By enhancing naturally-occurring biological ocean sequestration of CO2, Atmocean’s wave-driven ocean upwelling system can sequester on the ocean floor an additional 2 billion tons of carbon per year, potentially doubling the ocean’s annual rate of sequestration. This will help stabilize atmospheric CO2 levels below 550 ppm, to counteract global warming.
Our technology uses kinetic wave energy to bring up higher-nutrient deep water, enhancing growth of phytoplankton (algae) which absorb dissolved CO2. The ocean food chain efficiently consumes this algae, with some zooplankton species excreting fecal pellets that sink rapidly to the seafloor. Advantageously, we do not change the ocean’s biogeochemistry as we only bring up local nutrients. When fully deployed, our 3m diameter by 200m deep pumps spaced 2 km apart will be positioned across 80% of the world’s oceans. A single pump consists of a buoy, flexible tube, valve assembly, cable between the buoy and cylinder, and solar panel to power communications & remote control. Pumps are connected one-to-the-next at the base 200 meters deep, forming large arrays which maintain position from the sea-anchor effect. The pumps self-deploy when dropped into the ocean from barges. Arrays will be deployed outside of the 200 mile territorial limit to avoid busy shipping lanes. Given typical 3 meter waves, in one month a single pump can deliver sufficient cold, high nutrient water to cool a four square kilometer area 30 meters deep, by about 0.5 degrees C., while enhancing phytoplankton by over 12,000 kilograms and providing a carbon uptake of 776 kg, before effects seen from ocean biogeochemistry. A side benefit is 120kg increase in fish biomass. *U.S. and International Patents Pending Click here to listen to Nick Bruse's Cleantech Podcast Interview
August 2007 with Atmocean CEO Phil Kithil: |
