO2, and DIC. Height above background provides a direct measure of the degree of ocean alkalinization, but not necessarily CDR. Units: μM or μmol / kg of solution.

[0187] Controlling the dosage rate using only the previous measurements requires that any other elemental or chemical concentrations released by the alkaline material used remain within their allowable levels at dosage rates permitted by those chemical parameters being monitored. Whether the concentration maximums of these unmonitored chemical constituents are violated can be determined from the elemental or chemical release per unit mass of alkaline material determined during the alkaline selection activity (above). For example, if the total aluminum concentration does not exceed 3 mg / L and the alkaline material is 300 mg L -1 g -1 hr -1 If the alkaline selectivity test indicates that the material releases 0.01 g L−1, the dosing rate of the material should be no greater than 0.01 g L−1, regardless of whether a higher rate of dosing is permitted by the chemical parameters being monitored during dosing. -1 hr -1 must not exceed .

[0188] FIG. 22 illustrates the end-to-end system with the wastewater pipe discharging into the ocean and the associated parameters used to measure the chemical impact of alkali addition and to control the dosage of added alkali.

[0189] 22, pH, TSS, and / or NH3 (not shown) sensors may be located in or on the wastewater stream at several points downstream of the point of alkali addition. If these sensors detect a chemical concentration above a predetermined undesirable level, a signal is sent to the alkali dosing pump controller to reduce or stop the flow of Mg(OH)2 to the wastewater. Conversely, if one or more of the sensors detect a decrease in concentration below a preset level, e.g., below an undesirable level, a signal is sent to the alkali pump controller to initiate suction or increase the suction rate. In this manner, the rate of addition of Mg(OH)2 to the wastewater is controlled to maximize alkali delivery while avoiding undesirable chemical conditions.

[0190] Furthermore, by placing one or more chemical sensors upstream of the alkali injection point, the difference between the downstream minus the upstream chemistry provides a direct measurement and quantification of the absolute chemical change caused by the injection at the point in the pipe where the downstream chemical sensor resides. These differences can then be used to measure the amount of element or compound added at that downstream measurement point in the pipe.

[0191] For example, for a wastewater discharge with 8 mM upstream alkali, 38,000 uatm pCO, pH 6.8, and 50 mg / L TSS, the downstream responses of pH, TSS, and CO removal to the addition of dissolved or particulate Mg(OH) are shown in Figures 23, 24, and 25, respectively. That is, Figure 23 shows graph 40a illustrating the response of pH to the addition of dissolved or particulate Mg(OH); Figure 24 shows graphs illustrating the response of total suspended solids (TSS) to the addition of dissolved or particulate Mg(OH); and Figure 25 shows graph 40c illustrating the response of CO removal to the addition of dissolved or particulate Mg(OH).

[0192] Figures 23, 24, and 25 illustrate the response of wastewater pH, TSS, and CDR to the Mg(OH)2 concentration in the wastewater under each condition. Limits on pH, TSS, and therefore Mg(OH)2 concentration and wastewater CDR are set forth in the specification.

[0193] FIG. 23 illustrates the variation of wastewater pH with dissolved alkaline substances added to the wastewater.

[0194] FIG. 24 illustrates the variation of the relative concentration of total suspended solids (TSS) (grams per liter) versus the relative concentration of particulate alkaline material.

[0195] FIG. 25 illustrates the variation of CO2 consumption rate with dissolved alkaline material added to the wastewater.

[0196] Figures 23, 24, and 25 assume a maximum allowable wastewater pH of 9 and a maximum dissolved Mg(OH) dosage rate of approximately 100 mg / L. Meanwhile, assuming a maximum allowable TSS of 100 mg / L, an allowable addition of particulate Mg(OH) of only 50 mg / L of wastewater is shown.

[0197] Thus, in the examples of Figures 23, 24, and 25, the particulate Mg(OH)2 dosage is controlled by the TSS at a delivery rate of 50 mg / L of wastewater. The actual rate of dosage in grams / minute is then adjusted to stay below the TSS of less than or equal to 50 mg / L of wastewater. The above assumes that dosage is not further limited by the concentration of elements or compounds released from the added alkali, as identified in the alkali selection activity (above).

[0198] 1.8×10 8Assuming a constant wastewater flow rate of L / day, the amount of CO removed from wastewater as a function of the dissolved Mg(OH) added to the above wastewater stream is shown in Figure 25. If the allowable addition of Mg(OH) is limited by the TSS to 50 mg / L of wastewater, the maximum CO removal rate is approximately 10 tons CO / day. Figure 25 also shows that higher rates of added Mg(OH) do not result in significantly greater wastewater CO removal, because in this example, all of the CO was removed with the addition of approximately 50 mg Mg(OH) / L or more. However, as previously explained, discharge of excess Mg(OH) or other CO-reactive alkali here can still result in CDR if the excess alkali reaches the surface ocean or other body of water and then forms CO unsaturates, reducing emissions from the body of water or creating an air sink in the body of water.

[0199] Figure 26 illustrates a first criterion 2600 for dosage control based on adherence of each specified process water parameter (or vector of parameters) to a single reference value 2620. The process water is monitored at time points 2610 where sensor signals are acquired and processed in the controller. Values ​​2630 of the tracked parameters based on the sensor inputs are recorded. In Figure 26, reference 2630A corresponds to values ​​of the parameter above the reference value 2620, while reference 2630B corresponds to values ​​of the parameter below the reference value 2620.

[0200] 27 illustrates a second criterion 2700 for dose control based on adherence of each specified parameter's acceptable values ​​to a reference interval 2730. A defined lower limit 2720 of the reference interval and a defined upper limit 2740 of the reference interval are set based on applicable regulations. The selection of the width 2730 of the reference interval has a significant impact on the rate of dose change.

[0201] According to the present invention, two embodiments of a rule for controlling the dosing rate are applicable to the dosing station. According to the first embodiment, the amount of dosing is based on continuous detection of the effect of the dosing. According to the second embodiment, the control of the dosing rate is based on the characterization of the source water, which may vary over time, and the continuous tracking of the dosing amount over the travel time frame. The dosing rate is then based on a verified characterization of the chemistry for each pair {alkali source type, source water type}. The verified characterization may require off-site experiments that rely on sensors. However, apart from further guaranteeing the consistency of the dosing station's operation, sensors are not required in actual field operation.

[0202] Figure 28 illustrates a core algorithm 2800 of the discipline according to a first embodiment of injection control based on the use of field sensors. The second criterion of Figure 27, based on adherence of parameters to a reference interval, is applied. Naturally, the second criterion of Figure 27 reverts to the first criterion of Figure 26 when the width of the reference interval is set equal to zero.

[0203] To begin, a dosing pump and appropriate sensors are installed (process 2810). Process 2820 selects an alkalinity source to be fed to the vessel. Process 2824 determines whether a sufficient amount of alkalinity source is currently available. If an alkalinity source is needed, process 2820 is restarted. If the vessel has sufficient volume, process 2830 activates the pump and tracks the cumulative amount of alkalinity released. Process 2832 detects signals from the associated sensors, and process 2834 determines the values ​​of the associated water parameters. Process 2850 determines whether all of the associated parameters are within reference interval 2730. If so, the current amount of periodic dosing does not need to be changed (reference 2852), and process 2824 is restarted. Otherwise, process 2860 determines whether any of the associated parameters are above reference interval 2730. If so, process 2862 is activated to reduce the dosing according to the algorithm of FIG. 34, and process 2824 is restarted. If process 2860 determines that all of the relevant parameters are below reference interval 2730, process 2870 is activated, the inputs are increased according to the algorithm of FIG. 34, and process 2824 is performed again.

[0204] Figure 29 illustrates an exemplary application 2900 of the core algorithm of Figure 28 with periodic injection, a zero-width reference interval 2730 of the tracking parameters, and constant magnitude injection increments and decrements. In the case of a zero-width reference interval, a single reference value 2910 of the parameter, denoted Ω*, is selected for a given tracking parameter. At each monitoring time point, a signal from each sensor is acquired and the controller determines a value 2920 of the corresponding parameter Ωj (j>0). In the illustrated example, {Ω0, Ω1, ... Ω* 10 ...} are shown. Following the algorithm of Figure 28 with constant magnitude of input changes (increments or decrements) in β units (arbitrary units) produces the results tabulated below the figure, including: (i) an indication of the type of change 2940 ("+" indicates an increment for each input, and "-" indicates a decrement; (ii) the magnitude 2941 of the increment or decrement, β (in the example of FIG. 20, β=200), and (iii) The magnitude of the input after increment or decrement 2942 (in the same arbitrary units).

[0205] The dose is applied periodically, every D time units, and the signal from the designated sensor is also acquired every D time units. As shown in Figures 35-38, the time length D can be selected to be greater than, equal to, or less than the advection delay, denoted δ, between the point of application of the alkaline substance in the aqueous medium and the location of the considered sensor. The time of dose application can be selected to coincide with the time of acquisition of the sensor signal. Preferably, D > δ.

[0206] The value of the tracking parameter before applying the alkaline substance is denoted Ω. A first dose of β units is applied at time t. The parameter equals Ω. At time t, t = t + D, a signal from the sensor is obtained and used to calculate a corresponding value of the parameter, Ω. According to process 2870, in the illustrated case, Ω < Ω*, so the dose applied at t is increased to (D + β), which is 400 units. Similarly, the dose is increased at times t, t, and t, resulting in a dose of 1000 units at t. At time t, the signal from the sensor is processed, and it is determined that the corresponding value of the parameter Ω is greater than Ω. Thus, according to process 2862, at time t, the dose is decreased from its value of 1000 at t to (1000 - β) = 800. At time t, the value of the parameter Ω is determined to be less than Ω*. Thus, according to process 2870, the input applied at t6 is increased from its value at t5 to (800+β)=1000. The input value continues to fluctuate, and the corresponding value of the parameter continues to fluctuate about Ω* until one of the relevant conditions, such as a change in the composition of the raw water, causes the parameter value to drift before returning to fluctuating about Ω*.

[0207] 30 illustrates an example application 3000 of the core algorithm of FIG. 28 with a specified positive width of the reference interval 2730 of the tracking parameter and constant magnitude of the input increments and decrements. The reference interval of the parameter has a lower bound 2720 (Ω L ) and upper limit 2740 (Ω H (denoted by ).

[0208] As in the case of Figure 29, a first input of β units is applied at time t0, a parameter equal to Ω0. At time t1, t1 = t0 + D, a signal from the sensor is obtained and used to calculate a corresponding value of the parameter Ω1. According to process 2870, in the illustrated case, Ω1 < Ω LTherefore, the input applied at t1 is increased to (D0 + β), which is 400 units. Similarly, the input is increased at times t2, t3 and t4, resulting in an input of 1000 units at t4. At time t5, the signal from the sensor is processed and the corresponding value of parameter Ω5 is calculated as Ω H is determined to be greater than β. Thus, according to process 2862, at time t5, the input is reduced from its value of 1000 at t4 to (1000-β)=800. At time t6, the value of the parameter Ω6 is determined to be within the reference interval 2730. Therefore, according to process 2852, the input applied at t6 remains unchanged from its value of 800 at t5. At time t7, the value of the parameter Ω7 is determined to be within the reference interval 2730. Therefore, according to process 2852, the input applied at t7 remains unchanged from its value of 800 at t6. Similarly, the input applied at time t8 remains unchanged. Because the corresponding constant input appears to be compatible with the source water composition and ambient conditions, the value of the parameter can remain within the reference interval over an extended period of time. Large changes in source water or atmospheric conditions can result in different patterns of parameter value variation. Lower Bound Ω L and upper limit Ω H The advantage of using an appropriate reference zone 2730 with is a stabilized input value.

[0209] FIG. 31 illustrates an exemplary application 3100 of the core algorithm of FIG. 28, with the reference interval set to zero and the adaptive magnitudes of the input increments and decrements determined according to the algorithm of FIG.

[0210] As in the case of Figure 29, a first input of β units is applied at time t0. The values ​​of the inputs applied at t1, t2, t3, t4 are the same as those determined in the case of Figure 29.

[0211] At time t5, the signal from the sensor is processed and the corresponding value of parameter Ω5 is determined to be greater than Ω*. Thus, according to process 2862 and process 3384 (FIG. 33), at time t5, the input is decreased from its value of 1000 at t4 to (1000−0.5×β)=900. At time t6, the value of the parameter Ω6 is determined to be less than Ω*. Therefore, according to process 2870 and process 3364 (FIG. 33), the input applied at t6 is increased from its value of 900 at t5 to (900+0.5×β)=950. The input value gradually settles to an appropriate value, and the corresponding value of the parameter continues to gradually approach Ω* until any relevant condition, such as a change in the composition of the raw water, causes the parameter value to deviate from Ω* and exceed a predefined threshold (at which point algorithm 3300 is restarted and process 3310 reinitializes the magnitude of the input change Δ, which is equal to the predefined nominal value β).

[0212] FIG. 32 illustrates an example application 3200 of the core algorithm of FIG. 28 with a specified positive width of the reference interval and adaptive magnitudes of input increments and decrements determined according to the algorithm of FIG.

[0213] As in the case of Figure 30, when an input operation is initiated starting with parameter Ω0 at t0, the input values ​​at times t1, t2, t3, and t4, and the corresponding values ​​of the parameters before reaching the reference interval 2730, are the same as those shown in Figure 30.

[0214] At time t5, the signal from the sensor is processed and the corresponding value of parameter Ω5 is Hβ is determined to be greater than 1000 units. Thus, according to processes 2862, 3456, and 3458, at time t5, the input value is decreased from its value of 1000 at t4 to (1000-0.5*β)=900. At time t6, the value of the parameter Ω6 is determined to be within the reference interval 2730. Therefore, according to process 2852, the input applied at t6 remains unchanged from its value of 900 at t5. Similarly, at times t7, t8, and t9, the input value remains constant at 900 units. According to processes 2870, 3444, and 3448, at time t 10 In this case, the parameter value Ω 10 is Ω L , while the value of Ω9 is within the reference interval 2730, so the input value is increased from 900 to (900+0.5×β), or 1000.

[0215] The algorithms in Figures 33 and 34 are j , j>0, which applies to the adaptive magnitude of the input value change. In both figures, η0 and η1 indicate the continuous values ​​of the determined parameters, so that η1 = Ω for all positive integer values ​​j representing the continuous indicator of the monitoring time point. j , η0=Ω (j-1) is.

[0216] Figure 33 illustrates an algorithm 3300 for determining adaptive input increments and decrements according to a single reference value for each specified parameter. Process 3310 initializes η equal to 0.0 and the input value change magnitude Δ equal to a preset value β, which in the examples of Figures 29-32 was selected to be 200 units.

[0217] Process 3320 calculates Ω based on the sensor signal. j , starting from j=1, determine the current value of η 1. If η 1 is greater than a single reference value Ω*, process 3340 branches to process 3380, otherwise it branches to process 3360.

[0218] Process 3360 branches to process 3364 which increases the input value according to the current value of Δ subject to a determination that η is less than Ω*, or if η≧Ω*, branches to process 3362 where Δ is reduced by half from its current value before executing process 3364.

[0219] Process 3380 branches to process 3384 which decreases the input value according to the current value of Δ, subject to a determination that η≧Ω*, or if η is less than Ω*, branches to process 3382 where Δ is reduced by half from its current value before executing process 3384.

[0220] Process 3390 then applies the calculated values ​​of the inputs. Process 3395 sets η equal to η and then process 3320 is performed again to continue the process of determining input values.

[0221] Figure 34 illustrates an algorithm 3400 for determining adaptive input increments and decrements according to a reference interval of acceptable values ​​for each specified parameter. Process 3410 initializes η equal to 0.0 and the input value change magnitude Δ equal to a preset value β, which in the examples of Figures 29-32 was selected to be 200 units.

[0222] Process 3420 calculates Ω based on the sensor signal. j , j=1, the process 3430 determines the current value of η1 when the current value of η1 exceeds the upper limit value Ω H If it is, branch to process 3450, else branch to process 3435.

[0223] Process 3435 branches to process 3460 if the current value of η is within the reference interval 2730. Otherwise, process 3435 branches to process 3440 which guides the determination of the value of the input increment. LIf it is less, process 3440 branches to process 3448. Process 3448 increases the input value from Φ to (Φ+Δ) according to the current value of Δ.

[0224] Process 3440 determines whether the previous value of the parameter η is Ω L If the value η is greater than or equal to Ω, then branch to process 3442. H If so, process 3442 branches to process 3446 which reduces the current value of Δ to 0.5×Δ and then proceeds to process 3448 for determining a new input value. If the value η is within the reference interval 2730, process 3442 branches to process 3444 which resets the value of Δ to half the preset value β and then proceeds to process 3448 for determining a new input value.

[0225] η0 is Ω H If η is greater than Ω, then process 3450 branches to process 3458, which decreases the input value from its current value Φ to (Φ-Δ). Otherwise, process 3450 branches to process 3452. H If so, process 3452 branches to process 3456, which reduces the value of Δ to 0.5×Δ before determining a new value of input in process 3458. If η is within reference interval 2730, process 3452 branches to process 3454, which resets Δ equal to half the preset value β, leading to process 3458 for determining a new input value that increases the input value according to the current value, subject to a determination that η is less than Ω*, or if η≧Ω*, then process 3452 branches to process 3362, where Δ is reduced to half of its current value before executing process 3364.

[0226] Process 3460 then applies the calculated values ​​of the inputs. Process 3490 sets η equal to η and then reruns process 3320 to continue the process of determining input values.

[0227] 35 illustrates a dosing period 3500 where the interval between doses is equal to a known advection delay through the flowing medium. The dose 3520 (amount of alkaline material added) at each dosing time point and the corresponding determined value 3580 of the parameter of interest at a later monitoring time point are shown.

[0228] FIG. 36 illustrates an injection period 3600 where the inter-injection interval exceeds a known advection delay.

[0229] FIG. 37 illustrates an injection period 3700 where the inter-injection interval is half the known advection delay through the flowing medium.

[0230] FIG. 38 illustrates an injection period 3800 in which the inter-injection interval is a small proportion of the known advection delay through the flowing medium.

[0231] Figure 39 illustrates a process 3900 for determining and refining CDR predictions. Process 3910 determines the total alkaline material addition. Process 3920 determines the potential amount of CDR based on a predetermined CDR / ton 3925 (based on analytical reasoning or experimental data). Process 3940 determines the potential amount of CDR based on an LCA. emiss from and any CDRs that occur before the addition of alkali to the water body (e.g., CDRs WW ) from the CDR, based on the determined discharge 3945 supported in the CDR net The forecast is determined (see Figures 7-10). In process 3960, the forecast is readjusted based on the known CDR reduction due to measurements and cast modeling.

[0232] Site selection and automation process Site selection or CDR implementation can be used to identify locations that maximize CDR implementation while minimizing CDR costs. This depends on the cost, availability, and CO2 reactivity of available alkali sources at a given site (determined in alkali selection and supply activities), the discharge rate and chemistry of candidate alkali discharge streams (determined in pre-alkali discharge MRV activities), the discharge permit requirements at a given site, the chemistry and physics of the water body where alkali discharge will occur, and the CO2 emissions associated with implementing CDR. These characteristics can be measured or modeled before alkali discharge to estimate the rate at which alkali can be discharged, the total and net CDR achievable per unit of release, and the cost of the previous activity at a given site. Taking available information about alkali sources, discharge locations, permit requirements, water body (e.g., ocean) chemistry and circulation / mixing, and LCA emissions, a model can be constructed to generate estimates of the net CDR achievable per unit of time, the cost of that net CDR, and the uncertainty of those estimates. Uncertainty can be determined by the sum of the statistical variances in each of the contributing variable subcomponents. In this way, specific areas or locations can be evaluated for their potential CDR performance and costs before actual alkali releases, and therefore potential sites, are prioritized for CDR activity. If a database exists of potential sites, alkali sources, existing discharge characteristics, permits, and marine conditions, some or all of the selection process can be computer automated. Figure 40 illustrates the site selection activity.

[0233] FIG. 40 illustrates a method 4000 for selecting a site for application of a particular alkaline material. Process 4020 selects candidate sites from a source 4021 of information related to the release site. Process 4020 determines potential CDR amounts based on acquired characteristics 4032 of the particular alkaline source. Process 4040 determines the overall ocean CDR based on an MRV-based ocean model 4042 of chemical-physical properties under specific conditions and limitations 4045. Process 4050 determines a CDRnet prediction. Process 4060 places the prediction data in a table of predictions. Process 4070 determines whether there are more sites of interest to consider. If all sites of interest have been considered, the prediction is considered complete. Otherwise, process 4020 is performed again.

[0234] Thus, a method and system for alkalinizing a body of water in contact with the atmosphere and measuring carbon dioxide absorption and storage, and a dosing station therefor, have been described.

[0235] While particular embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it should be understood that the described embodiments are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes and modifications of the embodiments shown in the drawings and described in the specification may be made within the purview of the following claims without departing from the scope of the invention in its broader aspects.

Claims

1. 1. A computer-implemented method for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) from an atmosphere using a body of water in contact with the atmosphere, comprising: (1) CO added to the water body ２ setting the amount of reactive alkali and the rate at which said amount is discharged into said body of water; ２ The amount of reactive alkali is less than the target amount; (2) At the rate of discharge, the amount of CO ２ discharging a reactive alkali into said body of water; (3) monitoring the body of water with one or more sensors during the dispensing and adjusting the rate of the dispensing, thereby ensuring that the measurements of the one or more sensors are within respective predetermined limits; (4) The CO ２ estimating the CDR achieved by said discharge according to the chemical mass stoichiometry of the carbon dioxide reaction with the reactive alkali; (5) Alkaline CO equilibrated with air ２ F indicates the ratio of water deficiency ｅｑｕｉｌ adjusting the predicted CDRs from step (4) by considering factors, thus determining adjusted CDRs; (6) The CO discharged into the water body over time ２ determining the cumulative amount of reactive alkali; and (7) The CO ２ If the cumulative amount of reactive alkali is less than a predetermined target amount of alkali to be discharged into the body of water, repeating steps (1) through (6) until the predetermined target amount of alkali is discharged. Equipped with Thereby, carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere.

2. setting a target CDR before step (1); determining a cumulative adjusted CDR after step (5); and In the step (7), further verifying whether the cumulative adjusted CDR is smaller than the target CDR, and repeating the steps (1) to (6) until the predetermined target amount of alkali is dispensed or the target CDR is achieved, whichever occurs first. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

3. (5a) F, which indicates the degree of uncertainty of the adjusted target CDR ｈｂａｃｋ further adjusting the adjusted CDR by considering factors to thereby determine a further adjusted CDR, said step (5a) being performed after said step (5); The method of claim 1 further comprising:

4. The CDRs in step (5a) are: CDR = (t added alkali x t removed CO ２ / t alkali) × (F ｅｑｕｉｌ -F ｈｂａｃｋ ) where "t" is the quantity measured in tons (metric tons); The method of claim 3.

5. (5b) CDR achieved in the wastewater pipe before discharge into said water body. ｗｗ further adjusting said further adjusted CDRs of step (5a) by taking into account ｗｗ is the ratio of CO2 emitted by unalkalinated wastewater to air. ２ and step (5b) is performed after step (5a). The method of claim 3 further comprising:

6. The CDRs of step (5b) are: CDR = [(t added alkali x t removed CO ２ / talkali)-CDR ｗｗ ) ]×(F ｅｑｕｉｌ -F ｈｂａｃｋ ) + CDR ｗｗ where "t" is the quantity measured in tons and F ｈｂａｃｋ is a factor indicating the degree of uncertainty of the adjusted target CDR in step (5); The method of claim 5.

7. (5c) The CO ２ further adjusting the CDR of step (5b) by taking into account carbon dioxide emissions generated during the generation, transportation, and distribution of reactive alkali. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

8. The CDRs of step (5c) are as follows: CDR ｎｅｔ = [(t added alkali x t removed CO ２ / talkali)-CDR ｗｗ ) ]×(F ｅｑｕｉｌ -F ｈｂａｃｋ ) + CDR ｗｗ -LCA ｅｍｉｓｓ where "t" is the quantity measured in tons. The method of claim 7.

9. The CO ２ 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the reactive alkali is a metal hydroxide.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the metal hydroxide is a monovalent metal hydroxide.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the metal hydroxide is a polyvalent metal hydroxide.

12. The CO ２ 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the reactive alkali is magnesium hydroxide.

13. The step (5) further comprises: ２ The F is detected by adding a chemical tracer mixed with a reactive alkali and monitoring the downstream concentration of the chemical tracer at a designated location in the body of water. ｅｑｕｉｌ The method of claim 1 , comprising determining a factor.

14. The step (5) further comprises determining the partial pressure of carbon dioxide, pCO in the air above the alkalized water body. ２ａｉｒ and the partial pressure pCO of carbon dioxide in the alkalized water body. ２ｏｃｅａｎ Using the F ｅｑｕｉｌ The method of claim 13, comprising determining a factor.

15. The step (5) is as follows: F ｅｑｕｉｌ =(Gas ｅｘ -CDR ｌｏｓｓ ) / Gas ｅｘ As in the above F ｅｑｕｉｌ determining a factor; Here, Gas ｅｘ is the rate of air-water gas exchange, and CDR ｌｏｓｓ CO to a depth where it does not come into contact with the atmosphere. ２ is the velocity at which unsaturated water moves, where GAS ｅｘ > CDR ｌｏｓｓ That is, 15. The method of claim 14.

16. The one or more sensors detect the following characteristics of the body of water: Temperature (T); Salinity (S); pressure (depth); pH, H ＋ Measures of concentration; pCO ２ , CO ２ partial pressure of; TSS, total suspended solids; NH ３ , ammonia concentration; DIC, total dissolved inorganic carbon; and TA, total alkalinity The method of claim 1 , wherein one or more of:

17. The waters are: Seawater; ocean; the body of water discharging into said ocean; wastewater discharge; Cooling water discharges from industrial facilities; natural or artificial reservoir of water The method of claim 1 , wherein the method is one or more of:

18. The step of adjusting the rate of delivery comprises: In a predetermined time interval, multiple injections of the amount of CO ２ discharging a reactive alkali into said body of water; measuring respective water properties with the one or more sensors during the predetermined time interval; and adjusting the magnitude of the next injection as a function of two consecutive measurements of the one or more sensors, a predefined lower limit of each of the one or more sensors, and a predefined upper limit for the next injection; 18. The method of any one of claims 1 to 17, further comprising:

19. 1. A system for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) from atmospheric air using a body of water in contact with the atmosphere, the system comprising an input station comprising: Dissolved, partially dissolved, or undissolved CO ２ Reservoirs containing reactive alkalis; The CO ２ a dispenser for dispensing reactive alkali into said body of water; controller wherein the controller comprises: processor; memory devices; computer-executable instructions stored on the memory device for execution by the processor the computer-executable instructions causing the processor to: (1) CO added to the water body ２ the amount of reactive alkali and the amount of CO ２ Setting the rate at which reactive alkali is discharged into the water body, ２ The amount of reactive alkali is less than the target amount; (2) At the rate of discharge, the amount of CO ２ discharging a reactive alkali into said body of water; (3) monitoring the body of water with one or more sensors during dispensing and adjusting the rate of dispensing to ensure that the readings of the one or more sensors are within respective predetermined limits; (4) The CO ２ estimating the CDR achieved by said discharge according to the chemical mass stoichiometry of the carbon dioxide reaction with the reactive alkali; (5) Alkaline CO equilibrated with air ２ F indicates the ratio of water deficiency ｅｑｕｉｌ adjusting the predicted CDRs from (4) by considering factors, thus determining adjusted CDRs; (6) The CO discharged into the water body over time ２ determining the cumulative amount of reactive alkali; and (7) The CO ２ if the cumulative amount of reactive alkali is less than a predetermined target amount of alkali to be delivered to the body of water, repeating steps (1) through (6) until the predetermined target amount of alkali has been delivered; Let them do this, thereby removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

20. The computer-executable instructions further cause the processor to: (1) Setting a target CDR before; Determining the cumulative adjusted CDR after (5); and (7) further verifying whether the cumulative adjusted CDR is less than the target CDR, and repeating steps (1) through (6) until the predetermined target amount of alkali is dispensed or the target CDR is achieved, whichever occurs first.

20. The system of claim 19,

21. The required amount of CO ２ The CO ２ 21. The system of claim 19 or 20, further comprising a floating platform having a hull for holding the reactive alkali.

22. 1. A system for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) from an atmosphere using a body of water in contact with the atmosphere, the system comprising an input station comprising: Dissolved, partially dissolved, or undissolved CO ２ Reservoirs containing reactive alkalis; the amount of CO necessary to achieve an acceptable target CDR from the atmosphere. ２ a dispenser for dispensing reactive alkali into said body of water at a required rate; controller wherein the controller comprises: processor; memory devices; computer-executable instructions stored in the memory device for execution by the processor; the computer-executable instructions causing the processor to ２ The required amount of reactive alkali and the acceptable target CDR are determined, which is: Setting a target CDR; (i) the CO ２ the amount of CO added to the body of water to achieve the target CDR as determined by the mass stoichiometry of carbon dioxide reaction with a reactive alkali. ２ estimating the amount of reactive alkali; (ii-1) adjusting the target CDR by considering a Fequil factor, which indicates the ratio of the alkalinized water to be equilibrated with air, and thus determines the adjusted target CDR and the corresponding adjusted amount of CO2 reactive alkalinity; (iii) monitoring the body of water with one or more sensors; ２ Further limiting the adjusted amount of reactive alkali and the adjusted target CDR, thereby ２ When reactive alkali is dispensed into the body of water over a given time interval, ensuring that measurements from the one or more sensors are within respective predetermined limits, thereby ２ determining the further adjusted amount of reactive alkali and the corresponding further adjusted target CDR; (iv) CO ２ setting the further adjusted amount of reactive alkali as the required amount and the further adjusted target CDR as the acceptable target CDR, and determining the required rate of delivery over the given time interval based on the acceptable target CDR and the respective predetermined limits of the one or more sensor measurements; and (v) the required amount of CO ２ discharging reactive alkali into the body of water at the required rate, thereby achieving the acceptable target CDR from the atmosphere for the given time interval; Including, the system.

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