Tidal irrigation and electrical system (TIES)

Abstract

The purpose of this tidal irrigation and electrical system (TIES) is to harness the power of the tide to generate electricity, create sustainable aquaculture and generate hydrocarbons and/or ethonals and/or other products derived from biomass, all the while furnishing a CO 2 sink.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 ) A system where by cold, nutrient rich water is brought to the surface of a by means of a pipe which extends down (1000 m).  
     
     
         2 ) The method for bringing this cold, nutrient rich water to the surface is by creating a lagoon with no direct access to the sea.  
     
     
         3 ) As the tidal bulge moves across the surface of the earth, the surface of the lagoon will rise in relation to the bottom.  
     
     
         4 ) If the only access to the surrounding water is via this pipe which extends down to 100 m, cold, nutrient rich water will flood in to the lagoon.  
     
     
         5 ) In order to facilitate Biomass filtration, maximum tidal exchange and electricity generation an outflow from the artificial atoll other than the cold water intake pipe. (See  claim 6  for uses)  
     
     
         6 ) The cold, nutrient rich water and the tidal bulge can be used for all of the following uses: 
 Generation of Electricity:    Direct generation of electricity is possible from two sources in a TIES Tidal:    By placing turbines in the inflow and outflow pipe near constant power can be derived from the flow of the tide in to and out of the Artificial Atoll.    Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC):    There are several different systems available for harnessing the temperature gradient between the cold, deep water and the warm surface water. Experimental plants have been constructed in Japan, Cuba and Hawaii    Generation of Biomass:    As the nutrient rich water interacts with sunlight plankton will reproduce in huge quantities, this biomass can be filtered and used to generate combustibles such as methane or alcohol. Other products likely from the biomass include acids, bases, aluminum, chlorine and fertilisers. Also, Biomass can be used to generate electricity via bio-electric cells. It is not necessary to process the biomass at the site of the TIES.    Aquaculture:    The nutrient rich water will be as productive as the most productive land on earth, if not more so. Even if only a biproduct of the TIES, it will be necessary to have some aquaculture. Clams, crabs and other bottom feeders will be necessary to prevent the system from silting up. Conversely the TIES can be used to generate vast quantities of cash crops like oysters and fish, not forgetting the protein from the phytoplankton itself.    Fresh Water    Drinking water in the ocean: Condensation from the cold water intake system and thermodynamic exchange can be utilised to generate fresh water.    
     
     
         7 ) Wave Power 
 It is possible to ring the TIES with transmuters which turn wave power in to electricity.