Gas burial disposal capsules

Abstract

The water aeration capsules provide a quick and highly portable system for aerating polluted water. The capsules contain bubbles of air, oxygen, and/or other gas(es) surrounded by a water soluble membrane. The capsules are ballasted to sink. Magnetically attractive ballast elements may be provided, and a magnetic sheet may be placed on the bottom of a smaller body of water to enhance the settling of the capsules. The gas burial disposal capsules may be formed of non-degradable material for substantially permanent gas storage, or of degradable material to allow the gases to slowly permeate the surrounding earth for slow and relatively harmless release. The gas may be pressurized within the capsules to approximately the pressure of the surrounding earth.

1 . Gas burial disposal capsules for disposing of a volume of undesirable gas, each of the capsules comprising:
 a small, thin, permanently sealed, substantially non-degradable shell defining an internal volume, the shell being adapted for permanent burial in the ground; and   a waste gas disposed within the internal volume of the shell.   
     
     
         2 . The gas burial disposal capsules according to  claim 1 , wherein the gas is disposed within the shell at a predetermined pressure, the pressure being at least substantially equal to the subterranean pressure developed at the depth at which the shell is buried. 
     
     
         3 . The gas burial disposal capsules according to  claim 1  wherein the shell is formed of corrosion-resistant steel. 
     
     
         4 . The gas burial disposal capsules according to  claim 1  wherein the shell is formed of plastic. 
     
     
         5 . A method of disposing of waste gases using the gas burial disposal capsules of  claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a plurality of small gas burial disposal capsules, each of the capsules having a shell containing a volume of gas sealed therein; and   (b) disposing of the capsules beneath the ground.   
     
     
         6 . The method of disposing of waste gases according to the method of  claim 5 , wherein the step of disposing of the capsules beneath the ground further comprises the step of pumping the capsules into a subterranean cavity. 
     
     
         7 . The method of disposing of waste gases according to the method of  claim 5 , wherein the step of disposing of the capsules beneath the ground further comprises the steps of:
 (a) providing a burial pit in the surface of the earth;   (b) placing the capsules in the pit; and   (c) covering the capsules with earth.   
     
     
         8 . Gas burial disposal capsules for disposing of a volume of undesirable gas, each of the capsules comprising:
 a small, thin, sealed, degradable shell defining an internal volume, the shell being adapted for permanent burial in the ground; and   a waste gas disposed within the internal volume of the shell, the shell being adapted to release the gas disposed therein over a predetermined period of time.   
     
     
         9 . The gas burial disposal capsules according to  claim 8  wherein the gas is disposed within the shell under a predetermined pressure, the pressure being at least substantially equal to the subterranean pressure developed at the depth at which the shell is buried. 
     
     
         10 . The gas burial disposal capsules according to  claim 8  wherein the shell is formed of metal. 
     
     
         11 . The gas burial disposal capsules according to  claim 8  wherein the shell is formed of plastic. 
     
     
         12 . A method of disposing of waste gases using the gas burial disposal capsules of  claim 8 , comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a plurality of small gas burial disposal capsules, each of the capsules having a shell containing a volume of gas sealed therein; and   (b) disposing of the capsules beneath the ground.   
     
     
         13 . The method of disposing of waste gases according to the method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of disposing of the capsules beneath the ground further comprises the step of pumping the capsules into a subterranean cavity. 
     
     
         14 . The method of disposing of waste gases according to the method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of disposing of the capsules beneath the ground further comprises the steps of:
 (a) providing a burial pit in the surface of the earth;   (b) placing the capsules in the pit; and   (c) covering the capsules with earth.   
     
     
         15 . A method of disposing of waste gas, comprising the steps of:
 encapsulating the gas in a plurality of capsules, each of the capsules having a volume less than one liter; and   burying the capsules belowground.   
     
     
         16 . The method of disposing of waste gas according to  claim 15 , wherein said capsules are degradable for slowly releasing the gas belowground. 
     
     
         17 . The method of disposing of waste gas according to  claim 15 , wherein said capsules are non-degradable for permanent burial of the gas. 
     
     
         18 . The method of disposing of waste gas according to  claim 15 , wherein said step of encapsulating the gas comprises the step of filling the capsules with the waste gas to a pressure substantially equal to subterranean pressure at a depth at which the capsules are buried. 
     
     
         19 . The method of disposing of waste gas according to  claim 15 , wherein said step of burying the capsules comprises the step of pumping the capsules through a shaft extending into the ground to a desired depth. 
     
     
         20 . The method of disposing of waste gas according to  claim 15 , wherein said step of burying the capsules comprises the steps of:
 dumping the capsules into a pit; and   filling the pit with soil.