WO2004033759A2

WO2004033759A2 - Article and method of lift energy generated by electrolysis at substantial depth

Info

Publication number: WO2004033759A2
Application number: PCT/US2003/032129
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert D. Hunt
Original assignee: Hunt Robert D
Priority date: 2002-10-10
Filing date: 2003-10-10
Publication date: 2004-04-22
Also published as: AU2003284039A1; AU2003284039A8; WO2004033759A3

Abstract

Methods, apparatus systems which utilize gas-lift pumping in producing mechanical and/or electric power. A system and method for generating energy from electrolysis performed at a substantial depth inc includes generating gas by an electrolysis process at a substantial depth from a surface of a body of liquid. The system also includes capturing the generated gas in a containment chamber and generating mechanical energy as a function of a rising of the containment chamber with the captured gas. In another embodiment, the system and method include generating gas by an electrolysis process at a substantial depth from a surface and providing a working liquid from the surface to the electrolysis process at the substantial depth. The system and method further include capturing the generated gas in a containment tube and generating mechanical energy as a function of the captured gas.

Description

ARTICLE AND METHOD OF LIFT ENERGY GENERATED BY ELECTROLYSIS AT SUBSTANTIAL DEPTH

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001 ] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/417,128, filed on October 10, 2002, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] One or more embodiments of the invention relates to a system and method for generating energy via electrolysis. More specifically, one or more embodiments is related to the use of gas to generate energy by using electrolysis at substantial depth.

BACKGROUND

[0003] The ability to pump a liquid, such as water, oil or an electrolyte via gas-lift pumping is well known. Nitrogen gas lift pumping is widely used in the oil field industry and air lift and oxygen lift pumping is used in aquaculture.

[0004] An oxygen gas pumping system in known to enrich the oxygen content of water and to pump water from a geothermal well without the need of a pump or electrical power that is widely used in aquaculture today.

[0005] In prior art gas-lift pumping apparatus, the gas is injected into a liquid within a pipe or tube and the liquid and gas bubbles rises together up the pipe or tube. The gas bubbles push the liquid upward as they rise. However, a portion of the liquid is not lifted by the gas bubbles and may not be continuously forced upward thereby reducing the overall lift potential of the gas bubbles.

SUMMARY

[0006] The inventor hereof has succeeded at designing and developing methods and systems to produce mechanical and/or electric power by utilizing gas-lift pumping. According to one aspect of the invention, a method of generating energy from electrolysis performed at a substantial depth. The method includes generating gas by an electrolysis process at a substantial depth from a surface of a body of liquid. The method also includes capturing the generated gas in a containment chamber and generating mechanical energy by capturing energy as a function of a rising of the containment chamber with the captured gas.

[0007] Another aspect of the invention is method of generating energy from electrolysis performed at a substantial depth. The method includes generating gas by an electrolysis process at a substantial depth from a surface. The method also includes providing a working liquid from the surface to the electrolysis process at the substantial depth and capturing the generated gas in a containment tube. The method further includes generating mechanical energy as a function of the captured gas.

[0008] In yet another aspect, the invention is a system for generating energy including a plurality of containment chambers. The system also includes a connecting system for connecting the plurality of containment chambers. The connecting system forms a continuous loop rotating from an upward position to a lower position in a body of a working fluid. Also included is an electrolysis device positioned at a substantial depth in the working fluid. The electrolysis device receives electrolysis energy and generates a gas from electrolysis of the working fluid. The generated gas is captured in one of the plurality of containment chambers thereby providing an upward force to the containment chamber and the connecting system. The upward force moves the containment chamber and the connecting system upward and rotates the connecting system in the continuous rotating loop.

[0009] In another aspect, the invention is a system for generating energy that includes a first tube having an upper end and a lower end and a second tube having an upper end and a lower end and having a inner tube chamber. The second tube is within the first tube thereby forming an outer chamber between an outer wall of the second tube and an inner wall of the first tube. A containment chamber is position at the upper end of the first tube and the upper end of the second tube. The containment chamber is fluidly connected to both the inner tube chamber and the outer tube chamber. An energy conversion device is positioned within the containment chamber and is fluidly connected to the inner tube chamber. An electrolysis device is positioned at the lower end of the first tube and the lower end of the second tube and is positioned at a substantial depth. The electrolysis device receives electrolysis energy and generates a gas from electrolysis of a working fluid. The working fluid flows from the containment chamber to the electrolysis device through the outer tube chamber. The gas is captured by the inner tube chamber and is provided to the energy conversion device via the outer tube chamber. The energy conversion device generates energy as a function of the gas received from the inner tube chamber.

[0010] Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011 ] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

[0012] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a electrolysis gas lift system according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0013] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a deep well electrolysis gas lift system according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0014] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a deep well electrolysis apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0015] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0017] Referring to Fig. 1 is an illustration of one embodiment of a energy producing gases lift apparatus 100 that produces hydrogen and oxygen gases using a lifting force of the gases within a column of a liquid 106. Liquid 106 may be fresh water, salt water, or an electrolyte. Gas lift apparatus 100 includes a supporting frame 136 which may include a top dome or frame containment chamber 104. Supported within frame 136 is a gas lift apparatus, one embodiment which is illustrated in Fig. 1. As shown, a plurality of gas containment chambers 112 are attached is a connecting chain or belt 114 to form a continuous looping apparatus 102. Chain 114 forms a closed loop around an upper sprocket 116 which rotates around upper axel 118 and a low sprocket 120 which rotates around lower axel 122. The plurality of containment chambers 112 are attached to chain 114 at intervals. Each containment chamber 112 is configured with an open end and a closed end. Each containment chamber 112 is positioned on chain 114 such that the open ends are in a common direction when chain 114 rotates in direction 150, wherein the open ends are on the top when chain 114 rotates containment chamber 112 in a top to bottom motion, and the open ends are on the bottom side when chain 114 rotates such that containment chamber 112 is in a bottom to top motion. Containment chamber 112 is configured with an electrolysis device 128 which is located at the open end of each respective containment chamber 112. Electrolysis device 128 receives electrolysis energy 132.

[0018] Gas lift apparatus 100 is positioned in a body of water 106 with a top or surface 108 and a bottom 110. Gas lift apparatus 100 operates such that the bottom of frame 136 is located at or near bottom 110 and the top of frame 136 is located near, at or above surface 108. Continuous looping apparatus 102 is located within body of water 106 and encloses a portion of body of water 106 (shown as 126).

[0019] Frame 136 supports continuous looping apparatus 102, sprockets 116 and 120, and axles 118 and 122. As noted, frame 136 rests on the bottom 110 of the lake, ocean, pit, or body of water or fluids 106.

[0020] In an optional embodiment, containment chambers 112 are made of electrically conductive metal, such as copper. In such an embodiment, the metal containment chambers 112 may pass through powerful permanent or electromagnets 130. As such, magnetically generated electric energy may be generated by the movement of chain 114 and containment chambers 112 in relation to magnets 130. Magnetically generated electric energy may be provide in whole or in part as electrolysis energy 132.

[0021 ] In operation, during the upward movement of the continuous loop 102, the open end of each chamber 112 is opened downward. Electrolysis energy 132 flows to electrolysis device 128 located below the open end of each chamber 112 during the upward movement of continuous loop 102. Electrolysis takes place and hydrogen and oxygen gases 134 are formed and are contained in their associated chamber 112. Gas 134 enter the open end of container 112 associated with each electrolysis device 128 and remains in chamber 112 until the particular chamber 112 is emptied in sealed area or containment dome 104 at or near surface 108 as the particular chamber rotates at the top of continuous loop 108.

[0022] Frame 136 and containment dome 104 is configured with a gas exhaust port 124 whereby gas 134 is withdrawn from containment dome 104. During the time in which gas 134 are contained in chambers 112, gas 134 provides a lift force or mechanical energy to connecting chain 114. The lift force applied to chain 114 increases as the number of plurality of containment chambers 112 increases and as they are filled with gas 134. The lift force rotates chain 114 and chambers 112 around sprockets 116 and 120 to provide the lift force to pull containers 112 through magnets 130 which may generate electric energy.

[0023] Electrolysis begins in each chamber 112 as soon as chamber 112 starts moving upward along continuous loop 102 and continues until chamber 112 receives a desired volume of gas 134.

[0024] In another embodiment, a gas lift generator is a submerged electrolysis apparatus that is may be mounted in or on a central vertical frame 136, which may be an abandoned or operating offshore oil platform or may be newly constructed in a lake or dug pit. In such an embodiment, system 100 consists of individual electrolysis units connected together by chain 114 forming continuous loop 102. Electrolysis units are configured to form continuous path 102 around sprockets 116 and 120 upwards to surface 108 and downwards to bottom 110 of the body of water in which frame 136 is positioned.

[0025] Each electrolysis unit consists if a containment chamber 112 having an open bottom with closed top and sides. During the downward leg of loop 102, the open end of chamber 112 is faced upward toward the surface and no gas is present within chamber 112. During the upward leg of loop 102, the bottom is open. Electrolysis cell 128 is located in working liquid 106 just below the open bottom of chamber 112. Hydrogen and oxygen gas 134 is formed via the electrolysis process of liquid 126 and fills chamber 112. Gas 134 with chamber 112 produces a lift force that is applied to chain 114. The lift force continues until chamber 112 is emptied of the gas 134 at surface 108. A plurality of chambers 112 may be filled with hydrogen and oxygen gases 134 at one time and the total lift force applied to chain 114 is the sum of all of the lift forces of all chambers 112 that provide a lift force.

[0026] Electrolysis by electrolysis cell 128 may occur for only a brief period of time in each chamber 112, but the lift force continues once electrolysis has ceased because chamber 112 is filled with hydrogen and oxygen gas 134 which has a lower density than a density of liquid 106 in which chamber 112 is located. Liquid 106 may be distilled water, seawater, or may an electrically conductive electrolyte. The lift force continues until chamber 112 is emptied of gas 134 even though the period of electrolysis and the requirement for energy input to perform electrolysis has ceased and may have only been required for a short duration of time.

[0027] Electrolysis only occurs at such time as each chamber 112 has reached the bottom of loop 102 and is beginning its upward path and electrolysis only continues until a desired volume of gas 134 has filled each particular chamber 112. The desired volume may only partially fill chamber 112 because the gases will expand as the chamber 112 rises in liquid 126 due to lower hydrostatic pressure, which is greater with greater depth at which the electrolysis takes place. The electrolysis location at the bottom of loop 102 is best suited to provide lift from electrolysis produced hydrogen and oxygen gas 134 because the gases can provide lift all the way to surface 108 where gas 134 is removed from chamber 112.

[0028] Electrolysis may take place at substantial depth because the vapor pressure of the hydrogen and oxygen gas 134 mixture (with the vapor pressure of hydrogen being greater than the vapor pressure of oxygen) is substantial, which means that a large number of chambers 112 may be filled with hydrogen and oxygen gas 134 within the distance from the bottom of the loop and the surface. The greater the number of chambers 112 providing lift, the greater the lift force.

[0029] One or more embodiments of the invention provides for the beneficial effect of the lift force by using containment chamber 112 that has a very large surface area and shallow depth. The rotation around loop 102 may be extremely slow but would provide substantial lift force. In such an embodiment, a longer period of time for each container to be filled with electrolysis produced gas 134 would allow the lift force of each container to improve the operation of the lift force as the lift force is lost as each chamber 112 is emptied. Therefore, a very slow movement provides the lift force that last for a longer period of time for each container filled as more time to fill each container is obtained due to the slow rotational speed of continuous loop 102. As more surface area is used for chamber 112 and the depth remains the same, substantially greater overall lift force is achieved.

[0030] The lift force rotates chain 114 and chambers 112 in oval continuous path 102 around sprockets 116 and 120. Chambers 112 may be made of electrically conductive metal, such as copper, pass through the center of powerful permanent or electromagnets 130 and generate an electrical current that may be provided to electrolysis units as they begin their upward path around loop 102.

[0031 ] In an alternative embodiment, the lift force may rotate chain 114 that in turn rotates one or more electrical generators (not shown) via a common shaft 118 between sprocket 116 and the generator. Either AC or DC energy may be generated in this embodiment. Some or all of the generated electric energy may be used to provide electrolysis energy 132.

[0032] In one form, the process of one or more embodiments of the invention may be provide for a very efficient capture of position energy. Such position energy may provide a nearly self-sustaining operation as the amount of power required for sufficient electrolysis of water or electrolyte to fill an individual chamber 112 is very limited as the duration of electrolysis may be fairly brief. However, the lift provided by chamber 112 with gas 134 is continuous and is also cumulative as a substantial number of chambers 112 may provide a common lift until they are emptied of their gas which may be for a substantial duration and may include a large number of chambers 112 if the distance between the bottom and the top of the loop is great.

[0033] In one embodiment, an electrolysis unit is positioned every four feet for a thousand feet of chain 114. Each chamber 112 is filled with hydrogen and oxygen gases, which equates to 250 units, and each unit contains an area equal to one hundred gallons. In such an embodiment, a lift of approximately 800 pounds per container is provided. With 250 units at 800 pounds of lift per unit, a total lift force of 200,000 pounds is generated. With an estimated rotational speed of approximately three feet per second, a single unit would require 333 seconds or 5 minutes and 33 seconds to travel from the bottom of the thousand foot loop to the surface. It is expected that a significant amount of electric or mechanical energy may be generated from 200,000 pounds of lift force. With a large electrical current input, only a very short period of time for electrolysis is required to produce sufficient quantifies of gas 134 necessary to fill an area equal to 100 gallons or 13.4 cubic feet and sufficient power should be available to operate a substantial number of units at one time. For example, the expansion of air from 1,000 feet to the surface equals a doubling of its volume on the order of 7 times. Only 0.209375 cubic feet of air at 1,000 feet will become 13.4 cubic feet of air by the time it reaches the surface. However, the lift of the 0.209375 cubic feet of air at 1,000 feet is roughly equal to the lift of 13.4 cubic feet at the surface because of the greater hydrostatic pressure exerted by the water at 1,000 feet, which equals near 500 p.s.i. of hydrostatic pressure.

[0034] In operation, in one embodiment the vapor pressure of hydrogen and oxygen gas 134 exceeds the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid to provide for hydrogen and oxygen bubbles to form during electrolysis. The vapor pressure is a function of temperature. The higher the water temperature; the greater the vapor pressure and, thus, the greater depth at which bubbles may be formed. The temperature may also be influenced by heat generated as part of the electrolysis process as a portion of electric energy 132 produces heat that will raise the temperature of water 126. In a closed environment, liquid 126 may become substantially heated due to electric energy generated heat during electrolysis and the vapor pressure would, therefore, be beneficially increased.

[0035] The hydrogen and oxygen gas 134 removed from chamber 112 and collected at the surface may be stored or may be combusted to produce rotation power via a turbine engine (not shown) powered by hydrogen and oxygen gas 134. The turbine engine may operate an electrical generator that generates either AC or DC current. If the above described process does not produce sufficient quantity of electricity to power the electrolysis cycle, then a portion of the electricity generated from combustion of the hydrogen may be used for electrolysis purposes and the remaining electricity would be available for other uses, or for distribution.

[0036] Fig. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a gas lift apparatus 200 for deep well applications that also utilizes gas lift from gas generated from electrolysis. Fig. 2 describes a hydrogen and oxygen gases lift apparatus 200 that operates within a well drilled into the earth having and outer casing 202 that is capped 204 at the bottom of the well and having an inner center pipe 206 which hydrogen and oxygen gas lift takes place. The closed circulation of water 210 is formed via a downward flow of water 210 through an annular area 212 formed by the outside of the center pipe 206 and the inside of the well casing 202. Annular area 212 is fluidly connected to the area within the center pipe 246 by a fluid connection made at the bottom of the well 204 through electrolysis unit 216.

[0037] The electrolysis unit 216 at the bottom of the well 204 is located inside the center pipe 206. Water or an electrolyte 206 is transformed into hydrogen and oxygen gas 208 via electrolysis performed by the electrolysis unit 216. Gas 208 rises upward through center pipe 206 and the gas bubbles 244 expand as they rise. The formation of gas 206 deep within the water column 246 causes a reduction in the mass of the water column 246 within the center pipe 206 forming a low mass column of water 244 within the center column 206. The hydrostatic pressure of the high mass column formed in the annular area 212 exerts hydrostatic pressure against the low mass column within the center pipe 206 and hydrogen and oxygen gases 208 lift pumping is produced. Expansion of gases 208 as they rise to lower pressure within the center pipe 206 causes expansion of gases 208 displacing more water 210 and causes further lowering of the mass of the water column within center pipe 206. In addition the rising motion of the gas bubbles 246 push water 210 upward.

[0038] Water 210 and high pressure gases 208 pass through a drum jet turbine 218 located within a containment chamber 220 which may be a sphere. Containment chamber 220 captures the hydrogen and oxygen gases 208. Rotation of the turbine 218 is created by jet propulsion force as the pressurized water and hydrogen and oxygen gases 208 jet out of ports (not shown) along the outer circumference of turbine 218, causing an equal and opposite rotational force of turbine 218. Turbine 218 is supported by a turbine frame 224 inside of the containment chamber 220 and the containment chamber 220 is externally supported by a frame 226 that extends to a mounting position such as ground 228.

[0039] Containment chamber 220 acts a separator of the water 210 and the hydrogen and oxygen gases 208. The gases 208 rise above a surface 230 of the water 210 and are removed from the containment chamber 220. The water 210 passes downward into the annular area 212. Makeup water or electrolyte is supplied to the sphere via input water line or port 232 and a water 210 surface level 230 is maintained higher than the elevation of turbine 218 in order to maintain significant hydrostatic pressure of the high mass column in the annular area 212 that is supplied by water 210 contained in containment chamber 220.

[0040] The gases 208 flow into turbine 218 through a hollow shaft 234 that extends through turbine 218 and penetrates containment chamber 220 via seals and bearings 236 and provides mechanical drive to an electrical generator 238 located outside of the containment chamber 220. The generator 238 generates an DC or AC electric energy 240. All or a portion of the generated electric energy 240 may be provided to the electrolysis unit 216 to provide electrolysis energy 242.

[0041 ] In the event sufficient energy is not derived from gas lift 200 in order to generate enough electric energy 242 to drive electrolysis unit 216, a portion of the hydrogen and oxygen gases 208 may be combusted to operate an external turbine (not shown) by collected gas 208 at exhaust port 222. An external electrical generator (not shown) may also use gas 208 from port 222 to provide such additional energy as is needed.

[0042] Fig. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a deep well electrolysis device 216 and 300 as describes above with regard to Fig. 2. The electrolysis unit 216 is located at the bottom of a center pipe 206 within the casing of a well 202. The electrolysis unit 216 is formed using parallel positive and negative electrodes 302 having a narrow spacing between the electrodes 302. Electric energy 242 is supplied to electrodes 302 that are submerged deep in water 210 and electrolysis is preformed.

[0043] The water 210 flows between electrodes 302 via hydrostatic pressure formed by a differential in the hydrostatic pressure of the mass of the water 210 contained within an annular area 212 formed by the outside of the center pipe 206 and the inside of the well casing 202 that has higher hydrostatic pressure than the water 210 contained within the area 244 contained within the center pipe 206 that has lower hydrostatic pressure due to lower mass caused by the presence of bubbles of hydrogen and oxygen gases 208 within the area 244 forming a column of water within the center pipe 244. The flow rate of water 210 between electrodes 302 generated by the differential of hydrostatic pressure between the high mass 212 and low mass 244 water 210 columns helps to remove bubbles of hydrogen and oxygen gases 208 from the surface of the electrodes 302 and sweeps the hydrogen and oxygen gases 208 into the center pipe 206. [0044] The flow of water 210 through the gap between the electrodes 302 allows the water 210 to form a continuous circulation from the surface downward through the annular area 212 and through the electrodes 302 to the space 244 within the center pipe 206 and then upward back to the surface in a closed loop.

[0045] In an alternative embodiment, an electrolysis unit may be located near the bottom of a center pipe located inside of a sealed outer pipe filled with water or an electrically conductive electrolyte. Electrolysis produces hydrogen and oxygen gases from the water or electrolyte. The hydrogen and oxygen bubbles rise in the pipe and cause gas-lift pumping. The hydrogen and oxygen gases and water pass through a drum-jet turbine and produce mechanical drive. The turbine is connected via a shaft to an electrical generator that generates either an AC or DC current. The current is fed to the electrolysis unit located at the bottom of the pipe to provide electrical current to perform electrolysis.

[0046] After the water, hydrogen gas, and oxygen gas pass through the turbine, the hydrogen and oxygen gases are removed to storage or are combusted to generate power. The water is returned to the electrolysis unit via an annular space formed by the outside of the center pipe and the inside of a second pipe that is larger than the center pipe in which gas-lifting takes place. The working fluid may flow from the annular area into the center pipe at the bottom of the pipe. Make-up water or electrolyte is added as the liquid is converted into hydrogen and oxygen as needed. Thus, all or a large portion of the electricity required to generate hydrogen and oxygen is generated by the gas-lift pumping provide by the hydrogen and oxygen bubbles. The present invention creates an extremely efficient manner in which to produce hydrogen and oxygen.

[0047] Electrolysis is started by an external current; however, once sufficient gas bubbles have been formed and gas-lift pumping began to power the turbine and to generate internal power that is sent to the electrolysis unit, the external power may possibly be turned off or in any event, the amount of external power greatly reduced.

[0048] In the event that the hydrogen and oxygen produced via electrolysis are combusted to power the generation of electricity, it is believed by the applicant that the overall process will be over unity. It is believed that excess electrical power will be generated or that unused hydrogen and oxygen gases will be produced, even if a portion of the electrical power generated by combustion of the hydrogen and oxygen is used to supplement the power needed to operate the electrolysis unit.

[0049] Temperature also plays a role in the process. The greater the temperature of the water or electrolyte, the more efficient the process is because electrolysis is a function of an electrical current that breaks the bonds of water into hydrogen and oxygen and the process is endothermic requiring an input of heat. If the heat is provided from a source other than the electrical current, than less electrical current is required.

[0050] In one embodiment, the gas lift process as disclosed herein may take place within a geothermal well that may provide heat to assist the process derived from the thermal energy within the earth. Additionally, the gas-lift process would circulate hot water to the surface that could provide heat energy to power a binary Rankine power cycle on the surface or the heat may be used to generate electricity via thermoelectric technology or the heat may be used to provide additional gas-lift pumping energy via a Rankine cycle. In the event an additional gas is used to provided additional gas-lift pumping energy using the heat of the geothermal well, the second gas would have to be separated from the hydrogen gas and the oxygen gas.

[0051 ] However, the process of the present invention will work in a cold environment, without the additional benefits derived from having a heat source, such as a geothermal well to provide thermal energy from the earth.

[0052] The overall process is believed to be over unity due to the efficiency of the gas lift mechanism that provides utilizing previously unusable energy due to the physics of performing electrolysis at great depth to provide the lift force. Electrolysis at the surface would require the same amount of electrical energy to break the bonds of the water molecules to form hydrogen and oxygen gases, but would not provide a gas lift force due to performing electrolysis at great depth to take advantage of the physics of the gas lift force produced.

[0053] The scope of one or more embodiments of the invention is to take advantage of the derived energy of creating a gas lift force by forming a gas within a liquid column at great depth. This may be accomplished by a number of means, such as electrolysis to form hydrogen and oxygen gases as herein described, by creating low mass steam at great depth via resistance heating or microwave technology to heat water, vaporizing a low-boiling-point-liquid at depth via resistance heating or the use of microwaves, melting of supplies of frozen methane at depth to form low mass methane gas bubbles, etc.

[0054] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, steam may be used as a lifting gas. Electrodes or microwaves may be used to produce heat in water to generate steam within insulated containers that may provide lift. The formation of steam may provide gas lift, but it does not produce hydrogen gas, which is an extremely valuable commodity. However, the generation of steam takes significantly less energy than the amount of energy required to perform electrolysis.

[0055] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the vapor of a low- boiling-point liquid may be used as a lifting gas. Electrodes or microwaves may be used to produce heat in liquid phases low-boiling-point-liquid to generate high- pressure vapor within containers or within a center lift pipe that may provide lift. The formation of vapor provides a gas lift, but does not produce hydrogen gas, which is an extremely valuable commodity. However, the generation of vapor take far less energy than the amount of energy required to perform electrolysis and takes far less energy than the formation of steam. Additionally, the vapor has the potential to generate significantly more power as the vapor pressure of a low-boiling-point-liquid may be much greater than the vapor pressure of steam. The high pressure vapor may produce more mechanical drive via the lift gas and the vapor requires less energy to produce. Thus vaporization of a low-boiling-point-liquid at depth within a column of liquid low-boiling-point-liquid to provide a lift gas may be a very efficient method of generating low cost energy.

[0056] In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the vapor of a low- boiling-point liquid may be used as a lifting gas within a column of water within a geothermal well. Electrodes or microwaves may be used to liquid phases low- boiling-point-liquid to generate high-pressure vapor that enters a center insulated lift pipe to provide a lift in a closed loop. This embodiment would supplement the heat generated within the geothermal well in the event sufficient heat flux is not provided by the well. This may be beneficial as it is a concern that sufficient heat flow rate may not conduct through the walls of a geothermal well's casing to provide the required thermal energy for commercial scale geothermal production within a closed system. The amount of energy supplied would on be a portion of the total energy needed for vaporization and the process may, therefore, be efficient. [0057] An alternative embodiment of the invention is to create a method and an apparatus for the release of methane gas from frozen methane at the bottom of the ocean will be filed as a Divisional Patent Application of this Provisional Patent Application. It is herein disclosed that frozen methane may be released from the bottom of the sea via gas-lift as presented herein. The electrical power generated from the gas-lift may provide the heat energy required to melt quantities of frozen methane on the bottom of the sea into methane gas via a remotely controlled arm that extends from a ship or barge to the bottom of the sea.

[0058] The arm may be equipped with heat electrodes located at the bottom of the arm. The electrodes penetrate and heat quantities of frozen methane which becomes gaseous. The gas enters a flexible tube that extends from the floor of the sea to the surface vessel. Water is allowed to enter the tube and a gas-lift mechanism is created with the methane gas lifting the water upward. At the surface the methane and the water are forced through a drum jet turbine creating a rotary motion. The turbine operates a generator producing an electrical current that is fed to the heat electrodes to provide the power to melt the frozen methane.

[0059] One or more embodiment of the invention produces hydrogen via electrolysis powered by hydrogen and oxygen gas lift of water or of an electrolyte.

[0060] In another embodiment of the invention, a gas lift apparatus and method provides power to a drum jet turbine that may drive a generator to generate either AC or DC electrical current via water gas-lifted by hydrogen and oxygen gases. The gas may be created by electrolysis of water into hydrogen and oxygen, primarily using the AC or DC current to provide the electrical current needed to perform electrolysis.

[0061 ] Another embodiment of the invention, creates gas-lift energy using containment chambers that hold the gas within the containment chamber so that the lift may be accomplished in an open liquid environment without the need of the lift being created within a pipe or tube as is typically used in the prior art.

[0062] Another embodiment of the invention creates gas-lift energy by using containment chambers that hold the gas within the chamber so that the lift may be continuous to prevent liquid from detrimentally going around the gas as is typically experienced in prior art gas lift systems.

[0063] Another embodiment of the invention to create gas-lift using a series of containers that hold the gas within the containers so that the lift may be continuous and so that the containers may be connected together by chains or cables so that the lift force of a number of containers may be added together to create a greater lift force that is applied to a common connecting lift mechanism. While the gases may be hydrogen and oxygen produced via electrolysis, other gases, such as the natural release of methane gas from sea beds, natural gas produced from high pressure natural gas wells, etc.

[0064] In another embodiment, the present invention is a method and an apparatus for the release of methane gas from frozen methane at the bottom of the ocean.

[0065] In another embodiment, a method and an apparatus produce hydrogen and oxygen powered by gas-lift energy that may be capable of hydrogen and oxygen production with little to no additional input of energy. However, if additional energy other than that provided by air-lift energy is required, it may be provided by combustion of a portion of the hydrogen and oxygen via rotary drum jet turbine.

[0066] In yet another embodiment, a method and an apparatus produces hydrogen and oxygen using far less overall input energy than any known prior art electrolysis method.

[0067] A method and an apparatus for the production of hydrogen and oxygen gases via electrolysis of a liquid, such as water or an electrolyte at substantial depth within the liquid is disclosed. Also disclosed are hydrogen and oxygen gases produced by electrolysis at depth within the liquid that produces a lift force.

[0068] Also disclosed are hydrogen and oxygen gases produced by electrolysis at depth within the liquid to fill an open bottom sealed container or chamber in order to create a powerful lift force. Further disclosed is a series of containers or containment chambers that may be connected together via a chain or other connecting apparatus so that the lift force may become cumulative to produce an even more powerful lift force. It is also disclosed that the powerful lift force may be used to power an electrical generator that can generate an AC or DC electrical current via a shaft connected to a sprocket rotated by the chain via the lift force.

[0069] It is further disclosed that the AC or DC current may be provided to the electrolysis unit at depth in the liquid to provide electric power for electrolysis of the liquid to produce hydrogen and oxygen gases that thereby provides the powerful lift force. It is also disclosed that the lift force may be used within a well to create hydrogen and oxygen gases lift pumping of the liquid by using a closed loop circulation of the liquid via a center pipe inserted into the well having the center pipe fluidly connected to an annular area between the casing of the well and the outside of the center pipe at the bottom of the well to allow closed circulation.

[0070] It is also disclosed that the gas lift pumping provides the powering a turbine engine that may power an electrical generator to generate DC or AC current. It is further disclosed that the AC or DC current may be provided to the electrolysis unit at depth in the liquid to provide electric energy for electrolysis of the liquid to produce hydrogen and oxygen gas that provides the lift force and gas lift pumping.

[0071 ] One or more embodiments of gas lift apparatus 100 or 200 may include a turbine or power piston. Examples of suitable turbines include a rotary vane turbine of the type disclosed in U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/360,421 filed March 1, 2002, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, a Tesla turbine, and a jet turbine (i.e., a turbine which utilizes jet propulsion for rotation, and which may or may not be bladeless). Exemplary jet turbines are disclosed in U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/397,445 filed July 22, 2002, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/400,870 filed August 5, 2002, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/410,441 filed September 16, 2002, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/432,740 filed December 13, 2002, and U.S. Application No. 10/624,455 filed July 22, 2003, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Suitable power pistons for use in the present invention include those disclosed in U.S. Application No. 09/873,983 filed June 4, 2001, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/384,788 filed June 3, 2002, and U.S. Application No. 10/454,366 filed June 3, 2003, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0072] When introducing aspects of the invention or embodiments thereof, the articles "a", "an", "the", and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising", "including", and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0073] In view of the above, it will be seen that several aspects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained. As various changes could be made in the above exemplary constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

[0074] It is further to be understood that the steps described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A system for generating energy, the system comprising: a plurality of containment chambers; a connecting system for connecting the plurality of containment chambers, said connecting system forming a continuous loop rotating from an upward position to a lower position in a body of a working fluid; and an electrolysis device positioned at a substantial depth in the working fluid, said electrolysis device receiving electrolysis energy and generating a gas from electrolysis of the working fluid, said generated gas being captured in one of the plurality of containment chambers, said captured gas providing an upward force to the containment chamber and the connecting system, said upward force moving the containment chamber and the connecting system upward and rotating the connecting system in the continuous rotating loop.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the working fluid is water.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein one or more of the plurality of containment chambers are made of a magnetic metal, further comprising a magnetic electric energy generator, said magnetic electric energy generator being position along a path of the metal containment chamber and generating electric energy as a function of the movement of the metal containment chamber in proximity to the magnetic electric energy generator.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the generated electric energy is provided as a portion of the electrolysis energy.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising an upper sprocket rotating on a upper shaft, said chain being operably connected to the upper sprocket, said upper sprocket rotating as a function of the upward force from the captured gas moving the containment chamber.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising an auxiliary energy generating device operably coupled to the upper shaft, wherein the auxiliary energy generating device generated auxiliary energy as function of the rotation of the upper sprocket and upper shaft.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the auxiliary energy generating device is an electrical generator generating electric energy.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrolysis device is attached to one of the plurality of containment chambers.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the containment chamber is open at one end and closed that an opposing end.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the connecting system is selected from the list of a chain and a belt.

11. The system of claim 15 wherein the working fluid is heated at the bottom from a geothermal well.

12. A system of generating energy, the system comprising: a first tube having an upper end and a lower end; a second tube having an upper end and a lower end and having an inner tube chamber, said second tube being within the first tube and forming an outer tube chamber between an outer wall of the second tube and an inner wall of the first tube; a containment chamber position at the upper end of the first tube and positioned at the upper end of the second tube, the containment chamber being fluidly connected to the inner tube chamber and the outer tube chamber; a energy conversion device being position within the containment chamber and being fluidly connected to the inner tube chamber; and an electrolysis device positioned at the lower end of the first tube and the lower end of the second tube, said an electrolysis device positioned at a substantial depth, said electrolysis device receiving electrolysis energy and generating a gas from electrolysis of a working fluid, said working fluid flowing from the containment chamber to the electrolysis device through the outer tube chamber, said gas being captured by the inner tube chamber and being provided to the energy conversion device via the outer tube chamber, said energy conversion device generating energy as a function of the gas received from the inner tube chamber.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the containment chamber is a sphere.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the energy conversion device is a turbine.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a generating device operably coupled to the turbine.

16. The system of claim 12 wherein the operation of the system forms a closed loop circulation of the working liquid.

17. The system of claim 12 wherein the system is operated in a deep well mode, such that the electrolysis device is positioned at the bottom of a deep well.

18. A method of generating energy from electrolysis performed at a substantial depth, the method comprising: generating gas by an electrolysis process at a substantial depth from a surface of a body of liquid; capturing the generated gas in a containment chamber; and generating mechanical energy by capturing energy as a function of a rising of the containment chamber with the captured gas.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising generating first electric energy by a movement of the containment chamber in proximity to an electromagnetic field.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein a portion of the first electric energy is utilized the electrolysis process.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising converting the generated mechanical energy into second electrical energy.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein a portion of the second electric energy is utilized the electrolysis process.

23. A method of generating energy from electrolysis performed at a substantial depth, the method comprising: generating gas by an electrolysis process at a substantial depth from a surface; providing a working liquid from the surface to the electrolysis process at the substantial depth; capturing the generated gas in a containment tube; and generating mechanical energy as a function of the captured gas.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein generating mechanical energy is generating mechanical energy in a turbine.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising generating electrical energy from an electric energy generator operably connected to the turbine.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein the substantial depth is a well shaft.