WO2023196750A2 - Procédé et appareil de culture de plantes marines et de macroalgues - Google Patents

Procédé et appareil de culture de plantes marines et de macroalgues Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023196750A2
WO2023196750A2 PCT/US2023/065085 US2023065085W WO2023196750A2 WO 2023196750 A2 WO2023196750 A2 WO 2023196750A2 US 2023065085 W US2023065085 W US 2023065085W WO 2023196750 A2 WO2023196750 A2 WO 2023196750A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
platform
rope
cable
submersible
seaweed
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PCT/US2023/065085
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English (en)
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WO2023196750A3 (fr
Inventor
Brian Von Herzen
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Climate Foundation
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Application filed by Climate Foundation filed Critical Climate Foundation
Publication of WO2023196750A2 publication Critical patent/WO2023196750A2/fr
Publication of WO2023196750A3 publication Critical patent/WO2023196750A3/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G33/00—Cultivation of seaweed or algae
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
    • Y02A40/80—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in fisheries management

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to apparatuses for and methods of growing marine plants and macroalgae, such as seaweed and kelp, in a large and/or natural body of water.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 7,905,055 discloses an automated ocean farm that includes a plant support means such as a grid, with a submersible towing system incorporating means for navigation of the support grid in the open ocean, and means for positioning of the support grid in a first surfaced position for sunlight exposure of the plants and a second submerged position for nutrient gathering by the plants.
  • a farm 10 according to the ‘055 patent includes strong neutral -buoyancy rope 12 with two similar ropes 14 trailing back with additional neutral buoyancy ropes 16 stretched between them to create a support grid.
  • the support grid may be supported by buoys at spaced intervals to provide a substantially neutrally buoyant grid.
  • Marine plants 18 are anchored to the grid at periodic intervals (e.g. 1 meter spacing along the ropes for California Giant Kelp with 10-meter down-current spacing to accommodate the plants at harvestable size and 0.2 to 0.4 m for tropical seaweeds such as Eucheuma spp and Kappaphycus pp.).
  • the grid is propelled by a submersible towing system.
  • Two towing boats 20 and 22 provide a first element of the towing system.
  • Two reaction boats 24 and 26 provide a second element of the towing system to create and maintain tension in the lines by relative positioning with respect to the two tow boats.
  • FIG. 2 shows tow and reaction boats having a controlled submersion system on the plant support grid with associated extendible supports from the boats according to the ‘055 patent.
  • the tow boat 102 and reaction boat 104 each employ a winch 106 and cable 108 which are attached to the plant support grid 110.
  • Buoys 112 incorporate ballast tanks 114 to maintain the desired buoyancy of the support grid for submerging to the nutrient rich layers.
  • Computer controlled valves 116 for flooding the ballast tanks to submerge and compressed air lines 118 from a pressurization source on one or more of the boats provide for expelling water from the ballast tanks to surface.
  • Sensors 120 on the grid provide communications of layer composition to computer 122 for ballast control.
  • the present invention concerns an apparatus for growing aquatic plants or macroalgae at variable depths, comprising a submersible platform configured to support the aquatic plants and/or macroalgae thereon, a stabilizer affixed or connected to the submersible platform, a surface platform configured to float on a body of water and to which the submersible platform is secured, and a mechanism on the surface platform, configured to raise and lower the submersible platform in the body of water.
  • the stabilizer is configured to maintain the submersible platform in a substantially horizontal orientation when submerged in the body of water.
  • the apparatus further comprises (i) a tether, rope or cable connecting the submersible platform to the surface platform; (ii) a winch on the surface platform to which the tether, rope or cable is connected, wherein the winch is configured to pull in or let out the tether, rope or cable; (iii) a motor operatively connected to the winch, wherein the motor drives or operates the winch in a first direction to pull in the tether, rope or cable, and in a second direction opposite to the first direction to let out the tether, rope or cable; and/or (iv) a hydrofoil connected to the submersible platform.
  • the hydrofoil configured to control a position of the submersible platform in the body of water.
  • the hydrofoil may enable the submersible platform to move in a particular direction, relative to a current in the body of water.
  • the submersible platform may further comprise a ring clamp configured to secure the submersible platform to the tether, rope or cable.
  • the stabilizer comprises a vertical stabilizer and one or more horizontal stabilizers.
  • each of the vertical stabilizer and the horizontal stabilizer(s) may comprise a hydrofoil.
  • Each of these hydrofoils is generally configured to maintain the substantially horizontal orientation of the submersible platform.
  • the stabilizer comprises a first weight and one or more floats.
  • the stabilizer further comprises a plurality of rigging lines connecting the first weight to the submersible platform.
  • the stabilizer includes a plurality of the floats connected directly or indirectly to the submersible platform. The weight, the optional rigging lines and the float(s) are configured to maintain the substantially horizontal orientation of the submersible platform.
  • the submersible platform comprises a ring having a diameter of at least 10 m.
  • the diameter of the ring may be at least 25 m, 50 m, 100 m or any other diameter > 10 m.
  • the ring may have a tube or pipe diameter of 0.2-3 m.
  • the apparatus further comprises a plurality of landing legs connected to the submersible platform.
  • the apparatus may include 4, 6, 8 or more landing legs.
  • each of the landing legs may have a landing pad at an end thereof opposite from the submersible platform.
  • each of the landing pads may be secured or affixed to a corresponding and/or unique one of the landing legs.
  • the apparatus further comprises (a) an anchor at an end of the tether, rope or cable not connected to the surface platform; (b) a second weight connected to the tether, rope or cable below the submersible platform, and/or (c) a third weight connected to the tether, rope or cable near the anchor.
  • Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of growing macroalgae and/or aquatic plants, comprising determining whether an ambient or environmental light exceeds a first predetermined threshold amount or intensity of light, raising the macroalgae and/or the aquatic plants from a first depth in a body of water to a second depth in the body of water when the ambient or environmental light exceeds the first predetermined threshold amount or intensity of light, stabilizing an orientation of a platform on which the macroalgae and/or the aquatic plants are placed or secured at the second depth using a stabilizer connected to the platform, determining whether the ambient or environmental light decreases below a second predetermined threshold amount or intensity of light, lowering the platform to the first depth when the ambient or environmental light decreases below the second predetermined threshold amount or intensity of light, and stabilizing the orientation of the platform at the first depth using the stabilizer.
  • the second depth is shallower than the first depth.
  • raising the macroalgae and/or the aquatic plants from the first depth to the second depth depends on whether any conditions are met that would be dangerous for the macroalgae and/or the aquatic plants to come to the surface of the body of water.
  • the stabilizer comprises a vertical stabilizer and one or more horizontal stabilizers.
  • the stabilizer comprises a first weight, a plurality of rigging lines between the first weight and the submersible platform, and one or more floats connected to the submersible platform.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 are diagrams showing an example farm and an example submersion system according to U.S. Pat. No. 7,905,055.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams showing an exemplary apparatus for growing aquatic plants, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another exemplary apparatus for growing aquatic plants, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an exemplary apparatus for growing aquatic plants that automatically adjusts its depth, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an exemplary apparatus for rigging the submersible seaweed platform to maintain substantially horizontal orientation when positioned deep or near the surface in low currents or high currents or in still water in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.
  • the term “length” generally refers to the largest dimension of a given 3- dimensional structure or feature.
  • the term “width” generally refers to the second largest dimension of a given 3 -dimensional structure or feature.
  • the term “thickness” generally refers to a smallest dimension of a given 3 -dimensional structure or feature.
  • the length and the width, or the width and the thickness may be the same in some cases.
  • a “major surface” refers to a surface defined by the two largest dimensions of a given structure or feature, which in the case of a structure or feature having a circular surface, may be defined by the radius of the circle.
  • tube For the sake of convenience and simplicity, the terms “tube,” “hose,” “conduit,” “pipe” and grammatical variations thereof are, in general, interchangeable and may be used interchangeably herein, but are generally given their art-recognized meanings. Wherever one such term is used, it also encompasses the other terms. Similarly, for convenience and simplicity, the terms “rope,” “line,” “cable” and “tether” may be used interchangeably herein. Wherever one such term is used, it also encompasses the other terms.
  • the terms “part,” “portion,” and “region” may be used interchangeably but these terms are also generally given their art- recognized meanings.
  • the terms “known,” “fixed,” “given,” “certain” and “predetermined” generally refer to a value, quantity, parameter, constraint, condition, state, process, procedure, method, practice, or combination thereof that is, in theory, variable, but is typically set in advance and not varied thereafter when in use.
  • FIG. 3 shows an exemplary apparatus/structure 200 for growing aquatic plants and/or macroalgae on a submersible platform on a relatively large scale.
  • the apparatus/structure 200 comprises a surface platform 210, a submersible seaweed platform 220, a tether, cable or rope 230, and a winch 240 on the surface platform 210 that takes in and lets out the tether, cable or rope 230.
  • the surface platform 210 may comprise a material having a density close to that of water (e.g., ⁇ 1.00 kg/liter).
  • the surface platform 210 may comprise wood, bamboo and/or an organic polymeric material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, latex or rubber, or a mixture or blend thereof.
  • surface platform 210 may comprise an air-filled ring, bladder or vessel adapted to float on the surface of a body of water 202.
  • the seaweed platform 220 may comprise a material having a density greater than that of sea or ocean water (e.g., > 1.03 kg/liter), but is not limited to such material.
  • the seaweed platform 220 is secured to the cable or rope 230 by a ring clamp 222.
  • the seaweed platform 220 may comprise one or more horizontal stabilizers 224 and a vertical stabilizer 225 (e.g., hydrofoils), similar to the empennage or tail of an airplane.
  • the horizontal and vertical stabilizers 224 and 225 may be conventionally attached or affixed to the seaweed platform 220, and may be oriented to ensure that the seaweed platform 220 stays submerged horizontally or substantially horizontally in the water 202.
  • Both the surface platform 210 and the seaweed platform 220 should comprise a material that resists damage by water as or on its outermost surface.
  • the seaweed platform 220 may have a circular or toroidal shape, although it may also have a different shape, such as oval, square, rectangular, triangular or other regular or irregular polygonal and/or curved shape.
  • the surface platform 210 and the seaweed platform 220 may independently have (i) a width and length or (ii) a diameter of from 50 m to 1000 m, or any value or range of values therein (e.g., 100-300 m), although the invention is not limited to such values.
  • the width and length or diameter of the surface platform 210 and the seaweed platform 220 may be on the order of 10-100 m, although the invention is not limited to these values, either.
  • the submersible seaweed platform 220 is generally hurricane- and typhoon-resilient at a deployment depth of 5 meters or deeper.
  • seaweed platforms comprising a 12 m- diameter PE ring survived Super Typhoon Rai (known locally as Odette) in the Philippines at a depth of only 5 m, with much of the seaweed still growing on the platforms.
  • the tube diameter of the seaweed platform 220 may be in the range of 0.30-10 m, inclusive, depending on the width and length or diameter of the seaweed platform 220 and the material of the seaweed platform 220.
  • the tube or pipe may have a hollow interior or be solid.
  • the diameter or thickness of the tube or pipe may independently be 0.20-1.50 m, or any value or range of values therein, although the invention is not limited to such values.
  • the thickness of the seaweed platform 220 may independently be 0.35-5.00 m, or any value or range of values therein, although the invention is not limited to these values, either.
  • a pipe diameter (thickness) above a certain value may not provide much additional rigidity.
  • high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene rings having a thickness of 0.15-0.6 m can withstand ocean conditions including 10- to 12-m waves and wind speeds of up to 200 km/h. As a result, there may not be much additional benefit from using HDPE or polypropylene having a pipe diameter of more than 3 m (and possibly as small as 1 m), depending on the diameter of the ring.
  • the apparatus shown in FIGS. 3-4 includes four (4) landing legs 226a- d
  • the apparatus may alternatively include three (3) landing legs or five (5) or more landing legs (e.g., 6, 8, 12, etc.).
  • such a seaweed structure 220 may have no landing legs, in the event that it does not need to reach the seafloor.
  • the landing legs 226 may be evenly or unevenly distributed around the perimeter of the seaweed platform 220, and one or more legs 226 may be in the center of the platform 220, or evenly or unevenly distributed throughout the interior of the platform 220.
  • the landing legs 226a-d may have a length of at least 1 m (e.g., from 3 to 10 m, or any length or range of lengths of at least 1 m), and are designed to keep the plants or macroalgae off the sea floor 204 when the seaweed platform 220 is lowered to the sea floor 204 (see FIG. 4).
  • the legs 226a-d may further contain landing pads 228a-d on the bottom to contact the seafloor and minimize the distance into the sea floor that the legs sink.
  • the landing pads 228a-d may be square (as shown), rectangular, circular, oval, hexagonal, octagonal, or other shape, and the length and width of the pads may depend on the size of the seaweed platform and the mass and/or density of the plants or macroalgae thereon.
  • the landing pads 228a-d may each have an area of 2.5-10 m 2 ; when the seaweed platform 220 has an area of 10,000-100,000 m 2 , the landing pads 228a-d may each have an area of 10-50 m 2 ; and when the seaweed platform 220 has an area of 100,000-500,000 m 2 , the landing pads 228a-d may each have an area of 50-250 m 2 .
  • the seaweed platform 220 may have one or more vertical stabilizers 225 and one or more horizontal stabilizers 224 attached or affixed thereto.
  • the vertical stabilizer 225 may bisect (e.g., be mounted or affixed to a midpoint of) the horizontal stabilizer 224.
  • the vertical stabilizer 225 may have two identical horizontal stabilizers 224 on opposite sides thereof, similar to the tail empennage on an aircraft (e.g., as mirror images).
  • the dimensions of the vertical and horizontal stabilizers 224 and 225 also scale with the size of the seaweed platform 220.
  • Stabilizers may also be incorporated into the design, along with trim tabs for setting the equilibrium position of the stabilizer with respect to the prevailing current and the existing load forces.
  • orientation and roll control may be determined by rigging (e.g., platform rigging lines; see, e.g., FIG. 7 and the discussion thereof below) that are attached between the platform 220 and a weight below the main attachment point and that may be attached to locations on the platform 220 lateral to the main mooring line attachment point 222, which enables application of roll constraints to maintain the orientation of the platform.
  • rigging e.g., platform rigging lines; see, e.g., FIG. 7 and the discussion thereof below
  • the apparatus/structure 200 for growing aquatic plants and/or macroalgae benefits from having a single rope, line, cable or chain 230 along the entire distance from the surface platform 210 to the submersible seaweed platform 220, to avoid the prospect of multiple such lines becoming entangled with each other.
  • the rope, line, cable or chain 230 may comprise a rope of one or more natural or synthetic polymers, a cable or line of steel or other metal or alloy, a metal and/or polymeric chain (e.g., a series of oval links), a tube or conduit, or a combination thereof.
  • ropes of polyethylene e.g., high-density polyethylene, or HDPE
  • a polyethylene coating or similar polymer outer layer may have a “self-lubri eating” function when used in conjunction with (e.g., when coming into contact with) other structures made of polyethylene or having a polyethylene coating or outer layer, such as the surface platform 210 and/or the ring(s) 222 with which the seaweed platform and the first weight are secured to the cable or rope 230.
  • the cable or rope 230 may be secured to the winch 240 on the surface platform 210, and the seaweed platform 220 may be secured to the cable or rope 230 by passing the cable or rope 230 through a ring, clamp or shackle 222 attached to the seaweed platform 220, and tightening the ring, clamp or shackle 222 securely to the cable or rope 230.
  • First and second weights 232 and 234 may be secured to the cable or rope 230 by a shackle, a clamp, or other similar fastening device.
  • the seaweed platform 220 is secured to the cable or rope 230
  • the second weight 234 is secured to a chain (or vice versa) that replaces part of the cable or rope in the section thereof between the first weight 232 and the anchor 250
  • the first weight 232 is secured to either (i) the cable or rope 230 or (ii) the chain
  • the cable or rope 230 and the chain are secured to each other (e.g., by tying or clamping).
  • the cable or rope 230 and the chain together form a tether that extends from the surface platform 210 to the anchor 250.
  • the cable or rope (or chain) 230 may be secured to the anchor 250 by looping it around a ring attached to the anchor and tying, passing an end of the cable, rope or chain 230 through the ring and fastening the end to the cable, rope or chain 230 with a clamp, a linkable fastener or other similar fastening device, or soldering/fusing the end of the cable, rope or chain 230 to itself.
  • the first weight 232 and the seaweed platform 220 are secured to the cable, rope or chain 230 such that the cable, rope or chain 230 between them and the surface platform 210 has a length greater than the depth of the water 202 at the location of the surface platform 210, and the cable, rope or chain 230 between them and the anchor 250 and/or the second weight 234 has a length greater than the depth of the water 202 at the location of the surface platform 210.
  • some additional length of cable, rope or chain 230 should be present in each segment (i.e., between the seaweed platform 220 and the surface platform 210, and between the seaweed platform 220 and the anchor 250), for example an additional length of at least 25-50% (e.g., 100%, or any value or range of values > 25%) of the depth of the water 202 at the location of the surface platform 210.
  • the first weight 232 is generally located along the cable or rope 230 within 10 m of the seaweed platform 220. In some embodiments, it may be a distance slightly farther away from the seaweed platform 220 than the length of the landing legs 226a-d. For the platform 220 to be horizontal under most current conditions, the platform 220 should have a density close to that of water.
  • the first weight 232 generally has a mass that, when combined with the seaweed platform 220 and the plants / macroalgae thereon, gives the combined first weight 232, seaweed platform 220 and plants / macroalgae a density greater than the surrounding water (i.e., > 1.03 kg/1, such as in the range 1.03-1.20 kg/1).
  • a higher density ensures that the section of the line 230 to the platform 220 from the surface has a steeper slope than the deeper line 230 from the platform 220 to the anchor 250, and may increase the tension on the cable or rope 230, which is beneficial for the cable or rope 230 to avoid tangling with itself or other objects, as well as for a wave-powered profiling tool (for raising and lowering the seaweed platform 220, in place of or in addition to the winch 240).
  • the second weight 234 and the anchor 250 may have a combined mass comparable to that of the first mass 232 (e.g., 0.5-2.0*m, where m is the mass of the first weight 232).
  • the seaweed platform 220 is submerged in a large, natural body of water 202, such as a sea or ocean, at a depth ranging from the surface to 25 m, for example.
  • the body of water 202 may have a depth of at least 50 m at the location of the surface platform 210.
  • the seaweed platform 220 is at a depth of x*H, where x has a value of ⁇ 1, and H is the length of the cable or rope released from the winch.
  • the value of x depends on various factors, such as the current at the depth of the seaweed platform 220, the mass and/or density of the seaweed platform 220, the mass of the first weight 232, any slack in the cable or rope 230, etc.
  • the surface platform 210 is floating on the surface of the body of water 202, and the seaweed platform 220 has aquatic plants or macroalgae (seaweed) growing thereon.
  • the aquatic plants or seaweed may include one or more species or varieties such as Sargassum (e.g., Sargassum fusiforme), Eucheuma (e.g., Eucheuma cottonii or Eucheuma denticulatum, for production of carrageenan or food), Kappaphycus alvarezii, Gracilaria (particularly those species used for production of agar or ogonori), Saccharina (e.g., Saccharina latissima and Saccharina japonica).
  • Sargassum e.g., Sargassum fusiforme
  • Eucheuma e.g., Eucheuma cottonii or Eucheuma denticulatum, for production of carrageenan or food
  • Kappaphycus alvarezii e.g.
  • giant kelp e.g., Macrocystis pyrifera
  • giant brown kelp e.g., Ecklonia maxima
  • the aquatic plants or macroalgae may be grown on the seaweed platform 220 by affixing the plants or macroalgae to the seaweed platform 220, for example by tying the plants or macroalgae to the seaweed platform 220 (e.g., using string or rope), binding the plants or macroalgae to the seaweed platform 220 (e.g., using a polymeric and optionally biodegradable wrap or tape, a zip tie or equivalent binder), etc.
  • the plants or macroalgae are sufficiently large, they can simply be hung on or wrapped around the seaweed platform 220 or a frame thereof or support structure thereon.
  • the plants or macroalgae may be placed in one or more tubenets that are then attached or affixed to the submersible platform 220.
  • Such tubenets are flexible and expandable (e.g., to allow for some of the plant growth), with holes for the macroalgae to grow out through the tubenet and facilitate harvesting of the plants or macroalgae (e.g., by simple removal and optional transportation of the tubenets).
  • the seaweed platform 220 may contain a support (e.g., a mesh, frame or support matrix across the major surface or major opening) to which the plants or macroalgae may be secured or on which the plants or macroalgae may be grown.
  • the support may comprise a plurality of parallel lines or wires, a plurality of radially- distributed lines or wires, or a mesh or grid.
  • the support may comprise a plurality of mesh pieces, each having an area of 10-100 m 2 (e.g., 6 m x 6 m squares), linked or joined together with connecting lines (e.g., rope).
  • connecting lines e.g., rope
  • tubenets or seaweed lines may be employed in those regions.
  • the aquatic plants or macroalgae may be attached, secured, hung, draped or wrapped around the lines or wires of the support similarly to the direct attachment or affixation of the plants or macroalgae to the seaweed platform 220.
  • the apparatus 200 further comprises a motor (not shown in FIGS. 3-4) on the surface platform 210 that operates the winch 240.
  • the motor may drive a corresponding belt that, in turn, drives a wheel operably connected to the central axle or shaft of the winch 240.
  • gearing or a wave-based ratcheting system e.g., the WIREWALKERTM vertical profiling tool, available from Del Mar Oceanographic, San Diego, CA
  • use of a steel cable 230 between the surface platform 210 and the first weight 232 is beneficial.
  • the motor may also have an on-board power and control system and a wireless receiver, for wireless control of the winch 240.
  • Electrically conductive cable (at least in the section of the cable 230 between the surface platform 210 and the seaweed platform 220) is also desirable to convey (e.g., inductively) power and signals to the seaweed platform 220 for telemetry, command, control and actuation (e.g., of the stabilizers 224-225 or tabs thereon).
  • the metal cable can also carry data signals from the seaweed platform 220, or alternatively, an acoustic transmitter (e.g., the transmitter associated with the sensor 425 in FIG. 6) can send acoustic signals from the seaweed platform 220.
  • An exemplary on-board power and control system (not shown) on the surface platform 210 may comprise a green power source, a power controller, a battery, a switch, and a function controller.
  • a green power source may include one or more solar panels, configured to convert sunlight to electrical energy.
  • the green power source may include a wind turbine, OTEC, a wave profile device, wave capture device, or other wave energy device that converts wave energy into electricity.
  • the power controller may be configured to provide electrical energy from the green power source to the battery (for storage) and to the switch and controller for operation of the winch motor and other electrical devices in the apparatus 200 (described elsewhere).
  • the power controller may also be configured to provide electrical energy from the battery to the switch and controller when the green power source is not producing electricity.
  • the switch connects electrical power from the power controller to the winch motor and, if needed, to a brake on the winch 240.
  • the switch may comprise a double pole double throw switch, but the invention is not limited to this type of switch.
  • the switch may be controlled (e.g., opened or closed) by a control signal from the controller.
  • One or more additional switches may be present to control the supply of electrical power to other devices in the apparatus 200, and the additional switches may receive an independent control signal from the controller.
  • An exemplary controller may include a processor or core, a memory, power control circuitry, a receiver/transmitter, a timer, and function logic, and is disclosed in International Pat. Appl. No. PCT/US22/30404 (Attorney Docket No. CF-014-WO), filed May 20, 2022, the relevant portions of which are incorporated herein by reference.
  • the controller may be electrically connected to an antenna (e.g., for receiving and/or transmitting wireless signals; see, e.g., FIG. 7).
  • the processor, memory, receiver/transmitter and antenna are conventional.
  • the processor sends instructions to the other components and/or circuit blocks in the controller over an internal bus, which may comprise one or more serial and/or parallel buses, a plurality of single bit and/or multi-bit buses, a plurality of bidirectional and/or unidirectional busses, a central bus, and/or a plurality of dedicated buses (e.g., between two individual components or circuit blocks).
  • an internal bus which may comprise one or more serial and/or parallel buses, a plurality of single bit and/or multi-bit buses, a plurality of bidirectional and/or unidirectional busses, a central bus, and/or a plurality of dedicated buses (e.g., between two individual components or circuit blocks).
  • the memory receives, records, stores and/or provides data, usually in response to one or more instructions from the processor / core.
  • the memory may store programming and/or instructions for the processor / core and/or the function logic, data from and/or threshold values for optional weather detection and/or motion detection sensors and circuitry, etc.
  • the power control circuitry may receive power from an external source (e.g., a battery) and may be externally connected to a ground potential.
  • the power control circuitry may provide power to the other circuit blocks over power supply lines or wires.
  • the power control circuitry may also connect the external ground potential to a ground plane in the controller, wired similarly to the power supply lines.
  • the power control circuitry powers down some or all circuit blocks on the controller.
  • the power control circuitry may disconnect the external power from one or more of the processor / core, the memory, the function logic, and/or the optional weather detection and motion detection sensors and circuitry. Power may be provided to the receiver/transmitter and/or the timer, except for extreme circumstances, such as a lack of external power, weather and/or motion conditions that put the winch 240 and/or motor at risk of being submerged, etc.
  • the timer is conventional, and is configured to provide a timing signal to the circuit blocks in the controller that can function in response to the timing signal (e.g., the processor / core, the memory, the receiver/transmitter, and/or the function logic).
  • Either the timer or the function logic may include real-time clock logic that provides a real-time clock function (e.g., for controlling the start and optionally the end of the time periods when the winch motor takes in or lets out the cable or rope 230).
  • the function logic may be programmed to operate the motor, raise or lower the cable or rope 230 using the winch 240 by predetermined amounts at predetermined times.
  • the function logic may be programmed to raise the seaweed platform 220 to a relatively shallow depth (e.g., 0.5-25 m) at a time from shortly before, at or after sunrise (e.g., sunrise, plus/minus 10 minutes), and lower the seaweed platform 220 to a relatively deep depth (e.g., to the sea floor) at a time from shortly before, at or after sunset (e.g., sunset, plus/minus 10 minutes).
  • a relatively shallow depth e.g., 0.5-25 m
  • sunrise e.g., sunrise, plus/minus 10 minutes
  • a relatively deep depth e.g., to the sea floor
  • the function logic can also be programmed to instruct the motor in which direction to operate (e.g., a first direction to pull in the cable or rope 230 and raise the seaweed platform 220, or a second, opposite direction to let out the cable or rope 230 and lower the seaweed platform 220).
  • direction to operate e.g., a first direction to pull in the cable or rope 230 and raise the seaweed platform 220, or a second, opposite direction to let out the cable or rope 230 and lower the seaweed platform 220.
  • the optional weather detection and motion detection circuitry may receive sensor data from corresponding weather and motion sensors, respectively.
  • the weather sensor(s) may include a temperature sensor, a light sensor, a precipitation sensor, a wind sensor, etc. Data from one or more of the weather sensors may be compared to one or more corresponding threshold values in the weather detection circuitry, and the function logic may provide a signal (or “flag”) to the processor / core to modify the instructions, execute different instructions, or send a different instruction to the motor or other circuit block on the controller (e.g., power control circuitry) depending on the weather event.
  • the controller e.g., power control circuitry
  • the light sensor detects an amount of daylight below a first threshold intensity (e.g., 20% of the average daylight intensity for that geographic location on a cloudless day at noon on the winter solstice) or above a second threshold intensity (e.g., 80% of the average daylight intensity for that geographic location on a cloudless day at noon on the summer solstice), the precipitation sensor senses the presence of precipitation, and/or the wind sensor senses a wind speed above a first threshold (e.g., 15 m/sec) or a second threshold (e.g., 25 m/sec), the weather detection logic can send a signal to the processor / core that a weather excursion is occurring, indicating that it may not be safe to bring or keep the seaweed platform 220 near the surface of the water 202.
  • a first threshold temperature e.g., 0°
  • a second threshold temperature e.g. 40°
  • the light sensor detects an amount of daylight below a first threshold intensity (e.g., 20% of the average daylight
  • the processor / core may instruct the motor to pull in or let out a length of the cable or rope 230 sufficient to raise or lower the seaweed platform 220 to a depth of, e.g., 25-100 m below the surface of the water 202.
  • the surface platform 210 may include a light sensor and light detector that responds to a threshold light level (e.g., 5% of the average daylight intensity for that geographic location on a cloudless day at noon, on essentially any day or time period), or a timer that is triggered at predetermined times of day (i.e., known times of sunrise and sunset) to cause the controller to send a command to the motor to raise the seaweed platform 220 shortly before or when it is light (i.e., at sunrise) and lower the seaweed platform 220 before, during or after sunset, to gain nutrients in lower-lying waters at night.
  • a threshold light level e.g., 5% of the average daylight intensity for that geographic location on a cloudless day at noon, on essentially any day or time period
  • a timer that is triggered at predetermined times of day (i.e., known times of sunrise and sunset) to cause the controller to send a command to the motor to raise the seaweed platform 220 shortly before or when it is light (i.e., at sunrise
  • the light sensor may comprise an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, configured to receive one or more analog inputs from the solar panel(s) and provide a digital output to the light detector and/or function logic for comparison with one or more predetermined thresholds.
  • A/D analog-to-digital
  • the motion detection circuit may receive a signal from a conventional motion sensor that the surface platform 210 is moving (e.g., up and down on waves in the water 202) above a predetermined threshold distance or at a rate greater than a predetermined threshold velocity (e.g., > 1 m/s laterally, due to current), and the logic and/or circuitry in the motion detection circuit may send a signal to the processor / core that a motion excursion is occurring, indicating that it may not be safe to bring or keep the seaweed platform 220 near the water surface, or that action should be taken to prevent the apparatus 200 from drifting too far away from its designated location.
  • a predetermined threshold distance e.g., > 1 m/s laterally, due to current
  • the controller may send a control signal to the switch that, in a first state, closes the switch when power is to be provided to the winch motor to raise or lower the cable or rope 230, as described herein.
  • the switch control signal opens the switch when power is to be disconnected from the winch motor (e.g., when the cable or rope 230 is to be maintained at a certain length, during an emergency or bad weather, etc.).
  • the controller sends a control signal to the brake that, in a first state, activates or applies the brake (e.g., in an emergency or bad weather), and in a second state, deactivates or disengages the brake (e.g., under normal operating conditions).
  • the brake may comprise a so-called “deadman’s brake” (e.g., in which the brake is applied when power is disconnected from the motor of the winch 240, or when power is connected and the cable or rope 230 releases freely or the motor no longer controls the amount of the cable or rope 230 let out or pulled in).
  • a so-called “deadman’s brake” e.g., in which the brake is applied when power is disconnected from the motor of the winch 240, or when power is connected and the cable or rope 230 releases freely or the motor no longer controls the amount of the cable or rope 230 let out or pulled in).
  • An automated version of the apparatus 200 can conduct an exemplary cyclic and/or continuous method of growing aquatic plants and/or macroalgae at varying depths in the water 202, sometimes known as “deep cycling.” Such a method is disclosed and described in International Pat. Appl. No. PCT/US22/30404 (Attorney Docket No. CF-014-WO), filed May 20, 2022, the relevant portions of which are incorporated herein by reference. For example or for convenience, the method may start when the light detector or the function logic indicates whether the ambient or environmental light exceeds a predetermined threshold amount or intensity of light corresponding to a typical sunrise. At this point, the seaweed platform 220 is typically at a lower position (FIG.
  • the function logic may receive a digital input signal from an A/D converter (which in turn receives an analog signal from one or more solar panels corresponding to the amount or intensity of ambient or environmental light) in a comparator for such determination.
  • the plants or macroalgae When there are conditions that are dangerous for aquatic plants or macroalgae (or for other vessels on the water 202), the plants or macroalgae may be brought to an intermediate position (e.g., an intermediate depth or level, such as a depth of 25- 100 m), where the water is safer for the plants or macroalgae, and where they will still receive enough sunlight to survive. For example, it is known that certain species of macroalgae can suffer and even begin to die if they do not receive a sufficient amount of sunlight within a 24- hour period.
  • the method may periodically or continuously re-determine whether the dangerous or hazardous conditions still exist. If so, the plants or macroalgae may remain at the intermediate position, and if not, the seaweed platform 220 may be raised to the upper position.
  • the seaweed platform 220 is lowered to the lower position (e.g., a lowermost depth or level, such as a depth of 100-1000 m), thereby closing the loop or cycle of the method.
  • the method may count a predetermined number of times (e.g., 2 or 3) that the sunset threshold is crossed before returning the seaweed platform 220 to the lower position.
  • FIG. 5 shows an exemplary multi-ring apparatus/structure 300 for growing aquatic plants and/or macroalgae on a submersible platform 320 on an even larger scale.
  • the multi-ring platform 320 as shown has 3 concentric rings 322a-c, but the number of rings can be 2, 4, or any other integer of 2 or more.
  • the inner ring 322a is joined to a center ring 321 (or other central fastening or anchoring mechanism) by a plurality of (e.g., 3 or more) connecting lines 323, which may comprise ropes or wires.
  • the middle ring 323b is joined to the inner ring 322a by a second plurality of (e.g., 4 or more) connecting lines 323, and the outer ring 322c is joined to the middle ring 322b by a third plurality of (e.g., 6 or more) connecting lines 323.
  • the connecting lines 323 mechanically support the seaweed, in which case there may be many connecting lines 323, spaced apart from each other by 30-100 cm (e.g., along the smaller of the rings 322 joined by the connecting lines 323).
  • the inner ring 322a may support the seaweed using a mesh secured to the inner ring 322a.
  • the inner ring 322a may have a diameter of 1-10 m, or any diameter or range of diameters therein.
  • Middle rings 322b (if present) may have a diameter of 6-25 m, or any diameter or range of diameters therein.
  • the outer ring 322c may have a diameter of 10-50 m, or any diameter or range of diameters therein.
  • the cable or rope (e.g., the mooring line) 330 may be linked to the inner ring 322a of the seaweed platform 320 to facilitate maintenance of the horizontal stability/orientation of the seaweed platform 320.
  • the buoy 310 on the surface of the water 302 has dimensions and other properties to support a motorized winch 340 that releases and retracts the cable / rope 330 attached to the multi-ring seaweed platform 320 and to the anchor or sea anchor 350.
  • the stabilizer(s) 324-325 are connected to the outer ring 322c as discussed herein.
  • the first and second weights 332 and 334 are as discussed herein.
  • a sea anchor may be used in place of a grounded anchor, chain or weight, especially in the case of deeper water 302 that may be deeper than the length of the mooring line 330.
  • a hydrofoil (not shown, but similar to the horizontal stabilizer 324; see, e.g., FIG. 4 of International Pat. Appl. No. PCT/US22/30404, filed May 20, 2022, and the description thereof, the relevant portions of which are incorporated herein by reference) may be affixed to the platform 320 to enable underwater “sailing,” which can be applied to the shear between the mixed layer and the deeper layer of water 302.
  • FIG. 6 shows an exemplary apparatus 400 for growing aquatic plants that automatically adjusts its depth, in accordance with the water temperature (or changes therein), the current (e.g., the direction and/or speed of the current, or changes therein) in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.
  • the sensor 425 (which advantageously includes or is in electrical communication with a transmitter, not shown) informs the CPU 442 of the water temperature at the seaweed platform 420 through a receiver 444.
  • the transmitter may transmit temperature information to the CPU 442 at a regular or predetermined frequency (e.g., from 10 times/minute to 2 times/hour, or any frequency or range of frequencies therein).
  • the CPU 442 instructs the winch 440 to let out or release cable or rope 430 until the sensor 425 reports a water temperature that matches the target temperature or is in the target temperature range.
  • the CPU 442 instructs the winch 440 to pull in or retract the cable or rope 430 until the sensor 425 reports a water temperature that matches the target temperature or is in the target temperature range.
  • the target temperature e.g., x - 1°C
  • the sensor 425 may determine the direction and/or speed of the current in the water 402 at the location of the seaweed platform 420, and the transmitter associated with the sensor 425 may transmit such direction and speed information to the CPU 442 (through the receiver 444).
  • the cable or rope 430 can be pulled in or let out to reposition the submersible platform 420, and optionally, the surface platform 410 in a safer or more desired location.
  • tidal changes can cause changes in the currents at different depths, and when the current at the seaweed platform 420 changes, the depth of the seaweed platform 420 can be changed to maintain its location (relative to the surface of the water 402) near its position at the time of the current change, assuming that position is a desired or target position.
  • the CPU 442, the transmitter associated with the sensor 425, and the receiver 444 may be as described herein.
  • the transmitter transmits an acoustic or other signal to the receiver 444 in electrical communication with the CPU 442.
  • Both the transmitter and the receiver 444 may comprise a Bluetooth arduino module or other circuit configured for wireless or acoustic signal transmission and/or reception.
  • the CPU 442 may control a servo motor on the winch 440 to let out or pull in the cable or rope 430.
  • Other embodiments comprise inductive coupling to a metallic cable joining the submersible seaweed platform 420 to the surface platform 410.
  • Such a communication medium is affordable and reliable, and may provide a potentially longer range of communication than acoustic signal transmission. Even with a single wire, the return current through the ocean is sufficient to couple an inductive signal, even when there is not enough power to power actuation (movement) of the submerged platform 420.
  • the ring in the seaweed platform 420 may form a bend or “kink” upon application of sufficient stress at a particular point or location in the ring.
  • PE/PP is three times stronger in tension than in compression.
  • a kink in the structure is usually caused by excessive compressive stress.
  • the ring may have a hollow interior space that remains filled with water (e.g., pressurized water) to increase the compressive and/or tensile strength of the ring.
  • the buoyancy of the submersible platform 520 may be compensated by a combination of a weight 532 and one or more (preferably two or more) submersible floats 524a-b, and an alternative stabilizer in accordance with the invention may comprise the weight 532, the floats 524a-b, and rigging lines 525a-b.
  • the net weight and drag of the submersible seaweed structure 520 determines the angle a between the lower and upper parts or portions of the mooring line 530.
  • This architecture is applicable to surface platforms 510 having either a seafloor anchor or a sea anchor 550.
  • the weight of the anchor 550 ensures that there is sufficient ballast for the submersible seaweed platform 520 to sink in low current conditions.
  • the floats 524a-b should be able to handle pressures of 10 atmospheres and greater without collapsing or substantially losing buoyancy, and are intended to compensate for any negative buoyancy associated with the sea surface platform 510, but not compensate fully for the magnitude of the weight.
  • the extension and tightness of the platform rigging lines 525a-b determine the zero current angle that the submersible seaweed platform 520 experiences under zero current.
  • the sine of the angle 0 between the weight line 535 and a vertical line from the water surface through the mooring line ring 522 determines the portion of the weight 532 that is carried by the floats 524a-b.
  • the drag associated with a submersible seaweed platform 520 will ensure a trailing orientation of the submersible seaweed platform 520 relative to the mooring line 530.
  • the currents in the water 502 at both the surface and the level of the submersible platform 520 are moving from left to right, although such currents do not always move in the same or even a similar direction or magnitude.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Marine Sciences & Fisheries (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Cultivation Of Seaweed (AREA)
  • Hydroponics (AREA)

Abstract

Sont divulgués un appareil de culture de plantes aquatiques et/ou de macroalgues et un procédé d'utilisation. L'appareil comprend une plateforme submersible conçue pour supporter les plantes aquatiques et/ou les macroalgues sur celle-ci, un stabilisateur fixé ou relié à la plateforme submersible, une plateforme de surface conçue pour flotter sur la masse d'eau, et un mécanisme sur la plateforme de surface tel qu'un treuil auquel est fixée la plateforme submersible, conçu pour élever et abaisser la plateforme submersible dans la masse d'eau. Le stabilisateur est conçu pour maintenir la plateforme submersible dans une orientation sensiblement horizontale lorsqu'elle est immergée dans une masse d'eau. Le procédé élève et abaisse la plateforme submersible dans la masse d'eau, en fonction de la quantité de lumière solaire et éventuellement des conditions météorologiques et/ou maritimes, et stabilise la plateforme submersible dans la masse d'eau à chaque fois qu'elle est élevée ou abaissée.
PCT/US2023/065085 2022-04-04 2023-03-29 Procédé et appareil de culture de plantes marines et de macroalgues WO2023196750A2 (fr)

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US63/327,001 2022-04-04

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4342277A (en) * 1980-01-07 1982-08-03 Builders Concrete, Inc. Anchoring system for floating moorage
US6481378B1 (en) * 2000-09-11 2002-11-19 Fishfarm Tech Ltd. Fish farming system and method
ES2197837B1 (es) * 2002-06-28 2005-04-01 Andres Quinta Cortiñas Vivero sumergible perfeccionado.
DE102004010652B4 (de) * 2004-02-29 2006-07-27 Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut Für Polar- Und Meeresforschung Trägervorrichtung zur Kultur von Makroorganismen in marinen Gewässern
GB201418624D0 (en) * 2014-10-20 2014-12-03 Seafarm Products As Method and apparatus for aquaculture feeding
DK3033936T3 (en) * 2014-12-15 2017-09-04 Norwegian Innovation Tech Group As Underwater harvesting system
CN204837559U (zh) * 2015-07-22 2015-12-09 中国海洋大学 一种单体牡蛎外海深水养殖装置
CN105165592B (zh) * 2015-10-16 2017-11-10 浙江大学 大型藻类养殖装置
AU2017202060A1 (en) * 2016-05-18 2017-12-07 Aks Industries Australia Pty Ltd Liquid mixing apparatus

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