Hydrothermal Vent Coalification for Carbon Sequestration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The excess concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere due to industrialization and the consumption of fossil fuels, which has led to global warming, as existing carbon sequestration methods focus on capturing CO2 rather than carbon itself and lack efficient solutions for large-scale organic matter processing.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing hydrothermal borehole vents to coalify organic material through hydro pyrolysis, where organic matter is transferred to deep ocean vents, subjected to hot water, steam, or supercritical water, converting it into charcoal or char, which can store carbon for centuries, thereby reducing atmospheric CO2 levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional carbon capture and storage methods are used, then CO2 levels can be reduced, but the process is less efficient and does not address carbon sequestration at the source

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon sequestration efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system utilizes naturally occurring hydrothermal vents to provide the heat required for coalification, eliminating the need for external energy input systems. The organic material itself serves as the fuel source, and the hydrothermal vents provide the thermal energy, creating a self-sufficient carbon sequestration process that operates autonomously once established.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the naturally occurring hydrothermal vents, which were previously untapped resources, into beneficial heat sources for carbon sequestration. By utilizing these natural thermal features, the system transforms geological phenomena into a useful energy source that enables efficient coalification without requiring complex artificial heating systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Quantity of substance

If organic material is processed on land, then carbon sequestration can occur, but the scale and effectiveness are limited compared to deep ocean storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamount of carbon sequesteredVSAvoidprocessing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions carbon storage from terrestrial to marine environments by transporting coalified organic material to the deep ocean floor. This dimensional shift from land-based to sea-based storage enables vastly larger storage capacity, as the ocean floor provides extensive space for accumulating carbon deposits without the spatial constraints of land-based facilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary transport system that moves organic material from surface locations to deep ocean hydrothermal vents. This intermediary mechanism, involving subsea pipelines and pumping systems, bridges the gap between material sourcing and final storage location, enabling large-scale carbon sequestration by facilitating the transfer of vast quantities of organic material to optimal storage zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If hydrothermal vents are used for coalification, then carbon sequestration efficiency increases, but the system requires complex deep ocean infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoalification rateVSAvoiddeep ocean system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs hydraulic principles by utilizing high-pressure water injection systems to transport organic material through subsea pipelines to the hydrothermal vent locations. The system uses water pressure and flow dynamics to move materials through the deep ocean environment, leveraging hydraulic forces to overcome the challenges of subsea transportation and material delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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

This method effectively sequesters carbon by converting organic matter into charcoal, storing it at the ocean floor, potentially offsetting fossil fuel consumption and reducing atmospheric CO2 levels, while being more efficient than traditional carbon capture and storage methods.

Implementation Method 1

The hydrothermal oven may be configured to coalify the organic material in the hydrothermal oven using at least one of (i) hot water, (ii) steam, and (iii) supercritical water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydro pyrolysis: Pyrolysis

Implementation Method 2

The at least one of (i) hot water, (ii) steam, and (iii) supercritical water may have a temperature of at least 200° C

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSupercritical fluid: Supercritical Fluid

Data Source

PatentUS11794893B2Transportation system for transporting organic payloads

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 MACDOUGALL FREDERICK WILLIAM

AI summary

Systems are described for transporting organic material, such as trees and logs, by flight. Such a transportation system may include a remotely-piloted air vehicle, a frame coupled thereto, multiple air vehicles, one or more propellers, a harness, and/or other components. The frame is coupled to both the remotely-piloted air vehicle and to the multiple other air vehicles.