Anti-fouling docks and low density fluid displacement

Abstract

The present invention relates to systems and methods for pumping or removing a fluid from a region within or on top of or in contact with a water or liquid body and applications for said systems and methods. Some embodiments may also relate to anti-fouling or reducing fouling structures like docks.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a first storage reservoir near the surface of a body of liquid and configured to store a first fluid;   a second storage reservoir located below the surface of the body of liquid and configured to store a second fluid which has a higher density than the first fluid and wherein the second fluid is substantially immiscible with said first fluid;   a pump; and   a generator;   wherein the pump, generator, and the first and second reservoir are operatively connected such that electricity is stored by displacing at least a portion of the second fluid water in the second storage reservoir by pumping at least a portion of the first fluid in the first storage reservoir to the second storage reservoir and electricity is generated or discharged by allowing the at least a portion of the pumped first fluid in the second storage reservoir to return to the first storage reservoir; and,   wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are both in liquid form.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the pump and the generator are the same unit. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said second storage reservoir comprises an expandable or contractible structure. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said second storage reservoir comprises a bladder, a bag, or a balloon. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said second storage reservoir is tethered to the bottom of said water body. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first fluid comprises a hydrocarbon liquid. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first fluid comprises liquid natural gas. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the second fluid comprises water. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  which is operatively connected to a unit requiring electricity. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the body of liquid is a body of oil. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the body of liquid is a body of water. 
     
     
         12 . A system comprising:
 a platform;   a float located beneath said platform; wherein the float comprises downwardly extending walls on opposing sides of the float and wherein the float comprises a lower surface configured to face water wherein said surface is shaped such that a provided stationary volume of air maintains a substantially non-contiguous physical separation between water and a portion of the lower surface configured to face water; and   wherein the float is configured such that more than 50% of said volume of air remains within said walls within a 30 second period to reduce fouling.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  which further comprises an air pump for providing air to maintain the substantially non-contiguous physical separation. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein at least a portion of the lower surface configured to face water is substantially hydrophobic. 
     
     
         15 . A reduced fouling system comprising:
 a dock comprising at least one concave surface exposed to water configured to maintain a substantially non-contiguous physical separation between water and said concave surface; and   a volume between said concave surface and water which is configured to be occupied by a stationary gas.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein a volume beneath said concave surface is adjustable. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15  wherein a surface area of the concave surface is adjustable. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15  wherein a height of the concave surface relative to water is adjustable. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15  wherein at least one of a volume beneath said concave surface, a surface area of the concave surface, or a height of the concave surface above water, is adjusted. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15  wherein at least a portion of the surface exposed to water is substantially hydrophobic. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 15  wherein visible fouling on said concave surface is reduced by at least 50% as compared to a similar structure lacking said non-contiguous portion. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 15  wherein at least a portion of the concave surface exposed to water is substantially hydrophobic.