Systems and Methods for Producing Pressurized Gases from Polar Molecular Liquids at Depth

Abstract

A system for producing pressurized gas(es) from polar molecular liquids without the need to compress the gas(es) through outside mechanical forces or through the use of electrical energy or otherwise. The system incorporates an electrolysis cell positioned at depth (greater than 16 feet) within the liquid. The electrolysis cell includes a bell shaped enclosure defining a gas generating assembly that is positioned at depth within a fluid such as water. The gas generating assembly includes first and second electrodes positioned in spaced relationship and a bell shaped collection vessel arranged above the electrodes. At least one collection vessel includes at least one gas port configured to connect to gas conduits to carry the pressurized gas(es) to the point of use or storage. At least one electrical conductor extends from a power source to at least one of two electrodes positioned within the gas generating assembly. At least one gas collection and storage tank is preferably positioned at the surface to receive and store the produced pressurized gas. Positioning the gas generating assembly at depth immerses the electrodes within the polar molecular fluid, and operation of the electrical power supply establishes an electrical potential between the electrodes resulting in an electrolytic breakdown of the polar molecular fluid into its constituent components. The gas thus collected at the surface may be stored or used immediately in a number of different applications.

1 . A system for producing pressurized gas from a polar molecular fluid, the system comprising:
 (a) a gas generating assembly positioned at depth within the polar molecular fluid, the gas generating assembly comprising:
 (1) a first electrode; 
 (2) a second electrode positioned in a spaced relationship to the first electrode; 
 (3) at least one collection vessel positioned above at least one of the first and second electrodes, the at least one collection vessel having a generally downward oriented open end and a generally upward oriented closed end; and 
 (4) at least one port configured through the generally upward oriented closed end of the at least one collection vessel; and 
   (b) a gas conduit bundle assembly connected at a first end thereof to the gas generating assembly and extending from the gas generating assembly positioned at depth to a second end thereof at or near a surface level position, the gas conduit bundle assembly comprising:
 (1) at least one gas conduit; and 
 (2) at least one electrical conductor; and 
   (c) a means for generating an electrical potential between the first and second electrodes of the gas generating assembly;   wherein positioning the gas generating assembly at depth immerses the first and second electrodes within the polar molecular fluid at depth, and wherein an electrical potential generated between the first and second electrodes results in an electrolytic breakdown of the polar molecular fluid into its constituent gas components, the gas components generated at a pressure above atmospheric pressure dependent upon the depth.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 (d) a gas collection and storage assembly positioned at the surface level connected to the second end of the gas conduit bundle assembly, the gas collection and storage assembly comprising:
 (1) a support and deployment assembly for deploying, supporting, and retracting the gas conduit bundle assembly and the gas generating assembly; and 
 (2) at least one gas collection and storage tank in gas flow communication with the at least one gas conduit of the gas conduit bundle assembly. 
 
 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 (d) a gas collection and utilization assembly positioned at the surface level connected to the second end of the gas conduit bundle assembly, the gas collection and utilization assembly comprising:
 (1) a support and deployment assembly for deploying, supporting, and retracting the gas conduit bundle assembly and the gas generating assembly; 
 (2) at least one gas collection tank in gas flow communication with the at least one gas conduit of the gas conduit bundle assembly; and 
 (3) at least one means for converting the chemical and/or potential energy stored within the collected pressurized gas into power. 
 
 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one collection vessel of the gas generating assembly comprises first and second collection vessels, the first collection vessel positioned above the first electrode and the second collection vessel positioned above the second electrode, and a gas diversion member positioned between the electrodes and the collection vessels to direct gas bubbles generated from the first electrode into the first collection vessel and gas bubbles generated from the second electrode into the second collection vessel. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein:
 the first and second electrodes each comprise a dome shaped wire mesh, the first electrode positioned coaxially above the second electrode, the first electrode defining an axial opening at a peak of the dome shaped wire mesh; 
 the first and second collection vessels each comprise coaxially positioned cylindrically walled enclosures, the first collection vessel coaxially surrounding the second collection vessel; and 
 the gas diversion member comprises a downwardly oriented funnel positioned above the axial opening at the peak of the first electrode; 
 wherein gas bubbles generated from the second electrode are captured by the gas diversion member and are conducted into the second collection vessel and gas bubbles generated from the first electrode are excluded from entering the second collection vessel. 
 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one gas conduit of the gas conduit assembly comprises first and second gas conduits. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one electrical conductor of the gas conduit bundle assembly comprises first and second electrical conductors. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the gas conduit bundle assembly further comprises a structural support cable mechanically coupled to, and extending between, the gas generating assembly and the support and deployment assembly of the gas collection and storage assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the at least one gas collection and storage tank of the gas collection and storage assembly comprises first and second gas collection and storage tanks. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the first and second gas collection and storage tanks may each be closed and disconnected from the gas collection and storage assembly when full and may be replaced by empty gas collection and storage tanks. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the means for generating an electrical potential comprises a DC power supply. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the polar molecular fluid comprises water and the gas collection and storage assembly comprises a movable watercraft operable on a surface of the water. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the polar molecular fluid comprises water and the gas collection and storage assembly comprises a tethered or affixed manmade structure on or extending from a shoreline into a body of water. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the polar molecular fluid comprises water within a terrestrial well borehole and the gas collection and storage assembly comprises a fixed platform at ground level. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the gas generating assembly further comprises a bell housing connected at an upper end thereof to the downward oriented open end of the at least one collection vessel, the bell housing having an open base and serving to position and partially enclose the first and second electrodes below the at least one collection vessel. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the bell housing of the gas generating assembly further comprises a solids filtration screen extending over the open base of the bell housing. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the gas collection and storage assembly further comprises operational status and control instrumentation, the operational status and control instrumentation comprising:
 (a) at least one gas pressure monitoring device; 
 (b) at least one gas flow control valve; 
 (c) at least one depth measurement device; 
 (d) at least one electrical current measurement device; and 
 (e) a means for varying the electrical potential between the first and second electrodes. 
 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the gas conduit bundle assembly further comprises at least one electronic signal conductor. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a remotely adjustable electrode separation system wherein the separation distance between the first and second electrodes may be adjusted. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the gas conduit bundle assembly further comprises a bundled length of flexible hoses and wires; and 
 the support and deployment assembly of the gas collection and storage assembly further comprises a rotatable spool connected to the gas conduit bundle assembly; 
 wherein the rotatable spool holds a rolled up length of the gas conduit bundle assembly and serves to deploy the gas conduit bundle assembly by unrolling the same, and serves to retract the gas conduit bundle assembly by rolling-up the same. 
 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the at least one means for converting the chemical and/or potential energy stored within the collected pressurized gas into power comprises a combustion chamber wherein at least a portion of the generated pressurized gas combusts or facilitates combustion. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the gas conduit bundle assembly further comprises at least one intermediate pressurized gas surge tank, the at least one intermediate pressurized surge tank serving to inhibit movement of liquid up from the gas generating assembly positioned at depth. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 (d) a gas collection and utilization assembly positioned at the surface level connected to the second end of the gas conduit bundle assembly, the gas collection and utilization assembly comprising:
 (1) a support and deployment assembly for deploying, supporting, and retracting the gas conduit bundle assembly and the gas generating assembly; 
 (2) at least one gas collection tank in gas flow communication with the at least one gas conduit of the gas conduit bundle assembly; and 
 (3) at least one means for converting and concentrating the chemical and/or potential energy stored within the collected pressurized gas using decompression to change the state of matter.