Buoyancy-Driven Energy System Powered by Seafloor Methane and Other Gases

Seafloor methane is an abundant resource that can be exploited to produce power. Developing a power system for this application is challenging because suitable oxidizers are not readily available on the seafloor. In response, Creare proposes to develop a Buoyancy-Driven Turboalternator Energy System to produce electric power from seafloor methane without oxidation reactions. This innovative system will direct methane and other gases from the seafloor into a vertical pipe, where the density difference between the gas and the ambient seawater will create a hydrostatic pressure difference suitable for expanding the gas through a small turboalternator into the surrounding seawater. The continuously generated electricity can be used to recharge UUVs, power persistent sensors such as hydrophones, and create seafloor communication nodes. Creare and APL-UW form a strong, complementary team well suited to succeed because we have a long history developing advanced turbomachines and thermodynamic systems for challenging ocean, aerospace, and terrestrial applications. During Phase I, we will demonstrate feasibility by maturing our component and system designs, and generating electric power in a Shallow Water Testing Facility at Creare. During Phase II, we will fabricate and integrate all system components, culminating with a full system demonstration in the Cascadia Margin Seep.