IP Library Granted Patent US 9,394,169
Granted Patent B2
US 9,394,169 · App. 14/149,740 · Granted Jul 19, 2016

Gas hydrate conversion system for harvesting hydrocarbon hydrate deposits

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,394,169
App. No.
14/149,740
Granted
Jul 19, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

In one embodiment, a gas hydrate conversion system is provided comprising a floating factory, an appendage for harvesting a gas hydrate from an oceanic hydrate deposit, and one or more storage tanks. The floating factory comprises one or more heat exchange assemblies, one or more heat pump assemblies and an engine. In another embodiment, a method for harvesting hydrocarbon hydrate deposits is provided, the method comprising providing a gas hydrate conversion system; inducing release of methane from an oceanic hydrate deposit; capturing the methane from a primary methane capture zone and/or a secondary methane capture zone; and converting the methane to hydrogen and carbon.

Claims (13)

1. A method for harvesting hydrocarbon hydrate deposits, the method comprising:

providing a gas hydrate conversion system;

inducing release of methane from an oceanic hydrate deposit;

capturing the methane from a primary methane capture zone and/or a secondary methane capture zone;

converting the methane to hydrogen and carbon; and

delivering solar energy to the oceanic hydrate deposit using a solar energy apparatus including a light conduit, the light conduit having reflective walls to provide high-intensity delivery of the solar energy to the oceanic hydrate deposit.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gas hydrate conversion system includes a furnace adapted to disassociate one mole of methane into two moles of hydrogen and one mole of carbon.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein inducing release of the gas hydrate is accomplished using heated water or solar energy.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein converting the methane to hydrogen and carbon is accomplished by exposing the methane to heat generated by one or more heat exchange assemblies, one or more heat pump assemblies, or by exothermic reactions between extracted hydrogen, methane, steam and oxygen.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising utilizing the hydrogen and carbon for producing durable goods.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sequestering carbon and storing hydrogen for later use.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the sequestered carbon is used to produce durable goods.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the stored hydrogen is used to produce energy.

Assignments (7)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 24, 2019
From: MCALISTER TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
To: PERKINS COIE LLP
Reel/Frame 049846/0329 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 28, 2019
From: MCALISTER TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
To: PERKINS COIE LLP
Reel/Frame 049509/0721 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 29, 2018
From: MCALISTER, ROY EDWARD
To: MCALISTER TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 045763/0233 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 9, 2015
From: ADVANCED GREEN TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.
To: ADVANCED GREEN INNOVATIONS, LLC
Reel/Frame 036827/0530 →
TERMINATION OF LICENSE AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 23, 2015
From: MCALISTER, ROY EDWARD
To: MCALISTER TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 036176/0079 →
AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 14, 2015
From: MCALISTER, ROY E., MR; MCALISTER TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
To: ADVANCED GREEN TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 036103/0923 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 28, 2015
From: MCALISTER, ROY EDWARD
To: MCALISTER TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 034835/0209 →