Scaleability. Elegantly simple in design, Atmocean’s systems can be deployed in large arrays across the world’s oceans. Power Supply. Only ocean wave energy is needed for operation once the Atmocean wave-driven upwelling pumps are deployed. A small solar-battery system is on each buoy, powering a satellite link for ocean and functional data (this time-series could add to the scientific knowledge of the oceans). We poll the arrays to find non-functioning pumps which are replaced. Pumping Rate. Assuming 3m diameter pump and wave height of 3m every 10 seconds, nominal pumping rate is 127 cubic meters per minute. Over 30 days, with mixing ratio of 1:20 and thermocline of 10º C, the volume covered is 30m deep by 1,912m square, producing a 0.5º C. decrease in temperature (5%). Nutrient loading will be inverse to the temperature effect. Size, Depth, And Spacing. Each pump will be 2.5 to 3.0 meters diameter and 200 to 300 meters deep. Spacing will be from 1,500 to 2,500 meters, depending on ocean region, expected wave conditions, nutrient and temperature profile, etc. Anchoring In Position. Spacing of adjacent pumps is maintained by tethering one-to-the-next. The tethering is not on the surface (which would interfere with shipping), but rather between the valve units located 200 to 300 meters deep. Deployment. Each pump, with the flexible tube spooled-up on the buoy, is deployed by dropping into the ocean where the heavy valve unit sinks, causing the tube to unspool from the buoy and filling the tube with seawater. When the tube is fully extended, the buoy begins rising and falling on successive waves, operating the valve and forcing deep water up the tube Effects On Ocean Commerce and Fishing. Arrays are deployed outside of known shipping lanes, and the buoys are spaced far enough apart to allow ship passage. There will be more fish, however the pumps could hinder longline fishing, and bottomfishing might be curtailed. The likely net effect is to bring both more control, and more productivity, to ocean fishing. Effects On Recreational Boating And Fishing. The system is far from shoreline, avoiding interference with recreational boaters. Materials Used. Each pump is fabricated from the same materials used in ocean buoys. These materials are non-reactive. Fouling By Barnacles. Since most of the tube, and the valve unit, are below the sunlit zone, little biological growth is expected. Environmental Effects. No pollutants are released. The ocean environment will benefit from the increased biological activity. Effects Of Large Storms. The pumps partly submerge in presence of very large waves, preventing excessive wear and tear. Too Much Pumping Causing Toxic Blooms. Wave action tends to reduce toxic blooms due to mixing different layers of water.
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