A buoyant carbon binding structure

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a buoyant carbon binding structure (1) arranged to be situated in an ocean, comprising at least one bamboo rod (2), at least one rope (3) formed by a natural plant fiber, the rope comprising opposing end portions (3a), the rope (3) being tied to the at least one bamboo rod (2).

Description

[0001] A BUOYANT CARBON BINDING STRUCTURE

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a buoyant carbon binding structure and a method for producing a carbon binding structure.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Currently, climate change is having a profound impact on the planet, leading to rising global temperatures, melting ice caps and instable weather conditions.

[0006] One aspect that is adversely driving the climate change is the increase of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly, carbon dioxide is a key greenhouse gas that drives the global climate change. To prevail, humanity will likely need to find ways to become net negative in terms of carbon dioxide emissions. However, climate change isn't the only problem caused by the increased level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. For example, the increased levels of carbon dioxide also affect global biodiversity as the natural habitats of both animals and plants quickly diminish.

[0007] Capturing carbon dioxide is important as it helps to reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, thereby reducing the effects of climate change. Therefore, carbon dioxide capturing technologies can play a role in transitioning to a cleaner and more sustainable energy system.

[0008] Conventional carbon dioxide capturing solutions work well in some situations but have a common drawback in that they have a carbon footprint which starts at relatively high negative amounts i.e. being carbon positive. In other words, the product when produced has already emitted a high amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which in turn results in that it has to be efficient at binding carbon to become net negative.

[0009] Thus, there is room for carbon capturing products in the present art that fulfil requirements related to providing a product is able to efficiently capture carbon dioxide while emitting a reduced carbon footprint when being produced. SUMMARY

[0010] It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to alleviate at least some of the mentioned drawbacks to provide an improved carbon binding structure that is more environmental friendly to produce while being efficient in binding carbon dioxide. Further, there is an object of the disclosure to provide an environmentally friendly method for producing such a carbon binding structure.

[0011] This and other objects, which will become apparent in the following, are achieved by a buoyant carbon binding structure and a method for producing such a structure as defined in the appended claims.

[0012] The present disclosure is at least partly based on the fact that by providing a carbon binding structure made of natural material, a carbon binding structure can be provided that, at the time of construction, is already net zero (or close to) in terms of carbon emissions.

[0013] The present disclosure relates to a buoyant carbon binding structure arranged to be situated in an ocean / arranged to be floating. The carbon binding structure comprises (or in some aspects, consists of) at least one bamboo rod, at least one rope formed by a natural plant fibre, the rope comprising opposing end portions, the rope being tied to the at least one bamboo rod.

[0014] An advantage of the carbon binding structure of the present disclosure is that it is environmentally friendly to produce while it can efficiently capture carbon dioxide. Accordingly, as bamboo doesn't require manufacturing, the constructions is net negative already by the time of construction. Further, the structure requires very little manufacturing which facilitates both production and scaling.

[0015] The bamboo rod may (exclusively / solely) (be arranged to) enable the buoyant carbon binding structure to float. Accordingly, the bamboo rod may be arranged (e.g. shaped and dimensioned) to float on water. In other words, to be buoyant on water or to float / rest on the water surface. Accordingly, a part of a circumference (which extends axially) of the bamboo rod may (for its floating time-period which may be at least 24 hours) be above water when the structure is situated in the ocean. For the purpose of understanding, the carbon binding structure of the present disclosure defines a micro ecosystem, comprising the naturally buoyant bamboo, which will eventually sink to the sea floor, where they are either decomposed or buried in the sediment. In both cases, the carbon remains there for sufficiently long periods of time; for the carbon dissolved in the water, it is estimated to reach the atmosphere again after more than 100 years which is set to be the limit for removing carbon from the short carbon cycle. For the carbon which becomes buried in the sediment, it remains there indefinitely. The structure is preferably arranged to be situated in a salt-water environment.

[0016] Further, as bamboo contains compartments that are filled with air, it increases the buoyancy of a bamboo rod compared to the buoyancy of the actual bamboo material. Therefore, the rod may be arranged to float by ensuring that the air-filled compartments of the bamboo rod are not filled with any liquid when being inserted into water. Hence, the natural material, attached to the bamboo will allow plants (e.g. kelp) to grow on them which in turn allows carbon dioxide to be captured. The structure will efficiently capture carbon dioxide while also providing shelter and become nurseries for the ocean fauna, fertilizing the plants as it grows. With time, the plants will be fully grown and will have a negative weight in the water. This weight is offset by the buoyancy of the bamboo. The structure will then, with time, deteriorate in the salty sea water with the effect that water will eventually find its way into the air filled compartments of the bamboo causing the bamboo to lose the majority of its buoyancy. This has the effect that the structure will sink, taking the bamboo, rope and any grown plants down to the seabed, where they remain for at least the threshold 100 years, generally determined to be a valid carbon sink. The sudden loss of said buoyancy has major and decisive advantages for the structure as it will eventually sink straight down to the seafloor fast, without risk of floating around in the water column.

[0017] The natural plant fiber may in some aspects of the present disclosure be pre-seeded with algae and / or plants, preferably kelp, for facilitating growth of algae and / or plants to the carbon binding structure.

[0018] An advantage of this is that is facilitates a more rapid growth of algae while providing nurseries for fish in the ocean. Further, at least one of said opposing end portions if each rope is pendent / overhanging / dangling relative the at least one bamboo rod. Thereby, allowing the rope to hang into the water increasing efficiency. The overhanging end portions may extend at least 0.5-15m or 2-10 m or 5-10 m. Such an extension allow for a compact structure while maximizing the structure as the sunlight can reach down to the levels of 10 m. Accordingly, the overhanging end portion will be 0.5-15m deep in the water while the bamboo rod is floating.

[0019] In some aspects, the at least one rope is a plurality of ropes, wherein the plurality of ropes are dividedly distributed along a length of the at least one bamboo rod. Hence, in some aspects the rod may comprise a plurality of ropes dividedly distributed about the length of the rod.

[0020] The ropes may then each be tied such that at least one end portion thereof is overhanging relative the rod allowing the end portion to, when the rod is floating, be below the water surface.

[0021] Thereby, allowing the rod to be optimized so to increase its capacity to capture carbon fiber as each rope can grow plants thereon.

[0022] The natural plant fiber as referred to herein may refer to hemp.

[0023] It should be noted that in some aspects herein, the carbon binding structure may consist of plant and tree based materials solely. Thereby, being environmentally friendly.

[0024] At least one of the opposing end portions of the at least one rope may comprises a weight piece formed by a raw-material. Preferably, the raw material is a lime containing raw material, more preferably limestone.

[0025] An advantage of having a weight at the rope end is that it allows for a more efficient packaging of said carbon binding structure. Upon discharging the carbon binding structures into the ocean, a large amount of carbon binding structures may be jointly packaged. By having weight pieces at one end of at least one rope of the structure, an overhanging part of the rope can be, aided by the weight, encircled around the rod so to reduce the size of the carbon binding structure when packaged. An advantage of using limestone is that it can provide nutrient (calcium) while serving as a weight.

[0026] The carbon binding structure herein may comprise a single bamboo rod in some aspects.

[0027] However, in other aspects the carbon binding structure may comprise a plurality of interconnected bamboo rods. Thereby increasing the capturing capacity of the carbon binding structure. The bamboo rods may be interconnected by natural plant fiber. The bamboo rods may be interconnected to jointly form a triangle structure or to form a matrix of a plurality of triangle structures. A triangle structure may provide increased rigidity.

[0028] A wall of the at least one bamboo rod may be altered to enable a desired floating time-period of said carbon binding structure. In some aspects, it may be beneficial to adapt the floating time-period of the carbon binding structure to an optimized floating time-period. In cases the optimized floating time-period requires the natural floating time period of the carbon binding structure to be reduced. Then, altering the walls of the bamboo rod can allow for adapting said floating time period. The walls may be altered e.g. by flaking or cracking.

[0029] The present disclosure also relates to a method for producing a carbon binding structure comprising the steps of providing at least one bamboo rod, tying at least one rope formed by a natural plant fiber to said bamboo rod, the rope comprising opposing end portions.

[0030] An advantage of the method is that it is environmentally friendly and rapid. Requiring no external tools or machines. The rope may be tied manually to the rod.

[0031] The method may further comprise the step of seeding the carbon binding structure with algae and / or plants. Specifically, seeding the ropes with algae and / or plants. The step of seeding may be performed by placing the structure in a natural environment containing algae and / or plants. In some aspects, the seeding may be performed by, prior to tying the at least one rope to said bamboo rod, pre-seeding the at least one rope.

[0032] The method may further comprise the step of determining, based on an intended floating environment of said carbon binding structure, a desired floating time-period of said carbon binding structure. Further, determining required dimensional parameters of the at least one bamboo rod which causes the bamboo rod to float for said desired floating time-period. Further, the method may comprise altering a wall of the at least one bamboo rod to adapt current dimensional parameters of said bamboo rod to correspond to said required dimensional parameters. Le. to adapt the thickness of the bamboo rod along its length to adapt to required dimensional parameters to allow the structure to float for an intended time period. The altering may be performed by flaking or cracking. The steps of determining floating time period and required dimensional parameters may be calculated by a control circuitry comprising modules dedicated for such calculations based on e.g. the intended floating environment and current dimensional parameters of the bamboo rod. Hence, those steps may be computer-implemented method steps.

[0033] The disclosed aspects may be suitably combined with each other in any manner apparent to anyone of ordinary skill in the art, such that one or more features or embodiments disclosed in relation to one aspect may also be considered to be disclosed in relation to another aspect or embodiment of another aspect.

[0034] Further embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. It should be emphasized that the term "comprises / comprising" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, or components. It does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof.

[0035] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] These and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will now be further clarified and described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings;

[0037] Figures 1A-B illustrates a side view of a buoyant carbon binding structure in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figures 2A-B illustrates a top view of buoyant carbon binding structures comprising interconnected rods in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figures 3A illustrates a side view of a floating buoyant carbon binding structure in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure;

[0040] Figures 3B illustrates schematically in the form of a flowchart a method for producing a buoyant carbon binding structure.

[0041] DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following detailed description, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. However, it is to be understood that features of the different embodiments are exchangeable between the embodiments and may be combined in different ways, unless anything else is specifically indicated. Even though in the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough understanding of the present disclosure, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known constructions or functions are not described in detail, so as not to obscure the present disclosure.

[0042] It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claim, the articles "a", "an", "the", and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a unit" or "the unit" may refer to more than one unit in some contexts, and the like. Furthermore, the words "comprising", "including", "containing" do not exclude other elements or steps. It should be emphasized that the term "comprises / comprising" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, or components. It does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof. The term "and / or" is to be interpreted as meaning "both" as well and each as an alternative. More specifically, the wording "one or more" of a set of elements (as in "one or more of A, B and C" or "at least one of A, B and C") is to be interpreted as either a conjunctive or disjunctive logic. Put differently, it may refer either to all elements, one element or combination of two or more elements of a set of elements. For example, the wording "A, B and C" may be interpreted as A or B or C, A and B and C, A and B, B and C, or A and C.

[0043] It will also be understood that, although the term first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements or features, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The first element and the second element are both elements, but they are not the same element. The term "situated in an ocean" may refer to that the carbon binding structure is arranged to be placed in an ocean such that it from the ocean captures carbon dioxide from the environment. The structure is intended to float at the ocean for a time-period until eventually sinking to the bottom of the ocean.

[0044] The term "buoyant" may refer to a floating structure in which the structure floats for at least a time period.

[0045] The term "carbon binding structure" may refer to a structure configured to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.

[0046] Figure 1A illustrates a side view of a buoyant carbon binding structure 1 arranged to be situated in an ocean, comprising at least one bamboo rod 2. Further, the structure 1 comprises at least one rope 3 formed by a natural plant fiber, the rope comprising opposing end portions 3a, the rope 3 being tied to the at least one bamboo rod 2. Preferably, as illustrated in Figure 1A, the structure 1 comprises a plurality of ropes 3 that are dividedly distributed along a length L of the at least one bamboo rod.

[0047] The natural plant fiber 3 may be pre-seeded with algae and / or plants, preferably kelp, for facilitating growth of algae and / or plants to the carbon binding structure 1.

[0048] Figure 1A further illustrates that at least one of said opposing end portions 3a is pendent relative the at least one bamboo rod 2. Preferably, all rope end portions 3a may be pendent relative their corresponding bamboo rod 2. The rope 3 may be a cotton or hemp rope. Figure 1A illustrates that the end portions 3a may be pendent by a distance, d. Each end portion 3a or at least some of the end portions 3a may extend 0.5-10 meter.

[0049] In some aspects herein (not shown) a wall of the bamboo rod 2 may scaled / flaked / cracked or otherwise altered to enable a desired floating time-period of said carbon binding structure 1.

[0050] Figure IB illustrates a side view of the carbon binding structure. Figure IB illustrates that at least one of the opposing end portions 3a of the at least one rope 3 comprises a weight piece 4 formed by a raw-material, preferably a lime containing raw material, more preferably limestone. Figure 2A illustrates a top view of a carbon binding structure 1 in accordance with aspects herein. Figure 2A illustrates that the carbon binding structure 1 may comprise a plurality of interconnected bamboo rods 2. As illustrated in Figure 2A, rod ends 2a may be connected to form a triangular structure. However, rod ends 2a may be connected to form any polygonal structure. Figure 2B illustrates a plurality of rods 2 interconnected forming a hexagon. It should be noted that rods 2 may be interconnected in different ways and may be varied within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0051] Figure 3A illustrates a floating carbon binding structure 1 in accordance with some aspects herein. Figure 3A illustrates that the carbon binding structure 1 may also function as nursery for fishes in the ocean.

[0052] Figure 3B schematically in the form of a flowchart illustrates a method 100 for producing a carbon binding structure comprising the steps of providing 105 at least one bamboo rod. Further, the method 100 comprises tying / binding / knotting 110 at least one rope formed by a natural plant fiber to said bamboo rod, the rope comprising opposing end portions. Moreover, the method 100 may comprise seeding 115 the carbon binding structure with algae and / or plants.

[0053] Figure 3B further illustrates that the method 100 may comprise steps of determining 101, based on an intended floating environment (e.g. characteristics of water, weather etc.) of said carbon binding structure, a desired floating time-period of said carbon binding structure. The floating time-period may be any suitable time-period ranging from e.g. one day, one week or more). Moreover, the method may comprise determining 102 required dimensional parameters of the at least one bamboo rod which causes the bamboo rod to float for (substantially) said desired floating time-period. In some aspects, the desired time-period may simply be a time-period which is less than a predicted floating time-period. Accordingly, the method may firstly, predict, based on an intended floating environment of said carbon binding structure, a predicted floating time-period of said carbon binding structure. Further, if the predicted floating time-period is determined as being too lengthy, step 102 may be performed. The prediction may be performed by an algorithm executed by control circuitry.

[0054] The steps 101 and 102 may be computer-implemented steps performed by an electronic device. Accordingly, an electronic device may comprise one or more memory devices and control circuitry. The memory device may comprise any form of volatile or non-volatile computer readable memory including, without limitation, persistent storage, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media (for example, a flash drive, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and / or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device readable and / or computerexecutable memory devices that store information, data, and / or instructions that may be used by each associated control circuitry. Each memory device may store any suitable instructions, data or information, including a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, etc. and / or other instructions capable of being executed by the control circuitry and utilized. Memory device may be used to store any calculations made by control circuitry and / or any data received via output and input interface.

[0055] Each memory device may also store data that can be retrieved, manipulated, created, or stored by the control circuitry. The data may include, for instance, local updates, parameters, algorithms (and / or the models, components, data utilized in said algorithm. The data can be stored in one or more databases. The one or more databases can be connected to the optimization device by a high bandwidth field area network (FAN) or wide area network (WAN), or can also be connected to the optimization device 2 through a communication network. Accordingly, data (such as bamboo rod weight, length, number of compartments) may be inputted to said control circuitry comprising a model / algorithm configured to, based on an intended floating environment (such as water type, temperature, location etc) determine 102 required dimensional parameters of the at least one bamboo rod which causes the bamboo rod to float for said desired floating time-period. The control circuitry may include, for example, one or more central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs) dedicated to performing calculations, and / or other processing devices.

[0056] Based on the required dimensional parameters, the method may comprise altering 105' a wall of the at least one bamboo rod to adapt current dimensional parameters of said bamboo rod to correspond to said required dimensional parameters. Thereby enabling the bamboo rod to float for (substantially) a desired time period. However, in some aspects, the bamboo rod may be altered without the use of a computer-implemented method. The rod may be altered by flaking, cracking or any other altering of the walls of the rod.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A buoyant carbon binding structure (1) arranged to be situated in an ocean, comprising: at least one bamboo rod (2); at least one rope (3) formed by a natural plant fiber, the rope comprising opposing end portions (3a), the rope (3) being tied to the at least one bamboo rod (2).

2. The carbon binding structure (1) according to claim 1, wherein the natural plant fiber is pre-seeded with algae and / or plants, preferably kelp, for facilitating growth of algae and / or plants to the carbon binding structure (1).

3. The carbon binding structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said opposing end portions is pendent relative the at least one bamboo rod.

4. The carbon binding structure (1) according to claim 3, wherein the at least one pendent end portion (3a) extends 0.5-10 meter.

5. The carbon binding structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carbon binding structure (1) consists of plant and tree based materials.

6. The carbon binding structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the opposing end portions (3a) of the at least one rope (3) comprises a weight piece (4) formed by a raw-material, preferably a lime containing raw material, more preferably limestone.

7. The carbon binding structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carbon binding structure (1) comprises a plurality of interconnected bamboo rods (2).

8. The carbon binding structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a wall of the at least one bamboo rod (2) is altered to enable a desired floating timeperiod of said carbon binding structure (1).

9. A method (100) for producing a carbon binding structure comprising: providing (105) at least one bamboo rod; tying (110) at least one rope formed by a natural plant fiber to said bamboo rod, the rope comprising opposing end portions.

10. The method (100) according to claim 9, further comprising: seeding (115) the carbon binding structure with algae and / or plants.

11. The method (100) according to any one of the claims 9 or 10, further comprising: determining (101), based on an intended floating environment of said carbon binding structure, a desired floating time-period of said carbon binding structure; determining (102) required dimensional parameters of the at least one bamboo rod which causes the bamboo rod to float for said desired floating time-period; altering (105') a wall of the at least one bamboo rod to adapt current dimensional parameters of said bamboo rod to correspond to said required dimensional parameters.

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