SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CARBON SEQUESTRATION

A system and method for carbon sequestration is disclosed. The system comprises an artificial reef comprising a storage cavity for storing a content, the artificial reef is configured to be placed in a waterbody; and a blockchain based network or registry database for issuing a first amount of token to a first person when a corresponding unit of the content is stored in the artificial reef and placed in the waterbody, wherein the amount of token is tradeable between the first person and a second person via the blockchain based network or registry database.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to a system for carbon sequestration; particularly, a system for storing carbon in ocean by utilizing artificial reef. The present invention further relates to an awarding mechanism for promoting carbon sequestration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Carbon dioxide is the most commonly produced greenhouse gas. In order to reduce global warming, many methods had been developed to capture and store industry-emitted carbon dioxide in recent years. Particularly, carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide. In general, one of the most popular carbon sequestration methods involves the process of long-term storing the emitted carbon dioxide in underground geological formation (also known as geo-sequestration) as it enters the atmosphere. In geo-sequestration, supercritical form of carbon dioxide is usually injected into underground geological formations. Alternatively, it is suggested that carbon dioxide can be injected into saline formations, oil fields, gas fields . . . etc. Although the injection of CO2into geological formations or other storage mediums have been adapted for several decades, however, it is still a relatively expensive process. This is due to the fact that the technologies involving long-term storage security are difficult and uncertain. In addition to geo-sequestration, it had also been proposed to store carbon dioxide in the ocean. Due to the current international regulations and technical standards, many of the shallow ocean floor area cannot be used for carbon storage. Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a cost effective and secure method for deep ocean carbon storage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a system for carbon sequestration capable of storing carbon dioxide in a waterbody. The system for carbon sequestration also involves a rewarding mechanism which is designed to give incentive or credit to those who store a certain amount of emitted carbon dioxide via the system for carbon sequestration of the present invention. Thereby, the present invention can greatly promote greenhouse gas sequestration and reduce global warming. The system for carbon sequestration, comprising an artificial reef for storing a carbon dioxide in a waterbody; and a blockchain based network or registry database for issuing a first amount of token to a first person when a corresponding unit of the carbon dioxide is stored in the waterbody. The token is tradeable between the first person and a second/the other person via the blockchain based network or registry database.

In some embodiments, the system for carbon sequestration may further comprise a video information generator for generating a video information of storing the carbon dioxide with the artificial reef in the waterbody. A second amount of token is issued to the first person when the video information is generated, the second amount of token is also tradeable between the first person and a third person via the blockchain based network or registry database.

In some embodiment, the artificial reef further comprises a storage cavity for storing a carbon dioxide therein; and a pressurizing mechanism, for maintaining an equilibrium between a pressure outside the artificial reef and a pressure inside the storage cavity.

In some embodiments, the artificial reef is operatable between a concealing status for storing the carbon dioxide or a discharging status for releasing the carbon dioxide into a surrounding. The artificial reef is operatable between the concealing status, or the discharging status based on a pressure difference between the pressure outside the artificial reef and the pressure inside the storage cavity.

In some embodiments, the artificial reef may have a substantially cubical shape consisting of pathways for marine living organism to navigate through or accommodated. It may comprise an opening in communication with the storage cavity for releasing the carbon dioxide into the surrounding. The carbon dioxide is in solid state or liquid state when the artificial reef is in the concealing status. The opening releases the carbon dioxide in the storage cavity when a pressure difference between the pressure inside the storage cavity and the pressure outside the artificial reef is larger than a threshold value. When the artificial reef is retrieving from the waterbody to a surface, the pressure outside the storage cavity is increasingly smaller than the pressure inside the storage cavity such that a pressure difference exceeds the threshold value, and the carbon dioxide is released via the opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The terminology used in the description presented below is intended to be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the technology. Certain terms may even be emphasized below; however, any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner will be specifically defined as such in this Detailed Description section. Embodiments of the present invention will be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Artificial reefs100are human-created underwater structures for promoting marine life in a particular area. They are typically placed on seabed and have strong capability of resisting erosion occurrence. In many instances, artificial reefs100are built using materials or objects that were previously constructed for other purposes, such as shipwrecks or old oil rigs. In other instances, artificial reefs100may be built with concrete or polyvinyl chloride or the like. Artificial reefs100generally provide hideaway for marine lives; or it may provide surfaces on which algae and invertebrates can attach to, thereby promoting marine ecosystem.

With reference toFIGS.1,2, and3, the carbon sequestration system1in accordance with the present invention does not only promote marine ecosystem, but it also provides greenhouse gas storage (such as carbon dioxide) capability which is further beneficial to the environment. The carbon sequestration system1comprises an artificial reef100for storing a content in a waterbody, and a blockchain based network or registry database200for issuing a first amount of token to a first person when a corresponding unit of the content is stored in the waterbody by using the artificial reef100. The content mentioned herein may be greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide; however, other types of greenhouse gases may also be stored with the present invention. The artificial reef100may be a partially hollow structure comprising a storage cavity110for storing the content therein. As an example, the artificial reef100may be made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and may have a dimension of 1 m3. However, the artificial reef100may be made of other plastic materials or the like and have a variety of dimensions. The exterior of the artificial reef100may have similar functions to those of the artificial reefs100in the current art. The artificial reef100may comprise a pressurizing mechanism120for controlling the internal pressure within the storage cavity110; and/or the pressurizing mechanism120may be used to regulate or balance the pressure between the storage cavity110and the exterior of the artificial reef100for maintaining an equilibrium between the pressure outside the artificial reef100and a pressure inside the storage cavity110. The pressurizing mechanism120is in communication with the storage cavity110.

As mentioned earlier, the content mentioned herein may be greenhouse gasses such as carbon dioxide, or any other forms of carbon dioxide related materials. In some embodiments, the content may be materials in gaseous, liquid, or solid form depending on the internal pressure within the cavity. The artificial reef100is placed within a waterbody for storing the content. As an example, for placing a large number of artificial reefs100, the artificial reefs100may be place on seabed and may be stacked on top of each other, as shown inFIG.1.

In some embodiment, the pressure of the water outside the artificial reefs100can affect the phase (gaseous phase, liquid phase or solid state) of the content. Therefore, the phase of the content stored within the storage cavity110can be manipulated or maintained by varying the pressure equilibrium between the outside the artificial reef100and the storage capacity via the pressurizing mechanism120. This can be achieved by varying the storing depth within the water body of the artificial reef100, and then allow the water to flow in or out from the storage cavity110via the pressurizing mechanism120. For example, placing the artificial reef100in deep ocean can create higher pressure than placing the artificial reefs100in shallow water. When it is desirable to store carbon dioxide in solid or liquid form, the corresponding temperature and pressure may be determined based on the phase diagram of carbon dioxide.

The depth of storage can then be determined according to the pressure and temperature required for carbon dioxide to be in a specific phase. In general, in order to maintain carbon dioxide in solid form, the depth of storage is typically close to 3000 m. In many instances, it is desirable to store the content in its liquid or solid for because it requires much less storing space relative to the gaseous form. If the phase of the content needs to be changed, the depth of the storage can be regulated or manipulated to change the water pressure outside the artificial reef100. In this embodiment, the pressurizing mechanism120may be used to regulate the pressure within the storage cavity110or to balance the pressure between the storage cavity110and the exterior of the artificial reef100for maintaining an equilibrium therebetween. For example, when the pressure within the storage cavity110is smaller than the pressure outside the artificial reef100(e.g., the storage depth is increased), sea water may flow into the storage cavity110via the pressurizing mechanism120to increase the pressure within the storage cavity110; as a result the content may experience a higher pressure. On the other hand, when the pressure within the storage cavity110is larger than the pressure outside the artificial reef100(e.g., the storage depth is decreased), the content or the sea water within the storage cavity110may be dispensed through the pressurizing mechanism120to reduce the pressure inside the storage cavity110. Evidently, the pressure within the storage cavity110may be regulated or maintained to be approximately the same as the exterior pressure created by the water pressure. By placing the artificial reef100in deep ocean, the content can be easily maintained at its desirable state (e.g., solid state) without any additional required pressurizing system, which is simple and cost effective.

In another embodiment of the present invention, when used as a storage for the content, the artificial reef100is in a concealing status. However, the artificial reef100can be in a discharging status for releasing the content into the surrounding as well. The concealing status and the discharging status may be related to the pressure difference between the pressure outside the artificial reef100and the pressure inside the storage cavity110, as mentioned previously. For examples, in one embodiment, when the pressure inside the storage cavity110is smaller than or equal to the pressure outside the artificial reef100, the artificial reef100is in a concealing status; when the pressure inside the storage cavity110is larger than the pressure outside the artificial reef100, the artificial reef100is in the discharging status. In another embodiment, when the pressure difference between the storage cavity110and the exterior is smaller than a value or equal to zero, the artificial reef100is in a concealing status; when the pressure difference between the storage cavity110and the exterior is larger than a value (generally speaking, the pressure within the storage cavity110is larger than the pressure outside the artificial reef100), the artificial reef100is in a discharging status. During the discharging status, since the pressure is greater inside the storage cavity110than outside, the content is discharged from the artificial reef100. In other words, the artificial reef100is operatable between the concealing status or the discharging status based on a pressure difference between the pressure outside the artificial reef100and the pressure inside the storage cavity110. As mentioned, the pressure outside the artificial reef100is related to a water pressure, the water pressure is varied via changing a depth of the artificial reef100relative to the waterbody.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the content may be discharged via an opening130of the artificial reef100. The opening130is in communication with the storage cavity110. The opening130may be configured to be sealed during normal condition and opened when the pressure inside the storage cavity110is greater than the pressure outside the artificial reef100and the pressure difference therebetween is larger than a threshold value. In one specific example, the artificial reef100may be filled with carbon dioxide and store on the seabed. The pressurizing mechanism120in the present embodiment may be a non-return valve. The non-return valve allows the pressure of the storage cavity110to build up when the temperature rises or the pressure outside the artificial reef100decreases to cause the solid or liquid form of the content to evaporate or sublimate in the storage cavity110. In some instances, the artificial reef100may be retrieved from the seabed to the surface of the ocean to release the carbon dioxide within the storage cavity110. When the artificial reef100travels from the seabed to the surface of the ocean, the pressure outside the storage cavity110is increasingly smaller and the temperature also increases; this causes the solid or liquid form of carbon dioxide to evaporate or sublimate and turn into partially gaseous phase, which may increase the pressure within the storage cavity110. The pressure inside the storage cavity110is increasingly larger than the outside pressure such that the pressure difference exceeds the threshold value. In this embodiment, the opening130is configured to release the content only when the pressure difference exceeds the threshold value. The pressurized mechanism in this embodiment only allows pressure inside the storage cavity110to increase. In other words, the pressurized mechanism only allows sea water to flow into the storage cavity110.

With reference toFIG.4, the shape of the artificial reef100in accordance with the present invention may have a substantially cubical shape. In this configuration, it may be easier for a plurality of the artificial reefs100to be stacked on top of each other. However, the artificial reef100does not need to be limited to have cubical shape. In some other embodiments, it may be, for examples, a rectangular column or irregular shaped. The artificial reef100may comprise a pathway150for marine living organism to navigate through the artificial reef100; or the artificial reef100may comprise pathways150for marine animals to hide inside.

The content within the artificial reef100may be inputted into the storage cavity110prior to placing the artificial reef100on the seabed. As an example, the solid or liquid form of the carbon dioxide may be loaded to the artificial reef100and sealed within the artificial reef100prior to being placed on the seabed. Once the artificial reef100is drop into the ocean, the pressure outside the artificial reef100quickly increases while the temperature decreases, which help maintaining carbon dioxide in the storage cavity110in the desired liquid or solid form without the requirement of any additional pressuring devices. Apparently, the method and system for storing carbon dioxide in accordance with the present invention is environmentally friendly.

In one embodiment of the present invention, in order to prevent the artificial reef100from carried away by the ocean current, the artificial reef100may further comprise an anchor140attached to the artificial reef100for maintaining a position of the artificial reef100on seabed. Each artificial reef100may be attached to at least one anchor140; however, in multiple artificial reefs100may be attached to a single anchor140in some instances.

In one embodiment of the present invention, in order to promote carbon sequestration, the system and method for carbon sequestration may comprise a blockchain based network or registry database200for issuing a first amount of token to a first person when a corresponding unit of the content is stored in the waterbody. The first person may be a person or company storing a specific amount of carbon dioxide via the artificial reef100provided by the present invention. As an example, once the first person is rewarded with the first amount of token, the token may represent a certain right for future carbon emission. The first person can trade the first amount of token on a secondary market with a second person on the secondary market via the blockchain based network or registry database200. The blockchain based network or registry database200ensure the security and integrity of the token so it cannot be manipulated or forged. With this approach, carbon sequestration is promoted and while carbon emission allowance is also limited.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the system and method for carbon sequestration may further comprise a video information generator300for generating a video information of storing the content with the artificial reef100in the waterbody. More specifically, the video information generator300may be a camera for capturing the video of storing the content with the artificial reef100in the waterbody. The video itself may be valuable for the first person who store a certain amount of carbon dioxide via the system and method for carbon sequestration of the present invention. Furthermore, a second amount/class of token may be issued to the first person when the video information is generated, the second amount/class of token is also tradeable between the first person and another person (e.g., third person) via the blockchain based network or registry database200on another secondary market.