Biomass Sinking by Pressure-Induced Density Change
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of capturing and sequestering large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is unfeasible through direct capture methods, necessitating an alternative approach to store carbon in a stable form for thousands of years.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for submerging carbon-containing matter, initially less dense than water, to a depth where it becomes denser due to water pressure, allowing it to sink and sequester carbon in bodies of water, utilizing bales or loose matter with mechanical assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If carbon-containing matter is directly sunk into water, then carbon sequestration is achieved, but the matter must be denser than water which limits the types of materials that can be used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the density transformation of carbon-containing matter under water pressure. Materials that are less dense than water at the surface (such as biomass bales) are submerged to a depth where water pressure compresses them, increasing their density above that of water, thereby enabling them to sink. This resolves the contradiction by allowing versatile material selection (less dense materials) while ensuring reliable sinking through depth-dependent density change.
2Quantity of substance
If large amounts of carbon are sequestered, then climate change mitigation is effective, but direct capture and removal methods are unfeasible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses water as an intermediary medium to achieve large-scale carbon sequestration. Instead of directly capturing and removing gigatons of CO2 from the atmosphere (which is unfeasible), the system uses plants to capture CO2 during photosynthesis, then transports the resulting carbon-containing matter to water bodies where it is submerged and sequestered. Water serves as the intermediary that enables scalable carbon storage, resolving the contradiction between large carbon quantities and capture feasibility.
3Reliability
If carbon-containing matter is submerged to depth, then density increases and sinking is enabled, but mechanical assistance is required which increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing a system where the carbon-containing matter itself, once submerged to the appropriate depth, automatically sinks due to its increased density. The water pressure naturally compresses the material to achieve the necessary density for sinking, eliminating the need for complex mechanical assistance systems. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable sinking capability while minimizing device complexity through natural physical processes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Efficiently sequesters carbon at a megaton scale by leveraging the density change of carbon-containing matter under water pressure, facilitating large-scale carbon storage in marine euxinic layers.
Implementation Method 1
submerging the mass in the body of water to a depth at which the mass becomes denser than the water due to compression of the mass by water pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A method for sequestering carbon in a body of water (28), the method consisting of receiving a mass (52) of carbon-containing matter, the mass having an initial average density that is less dense than the water, and submerging the mass in the body of water to a depth (66) at which the mass becomes denser than the water due to compression of the mass by water pressure. When the mass has become denser than the water, the method includes releasing the mass to sink in the body of water. The mass of carbon-containing matter may be in the form of loose matter or bales.