STEP 25 GGS - The Gas Grabbers
Description
Any gas can be captured by using the right size and shape of container, for example Hydrogen can be stored in nanotubes - 1 Hydrogen per 2 Carbon atoms. For many years the Chemical Industry has manufactured ‘molecular sieves’ for this purpose. Traditionally these were made from zeolites – mineral structures with cavities designed to capture gas molecules – and zeolites to capture CO2 are common., in fact the International Space Station uses them to filter cabin air. The STEP GGS concept takes this idea one stage further; here we are using bio-organisms to produce the mineral structures. Called Diatoms, these micro-organisms reproduce rapidly, building their skeletons from silicates in the water. By cross-breeding and selection, it will be possible to evolve a diatom whose skeleton is suitable for CO2 capture under ocean conditions. In a working situation, these organisms would be bred in a mid-ocean tank, and having reached adolescence would be released into the ocean currents at a location where there is traditionally CO2 outgassing during the winter months, for example the northeast Pacific. The program is started during the late summer, when other organisms are dying off, and continues through the winter months spreading out from the launch site as the water cools. Arctic-type zooplankton are encouraged to the feast. After death, the diatom’s skeleton descends slowly through the surface waters, harvesting CO2 and transferring it to greater depths. The Gas Grabbers breeding station would be based on a machine lifting deep ocean water, eg the Ocean Heat Shuffler (ref STEP14 - OHS) anchored to the seabed in a suitable location. The diatoms themselves would be selectively bred with the following characteristics:
Any gas can be captured by using the right size and shape of container, for example Hydrogen can be stored in nanotubes - 1 Hydrogen per 2 Carbon atoms. For many years the Chemical Industry has manufactured ‘molecular sieves’ for this purpose. Traditionally these were made from zeolites – mineral structures with cavities designed to capture gas molecules – and zeolites to capture CO2 are common., in fact the International Space Station uses them to filter cabin air. The STEP GGS concept takes this idea one stage further; here we are using bio-organisms to produce the mineral structures. Called Diatoms, these micro-organisms reproduce rapidly, building their skeletons from silicates in the water. By cross-breeding and selection, it will be possible to evolve a diatom whose skeleton is suitable for CO2 capture under ocean conditions. In a working situation, these organisms would be bred in a mid-ocean tank, and having reached adolescence would be released into the ocean currents at a location where there is traditionally CO2 outgassing during the winter months, for example the northeast Pacific. The program is started during the late summer, when other organisms are dying off, and continues through the winter months spreading out from the launch site as the water cools. Arctic-type zooplankton are encouraged to the feast. After death, the diatom’s skeleton descends slowly through the surface waters, harvesting CO2 and transferring it to greater depths. The Gas Grabbers breeding station would be based on a machine lifting deep ocean water, eg the Ocean Heat Shuffler (ref STEP14 - OHS) anchored to the seabed in a suitable location. The diatoms themselves would be selectively bred with the following characteristics:
- Ability to tolerate cold water (OHS upflow water is at about 2ºC)
- Die off in hot (summer temperature) water
- Neutral buoyancy, to float until eaten and/or filled with CO2
- Suitably sized/shaped nano-pockets for CO2 capture
The Gas Grabbers breeding station is anchored to the seabed in a suitable location. It is envisaged that without a favoured breeding ground, the diatoms would be unable to propagate.