Chemical recovery and processing vessel and method for marine fluid transfer

Abstract

[0006] Embodiments disclosed herein include a marine vessel that floats and moves adjacent to the surface of a body of water. In one embodiment, the marine vessel comprises a support structure, a first buoyancy chamber coupled to the support structure, a second buoyancy chamber coupled to the support structure and positioned laterally spaced apart from the first buoyancy chamber and fluidly coupled to the first buoyancy chamber, and a third buoyancy chamber coupled to the support structure and positioned laterally spaced apart from the first buoyancy chamber and the second buoyancy chamber. In one embodiment, the marine vessel further comprises a robotic system coupled to the support structure, the robotic system comprising an end effector and a nozzle head coupled to the end effector.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 438,077, filed February 9, 2024, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 446,236, filed February 16, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0002] Floating wave energy conversion (WEC) devices are best deployed in locations where ocean waves are found. In the absence of undersea electric cables to carry that energy to shore, the energy that WECs extract from ocean waves must be used at sea to perform tasks or converted into chemical fuels to be transported to land and used by consumers there. To produce chemical fuels at sea, a low-cost, efficient infrastructure is needed to synthesize, collect, and transport those chemical fuels to shore. Summary of the Invention

[0003] 1) collecting liquids, gases, and / or other chemical products from a wave energy conversion (WEC) device (or other offshore platform) via a transfer device and storing and / or processing said liquids, gases, and / or other chemical products, depending on the specific mission of the embodiment; 2) When at rest, it floats adjacent to the surface of the water body through which waves pass, in a manner similar to the WEC from which it collects chemical products, thereby reducing the possibility of complications that can arise when attempting to couple two vessels that are moving out of phase while oscillating in response to the passage of waves; 3) Delivering the collected and / or synthesized chemical products to land, other vessels, and / or other platforms, and / or reintroducing a portion of the synthesized chemical products back into the environment, as supported by the specific mission of the embodiment. A novel type of ocean-going vessel configured as described above is disclosed.

[0004] Disclosed herein are vessels that tend to drift adjacent to the moving surface of a body of water in a manner similar to that of free-floating WECs, while also having the capability to collect, store, and / or process liquids, gases, and / or other chemical products obtained from the WECs. The vessels disclosed herein are expected to enable significant simplification of otherwise complex processes and / or infrastructure, and thus significantly reduce the cost of that infrastructure and / or the execution of that process.

[0005] The storage and transportation of gases tends to require compression of these gases to increase the density of the material being stored or transported. However, compression consumes additional energy. Also, compressed gases must be stored in strong vessels that cannot be damaged or leaked, which tend to be relatively expensive. In contrast, the storage and transportation of liquids tends to be relatively simple and inexpensive.

[0006] Vessel embodiments disclosed herein enable and facilitate converting chemical products recovered from WECs, for example, from gas to liquid, and transporting the converted and / or reconstituted chemical products, thereby enabling significant improvements in the efficiency of collecting energy and / or valuable chemicals from the ocean and sharing the benefits of that energy and / or those valuable chemicals with land-based consumers.

[0007] Vessel embodiments disclosed herein recover both hydrogen gas (H) and aqueous hydrochloric acid (HCl) from the WEC. Embodiments use the HCl to facilitate the extraction of carbon dioxide (CO) from seawater. Finally, the H and CO react to synthesize liquid green (i.e., produced from renewable sources) methanol (CHOH), which can then be transported to shore or supplied to other vessels for consumption or transport to shore.

[0008] Another embodiment of the vessel disclosed herein also recovers both hydrogen gas (H) and aqueous hydrochloric acid (HCl) from the WEC. However, this embodiment uses the H to generate power, which is then used to recover and store the HCl, and then move and / or transport the HCl via hoses or lowered tanks to deeper waters, thereby reducing the acidity of the surface of the body of water in which it floats and allowing the acid to be immediately neutralized and / or diluted, instead of a process that tends to occur naturally over thousands of years in ancient calcareous deposits and / or deeper, relatively alkaline waters.

[0009] Additionally, a method is disclosed for forming a fluid connection and achieving fluid transfer from a first floating body (e.g., a WEC) to a second floating body (e.g., a tripod vessel embodiment disclosed herein) using a cable robot and associated hoses and pipes integral with and controlled by the second floating body.

[0010] While this disclosure focuses on the uses and benefits of the disclosed vessels for the recovery, storage, treatment, and / or sequestration (deep sea) of liquids, gases, and / or any contents removed from a WEC, vessels similar to those disclosed herein have utility and benefit for the removal, storage, and / or treatment of, and / or synthesis with, and / or sequestration of, liquids, gases, and / or any chemical products collected at sea or in any large body of water from devices other than a WEC, and the scope of this disclosure includes, but is not limited to, all such other embodiments of the disclosed technology. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective side view of a first embodiment of a recovery vessel of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a top view of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the first embodiment. [Figure 4]FIG. 1 is a side view of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective bottom view of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a side view of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a detailed, partially enlarged perspective view of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a detailed, enlarged, perspective view of a portion of the first embodiment with some surfaces removed for clarity. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a detailed, enlarged, perspective view of a portion of the first embodiment with some surfaces removed for clarity. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a detailed, enlarged, perspective view of a portion of the first embodiment with some surfaces removed for clarity. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a detailed, enlarged, perspective view of a portion of the first embodiment with some surfaces removed for clarity. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a detailed, partially enlarged perspective view of the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a side view of the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a detailed, partially enlarged perspective view of the first embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a detailed, partially enlarged perspective view of the first embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a detailed, enlarged, perspective view of a portion of the first embodiment with some surfaces removed for clarity. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a detailed, enlarged, perspective view of a portion of the first embodiment with some surfaces removed for clarity. [Figure 20] This is an explanatory diagram. [Figure 21] This is an explanatory diagram. [Figure 22] FIG. 1 is a side view of the energy flow diagram of the energy products originating at the WEC, delivered to a vessel, and transported to shore. [Figure 23] FIG. 1 is a side view of a transport vessel with a computing system and a wireless communication system. [Figure 24] 1 is a side perspective view of a WEC including a computing system and a wireless communication system. [Figure 25] 1 is a perspective view of a computing system suitable for use on a transport vessel or WEC. FIG. [Figure 26] 1 is a perspective view of a server system suitable for use on a transport vessel or WEC. FIG. [Figure 27] FIG. 1 is a process flow diagram of a process for extracting hydrogen from WEC and converting it into methanol by reaction with carbon dioxide. [Figure 28] FIG. 1 is a process flow diagram of a process for transporting energy products from a WEC to a storage facility on a transport vessel. [Figure 29] FIG. 1 is a process flow diagram of a process for converting energy products and transporting the energy products on a transport vessel. [Figure 30] FIG. 1 is a process flow diagram of a process for converting a first energy product to a second energy product on board a transport vessel and delivering the second energy product to a storage facility. [Figure 31] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a WEC for producing energy products. [Figure 32] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a WEC for producing biological energy products. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] For a more complete understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be made to the foregoing Summary of the Invention in connection with the following figures, the illustrations provided therein, and the related figure descriptions thereof. The following figures and the related figure descriptions thereof provide exemplary illustrations. The following figures, the illustrations provided therein, and the related figure descriptions thereof do not in any way constitute limitations on and / or limitations of the present invention, either explicitly or implicitly.

[0013] In some embodiments, various embodiments are implemented separately. However, embodiments are not limited to embodiments implemented alone. For example, two or more different embodiments can be combined with each other to implement a single device, process, structure, etc. In some examples, the entirety of various embodiments can be combined together. In other examples, portions of a first embodiment can be combined with portions of one or more different embodiments. For example, portions of a first embodiment can be combined with portions of a second embodiment, or portions of a first embodiment can be combined with portions of a second embodiment and a third embodiment.

[0014] The embodiments illustrated and described in connection with the drawings contained herein are provided for the purpose of explaining some of the fundamental concepts of the present disclosure. However, the scope of the present disclosure encompasses all relevant, potential, and / or possible embodiments, even if they differ from the idealized and / or exemplary examples presented. The present disclosure also encompasses embodiments that incorporate and / or utilize current, future, and / or as-of-writing components, devices, systems, etc., in place of functionally equivalent, similar, and / or similar components, devices, systems, etc., used in the embodiments shown and / or described herein for purposes of explanation, illustration, and illustration.

[0015] As used herein, "fluidly connected" can refer to two components configured to allow transfer of one or more fluids (e.g., gas and / or liquid) between the two components. For example, a first chamber may be fluidly connected to a second chamber if gas from the first chamber can flow from the first chamber to the second chamber and / or from the second chamber to the first chamber (either actively (e.g., by pumping) or passively (e.g., by pressure differential)). Fluidly connected components may be directly connected to each other; that is, there may be no intervening components between the first and second components. In other examples, one or more additional intervening components (e.g., pipes, valves, chambers, reactors, etc.) may be provided between the first and second components, so long as one or more fluids can be transferred between the first and second chambers along a path that includes the one or more intervening components. Furthermore, while "components" may be fluidly connected to one another, the concept of fluid connection is not limited to structures such as chambers, containers, etc. That is, a first volume of liquid or gas may be fluidly connected to a second volume of liquid or gas even if one or both of the first and second volumes are not confined by any concrete structure. For example, a volume of fluid within a chamber may be fluidly connected to a generally unconfined volume (e.g., a body of water surrounding the chamber or the atmosphere) via a pipe, tube, port, opening, or other passageway through the surface of the chamber.

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a side perspective view of an embodiment 100 of the present disclosure.

[0017] The vessel 100 of the present disclosure floats and moves adjacent to the surface of a body of water 101 for the purpose of docking with a WEC 102 deployed at sea for a period of time, extracting chemical products therefrom, and then storing, utilizing, treating, and / or isolating said chemical products.

[0018] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the same embodiment 100 of the present disclosure shown in FIG.

[0019] Three flotation spheres (first degassing sphere 103, second degassing sphere 104, and methanol ballast sphere 105) are connected to the main structure of the vessel 100 by a plurality of beams, trusses, girders, or other structures 130. While referred to herein as "spheres," it should be understood that the first degassing sphere 103, second degassing sphere 104, and methanol ballast sphere 105 may comprise chambers of any shape. For example, the first degassing chamber 103, second degassing chamber 104, or methanol ballast chamber 105 may comprise a spherical chamber, a spherical cap chamber, a rectangular chamber, a pyramidal chamber, a frustum-shaped chamber, an oval chamber, or the like. The chambers 103, 104, and / or 105 may be symmetrical about one or more axes. The chambers 103, 104, and / or 105 may be asymmetrical about one or more axes. The vessel's upper deck 135 is comprised of a lattice of beams, trusses, girders, and structures that provide a platform upon which chemical storage and processing facilities, equipment, and / or mechanisms are mounted and / or attached, such as, but not limited to, tanks and equipment utilized for the storage of H2 and HCl recovered from WEC, and the extraction of CO2 from seawater, and the processing of H2 and CO2 to synthesize methanol (CH3OH), respectively.

[0020] Figure 3 shows a bottom view of the same embodiment 100 of the present disclosure shown in Figures 1 and 2. First degassing sphere 103, second degassing sphere 104, and methanol ballast sphere 105 each include a bidirectional thruster, propeller, water jet, or other propulsion mechanism 106c and 106d, 106a and 106b, and 106e and 106f, respectively, for purposes of propulsion and steering of the vessel through a body of water. Each such thruster is mounted within a nominally submerged tunnel in each of the spheres.

[0021] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the same embodiment 100 of the present disclosure shown in FIGS. 1-3. The upper deck 135 includes a bridge or control station 140, space for accommodating a crew 145, and a structure 150 for housing electronics for navigation and communication purposes and for control of onboard chemical synthesis and / or processing facilities. Some embodiments of the present disclosure may be remotely or autonomously controlled, eliminating the need for a human crew. Multiple antennas 155, transmitters, dishes, aerials, and / or receivers may be onboard and / or attached to the vessel to aid and / or enable the navigation and communication systems of embodiments.

[0022] FIG. 5 shows a perspective bottom view of the underside of the same embodiment 100 of the present disclosure shown in FIGS. 1-4, with the bottom of the WEC 102 not shown.

[0023] The cable robot system provides means and / or mechanisms that allow the embodiment to fluidly connect to and remove fluid contents from a WEC 102 located generally directly below the embodiment adjacent to the surface of the same body of water.

[0024] The cable robot system comprises a nozzle head 160 located on the underside of the end effector 165, a composite hose 170, six take-up winch motors 175a-f (175b and 175f are not visible and are depicted elsewhere), six control cables 180a-f, three cameras 185a-c, and multiple computing electronics (not shown). Three take-up winch motors 175a-c are mounted to the underside of the upper deck of the embodiment 100, and three take-up winch motors 175d-f ​​are mounted to each of the embodiment's spheres (i.e., first degassing sphere 103, second degassing sphere 104, and methanol ballast sphere 105), respectively. Each take-up winch motor, e.g., take-up winch motor 175a, is attached to a control cable, e.g., control cable 180a, one end of which is fixed to the end effector 165, controlling its effective length. Nozzle head 160 is further connected to composite hose 170, through which fluid and / or gaseous chemical products of the WEC are withdrawn and / or removed from the WEC when nozzle head 160 engages and / or is fluidly connected to WEC discharge nozzle 112. Target nodes 190a-c on WEC 102 help facilitate coupling of nozzle head 160 to WEC discharge nozzle 112 by enabling optical and / or visual position tracking of the orientation and / or position of WEC 102 relative to nozzle head 160 by cameras 185a-c and associated computing electronics. In some embodiments, control cables 180a-f are controlled by motors on the upper deck of those embodiments, and the control cables pass through pulleys located in degassing spheres and methanol ballast spheres and / or other locations to provide the required angle of the cables entering end effector 165.

[0025] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the same embodiment 100 of the present disclosure shown in FIGS. 1-5, with the bottom of the WEC 102 not shown.

[0026] As embodiment 100 approaches and is positioned above WEC 102 in body of water 101, three cameras 185a-c (185c is not visible and is shown elsewhere) track target nodes 190a-c (190c is not visible and is shown elsewhere) on WEC 102. As cameras 185a-c and associated computing electronics process data to determine and / or track the position of WEC 102 relative to embodiment end effector 165, end effector 165 is moved into a docked position with WEC 102 by control cables 180a-f (180c and 180f are not visible and are shown elsewhere) and take-up winch motors 175a-f (175c and 175f are not visible and are shown elsewhere). Each cable, e.g., 180a, is retracted or extended by a respective take-up winch motor, e.g., 175a, controlled by a computing and control system programmed to control, move, and optimize the position of the end effector 165 relative to the WEC 102 for the purpose of fluidly coupling the nozzle head 160 to the WEC nozzle 112.

[0027] As the WEC 102 and embodiment 100 move and / or vibrate in response to passing ocean waves, data collected by the cameras 185a-c is used in calculations and / or operations that continuously adjust the length of each of the cables 180a-f via the respective take-up winch motors 175a-f. The synchronized retraction and extension of the control cables 180a-f moves, positions, and orients the embodiment's end effector 165 and nozzle head 160 in six degrees of freedom to facilitate, enable, and / or achieve coupling and / or fluid connection of the nozzle head to the WEC nozzle 112.

[0028] Each extension or retraction of a control cable, e.g., 180a, by its respective and / or paired take-up winch motor, e.g., 175a, synchronized with the appropriate extension and / or retraction of one or more complementary control cables, e.g., 180a-f, serves to rapidly move the end effector 165 and nozzle head 160 into a coupled position with the WEC's delivery nozzle 112 and to maintain that coupled position even as the embodiment and WEC move relative to one another. Calculations informing the embodiment of the proximity and position of the WEC 102 and end effector 165 relative to one another, and the embodiment relative to the WEC 102, provide the basis for continually changing, adjusting, and / or controlling the position and / or orientation of the embodiment's end effector 165 via the take-up winch motors 175a-f and control cables 180a-f until the nozzle head 160 is successfully fluidly coupled to the WEC's delivery nozzle 112.

[0029] In some embodiments, a mechanical locking mechanism for either or both of the nozzle heads and / or the discharge nozzles of the respective WECs of the respective embodiments is initiated and maintained when solid contact and fluid connection between the respective nozzle heads and the WEC discharge nozzles is confirmed, for example, via multiple electronic sensors. Once fluidly coupled, a signal from such a nozzle locking mechanism can cause the cable robot to transition to a neutral or relaxed configuration in which the take-up winch motors 175a-f no longer exert significant tension and significantly impede the extension and retraction of the cables 180a-f. The take-up winch motors 175a-f, and therefore the cables 180a-f, can move relatively freely as the WEC 102 moves during the discharge process.

[0030] FIG. 7 shows a perspective bottom view of a portion of the underside of the same embodiment of the present disclosure shown in FIGS. 1-6, with most of the embodiment not shown for clarity.

[0031] Nozzle head 160 is comprised of multiple ports 110a-c (each of which is fluidly connected to a respective hose incorporated into composite hose 170), one or more of which are fluidly connected to a corresponding one of the WEC's discharge nozzle ports 112 when nozzle head 160 and WEC discharge nozzle 112 are engaged. Once coupled, an electronic signal initiated by positive engagement of an electromagnetic lock, e.g., 195a, causes the cable robot to transition to a neutral or relaxed configuration such that take-up winch motors 175a-f (not visible and shown elsewhere) no longer apply tension or impede the extension and retraction of cables 180a-f (180c and 180d not visible and shown elsewhere), except to the extent necessary to prevent cable slack. The take-up winch motors 175a-f (not visible and shown elsewhere) and therefore their respective cables 180a-f can move more freely with the relative movement of the WEC 102 that tends to occur in response to the passage of ocean waves during the extraction process. Having multiple ports 110a-c per nozzle head allows for extraction flexibility in that a single nozzle head 160 can be used to extract different chemical products from different types of WEC 102 (i.e., a hydrochloric acid solution, H2, or some other liquid or gas providing WEC) using the same embodiment.

[0032] In some embodiments, the cable robot continues to process data regarding the relative position and orientation of the WEC 102 with respect to the nozzle head 160 and end effector 165 after docking, thereby continuously and actively adjusting the length and tension of the cables 180a-f with the take-up winch motors 175a-f during the unloading process to maintain engagement between the nozzle head 160 and the WEC unloading nozzle 112 during the unloading process.

[0033] FIG. 8 shows a perspective side view of a portion of the end effector and nozzle head of the same embodiment of the present disclosure shown in FIGS. 1-7, with most of the embodiment not shown for clarity and with the surface of the end effector 165 removed for clarity.

[0034] Nozzle head 160 includes tooling feature 107 (in addition to electromagnetic locks 195a-c (not visible and depicted elsewhere)) and a plurality of ports 110a-c (110a and 110c not visible and depicted elsewhere). Ports 110a-c are further connected to hoses forming part of composite hose 170, one or more of which are fluidly connected to a respective one or more of the WEC's delivery nozzles 112 when nozzle head 160 and WEC delivery nozzle 112 are engaged. In addition to the electromagnetic locks, engagement of ports 110a-c on nozzle head 160 with WEC delivery nozzle 112 is enabled by tooling feature 107 within nozzle head 160 and tooling feature 108 on WEC delivery nozzle 112. As nozzle head 160 begins to mate with WEC delivery nozzle 112, initially engaged by electromagnetic lock, e.g., 195b, tooling mechanism 107 mates and locks nozzle head 160 to complementary tooling mechanism 108 within WEC delivery nozzle 112. This allows for flexibility in that nozzle head 160 can be used to deliver contents from different types of WEC 102 (i.e., WECs that provide hydrochloric acid solutions, H2, or any other liquid or gas) using a single, same embodiment.

[0035] In some modes of operation, compressed gaseous H2 is exported from the WEC 102 through the WEC's export nozzle 112 and the vessel's 100's nozzle head 160. The nozzle head 160 includes multiple ports (110a-c), one of which is dedicated to exporting H2 from the WEC 102. Export of H2 begins when the nozzle head 160 and the WEC export nozzle 112 mate and the tooling mechanism described above enables and / or achieves positive engagement of the H2 ports on the nozzle head 160 and the WEC export nozzle 112. H2 stored under pressure in the WEC tends to flow through the engaged ports via the nozzle head 160 and the WEC export nozzle 112. A composite hose 170 leads to and connects to a pump and valve interface 144 (not visible, shown elsewhere), which directs the H2 to an H2 tank 155 (not visible, shown elsewhere). In some examples, gaseous H2 can be produced by a WEC by converting wave energy into electrical energy (e.g., by using a turbine, etc.). The electrical energy can be used to power an electrolyzer that converts water into H2 and O2. The H2 can be stored on the WEC, and the O2 can be vented to the atmosphere.

[0036] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a portion of the end effector and nozzle head of the same embodiment of the present disclosure shown in FIGS. 1-8, with most of the embodiment not shown for clarity and with portions of the end effector 165 removed for clarity.

[0037] In some operational modes, liquid and / or aqueous hydrochloric acid (HCl) is delivered from the WEC 102 through the WEC's delivery nozzle 112 and, in some embodiments, the nozzle head 160. The nozzle head 160 includes multiple ports 110a-c (110b and 110c are not visible and are depicted elsewhere), one of which further includes two tubes (one smaller diameter tube 186 coaxially positioned inside the other larger diameter tube 187) specific to the delivery of HCl from the WEC 102. Delivery of HCl begins when the nozzle head 160 and the WEC delivery nozzle 112 are fluidly coupled and the aforementioned tooling features 107 and 108 enable secure engagement of the HCl-specific port 110a. In some examples, HCl can be produced by the WEC through the reaction of H gas with Cl gas stored in the WEC. H2 gas and / or Cl2 gas can be produced by electrolysis using electrical energy from the conversion of wave energy. H2 gas and Cl2 gas can be reacted to form HCl in an exothermic reaction, and the HCl can be stored on the WEC. Cl2 can also be produced by pump-permeation techniques, or Cl2 can be stored on the WEC as a precursor that is periodically replenished.

[0038] Water is pumped downward through inner tube 186 by pump and valve interface 144 (not visible, depicted elsewhere). As the water travels through inner tube 186 of composite hose 170, through the port in the engaged nozzle head 160, and into the WEC through the port in the WEC discharge nozzle 112, the downward force of the water forces the HCl in the circuitous tank on WEC 102 up through the engaged ports on the WEC discharge nozzle 112 and nozzle head 160, and through the outer tube 187 of composite hose 170. The HCl is forced up through composite hose 170, which is directed to and connected to pump and valve interface 144 (not visible, depicted elsewhere), which directs the HCl to HCl storage tank 143 (not visible, depicted elsewhere) where the HCl is stored until such time as it can be used, for example, in a chemical process, exported to another vessel, or sequestrated in deep sea, which sequestration can occur immediately or after a predetermined amount of HCl has been collected and stored on an embodiment.

[0039] Once the WEC 102's chemical product and / or a sufficient amount of chemical product has been dispensed, the nozzle head 160 is decoupled from the WEC's discharge nozzle 112 by an automatic release switch (not shown), which signals the cable robot to re-tension the control cables 180a-f with their respective take-up winch motors 175a-f, thereby moving the end effector 165 to a stowed position approximately centered below the embodiment until the embodiment is positioned over another WEC for docking and dispensing.

[0040] Another embodiment utilizes, incorporates, and / or includes a nozzle head 160 further comprising ports and hoses for transferring the CHOH synthesized above the embodiment to another vessel for ultimate transport to a land-based storage and distribution facility.

[0041] Figure 10 shows a perspective side view of a portion of the same embodiment of the present disclosure shown in Figures 1-9, with part of the surface of the outer first degassing sphere 103 shown as transparent for clarity. The first degassing sphere 103 consists of a nozzle 125 that allows seawater to enter the sphere, and a pump 121 that moves the seawater to a second degassing sphere (not visible) and maintains a partial vacuum within the first degassing sphere.

[0042] The first degassing sphere 103 includes a rigid floor 118 and an outlet connection 119 to the venturi circuit 114. The first degassing sphere utilizes, incorporates, and / or includes two directional thrusters, propellers, waterjets, and / or other propulsion mechanisms, e.g., 106a and 106b, that, when activated by an embodiment's control system and / or a human operator, propel the vessel through the body of water in which it floats. The area within the first degassing sphere located below the rigid floor 118 constitutes a permanent buoyancy compartment and may be filled with gas, vacuum, and / or a buoyancy material, e.g., plastic foam.

[0043] Attached to the first degassing sphere 103 of the embodiment is a venturi circuit 114, which is comprised of a loop of hollow tubing, with a portion of the tubing's interior channel tapering toward a constricted and / or narrowed venturi section 113. A pump 116 is located at one end of the venturi section. Located within the larger diameter portion of the tubing's interior channel is a concave high point 122 that functions as a separation gallery and / or collection chamber that allows, facilitates, and / or enables collection of N2 and O2 bubbles contained in seawater flowing therethrough. The concave high point 122 within the tubing's interior channel is fluidly connected to an exhaust port 123 that discharges, exhausts, and / or vents the N2 and O2 gases to the atmosphere above the embodiment.

[0044] The venturi circuit further comprises an outlet hose 120 that allows for the evacuation of excess water introduced into the circuit (eg, as water vapor).

[0045] When the first degassing sphere 103 floats on the surface of the body of water, seawater tends to enter the nozzle 125, move upward through the nozzle 125, and then exit the top opening of the nozzle 125 into the interior of the first degassing sphere 103. The partial vacuum created inside the first degassing sphere 103 by the pump 121 promotes and / or enables the flow of seawater from the body of seawater in which the embodiment floats into, through, and out of the nozzle 125.

[0046] The nozzle 125 has a constricted upper opening, which tends to create a spray of water ejected from the nozzle and injected into the first degassing sphere 103, which tends to disperse the ejected seawater as droplets inside the first degassing sphere. Because the first degassing sphere has a solid, horizontal floor 118, the water injected into the first degassing sphere and trapped therein tends to splash, splash, churn, and / or move around in an energetic manner (more than if the interior were entirely, truly, and / or perfectly spherical); such movement tends to create splashes and spray, thus dispersing the seawater inside the first degassing sphere as droplets.

[0047] Seawater is circulated through the venturi circuit 114 by a pump 116, and the low static pressure of the fluid at the venturi throat portion 113 of the circuit reduces the pressure within the first degassing sphere 103 by drawing fluid out of the first degassing sphere 103 through an outlet connection 119. The resulting suction within the first degassing sphere tends to create a relative vacuum within the first degassing sphere 103, and because of this suction and / or partial vacuum, gas dissolved in the seawater within the first degassing sphere tends to be liberated and / or released, and the released gas tends to move from the interior of the first degassing sphere back into the venturi circuit 114 through the outlet connection 119 that connects the narrowly constricted portion of the venturi circuit 114 to the interior of the first degassing sphere 103, where the static pressure within the fluid flowing through the venturi circuit tends to be minimal.

[0048] A pump 116 circulates seawater through a venturi circuit 114. The venturi circuit is a generally circular, hollow tube with a portion of the tube's interior channel having a larger diameter than the interior channel of the venturi section 113. The venturi circuit 114 tapers to a venturi throat section 113, which is the narrowest point of the circuit and / or the narrowest portion of the tube's interior channel. As the seawater circulates through the venturi circuit, the relative velocity at which the seawater circulates within the tube's interior channel tends to be higher where the pump 116 pushes the liquid through the venturi section 113 of the tube and tends to be relatively slower as and after the seawater enters the non-constricted section of the tube, which has a larger diameter. This slowing of the fluid within the venturi circuit after passing through the venturi section of the circuit tends to allow the N2 and O2 to coalesce into gas bubbles. As these merged bubbles continue to flow through the venturi circuit, the N2 and O2 tend to collect at concave, elevated, and / or enlarged portions of the tubing channel, i.e., high points 122. The N2 and O2 that collect at these high points are expelled and / or vented to the atmosphere via exhaust port 123.

[0049] The continued drawing of N2 and O2 into the venturi circuit 114 and the concomitant discharge and / or venting of N2 and O2 into the atmosphere tends to result in degassing of the N2 and O2 of the water within the first degassing sphere 103. An outlet hose 120 disposed on and fluidly connected to the venturi circuit tends to evacuate the degassing sphere of excess water introduced into the venturi circuit by the suction. The venturi circuit 114 is a form of vacuum pump.

[0050] The ocean water in the degassing sphere 103, from which N2 and O2 have been degassed, travels via pump 121 and pipe 127 to the second degassing sphere 104 and is combined with the hydrochloric acid solution collected from the WEC and stored on board the vessel 100 before being introduced into the second degassing sphere 104.

[0051] FIG. 11 shows a perspective side view of a portion of the same embodiment of the present disclosure shown in FIGS. 1-10, with the exterior surface of second degassing sphere 104 shown as transparent for clarity.

[0052] The second degassing sphere 104 utilizes, incorporates, and / or includes a nozzle 131 that allows seawater degassed in the first degassing sphere (not visible, see 103 in FIG. 10 ) to flow into and / or enter the interior of the second degassing sphere. Additionally, the second degassing sphere utilizes, incorporates, and / or includes a pump 132 and a pipe 133 for removing seawater from the sphere and discharging it into the ocean in which the embodiment floats. Additionally, the second degassing sphere utilizes, incorporates, and / or includes a rigid floor 134 and an outlet connection 128 to a Venturi circuit 136. Additionally, the second degassing sphere 104 includes water jets, e.g., 106c and 106d, that, when activated, propel the vessel through the body of water in which the embodiment floats. The second degassing sphere incorporates and / or includes a permanent buoyancy section below the rigid floor 134.

[0053] Mounted and / or attached to the second degassing sphere 104 is a venturi circuit 136, which consists of a loop of tubing having a hollow interior channel, with a portion of the tubing tapered and / or constricted to form a relatively narrow venturi section 137. A pump 138 is located at one end of the venturi section. Another larger diameter section of the loop of tubing acts as a separation gallery, with an expanded volume (i.e., high point 139) to accommodate collection and / or consolidation of CO2 bubbles, a transfer hose 129 for directing the CO2 for CH3OH synthesis, and an outlet hose 142 to allow for the discharge of excess water introduced into the venturi circuit 136.

[0054] Extraction of dissolved CO2 from water by vacuum is inefficient, if not impossible, unless the pH of the water is first lowered below a threshold acidity. The solubility of CO2 in water is a clear exception to Henry's Law (the amount of dissolved gas in a liquid is directly proportional to the partial pressure of the gas above the liquid) because CO2 reacts with water to form carbonic acid, which ionizes to bicarbonate ions. Bicarbonate ions are not subject to Henry's Law; therefore, only small amounts of dissolved inorganic carbon can be released and collected by vacuum methods alone. For effective degassing to release and collect dissolved inorganic carbon from water, the pH of the water must be low enough to alter the equilibrium between bicarbonate ions and CO2. At a pH of 8.3 or higher, primarily bicarbonate ions exist in water. At pH levels below approximately 4.5, most dissolved inorganic carbon in water exists as dissolved gas (relatively little bicarbonate is present). Thus, by introducing and / or adding an HCl solution to the water coming from the first degassing sphere 103 (not visible) before the water is introduced into the second degassing sphere 104, the pH is lowered sufficiently to cause the dissolved inorganic carbon in the water to exist primarily in the form of dissolved CO, thereby allowing a relatively significant amount of CO to be released when the partial pressure of CO gas is reduced by suction within the second degassing sphere.

[0055] Ocean water degassed of N2 and O2 is delivered from the first degassing sphere 103 (not visible) and combined with an HCl solution obtained and / or drawn from the HCl stored in the intermediate tank 146 and injected into the second degassing sphere 104 through the top and / or nozzle 131 openings. The HCl stored in the intermediate tank 146 may be collected by the vessel 100 from one or more WECs 102 (not shown in FIG. 11). In some examples, the WECs 102 may produce HCl through a process involving the conversion of wave energy to electrical energy. The HCl stored in the intermediate tank 146 may be supplied to the vessel 100 by a supply vessel (not shown in FIG. 11) or any other HCl storage facility. The nozzle opening is narrowed so that the acidified water injected into the second degassing sphere has a tendency to atomize, dispersing the HCl solution as droplets inside the second degassing sphere and thus increasing the surface area of ​​the injected HCl solution. Because the second degassing sphere has and / or includes a solid horizontal floor 134, the acidified water within the sphere tends to bounce, splash, and / or move around in a more energetic manner (even more so than if the interior were truly and / or completely spherical), which tends to create spray, thus dispersing the acidified water into droplets with a larger surface area.

[0056] A liquid, for example seawater, is circulated through the venturi circuit 136 by a pump 138 that draws fluid under suction from the interior of the second degassing sphere 104 through the outlet connection 128. This suction creates a partial vacuum within the second degassing sphere, and because of this suction and partial vacuum, dissolved gases in the water inside the second degassing sphere tend to bubble out of the water, collect at the top of the interior of the second degassing sphere, and then, under suction, enter the venturi circuit through the outlet connection that connects the narrow neck of the venturi circuit to the interior of the second degassing sphere.

[0057] A pump 138 flows fluid (primarily water and CO2 drawn in by suction) through a constricted venturi section 137 of a venturi circuit 136. The venturi circuit is roughly a tube having a generally circular cross-sectional shape, with a portion of the tube's interior channel having a larger diameter than the venturi section 137. The venturi circuit tapers to the venturi section, which is the narrowest point of the circuit's tubular channel. The fluid circulating within the tube tends to accelerate as the pump 138 forces the gas through the venturi section, and then tends to slow down as the gas enters the larger diameter section of the tube. This slowing of the fluid tends to allow the CO2 to coalesce into larger bubbles. As this coalesced gas continues to travel throughout the venturi circuit, the CO2 gas tends to collect within a concave high point 139 of the venturi circuit. The CO2 is collected from the concave high point 139 in the venturi circuit 136 via a connecting tube 129. An outlet hose 142 disposed on the venturi circuit tends to expel excess water that collects within the venturi circuit 136. The venturi circuit 136 is a form of vacuum pump.

[0058] Figure 12 shows a perspective side view of a portion of the same embodiment of the present disclosure shown in Figures 1-11. A hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution storage tank 143 collects HCl solution exported from WEC 102 via pump and valve interchange 144 and composite hose 170 connected to nozzle head 160. The HCl solution can be transferred to an intermediate tank and combined with degassed seawater for CHOH synthesis. Alternatively, the HCl solution can be transferred directly overboard from HCl solution storage tank 143 via hose 151 and reeling device 152, or it can be transferred and stored in tank 153 for isolation and lowered to the seabed via cable 148 and winch 149.

[0059] Figure 13 shows a perspective side view of a portion of the same embodiment of the present disclosure shown in Figures 1-12. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution synthesized on the WEC 102 is collected through a nozzle head 160 and directed to a storage tank 143.

[0060] In one mode of operation, reeling device 152 deploys drain hose 151 from embodiment 100 downward into body of water 101 before nozzle head 160 (not visible, shown elsewhere) mates with WEC nozzle 112 (not visible, shown elsewhere). The length of drain hose 151, and therefore the depth to which the removed HCl solution is re-routed into body of water 101, for example, a depth of 3 kilometers, is sufficient to dilute and neutralize the HCl solution thus deposited.

[0061] In this mode of operation, HCl solution is taken in through nozzle head 160 (not visible, illustrated elsewhere) and then sequestered in deep water as part of a single operational process. Embodiment 100 couples to a WEC through the nozzle head. The HCl solution is taken in and travels directly to drain hose 151 via pipe 156, where it is temporarily collected in storage tank 143 before being flushed overboard into deeper body of water 101. The HCl solution for each WEC is discharged at each respective WEC's location and / or location. A portion of the HCl solution may be retained to enable degassing and extraction of CO2 from seawater in embodiments (as described elsewhere). After discharging the HCl solution from the WEC's storage, reeling device 152 retracts drain hose 151, after which the embodiment can be moved to another WEC's location.

[0062] In another mode of operation, hose 151 is deployed to a depth before nozzle head 160 couples with WEC nozzle 112, and HCl solution is pumped out of WEC 102 in the same manner as described above, but drain hose 151 remains deployed as the HCl is pumped out of the reservoir in WEC 102, and embodiment 100 travels to a second WEC (not shown), couples with that second WEC as described above, and pumps the HCl solution out of that WEC's reservoir and places it at a depth. In this mode of operation, an embodiment can travel to multiple WECs and pump HCl solution out of them without retracting drain hose 151.

[0063] FIG. 14 shows a detailed perspective side view of the top of the same embodiment of the present disclosure shown in FIGS. 1-13, with most of the vessel not shown for clarity.

[0064] In this illustrated mode of operation, hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution synthesized on WEC 102 is collected via nozzle head 160 as described and illustrated elsewhere and delivered to HCl tank 143 via pipe 156. The HCl solution is then delivered to tank 153 via HCl transfer hose 157. Tank 153 is secured to cable 148 which is wound around winch and reel assembly 149.

[0065] FIG. 15 shows a side view of the same embodiment of the present disclosure shown in FIGS. 1-14 with a hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution tank 153 lowered into a body of water 101.

[0066] In this mode of operation (the same mode partially illustrated in FIG. 14 ), the HCl solution synthesized on the WEC and collected via nozzle head 160 is delivered to HCl solution tank 143 via pipe 156. The HCl solution is then delivered to tank 153 via HCl transfer hose 157 (not visible, shown elsewhere) secured to cable 148 wound around winch and reel assembly 149.

[0067] Embodiment 100 can collect HCl solution from multiple WECs until HCl solution tank 153 is full and / or reaches capacity. Once full, HCl solution tank 153 is lowered to an appropriate depth, e.g., 3 kilometers, using winch and reel assembly 149 and a corresponding length of cable 148. Once tank 153 reaches the appropriate depth, hatch 154 (not visible, illustrated elsewhere) operated by a pressure switch opens. Because the HCl solution is denser and / or heavier than the surrounding water, opening hatch 154 allows the HCl solution to drain and / or dispense into body of water 101.

[0068] The depth to which the HCl solution is discharged back into body of water 101 is sufficient to dilute and neutralize the HCl solution therein, resulting in a net alkalinization of the surface water from which it was extracted. Once the HCl is discharged from HCl solution tank 153, winch and reel assembly 149 returns HCl solution tank 153 to embodiment 100 by retracting cable 148. The embodiment can continue to travel to and couple to additional WECs and collect HCl solution from the additional WECs, which can be sequestered to the ocean via tank 153 in the manner described above.

[0069] In some embodiments, the HCl solution tank 153 is equipped with weights, floats, and / or other buoyant forces that are calibrated to be negatively buoyant when the HCl solution tank contains HCl solution, and, in contrast, net buoyant when the HCl solution tank contains only seawater, thereby minimizing the energy required to descend to depth and to be pulled back to the surface.

[0070] Figure 16 shows a perspective bottom view of a portion of tank 153 deployed in body of water 101. Tank 153 is lowered by reel assembly 149 (not visible, shown elsewhere) and cable 148 to a suitable depth, e.g., 3 km, where hatch 154 is opened by a pressure switch to release and isolate the acidity collected from the surface water.

[0071] FIG. 17 shows a perspective top view of a portion of a CH3OH processing infrastructure including the upper deck area of ​​an embodiment.

[0072] With respect to the embodiments of the present disclosure illustrated in FIGS. 1-16, green methanol (CH 3 OH) is formed, synthesized, and / or produced by the chemical process of CO 2 hydrogenation.

[0073] Hydrogen gas (H) collected from one or more WECs 102 (not visible, shown elsewhere) and stored in H tank 158, and CO, which in embodiments is extracted from seawater and stored in CO tank 159, are transferred by CO pump 191 and H pump 192 to mixer 161 where they are mixed. Additionally, a recycle stream from flash vessel 162, which tends to heat the initial streams of H and CO gases, is also transferred to mixer 161. The heated and mixed H and CO gases are then transferred via pipe 164 to and / or into catalytic reactor vessel 163.

[0074] Inside the catalytic reactor vessel 163, the H and CO gas mixture is heated to approximately 150°C by a heat exchanger within the reactor vessel, where an exothermic reaction occurs in the presence of a suitable catalyst. The temperature within the catalytic reactor vessel 163 can reach 250°C, and the pressure within the catalytic reactor vessel can reach 65 bar or more. The gas products resulting from the reaction are pumped to heat exchanger 167 and then to flash vessel 162, where the temperature and pressure can be 30.0°C and 64.5 bar, respectively. The top outlet stream of flash vessel 162 is reintroduced into reactor vessel 163 at mixer 161 via pump 169 and pipe 172. Before the stream is reintroduced into mixer 161 and reactor vessel 163, purge gas is vented via an outlet valve (not shown) to remove by-products such as hydrocarbons, inert gases, etc.

[0075] The crude liquid stream of CHOH (which also contains water and other undissolved gases) from the bottom of flash vessel 162 is reheated (e.g., to 85°C) by heat exchanger 167 and transferred via pipe 174 and compressor pump 173 to distillation column 171 at an inlet pressure of about 1.3 bar. Distillation column 171 completes the synthesis of CHOH by separating it from the water. The gaseous CHOH is transferred by compressor pump 178 and pipe 179 to methanol ballast sphere 105 (not visible, depicted elsewhere), where it is cooled to form a liquid. Water separated from the aqueous solution of CHOH in and / or by the distillation column is discharged from the bottom of the distillation column.

[0076] Alternative embodiments of the present disclosure may use additional heat exchangers, flash vessels, pumps, compressors, and other components, and may operate at different temperatures and pressures, as would be apparent to one skilled in the art. Numerous relevant methods for methanol synthesis with respect to CO and H streams exist in the prior art, and all such alternative methods, and alternative mechanisms for carrying them out, are included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0077] 18 shows a perspective side view of a portion of a methanol-ballast sphere 105, with some surfaces removed for clarity. Synthesized CHOH 162 (not visible and illustrated elsewhere) is stored within the methanol-ballast sphere, which also acts and / or functions as a flotation means for embodiments of the present disclosure. The methanol-ballast sphere is the same or similar in size as the first and second degassing spheres 103, 104, previously disclosed, and is internally divided into two chambers by a substantially vertical partition 163: one chamber is for storing the CHOH synthesized and purified in the embodiment; the other chamber contains a supply of water 164 and air 165, the relative amounts of which vary to maintain the sphere's buoyancy even as the volume of CHOH stored in the adjacent chamber steadily increases, maintaining the buoyancy of the methanol-ballast sphere approximately equal to that of the first and second degassing spheres of the embodiment.

[0078] A ballast pump 183 maintains the proper ratio of air and water in the methanol ballast sphere depending on the amount of methanol stored in the methanol chamber to maintain the proper buoyancy of the sphere.

[0079] Figure 19 shows a perspective side view of a portion of a methanol ballast sphere 105, with some surfaces removed for clarity. The sphere is internally divided into two separate, laterally adjacent chambers by a substantially vertical partition 163; the chamber visible in Figure 19 is the chamber used for storing CHOH 162. A pump 178 and pipe 179 move the synthesized CHOH 162 into the methanol ballast sphere 105, and a pump 178 and pipe 182 transport the CHOH 162 to another vessel or a land-based storage facility, for example, via an engaged end effector.

[0080] FIG. 20 shows a detailed diagram of the process of degassing N, O, and carbon dioxide (CO) from seawater via the first and second degassing spheres 103 and 104, the Venturi circuit, pumps, tubing, pipes, and valves as described above. Seawater 201 enters the first degassing sphere, where dissolved N and O gases are removed via the Venturi circuit 114. The degassed water is combined with hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution from the intermediate tank 146 as it travels to the second degassing sphere, where dissolved CO gas is removed via the Venturi circuit 136. The CO gas is collected in the CO tank 159 and later used in methanol (CHOH) synthesis 206. Methanol synthesis 206 may also be supplied with H gas from the H storage 158. The H2 storage 158 may be a chamber on the vessel, or the H2 storage 158 may be a WEC that is fluidly coupled to the vessel during the process of methanol synthesis 206. The degassed seawater is reintroduced into the ocean 207.

[0081] FIG. 21 shows a detailed diagram of the process for synthesizing CHOH from, by, and / or through CO hydrogenation. CO stored in CO tank 159 and H stored in H tank 158 are pumped by pumps 191 and 192 and combined with the recycle stream from flash vessel 162 in mixer 161. The combined stream (of CO and H gas) is sent to catalytic reactor 163, where an exothermic reaction occurs and the temperature and pressure can reach 250° C. and 65 bar or more, respectively. The reacted stream exits catalytic reactor 163, passes through heat exchanger 167, and then enters flash vessel 162, where the temperature and pressure are approximately 30.0° C. and 64.5 bar, respectively.

[0082] The H, CO, and CO streams from flash vessel 162 are circulated back to mixer 161 by pump 169 after purging a small amount of gas to further purify the stream. The liquid stream from flash vessel 162 enters heat exchanger 167 and then pumps 173 to distillation column 171. The crude CHOH stream entering distillation column 171 may be at a temperature and pressure of 85°C and 1.3 bar, respectively. Final separation of CHOH and water occurs within distillation column 171. The gaseous CHOH is pumped by compressor pump 178 to methanol ballast sphere 105, where the CHOH is cooled and liquefied. Water extracted from the crude aqueous CHOH solution is released from the bottom of distillation column 171. Other processes for synthesizing methanol from CO and H are known in the prior art and can be used in place of the process shown. Embodiments utilizing, incorporating, and / or including such other methanol synthesis processes and / or related mechanisms and equipment are within the scope of this disclosure.

[0083] FIG. 22 shows a schematic diagram of a wave energy collection system 300. The wave energy collection system 300 can include a first floating body 301 and a second floating body 350 that can be temporarily coupled to each other while floating on the surface 305 of a body of water 304. In an exemplary embodiment, the first floating body 301 can be configured as a wave engine 301 (e.g., a WEC or hydrodynamic pump such as those described herein), and the second floating body 350 can be a reaction and storage vessel 350, such as the vessel 100 described in further detail herein. For example, the storage vessel 350 can include a first degassing chamber 353, a second degassing chamber 354, and a methanol ballast chamber 355. The chambers 353-355 can be fluidly connected to each other as described herein. The chambers 353-355 can be mechanically coupled to each other by a structure 386 (e.g., a deck or platform) supported by a stiffening member 380 or the like. Chambers 353 - 355 may be positioned at the vertices of a triangle to provide a stable base for supporting structure 386 on surface 305 of body of water 304 .

[0084] In some embodiments, the wave engine 301 may include a receiving port 320 operable to receive a nozzle 385 in communication with a conduit 383 from the vessel 350, thereby fluidly coupling the wave engine 301 to the vessel 350 via the conduit 383 to transfer one or more fluids therebetween.

[0085] In one embodiment, communication (or fluid coupling) between the wave engine 301 and the vessel 350 may be enabled through the use of automatic, autonomous, and / or passive systems. For example, in some embodiments, the nozzle 385 may be coupled to an end effector (not shown in FIG. 22 but described elsewhere herein) that can move with wires and pulleys enabling six degrees of freedom to facilitate, enable, and / or achieve coupling and / or fluid connection of the nozzle 385 to the receiving port 320 of the WEC 301. Furthermore, because both the WEC 301 and the vessel 350 float on the same surface 305 of the body of water 304, relative motion between the WEC 301 and the vessel 350 is minimal, facilitating simpler coupling. That is, because both the WEC 301 and the vessel 350 are subject to substantially the same wave patterns, currents, wind, and / or other environmental conditions, the WEC 301 and the vessel 350 may float in a similar manner to one another.

[0086] A set of Cartesian coordinate axes 368 are shown in Figure 22 to illustrate the positions of the various components of the wave energy collection system 300. Specifically, mutually perpendicular x-, y-, and z-axes are provided, with the x- and z-axes defining the plane of the schematic diagram shown in Figure 22 and the y-axis perpendicular thereto. In some embodiments, the direction of gravity is parallel to and may coincide with the negative z-axis.

[0087] Although illustrated herein in the context of a wave engine, the first floating body 301 may be configured as any floating body capable of self-propulsion, for example, by extracting energy from stored fuel, inducing a current of pressurized water, and / or utilizing one or more ambient environmental forces to move along the surface 305 of the body of water 304. For example, the first floating body 301 may be a marine vessel (such as a deployment vessel, a tanker vessel or other storage vessel, or other transport vessel), a buoy, a wind turbine, an offshore platform such as a floating data center, etc.

[0088] In embodiments in which the first floating body 301 is configured as a wave engine 301, water can enter and pass through the wave engine 301 due to the up and down motion 306 of the water waves (e.g., in the positive z-axis direction and the negative z-axis direction, respectively). As described in further detail herein, the upward and downward motion 306 allows the water to enter and pass through the wave engine 301, from which energy can be captured and converted (as indicated by dashed arrow 326a) into energy products 308. The energy products 308 can include, for example, one or more of electrolysis products or other fuels / chemicals such as H2 gas or HCl, removed carbon, minerals, biological products, digital goods, or executed computational algorithms such as, but not limited to, proof-of-work mechanisms for cryptocurrencies, trained machine learning algorithms, and the like.

[0089] In some embodiments, the first floating body 301 may include a first on-board controller or other computing device 310 and / or the second floating body 350 may include a second on-board controller or other computing device 329, and the first and second on-board controllers 310, 329 each include non-transitory memory capable of storing executable instructions. The executable instructions may be executed by one or more processors of the first and second on-board controllers 310, 329 to perform various functions of the first and second floating bodies 301, 350, respectively. Thus, the executable instructions may include various routines for operation, propulsion, maintenance, tracking, and testing of the first and second floating bodies 301, 350. The first and second on-board controllers 310, 329 can be communicatively coupled to and direct the operation and use of various components (e.g., valves, power sources, etc.) of the first and second float bodies 301, 350 (for clarity, wired and / or wireless communication paths between the first and second on-board controllers 310, 329 and the various components have been omitted from FIG. 22). For example, the first on-board controller 310 can direct the operation of one or more first coupling elements distributed annularly on the receiving port 320, and the second on-board controller 329 can direct the operation of one or more second coupling elements distributed on the nozzle 385 to selectively engage and disengage the one or more first coupling elements with the one or more second coupling elements (the first and second coupling elements are not shown in FIG. 22).

[0090] In certain embodiments, the first and second on-board controllers 310, 329 may be communicatively coupled to a remote controller or computing device 314 via a wireless network 312. The various controllers 310, 314, 329 may, in some examples, be configured in a substantially similar manner to one another, except for one or more modifications or differences tailored to a given use case. For example, the remote controller 314 may be located in a physical structure 316, such as on a vessel or on land 318 (as shown in FIG. 22), such that it is accessible to an operator of the wave energy collection system 300. Thus, even if one or both of the first and second floating bodies 301, 350 are not geographically located within a national or local government jurisdiction, one or both of the first and second floating bodies 301, 350 may nevertheless communicate continuously (e.g., substantially uninterrupted) or periodically with the remote controller 314, which may be geographically located within a national or local government jurisdiction (e.g., on land 318).

[0091] In some embodiments, the remote controller 314 may be configured for use by an operator and, as such, may include a user interface through which the operator may input commands or otherwise modify the operation of the wave energy collection system 300. The user interface may include one or more displays, input devices (e.g., keyboards, touch screens, computer mice, depressible buttons, mechanical switches, other mechanical actuators, etc.), lights, and other components for facilitating the operator's use of the wave energy collection system 300 and for accepting operator input (e.g., a request to direct the nozzle 385 into the receiving port 320). In additional or alternative embodiments, one or both of the first and second onboard controllers 310, 329 may be configured with the user interface described above.

[0092] The overall energy flow 326 of the wave energy collection system 300 is shown schematically in FIG. 22, where energy captured at the first floating body 301 from the water caused by the up and down motion of the waves 306 through the first floating body 301 (as indicated by dashed arrow 326a) is converted into energy products 308 and transferred to the second floating body 350 (as indicated by dashed arrow 326b), and then transferred from the second floating body 350 to a ground vehicle 330 (as indicated by dashed arrow 326c) for transport to a storage facility and / or an end user for consumption. For example, in some embodiments, the wave energy collection system 300 may include multiple nodes including a plurality of first floating bodies 301, one or more second floating bodies 350 for transporting the plurality of energy products 308 from the plurality of first floating bodies 301 to land 318, and one or more land vehicles 330 for transporting the plurality of energy products 308 from the one or more second floating bodies 350 to a storage facility and / or end user. In other examples, the energy products 308 may be transported directly from the second floating body 350 to a storage facility and / or end user located on land 318 or within a particular distance from land 318 (e.g., up to 100 kilometers from land, up to 40 kilometers from land, up to 1 kilometer from land, up to 500 meters from land, or up to 50 meters from land). However, in other embodiments, the storage facility or consumption location may be far from land.

[0093] In exemplary embodiments, the energy product 308 may be a fluid (e.g., liquid or gas) that is transferred from the first float body 301 to the second float body 350 via the nozzle 385 and the conduit 383, the conduit 383 configured to temporarily fluidly couple an internal reservoir of the second float body 350 to an internal reservoir of the first float body 301 via one or more internal passages that extend at least a length of the conduit 383 (the internal reservoirs and internal passages are not shown in FIG. 22 ). In certain embodiments, the conduit 383 may include multiple internal passages, each capable of conveying a different fluid between the first and second float bodies 301, 350. As an example, the conduit 383 may include a first internal passage configured to supply an energy product precursor (e.g., an electrolysis reactant, e.g., deionized water) from the second float body 350 to the first float body 301 to replace the energy product 308 being transferred to the second float body 350. Thus, in such an example, the conduit 383 may further include a second internal passage configured to siphon the energy product 308 (e.g., an electrolysis product, such as hydrogen gas) from the first float body 301 to the second float body 350. Thus, the overall energy flow 326 can be maintained by periodically (e.g., once a week) replenishing the capacity of the first float body 301 to convert the captured energy into chemical energy products.

[0094] In some embodiments, adjustments to the position of the nozzle 385 may be performed based on, for example, manual operator input at a user interface of the remote controller 314. In additional or alternative embodiments, adjustments to the position of the conduit assembly 383 may be automatically adjusted based on, for example, feedback from one or more sensors and / or data received via the wireless network 312. As an example, one or both of the first and second floating bodies 301, 350 may include an accelerometer (e.g., an inertial measurement unit, not shown) configured to collect local position data changes resulting from, for example, water wave motion. As an additional or alternative example, one or both of the first and second floating bodies 301, 350 may include a global positioning system (not shown) configured to collect geographical position data. As an additional or alternative example, one or both of the first and second floating bodies 301, 350 may include a wind speed sensor (not shown) configured to measure wind speed. As an additional or alternative example, such data (e.g., location data and / or wind speed) may be received over wireless network 312 in addition to other data, such as meteorological data (e.g., wave height, wave propagation direction, wave period, weather, etc.). In some embodiments, the direction and magnitude of the applied force can be inferred based on feedback from one or more sensors and / or data received over wireless network 312, and certain operating parameters (e.g., one or more continuously adjustable parameters) can be adjusted accordingly to account for individual applied force changes with specificity.

[0095] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 22 , a first energy product 308 is produced on the first floating body 301 and then converted to a second energy product 309 on the second floating body 350. The energy conversion process from the first energy product 308 to the second energy product 309 may be similar to any of the conversion processes described in more detail herein. For example, reaction of H gas (the first energy product 308 produced on the first floating body 301) with CO gas (a precursor produced on the second floating body 350) may produce methanol (the second energy product 309). In some embodiments, the second energy product 309 may be stored in chamber 355. CO gas may be formed in degassing chambers 353 and 354 (by taking in HCl from storage tank 393), as described in more detail herein. The second energy product 309 is transported to land 318. That is, the second energy product 309 may not undergo any subsequent processing after it is produced. However, in other embodiments, the second energy product 309 may be further processed to produce alternative products before it reaches land 318 (or near land). For example, the second energy product 309 may be filtered, compressed (e.g., from a gas to a liquid), used as a precursor in a reaction, or otherwise processed before it reaches land 318 or near land.

[0096] FIG. 23 shows a side view of a transport vessel 450. The transport vessel 450 may include a first degassing chamber 453, a second degassing chamber 454, and a methanol ballast chamber 455. The chambers 453-455 may be fluidly connected to each other as described herein. The chambers 453-455 may be mechanically coupled to each other by a structure 486 (e.g., a deck or platform) supported by a stiffening member 480 or the like. The chambers 453-455 may be positioned at the vertices of a triangle to provide a stable base for supporting the structure 486 on the surface 405 of the body of water. The first degassing chamber 453 and the second degassing chamber 454 may be used to process seawater to extract CO2 gas. The first degassing chamber 453 may be used to remove N2 and O2 gases from the seawater. The treated seawater can then be degassed in second degassing chamber 454 by lowering the pH of the seawater by application of HCl from storage tank 493. CO gas from the second degassing process can be reacted with H obtained from a WEC (not shown) via nozzle 485 and conduit 483 to form methanol, which is stored in chamber 455. The reaction process can be similar to any of the reaction processes described in more detail herein.

[0097] In one embodiment, H gas is obtained from a single WEC and used in the reaction as it is transferred onto vessel 450. That is, there may not be a dedicated chamber for storing H gas. In another embodiment, H gas is stored in a chamber (not shown) on vessel 450 and used in a chemical reaction at a later time. This allows H to be recovered from multiple WECs to provide larger amounts of H for the reaction. Similarly, HCl can be transported away from the WEC and used upon recovery, such that there is no dedicated chamber for storing HCl. In another embodiment, HCl can be recovered from one or more WECs, and the HCl is stored in chamber 493 for later use. HCl may also be a precursor that is periodically supplied to vessel 450 from another vessel or HCl source.

[0098] Additionally, the vessel 450 may include a computing system 429 and one or more antennas 427. A housing may protect the computing system 429 from environmental conditions. The computing system 429 and one or more antennas 427 may be powered by any suitable source of electrical power. For example, a hydrogen fuel cell or other fuel cell structure may be used to convert H gas (received from the WEC) into electrical power. However, in some embodiments, other power sources (e.g., batteries, generators, etc.) may also be used. The computing system 429 may include any number of components, such as a processor, memory, control interfaces, etc. The computing system 429 may be comprised of multiple processing systems integrated with each other to perform complex computer processing operations. The computing system 429 may be optimized and / or configured to implement one or more of the following: data center hosting, blockchain mining implementation, ML or AI algorithm training, etc. Results of the computational operations (e.g., blockchain coins or tokens, trained algorithms, data center capacity, etc.) may be transmitted to external devices over a wireless network via the one or more antennas 427 or other wireless systems. A more detailed description of a suitable computing system 429 may be provided further herein.

[0099] 24 , a side perspective view of a WEC 500 according to one embodiment is shown, including an integrated computing system 529 on a platform 507 above the WEC 500. The WEC 500 floats adjacent to the surface 501 of a body of water through which waves tend to pass. The WEC 500 includes a hollow buoyancy chamber 506 and / or a buoy. In one embodiment, a tube 504 is coupled to the buoyancy chamber 506.

[0100] As described in other embodiments, energy products can be generated by converting wave energy into electricity. In some embodiments, the energy product can be a gas, such as hydrogen gas, or other fluid. In some examples, the energy product can be stored in a chamber 505 coupled to the tube 504. The energy product can also be stored in a buoyancy chamber 506, a chamber on the platform 507 (not shown), or any other location on the WEC 500. In one embodiment, the energy product generated by the WEC 500 can be exported by a vessel similar to any of the vessels described in more detail herein. For example, the vessel can collect the energy product from the WEC 500 and convert the energy product into a different energy product, similar to the process described in more detail herein.

[0101] In one embodiment, the platform 507 may be provided above the top of the buoyancy chamber 506. The computing system 529 is provided on the platform and may include an enclosure to protect the components from water and the elements. Any number of computing systems (e.g., processors, graphics processors, etc.) and / or memory, etc., may be housed within the enclosure. The computing system 529 may be comprised of multiple processing systems integrated with each other to perform complex computer processing operations. The computing system 529 may be optimized and / or configured to implement one or more of data center hosting, blockchain mining implementation, ML or AI algorithm training, etc. Results of the computational work (e.g., blockchain coins or tokens, trained algorithms, data center capacity, etc.) may be transmitted to external devices over a wireless network via one or more antennas 527 or other wireless systems. The computing system 529 may run on energy generated by the WEC 500 by converting wave energy into electricity or by converting energy products stored in the chamber back into electricity (e.g., using a hydrogen fuel cell, etc.).

[0102] Referring now to FIG. 25 , there is shown a perspective view of a computing system 600 that may be integrated into a WEC or vessel, such as described in further detail herein, according to one embodiment. For example, computing system 600 may be used as computing system 429 of FIG. 23 or computing system 529 of FIG. 24 . Computing system 600 may comprise an array of electronics, hardware, and / or software configured to control one or more aspects of a wave energy generating device. While the components shown in FIG. 25 are illustrated on a single substrate, it should be understood that the components may be on separate substrates, structures, etc. Computing system 600 may be housed within a watertight chamber or enclosure provided on the WEC or vessel.

[0103] The computing system 600 may include a computing device 610. The computing device 610 houses a substrate. The substrate may include several components, including, but not limited to, a processor 601. The processor 601 may include, but is not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), etc. The processor 601 is physically and electrically coupled to the substrate. Other components of the computing device 610 include, but are not limited to, memory 602 and / or 603, such as volatile memory (e.g., DRAM), non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM), flash memory, mass storage device (hard disk drive, compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), etc.), etc. The computing device may include a communications chipset 604, a digital signal processor 605, a chipset 606, an antenna 607, and / or input / output devices 608.

[0104] The computing system 600 may include a communications device 620. The communications device 620 enables wireless communications for the transfer of data to and from the computing system 600. The term “wireless” and its derivatives may be used to describe circuits, devices, systems, methods, techniques, communications channels, etc. that can communicate data through the use of modulated electromagnetic radiation passing through a non-solid medium. The term does not imply that the associated apparatus does not include wires, although in some embodiments it may. The communications device 620 may implement any of several wireless standards or protocols, including, but not limited to, Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 family), WiMAX (IEEE 802.16 family), IEEE 802.20, Long Term Evolution (LTE), Ev-DO, HSPA+, HSDPA+, HSUPA+, EDGE, GSM, GPRS, CDMA, TDMA, DECT, Bluetooth, derivatives thereof, and any other wireless protocols designated as 3G, 4G, 5G, and beyond. The computing system 600 may include multiple communication devices 620. For example, a first communication device 620 may be dedicated to short-range wireless communications such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and a second communication device 620 may be dedicated to long-range wireless communications such as GPS, EDGE, GPRS, CDMA, WiMAX, LTE, Ev-DO, etc. The communication device 620 may be communicatively coupled to one or more antennas, satellite dishes, or other devices for transmitting and / or receiving wireless communications. The antennas, etc. may be external to the enclosure, or the antennas may be within the enclosure.

[0105] Additionally, the computing system 600 may include a server rack 630. The server rack 630 may include multiple processors with associated hardware and software. The server rack 630 may perform computational tasks to provide revenue-generating services. The server rack 630 may be powered by energy generated by a WEC or stored onboard the vessel, such as those described in more detail herein. While a constant power source may be desirable, the computing system 600 may still function with intermittent or non-constant power sources such as those provided by wave energy generation. To accommodate variable power sources, the server rack 630 may include a controller that adjusts the clock speed of the processor. This allows for direct control of power consumption to match available power. In some cases, the server rack 630 may perform data center operations or tasks. The server rack 630 may host and / or distribute content or provide a link between consumers and centralized data storage. In some cases, the server rack 630 may perform services in conjunction with blockchain technology, such as cryptocurrency mining. The server rack 630 may also perform services such as ML or AI training.

[0106] The computing system 600 may include a positioning system 640. The positioning system 640 may include one or more modules, components, and / or devices for determining the geographic location of the wave energy generating device. In some cases, the positioning system 640 may comprise a GPS, a compass, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, etc. The positioning system 640 may include a processor and / or controller for enabling navigation of the wave energy generating device. For example, actuators may be controlled to steer or guide the wave energy generating device in a particular direction. Propulsion devices (e.g., propellers, water jet streams, etc.) on the WEC or vessel may be operated and / or commanded by components of the positioning system 640.

[0107] The computing system 600 may include a sensor module 660. The sensor module 660 may include a processor, memory, and associated hardware and software for controlling and / or recording data from one or more sensors that monitor various aspects of the WEC. The sensors may include, but are not limited to, pressure sensors, gas composition sensors, water level sensors, temperature sensors, fluid flow sensors, current sensors, power sensors, cameras, optical sensors, etc. Physical sensors may be distributed throughout the WEC, and control circuitry / software may be provided in the sensor module 660 within the computing system 600.

[0108] The computing system 600 may include an interface module 650. The interface module 650 may comprise one or more components used to interact with the wave energy generating device. The interface module 650 may include one or more input devices. For example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen display, etc. may be provided on the interface module 650. Output devices, such as a display screen, speakers, etc. may also be provided on the interface module 650. The interface module 650 may further comprise a camera, a video camera, a biometric screening device, etc.

[0109] The computing system 600 may include a battery module 670. The battery module 670 may include any type of battery. The battery may include a rechargeable battery, such as a lithium-based battery (e.g., a lithium-ion battery). The batteries of the battery module 670 may be charged by electricity generated by the WEC or the vessel. The battery module 670 may be used as a power storage unit to power one or more electrical components of the embodiment 600 or any other electrically powered device of the wave energy generating device. The battery module 670 may be used to normalize the power supply to the electrical components. For example, the battery module may provide power to equalize the total power supply when the power provided by the wave energy generating device varies over time.

[0110] 26 , there is shown a perspective view of a server rack 630 that may be integrated into a WEC or vessel, such as described in further detail herein. As shown, the server rack 630 may include multiple server blades 635 disposed on a rack 632. The server blades 635 may be communicatively coupled to one another via the rack 632 and / or associated cabling to enhance processing power. The server blades 635 may include processors such as, but not limited to, central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like.

[0111] In some cases, the server rack 630 is communicatively coupled to an antenna 637 to enable wireless communication. The antenna 637 may include a satellite dish or any other antenna configuration. The ability to wirelessly transmit data from the server rack 630 allows the data to be processed remotely at the power generation source (e.g., offshore) while still being useful to the end consumer. Data distribution, hosting, computing, etc., can be performed at lower energy costs using such wave energy generating devices. Additionally, the server rack 630 can be passively cooled by the body of water surrounding the wave energy generating device (e.g., the server rack 630 can be placed in a watertight enclosure that is submersible). In some cases, the server rack 630 functions as a cryptocurrency mining rig powered by energy generated by a WEC or vessel.

[0112] 27 is a process flow diagram of a process 710 for converting a first energy product to a second energy product. In certain embodiments, the first energy product includes hydrogen gas and the second energy product includes methanol. In one embodiment, the process 710 can begin with step 711, which includes docking a vessel to a wave energy conversion (WEC) device adjacent to the surface of a body of water. In one embodiment, the vessel comprises seawater. The seawater can be loaded onto the vessel by any suitable process, such as a pump. The seawater can be stored in a first chamber.

[0113] The process 710 may proceed to step 712, which involves transferring hydrogen from the WEC to the vessel. The hydrogen may be transferred using a nozzle and conduit assembly that includes a nozzle that fluidly connects the WEC to the vessel. The nozzle may be controlled with up to six degrees of freedom. Because both the WEC and the vessel float on the same surface of the body of water, relative motion between the WEC and the vessel is minimal, facilitating simpler docking. That is, because both the WEC and the vessel are subject to substantially the same wave patterns, currents, wind, and / or other environmental conditions, the WEC and the vessel may float in a similar manner to one another. In other embodiments, collection may be performed from multiple WECs to provide larger quantities of hydrogen to the vessel.

[0114] The process 710 may proceed to step 713, which involves degassing the nitrogen and oxygen from the seawater on the vessel. The degassing step may be performed in the first chamber using a venturi circuit coupled to the first chamber. The nitrogen and oxygen may be vented to the environment or may be stored for other purposes.

[0115] The process 710 may proceed to step 714, which includes adding hydrochloric acid to the seawater and degassing carbon dioxide from the seawater on board the vessel. The degassing of carbon dioxide may occur in a second chamber. The hydrochloric acid may be supplied to the second chamber from a chamber on board the vessel that stores hydrochloric acid. The hydrochloric acid may optionally be supplied from one or more WECs such that the hydrochloric acid is transferred to the vessel from one or more WECs.

[0116] The process 710 may proceed to step 715, which includes reacting hydrogen and carbon dioxide to form methanol on board the vessel. The methanol may be stored in a third chamber. The first, second, and third chambers may be buoyancy chambers suitable for floating the vessel adjacent to the surface of a body of water. The chambers may sometimes be referred to as buoyancy chambers. In one embodiment, the reaction of hydrogen and carbon dioxide may be similar to any of the reaction processes described in further detail herein.

[0117] FIG. 28 is a process flow diagram of a process 720 according to one embodiment for generating an energy product with a WEC and transporting the energy product to another location. In one embodiment, process 720 can begin with step 721, which includes converting wave energy into an energy product with a WEC device. The WEC can be similar to any of the WECs described in more detail herein. The energy product can be similar to any of the energy products described in more detail herein. For example, the energy product can be a liquid or gaseous fuel (e.g., hydrogen), a chemical (e.g., HCl), a biological product (e.g., algae, fish, or any other marine species), etc. The generation of the energy product can occur using any of the processes described herein. For example, the power generated by the WEC can be used to generate the energy product.

[0118] In one embodiment, process 720 may proceed to step 722, which includes transferring the energy products from the WEC to a transport vessel. The transport vessel may be similar to any vessel described herein. For example, the transport vessel may include a vessel that collects the energy products from the WEC and converts the energy products into different energy products through one or more different chemical reactions performed on the vessel. In some embodiments, one or more precursors for the one or more chemical reactions are produced on board the transport vessel. The transport vessel is capable of controlled movement on the surface of the body of water in which the WEC floats, controlled movement through such body of water, and / or controlled movement over such body of water. The energy products may be delivered to or transferred (actively or passively) to the transport vessel via any mechanism, such as hoses, pipes, cables, etc.

[0119] In one embodiment, process 720 may proceed to step 723, which includes transferring the energy product to a storage facility or power plant by transport vessel. The storage facility or power plant may be located at a location different from the approximate location of the WEC. In one embodiment, the location is on land. However, in other embodiments, the location is near land (e.g., up to 100 kilometers from land, up to 40 kilometers from land, up to 1 kilometer from land, up to 500 meters from land, or up to 50 meters from land). In other embodiments, the storage facility may be a second vessel. For example, a first vessel may remove the energy product from the WEC and deliver it to a second vessel. The second vessel may then transport the energy product toward land.

[0120] FIG. 29 is a process flow diagram of a process 730 for converting a first energy product into a third energy product and transporting the third energy product to a storage facility or a power plant. In one embodiment, process 730 can begin at step 731 with converting wave energy into a first energy product with a WEC device. The WEC can be similar to any of the WECs described in more detail herein. The first energy product can be similar to any of the energy products described in more detail herein. For example, the energy product can be a liquid or gaseous fuel (e.g., hydrogen), a chemical (e.g., HCl), a biological product (e.g., algae, fish, or any other marine species), etc. Production of the first energy product can occur using any of the processes described herein. For example, power generated by the WEC can be used to generate the energy product.

[0121] In one embodiment, process 730 may proceed to step 732, which includes converting the first energy product to a second energy product via one or more processes on the WEC. Converting the first energy product to the second energy product may include converting one type of fuel or chemical to another fuel or chemical. In one embodiment, the first energy product may include hydrogen, and the second energy product may be hydrochloric acid. Other conversion processes may also be used, such as, but not limited to, filtration, compression (e.g., gas to liquid), and refining. Additionally, conversion may include processing biological products. For example, algae may be processed into algae oil, or fish may be processed into fish oil. The conversion process may be performed on or near the WEC.

[0122] In one embodiment, process 730 may proceed to step 733, which includes transferring the second energy product from the WEC to a transport vessel. The transport vessel may be similar to any vessel described herein. For example, the transport vessel may include a vessel that collects the second energy product from the WEC and converts the second energy product into a third energy product through one or more different chemical reactions performed on the vessel. In some embodiments, one or more precursors for one or more chemical reactions are produced on the transport vessel. The transport vessel is capable of controlled movement on the surface of the body of water in which the WEC floats, controlled movement through such body of water, and / or controlled movement over such body of water. The energy product may be delivered to or transferred (actively or passively) to the transport vessel via any mechanism, such as hoses, pipes, cables, etc.

[0123] In one embodiment, step 733 can also include transferring the first energy product to a vessel. That is, both the first energy product and the second energy product can be supplied to a transport vessel. In the case of methanol conversion, the first energy product can include hydrogen and the second energy product can include hydrochloric acid.

[0124] In one embodiment, process 730 may proceed to step 734, which includes converting the second energy product to a third energy product on board the transport vessel. For example, in the case of methanol conversion, the transport vessel produces carbon dioxide through the use of hydrochloric acid in a degassing step (as described in further detail herein). The carbon dioxide may be reacted with hydrogen to produce methanol (i.e., the third energy product), and the methanol may be stored in a chamber on board the transport vessel.

[0125] In one embodiment, process 730 may proceed to step 735, which includes delivering the third energy product to a storage facility or power plant by transport vessel. The storage facility or power plant may be located at a location different from the approximate location of the WEC. In one embodiment, the location is on land. However, in other embodiments, the location is near land (e.g., up to 100 kilometers from land, up to 40 kilometers from land, up to 1 kilometer from land, up to 500 meters from land, or up to 50 meters from land). In other embodiments, the storage facility may be a second vessel. For example, a first vessel may remove the third energy product from the WEC and deliver it to a second vessel. The second vessel may then transport the third energy product toward land.

[0126] FIG. 30 is a process flow diagram of a process 740 for converting a first energy product into a second energy product and transporting the second energy product to a storage facility or a power plant. In one embodiment, process 740 can begin at step 741 with converting wave energy into a first energy product with a WEC device. The WEC can be similar to any of the WECs described in more detail herein. The first energy product can be similar to any of the energy products described in more detail herein. For example, the energy product can be a liquid or gaseous fuel (e.g., hydrogen), a chemical (e.g., HCl), a biological product (e.g., algae, fish, or any other marine species), etc. Production of the first energy product can occur using any of the processes described herein. For example, power generated by the WEC can be used to generate the energy product.

[0127] In one embodiment, process 740 may proceed to step 742, which includes transferring the first energy product from the WEC to a transport vessel. The transport vessel may be similar to any vessel described herein. For example, the transport vessel may include a vessel that collects the energy product from the WEC and converts the energy product into a different energy product via one or more different chemical reactions performed on the vessel. In some embodiments, one or more precursors for the one or more chemical reactions are produced on board the transport vessel. The transport vessel is capable of controlled movement on the surface of the body of water in which the WEC floats, controlled movement through such body of water, and / or controlled movement over such body of water. The first energy product may be delivered to or transferred (actively or passively) to the transport vessel via any mechanism, such as hoses, pipes, cables, etc.

[0128] In one embodiment, process 740 can proceed to step 743, which includes converting the first energy product to a second energy product via one or more processes on board the transport vessel. Converting the first energy product to the second energy product can include converting one type of fuel or chemical to another fuel or chemical. In one embodiment, the first energy product can include hydrogen, and the second energy product can include methanol. An additional precursor (e.g., CO) can be reacted with the first energy product to produce the second energy product. For example, a process similar to that described with respect to FIG. 21 can be used in some embodiments. In one embodiment, one or more additional precursors can be generated on board the transport vessel. For example, CO can be formed in a multi-stage degassing process that includes applying HCl to seawater to lower the pH of the seawater. Other conversion processes, such as, but not limited to, filtration, compression (e.g., gas to liquid), purification, etc., can also be used.

[0129] In one embodiment, process 740 may proceed to step 744, which includes delivering the second energy product to a storage facility or power plant by transport vessel. The storage facility or power plant may be located at a location different from the approximate location of the WEC. In one embodiment, the location is on land. However, in other embodiments, the location is near land (e.g., up to 100 kilometers from land, up to 40 kilometers from land, up to 1 kilometer from land, up to 500 meters from land, or up to 50 meters from land). In other embodiments, the storage facility may be a second vessel. For example, a first vessel may remove the energy product from the WEC and deliver it to a second vessel. The second vessel may then transport the energy product toward land.

[0130] FIG. 31 shows a cross-sectional view of a WEC 800 according to one embodiment. The WEC 800 floats adjacent to the surface 801 of a body of water through which waves pass. The WEC 800 may include a buoyancy chamber 802 having an interior volume 829. The interior volume 829 may be partially filled with water 827. A gas (e.g., oxygen, hydrogen, air, etc.) may fill an additional portion of the interior volume 829. Additionally, internal structures may be provided within the buoyancy chamber 802. For example, baffles, walls, subchambers, doors, etc. may be provided within the chamber 802. The internal structures may be used to control the flow or movement of the water 827 within the chamber 802, provide housing for different gas species, etc.

[0131] Chamber 802 may be axisymmetric in some cases. For example, in FIG. 31 , chamber 802 is a spherical portion having a substantially horizontal upper surface. In other examples, chamber 802 may be a spherical cap or any other type of axisymmetric shape. However, chamber 802 may not be axisymmetric in other examples. For example, chamber 802 may have a keel or hull shape similar to that of a floating vessel (e.g., a boat or ship). Openings, ports, etc. may also be provided through the walls of chamber 802 to access materials and / or substances within chamber 802, to provide control of pressure within chamber 802, etc.

[0132] A tube 804 may be coupled to the chamber 802. The tube 804 may have an open bottom that communicates with the water surrounding the WEC 800. The tube 804 may pass through a wall of the chamber 802 and enter the interior volume 829. An opening at the top of the tube 804 fluidly couples to the interior of the chamber 802. The tube 804 may have a constant diameter along its length. In other cases, the tube 804 may have a non-uniform diameter along its length. For example, the tube 804 may have a first portion 804A having a constant diameter and a second, narrowed portion 804B where the diameter decreases. The tube 804 may be cylindrical or have a cross-section of any other shape.

[0133] As shown, water 821 can reside within tube 804 at a free surface 823. As indicated by the double-headed arrow 824 across free surface 823, the water level oscillates up and down in response to the oscillations of WEC 800. The oscillations are driven by interaction with waves passing along the surface 801 of the body of water. The trapped water 821 within tube 804 can gain momentum as WEC 800 oscillates. At some point, free surface 823 rises above the top opening of tube 804 and is discharged (as indicated by arrow 826) into the interior volume 829 of chamber 802. Water from tube 804 maintains a level 828 of water 827 within chamber 802.

[0134] To generate energy, water 827 from the interior of chamber 802 is discharged through a pipe. As water 827 passes through the pipe, energy generating device 830 operates. Energy generating device 830 may comprise a hydroelectric turbine, such as a reaction turbine (e.g., a propeller turbine, a bulb turbine, a strafe turbine, a tube turbine, a Kaplan turbine, a Francis turbine, or a kinetic turbine) or an impulse turbine (e.g., a Pelton turbine or a crossflow turbine). In some examples, a single turbine is used for energy generating device 830, while in other examples, multiple turbines arranged in series are used for energy generating device 830. While a single energy generating device 830 is shown in WEC 800, embodiments may include multiple energy generating devices 830.

[0135] The energy generating device 830 may be coupled to a generator (not shown). The energy generating device provides rotational energy that is converted into electrical energy by the generator. The electrical energy can be stored (e.g., in a battery) or consumed for one or more purposes described in more detail herein. While a generator is one option, other types of generators may be used. For example, the generators described herein may include any generator, alternator, other mechanism, device, and / or component that converts energy from one form to another. In some cases, one or more of the energy generating systems may be replaced with a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator, which generates electricity directly from a liquid flow without the need for a turbine and associated rotating shaft. That is, the combination of a turbine connected to a generator by a shaft may be replaced with an MHD generator, in some cases, with the appropriate selection of working fluid.

[0136] As discussed above, the WEC 800 can generate a significant amount of energy that needs to be stored or used in a constructive manner. In some cases, the energy generated from the WEC 800 may be stored in a battery. The battery can provide an accessible energy source to operate one or more electrical components incorporated into the WEC 800. Alternatively (or in addition), the WEC 800 can provide a material conversion process to "store" the energy in a more transportable form. For example, the energy generated by the WEC 800 can be stored in the form of energy products, as described in further detail herein.

[0137] If the energy product is hydrogen gas, an electrolyzer 893 may be provided on the WEC 800. The electrolyzer 893 may be fluidly coupled to a water source, such as water 832 in the chamber 803. The water 832 may be deionized, filtered, distilled, and / or otherwise purified. The water 832 may be supplied to the WEC 800 as a precursor material. Energy produced by the WEC 800 may be consumed by the electrolyzer 893 to convert water into oxygen and hydrogen. The hydrogen gas may be stored in the interior volume 834 of the chamber 803 or any other enclosed space associated with the WEC 800. The oxygen gas may be vented to the atmosphere. After hydrogen gas is produced, the gas may be periodically collected (i.e., removed or transported from the WEC 800) by an external vessel, ship, airship, submersible, drone, or any other vehicle, such as a transport and reaction vessel as described in further detail herein.

[0138] WEC 800 may be an autonomous device capable of moving and / or navigating in a controlled manner around a body of water. Propulsion of WEC 800 may be driven by one or more different mechanisms. In one example, water 831 discharged from a pipe provides the propulsive force that can move WEC 800. WEC 800 can be steered by controlling the force of the discharged water 831 and / or the direction of the discharged water 831. In some cases, one or more rudders (not shown) can be coupled to WEC 800 to provide directional control, rotational control, etc.

[0139] In some embodiments, propulsion for the WEC 800 may be provided via one or more active propulsion devices. For example, in some cases, propellers or the like may be used. Energy to drive the active propulsion devices may be obtained through energy generation by the WEC 800 or from batteries charged through wave energy generation by the WEC. In other examples, hydrogen or other gases produced onboard the WEC 800 may be consumed (e.g., through the use of fuel cells) to power the active propulsion devices.

[0140] The WEC 800 may include an enclosure 835 disposed over the chamber 802. The enclosure 835 may be a waterproof chamber for securing one or more electrical components. For example, a computing system, a positioning system, and / or a communication system may be disposed within the enclosure 835. The computing system may provide one or more processors and associated hardware and / or software that enable control of the WEC 800. For example, the computing system may control power generation, such as by controlling the flow rate of water to the energy generating device 830. The positioning system may include a GPS, a compass, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or any other suitable navigation system. The positioning system may control the propulsion and steering systems for navigation of the WEC 800. The communication system may include an antenna, a receiver, and associated circuitry, hardware, and / or software. The communication system may provide a communication link to an external system, another wave energy generation system, or the like. It should be understood that the above-described systems within enclosure 835 on WEC 800 are exemplary in nature, and that many different systems, controllers, etc. may be provided in enclosure 835. For example, in some embodiments, computing systems and / or servers similar to those described in more detail with respect to Figures 25 and 26 may be provided in enclosure 835.

[0141] FIG. 32 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a WEC 900 according to one embodiment. The WEC 900 may be similar to the WEC 800 described above, except for the energy product generated or produced by the WEC 900. For example, the WEC 900 may include a buoyancy chamber 902 coupled to an inlet tube 904A / 904B. Water 921 within the tube 904 oscillates such that a surface 923 rises and falls within the tube 904. In some examples, the water 921 may flow 926 from the tube 904 into an interior 929 of the chamber 902 to fill the chamber 902 with water 927. The water 927 within the chamber 902 may be pumped 931 through an energy generating device 930 and out of the WEC 900 to generate energy. An enclosure 995 may be provided on top of the chamber 902 to house electronics and / or a computing system, as described in further detail herein.

[0142] However, instead of producing gas (or only gas) as an energy product, WEC 900 may produce biological products. The biological products may include one or more of seaweed (e.g., microalgae and / or macroalgae), seaweed, other marine plants, fish, krill, or other marine organisms. More specifically, the electricity generated by operation of energy generating device 930 may be used to power lights 942, lamps, thermal devices (e.g., heaters), etc. For example, light 942 may be light-emitting diode (LED) lights or any other suitable source for generating electromagnetic radiation 943. The electromagnetic radiation 943 may be consumed by the biological products within WEC 900 to cause growth of the biological products.

[0143] As shown in Figure 32, the lights 942 can be positioned, attached, or otherwise coupled to the interior surface of the chamber 902. Additionally, the lights 942 may be provided along the sidewalls of the fill tube 904. While shown as being directly coupled to the surface of the interior wall, other embodiments may include suspending the lights 942 within the interior volume of the chamber 902. All of the lights 942 in Figure 32 are shown as being submerged in the water 927 or 921. However, in other embodiments, the lights 942 may be provided above the surface 928 of the water 927 within the chamber 902.

[0144] In one example, a generally circular net 941 designed to promote the growth of biological products (e.g., algae and / or other marine plant life) extends adjacent the surface 928 of the water 927 across and / or adjacent to a cross section that is generally perpendicular and / or horizontal to the flow of the water reservoir 927. By trapping the biological products at the bottom of the water 927, the net 941 tends to reduce, if not prevent, the escape and / or loss of such algae through the energy generating device 930. In other embodiments, other structures (e.g., sieves, catches, mesh, or grates) are placed in the path of the water flow to the energy generating device 930 to prevent the escape or loss of biological products.

[0145] Periodically, biological product can be removed from the water 927 by a ship, platform, or other vessel. The vessel can insert a suction tube into and through the access tube 945. Once inserted into and through the access tube 945, the inserted suction tube can be positioned near the bottom of the water reservoir 927 of an embodiment to aspirate some of the biological product therein. A complementary access tube (not shown) and / or a complementary channel within the single access suction tube 945 can retain and / or maintain the original level 928 of the water 927 in the reservoir by returning water to the reservoir as biological product is being removed from the water reservoir 927.

[0146] Access tube 945 allows algae, water, nutrients, and / or other substances to be added to and / or removed from water reservoir 927 while it is sealed inside chamber 902. Because the access tube is open to the atmosphere at its top opening 947 (as indicated by arrow 948) and to the water and biological products in water 927 at its bottom opening 944, water 927 from the reservoir can freely rise within algae access tube 945. Due to the pressure of air trapped within air pockets 929 inside chamber 902 and the corresponding pressure of the water 927, the surface 946 of the water in access tube 945 tends to rise to a height above the surface 928 of the water 927 in the reservoir whose head pressure corresponds approximately to the pressure of the air in hollow chamber 902.

[0147] In addition to growing biological products, particularly algae, within the reservoir of water 927 inside hollow chamber 902, biological products, particularly algae, may be grown within embodiment inlet tube 904. An upper barrier net 951 extending over the top and / or upper portion of inlet tube 904 prevents at least some of the algae within inlet tube 904 from getting too close to the narrowed portion at the top of inlet tube 904 and potentially clogging inlet tube 904 at that location.

[0148] The algae or other biological product grows within a net enclosure and / or containment bag 953, which forms a porous bag that captures most, if not all, of the biological product. The top of the algae containment bag 953 is pulled upward by a float 952, which tends to position the top of the bag adjacent to the underside of the barrier net 951. The biological product within the containment bag 953 is encouraged to grow through the provision of light (e.g., 943) emitted by lamps (e.g., 942) positioned along the interior walls and / or surfaces of the inlet tube 904 of an embodiment.

[0149] The lower end of containment bag 953 is pulled downward by weight 954 connected to the bag by tether, chain, rope, linkage, and / or cable 955. Additionally, connected to weight 954 and to containment bag 953 via weight 954 is tether, chain, rope, linkage, and / or cable 956, which has an upper end connected to float 957 that tends to float on the surface 901 of the body of water in which WEC 900 floats.

[0150] Periodically, a ship or other vessel can remove the biological product from the injection tube 904 of the WEC 900. The vessel can attach a secondary cable to the cable 956 and then lower a secondary weight that increases the total weight and attempts to pull the algae containment bag 953 downward and out of the injection tube 904. After the containment bag 953 has been lowered and released from the injection tube 904, it can be raised by the secondary cable and lifted onto and / or into the vessel where the biological product can be collected. The same removed containment bag 953 can be reinserted into the injection tube 904 using the same second cable, using an underwater autonomous vehicle, and / or using another method, mechanism, and / or system. When the same containment bag 953 is reinserted into the inertial water tube 904 of an embodiment, it is likely to be so reinserted after most, if not all, of the captured biological product has been collected and / or removed. By leaving some of the biological product in the containment bag 953, the residual biological product can grow and produce another harvest. When a "new" second containment bag 953 is inserted into the inlet tube 904 of an embodiment to replace the removed containment bag 953, it is advantageous to first "seed" that containment bag 953 with biological stock so that a new population of a preferred species of algae can grow.

[0151] The scope of the disclosure includes complementary vessels for periodically collecting the biological product grown within the embodiments, as well as onshore, floating platform, and / or other vessel facilities for processing and / or storing the harvested algae, and methods for collecting the biological product, wherein a wave energy converter of the type disclosed herein is deployed in a body of water, and electrical energy generated by said wave energy converter operating in waves is radiated from LEDs, or other lamps, or other light emitting sources mounted on, within, inside, or outside of said wave energy converter, and / or from a wall, surface, or other light source mounted on, within, or outside of said wave energy converter. may be used to power LEDs or other lamps or other light-emitting sources suspended from a surface and / or structural member, biological products may be grown in or near the enclosure, cavity or vicinity of the wave energy converter using light from the lamps as a metabolic energy source, and the biological products (or products or by-products produced therefrom, such as algae oil, fish oil, etc.) may be transferred to a ship or other floating vessel which transfers the biological products (or products or by-products produced therefrom, such as algae oil, fish oil, etc.) to an onshore facility for processing and / or storage.

[0152] The embodiment of the aquaculture configuration shown in Figure 32 may further include fish within either or both of the reservoir of water 927 and / or the algae containment bag 953. If one or more fish species capable of feeding on and / or consuming the type of algae being grown within the embodiment are selected and contained within the respective growth areas prior to each growth cycle, some of those fish can be collected along with the uneaten algae. The scope of the disclosure includes a method for harvesting fish, wherein a wave energy converter of the type disclosed herein is deployed in a body of water, electrical energy generated by the wave energy converter is used to power LEDs or other lamps or other light-emitting sources mounted on, within, inside or outside the wave energy converter and LEDs or other lamps or other light-emitting sources suspended from walls, surfaces and / or structural members inside, inside or outside the wave energy converter, algae are allowed to grow in or near the enclosure, cavity or cavity of the wave energy converter using light from the lamps as a metabolic energy source, fish or other marine organisms are allowed to grow in or near the enclosure, cavity or cavity of the wave energy converter feeding at least in part on the algae as a metabolic energy source, the fish or other marine organisms are transferred to a ship or other floating vessel, and the ship or floating vessel transfers the fish and / or other marine organisms (or products or by-products produced therefrom, such as fishmeal or fish oil) to an onshore facility for processing and / or storage.

[0153] The scope of the present disclosure includes, but is not limited to, the growth and / or harvesting of any type of microalgae, seaweed, fish, or crustacean. Fish that do not feed on the various algae grown can still receive nutrients, such as plankton and phytoplankton, from water that is periodically introduced into the water reservoir 927 and inlet tube 904 as a result of wave action. In addition to being able to introduce nutrient-rich water into the water 927 reservoir and inlet tube 904 from outside the embodiment as a result of wave action, the embodiment also serves to remove waste-containing and / or nutrient-depleted water from the water 927 reservoir and inlet tube 904 as a result of the same water cycle (i.e., water enters tube 904, from there into the water 927 reservoir, and then flows out of the water reservoir through energy generating device 930).

[0154] The scope of the present disclosure includes embodiments utilizing water reservoir lamps and / or inertial water tube lamps that emit light at any single wavelength, any range of wavelengths, and / or any combination of wavelengths or wavelength ranges.

[0155] The scope of the present disclosure includes embodiments in which lamps are mounted on the interior surface of the top of hollow chamber 902, i.e., within air pocket 929. The scope of the present disclosure includes embodiments in which lamps are mounted on the exterior surface of hollow chamber 902 and / or injection tube 904 to promote the growth of biological products and the establishment of fish or other marine organism communities outside but adjacent to WEC 900.

[0156] In addition to producing biological energy products, energy products such as hydrogen gas can be produced by an electrolyzer 933 on the WEC 900. The electrolyzer 933 can be fluidly coupled to a water source, such as water 932 in the chamber 903. The water 932 can be deionized, filtered, and / or otherwise purified. The water 932 can be supplied to the WEC 900 as a precursor material. Energy produced by the WEC 900 can be consumed by the electrolyzer 933 to convert water into oxygen and hydrogen. The hydrogen gas can be stored in the interior volume 934 of the chamber 903 or any other enclosed space associated with the WEC 900. The oxygen gas can be vented to the atmosphere. After hydrogen gas is produced, the gas can be periodically collected (i.e., removed or transported from the WEC 900) by an external ship, boat, airship, submersible, drone, or any other vehicle.

[0157] Although the above disclosure describes various embodiments, it is understood that the present invention is not limited to any particular embodiment or expression herein. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize modifications and substitutions herein, and the scope of the present invention includes all such modifications and substitutions. Therefore, unless expressly stated, the scope of the present invention should not be construed as limited by the above description. Rather, the scope of the present invention is properly determined by the appended claims, using the ordinary and ordinary meaning of the appended claim language, which is consistent with, but not limited by, the description and figures of the present disclosure. [Example]

[0158] Example 1: A marine vessel that floats and moves adjacent to the surface of a body of water, comprising: a support structure; a first buoyancy chamber coupled to the support structure; a second buoyancy chamber coupled to the support structure and positioned laterally away from the first buoyancy chamber and fluidly coupled to the first buoyancy chamber; a third buoyancy chamber coupled to the support structure and positioned laterally away from the first buoyancy chamber and the second buoyancy chamber; and a robotic system coupled to the support structure and including an end effector and a nozzle head coupled to the end effector.

[0159] Example 2: The marine vessel of example 1, wherein the first buoyancy chamber is a first degassing chamber.

[0160] Example 3: The marine vessel of example 2, wherein the second buoyancy chamber is a second degassing chamber.

[0161] Example 4: The vessel of Examples 1-3, wherein the third buoyancy chamber is a chemical storage chamber.

[0162] Example 5: The vessel of Examples 1-4, wherein the first buoyancy chamber is a first degassing chamber, the second buoyancy chamber is a second degassing chamber, and the third buoyancy chamber is a chemical storage chamber.

[0163] Example 6: The marine vessel of Examples 1-5, wherein one or more of the first buoyancy chamber, the second buoyancy chamber, or the third buoyancy chamber has a spherical shape.

[0164] Example 7: The vessel of Examples 1-6, wherein the first buoyancy chamber, the second buoyancy chamber, and the third buoyancy chamber form the vertices of a triangle.

[0165] Example 8: The marine vessel of Examples 1-7, wherein one or more of the first buoyancy chamber or the second buoyancy chamber comprises a venturi circuit.

[0166] Example 9: The vessel of Examples 1-8, wherein the robotic system further comprises a composite hose coupled to the nozzle head.

[0167] Example 10: The vessel of example 9, wherein the composite hose comprises a plurality of tubes.

[0168] Example 11: The vessel of example 10, wherein one of the plurality of tubes comprises an inner tube coaxially positioned inside the outer tube.

[0169] Example 12: The vessel of Examples 1-11, wherein the nozzle head is configured for coupling to a wave energy conversion (WEC) device.

[0170] Example 13: The vessel of example 12, wherein the nozzle head includes a tooling mechanism for mating a port of the nozzle head with a nozzle of the WEC device.

[0171] Example 14: The vessel of Examples 1-13, wherein the robotic system further comprises a plurality of cables for moving, positioning, or orienting the nozzle head in six degrees of freedom.

[0172] Example 15: The vessel of Examples 1-14, wherein the support structure comprises one or more structures selected from the group consisting of beams, trusses, and girders.

[0173] Example 16: The marine vessel of Examples 1-15, further comprising a platform coupled to the support structure.

[0174] Example 17: The vessel of example 16, further comprising a chemical storage tank coupled to the platform.

[0175] Example 18: A method comprising: coupling a vessel to a wave energy conversion (WEC) device adjacent to the surface of a body of water, the vessel comprising: a support structure; a first buoyancy chamber coupled to the support structure; a second buoyancy chamber coupled to the support structure and positioned laterally apart from the first buoyancy chamber and fluidly coupled to the first buoyancy chamber; a third buoyancy chamber coupled to the support structure and positioned laterally apart from the first buoyancy chamber and the second buoyancy chamber; and a robotic system coupled to the support structure and having an end effector and a nozzle head coupled to the end effector, wherein the coupling comprises connecting the nozzle head of the vessel to a nozzle of the WEC; coupling the vessel to the wave energy conversion (WEC) device; transferring chemicals from the WEC to the vessel; and at least one of (i) storing the chemicals on board the vessel, or (ii) using the chemicals to form chemical fuels on board the vessel, or (iii) delivering the chemicals from the vessel to a location below the surface of the body of water.

[0176] Example 19: The method of Example 18, wherein the chemical comprises H2.

[0177] Example 20: The method of Example 18 or 19, wherein the chemical comprises HCl.

[0178] Example 21: The method of Examples 18-20, comprising storing the chemical on board a vessel.

[0179] Example 22: The method of Examples 18-21, comprising using the chemical to form a chemical fuel on board the vessel.

[0180] Example 23: The method of Example 22, comprising storing the chemical fuel in one of the first buoyancy chamber, the second buoyancy chamber, or the third buoyancy chamber of the vessel.

[0181] Example 24: The method of Examples 18-23, comprising delivering the chemical from a vessel to a location below the surface of the body of water.

[0182] Example 25: A method of forming methanol, comprising: coupling a vessel having seawater to a wave energy conversion (WEC) device adjacent the surface of a body of water; transferring hydrogen from the WEC to the vessel; degassing nitrogen and oxygen from the seawater on board the vessel while the vessel is floating in the body of water; then adding hydrochloric acid to the seawater on board the vessel; thereafter degassing carbon dioxide from the seawater on board the vessel; and then reacting the hydrogen and carbon dioxide to form methanol on board the vessel.

[0183] Example 26: The method of Example 25, further comprising transferring the hydrochloric acid from the WEC unit to a vessel.

[0184] Example 27: The method of Example 25 or 26, further comprising storing the methanol in a buoyancy chamber of the vessel.

[0185] Example 28: The method of Examples 25-27, wherein degassing the seawater of nitrogen and oxygen is performed in a buoyancy chamber on a vessel.

[0186] Example 29: The method of Example 28, wherein degassing carbon dioxide from the seawater occurs in a second buoyancy chamber fluidly coupled to the buoyancy chamber.

[0187] Example 30: A vessel that floats and moves adjacent to the surface of a body of water, configured to collect liquids, gases, or other chemical products from a wave energy conversion (WEC) device via a transfer device and store or process the liquids, gases, or other chemical products, the vessel configured, when at rest, to drift adjacent to the surface of the body of water through passing waves in a manner similar to the WEC device from which the chemical products were collected, thereby reducing the complications that may arise when attempting to couple two vessels that are moving out of phase while oscillating in response to the passing of waves, and the vessel configured to deliver the collected or synthesized chemical products to land, another vessel, or other platform, or to reintroduce a portion of the synthesized chemical products back into the environment.

Claims

1. A vessel floating and moving adjacent to the surface of a body of water, a support structure; a first buoyancy chamber coupled to the support structure; a second buoyancy chamber coupled to the support structure, positioned laterally spaced from the first buoyancy chamber, and fluidly coupled to the first buoyancy chamber; a third buoyancy chamber coupled to the support structure and positioned laterally spaced from the first buoyancy chamber and the second buoyancy chamber; a robotic system coupled to the support structure, the robotic system including an end effector and a nozzle head coupled to the end effector; A vessel comprising:

2. The watercraft of claim 1 , wherein the first buoyancy chamber is a first degassing chamber.

3. 3. The marine vessel of claim 2, wherein the second buoyancy chamber is a second degassing chamber.

4. The marine vessel of claim 1 , wherein the third buoyancy chamber is a chemical storage chamber.

5. 10. The marine vessel of claim 1, wherein the first buoyancy chamber is a first degassing chamber, the second buoyancy chamber is a second degassing chamber, and the third buoyancy chamber is a chemical storage chamber.

6. 10. The marine vessel of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first buoyancy chamber, the second buoyancy chamber, or the third buoyancy chamber has a spherical shape.

7. The watercraft of claim 1 , wherein the first buoyancy chamber, the second buoyancy chamber, and the third buoyancy chamber form vertices of a triangle.

8. The watercraft of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the first buoyancy chamber or the second buoyancy chamber comprises a venturi circuit.

9. The marine vessel of claim 1 , wherein the robotic system further comprises a composite hose coupled to the nozzle head.

10. The marine vessel of claim 9 , wherein the composite hose comprises a plurality of tubes.

11. The marine vessel of claim 10 , wherein one of the plurality of tubes comprises an inner tube coaxially positioned inside an outer tube.

12. The marine vessel of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle head is configured for coupling to a wave energy conversion (WEC) device.

13. The marine vessel of claim 12 , wherein the nozzle head includes tooling features for mating ports of the nozzle head with nozzles of the WEC device.

14. 10. The marine vessel of claim 1, wherein the robotic system further comprises a plurality of cables for moving, positioning, or orienting the nozzle head in six degrees of freedom.

15. 10. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises one or more structures selected from the group consisting of beams, trusses, and girders.

16. The watercraft of claim 1 further comprising a platform coupled to the support structure.

17. The marine vessel of claim 16 further comprising a chemical storage tank coupled to the platform.

18. coupling a marine vessel to a wave energy conversion (WEC) device adjacent to a surface of a body of water, the marine vessel comprising: a support structure; a first buoyancy chamber coupled to the support structure; a second buoyancy chamber coupled to the support structure, laterally spaced from the first buoyancy chamber and fluidly coupled to the first buoyancy chamber; a third buoyancy chamber coupled to the support structure, laterally spaced from the first buoyancy chamber and the second buoyancy chamber; and a robotic system coupled to the support structure, the robotic system comprising an end effector and a nozzle head coupled to the end effector, the coupling comprising connecting the nozzle head of the marine vessel to a nozzle of the WEC; transferring chemicals from the WEC to the vessel; (i) storing the chemical on board the vessel; or (ii) using the chemical to form a chemical fuel on board the vessel; or (iii) delivering the chemical from the vessel to a location below the surface of the body of water; A method comprising:

19. The chemical is H ２ 20. The method of claim 18, comprising:

20. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the chemical comprises HCl.

21. 20. The method of claim 18, comprising storing the chemical on board the vessel.

22. 20. The method of claim 18, comprising using the chemical to form a chemical fuel on board the vessel.

23. 23. The method of claim 22, comprising storing the chemical fuel in one of the first buoyancy chamber, the second buoyancy chamber, or the third buoyancy chamber of the vessel.

24. 20. The method of claim 18, comprising delivering the chemical from the vessel to a location below the surface of the body of water.

25. 1. A method for forming methanol, comprising: coupling a vessel having seawater therein to a wave energy conversion (WEC) device adjacent to a surface of the body of water; transferring hydrogen from the WEC to the vessel; degassing the seawater of nitrogen and oxygen on board the vessel while the vessel is floating in the water area, then adding hydrochloric acid to the seawater on board the vessel, thereafter degassing the seawater of carbon dioxide on board the vessel, and then reacting the hydrogen and the carbon dioxide to form methanol on board the vessel; A method comprising:

26. Transferring hydrochloric acid from the WEC device to the vessel.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

27. storing the methanol in a buoyancy chamber of the vessel; 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

28. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein degassing the seawater of nitrogen and oxygen occurs within a buoyancy chamber of the vessel.

29. 30. The method of claim 28, wherein degassing carbon dioxide from the seawater occurs in a second buoyancy chamber fluidly coupled to the buoyancy chamber.

30. A vessel that floats and moves adjacent to the surface of a body of water, configured to collect liquid, gas, or other chemical products from a wave energy conversion (WEC) device via a transfer device and store or process the liquid, gas, or other chemical products, the vessel being configured, when at rest, to drift adjacent to the surface of the body of water through passing waves in a manner similar to the WEC device from which the chemical products are collected, thereby reducing the complications that can arise when attempting to couple two vessels that are moving out of phase while oscillating in response to the passing of waves, and configured to deliver collected or synthesized chemical products to land, another vessel, or other platform, or to reintroduce a portion of the synthesized chemical products back into the environment.

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