AU2017101067A4 - Wave Warrior This invention envisions a way to cool waterbodies (and reduce evaporation of fresh water bodies) by capturing wave energy and powering submersible microbubble diffusers which substantially increase the albedo reflection of water bodies. - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract The Wave Warrior invention envisions a way to cool water bodies (and effectively reduce evaporation when freshwater) by capturing wave energy and powering submersible microbubble diffusers which substantially increase local albedo reflection of water surfaces.

Description

2017101067 05 Aug 2017

Editorial Note 2017101067

This application has only two pages of Description 2017101067 05 Aug 2017

Description

The Wave Warrior generates power from the rise and fall of waves which is sufficient to produce microbubbles or hydrosols from submersible generators. Microbubble generators are currently commercially available but have not been used in this way before, particularly for reef restoration and prevention of coral bleaching such as being regularly experienced on the Great Barrier Reef.

The invention consists of a submersible buoy which is suspended below the water surface to allow navigation of shallow draft vessels over and protect it from destructive surface wave action. This buoy depth will be in the order of 2-3 metres and optimum seafloor depths are 10-15 metres. The location can either be established by GPS tagging or small surface buoys.

The buoyant upward motion of the buoy, when a wave rises, is resisted by a circular disc which transfers the kinetic energy to an inline reciprocating wave piston. The disc is located close to the sea floor to maximise the wave amplitude differential between surface and deep wave motion.

The pulsating action of the piston powers the microbubble diffusers to inject bubbles into the water body to form a highly reflective cloud. The bubbles are also considered to be more effective at the 2-3 depth proposed and the smaller the bubbles the longer they take to dissipate. The disc also allows the device to be tethered to the seafloor with conventional anchoring and does not require large moorings to hold the device in place. An additional benefit of this seafloor securing method is that it will cause minimal damage to sensitive coral atolls.

It is not proposed to moor the Wave Warriors in deep waters where vessels with deeper drafts could make impact - they are actually more effective close to reefs where only relatively shallow craft frequent. The water depths in these locations will be selected based on the balance between reef proximity, adequate depth for buoy and disc separation (wave and low wave action), tidal current flows and separation from sensitive reef sea floors. Apart from anchoring damage, it will be better to moor the Wave Warriors away from coral where anchors could be difficult to release.

Wave Warriors would also not be located directly over reefs but rather in waters surrounding reefs. This is to prevent anchor damage and preserve the pristine marine environment over the reef.

They would be carefully located upstream of a reef to allow the cooler water from albedo reflection to wash over the reef and provide maximum protection against coral bleaching. By locating Wave Warriors in a ring outside coral atolls, it will enable a broad reflective ‘shield’ to be dissipated over and beyond each atoll that will locally cool immediate waters.

It is not anticipated that the water clarity, amount of light or level of photosynthesis would be affected due to the translucency of the microbubbles produced. Wave Warriors would only need to be deployed over critical reef atolls for 6 weeks of the hot summer period when vulnerability is highest. At this time of year, tourist interest in the Great Barrier Reef is lower due to high ambient temperatures, high rainfalls, the propensity of cyclones and the presence of marine stingers. The Wave Warriors could be readily deployed to other reefs when the danger period is over. For example, they could be used around the GBR over the Australian summer then transferred to northern hemisphere reefs during cooler seasons in Australia. Alternatively, they could be moved to any warm water, non reef areas and would still provide effective cooling. Water clarity would be marginally better around reefs for diving and snorkelling, if they were removed when not required. The pristine, uncluttered marine environment would also be preserved if they were removed during prime tourist seasons.

In terms of safety, diving or snorkelling close to a Wave Warrior will not be a danger as there are no dangerous moving parts and the only output is diffusion of benign microbubbles. Likewise sea life will not be impacted when in close proximity. In fact, the Wave Warriors may attract sea life as often is the case with inert artificial intrusions into the marine environment.

In addition to the cooling action for reefs, Wave Warriors could also provide a monitoring role of the health of the reef, such as water temperatures, contaminants, clarity and visual surveillance. These activities would also be powered the wave power. 2017101067 05 Aug 2017

There is also a major application for increasing the albedo and reducing evaporation in large freshwater reservoirs and lakes where the wave fetch is sufficient to generate power for the microbubble diffusers. To supplement power when wave action is too calm, batteries can be installed to maintain bubble output.

The means of powering the micro bubble generators can be either DC electricity or low tech, water driven systems which will make use of hydrostatic pressure.

Wave Warriors will deployed in relatively shallow water, generally close to populated coastlines, which will mean that maintenance and retrieval will be easier as opposed to deep water, remote locations requiring long anchoring lines and more difficult surveillance.

Creative funding methods are being investigated including crowd funding on a global scale for the world community to contribute to saving the Great Barrier Reef. Access to live Reefcams would be part of an incentive to invest in a Wave Warrior. 4.8.17

Claims (12)

1. Claims 4.8.17

   1. Microbubbles increase the reflection of water bodies in the same way as clouds but in a more effective method than cloud brightening.
2. 2. The device generates power from the rise and fall of waves which is sufficient to produce microbubbles or hydrosols from a submersible generator. Microbubble generators are currently commercially available but have not been used in this way before.
3. 3. This invention offers a cost effective and energy efficient method of locally cooling and reducing evaporation of water bodies where there is a reasonable wave resource and relatively shallow depths.
4. 4. The Wave Warrior has particular application in saving coral reefs from bleaching by locally reducing the water temperatures adjacent to atolls during critical hot summer periods
5. 5. A special feature of the device is its ability to generate power from the resistance of a submerged horizontal disc which restricts the device from floating upwards as a wave passes over. This is due to the difference in wave amplitude between the subsurface and deep water and allows conventional anchoring which is a significantly less intrusive method than using large heavy moorings.
6. 6. The buoyant upward motion of the buoy when the wave rises is resisted by circular disc which transfers the kinetic energy to an inline reciprocating wave piston.
7. 7. The circular disc when made of thin high strength steel, can also be strengthened by receiving a low voltage charge which will build up a layer of calcium carbonate which is 3 times the strength of Portland Cement. These Biorock bases will act as a mini reefs and will attract sea life to the device without affecting performance or detriment to sea life.
8. 8. Submersible buoys are suspended below the water surface to allow navigation of shallow draft vessels over and protect them from destructive surface wave action, particularly during cyclones
9. 9. Benefits of the Wave Warrior is that it causes minimal or no damage to the reef, does not affect photosynthesis over the reef, causes no disturbance to sea life, is out of sight being submerged, does not use fossil fuels to power it and is relatively low cost. It can be readily removed if unwanted or when required elsewhere. A long boat hook can be used to retrieve.
10. 10. Being designed to be deployed in relatively shallow water, generally close to populated coastlines, will mean that maintenance and retrieval will be facilitated.
11. 11. Wave Warriors can be replicated globally to reduce water temperatures caused by C02 emissions.
12. 12. It is not claimed that this invention is novel in microbubble generation for cooling, generation of wave energy or application of the biorock electrolysis process however the use of a submerged disc for buoy floatations resistance and the application of submerged microbubble diffusers powered by renewable energy as conceived in this device is claimed as novel invention.