Abstract: A gas separation and utilization method includes the steps of: (a) providing an ascending flow of a liquid containing carbon dioxide gas and methane gas; (b) extracting at least a fraction of the methane gas from the liquid to provide a methane enriched gas; (c) extracting at least a fraction of the carbon dioxide gas from the liquid to provide a carbon dioxide enriched gas, which is extracted from the ascending flow of the liquid downstream of the methane enriched gas; (d) collecting the methane enriched gas; (e) feeding the carbon dioxide enriched gas as a fuel into an oxyfuel power generation system; (f) generating power from the oxyfuel power generation system; and (g) expelling an exhaust from the oxyfuel power generation system, wherein the exhaust comprises carbon dioxide and water vapor. A system configured to perform the method and a grid balancing method using the system are also disclosed.

Abstract: Lake Kivu contains ˜50 million tonnes (MT) dissolved biomethane. Efficient use is problematic from massive associated CO2: ˜600 MT. Conventional extraction scrubs CO2 with ˜50% overall CH4 loss, and returns ˜80% CO2 into the deep lake, preserving a catastrophe hazard threatening >2 M people. Methods and systems are disclosed coupling: (1) efficient CH4+CO2 degassing; (2) optional oxyfuel power generation and CO2 power cycle technologies; and (3) CO2 capture, processing, storage and use in a utilization hub. The invention optimally allows power production with >2× improved efficiency plus cryo-energy storage and large-scale greentech industrialization.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for safe, efficient, economically productive, environmentally responsible, extraction and utilization of dissolved gases in deep waters of a rare type of “exploding” lake, where methane (CH4) is accompanied by abundant CO2. CH4 is combusted to generate electricity. CO2 usually is considered a contaminant requiring removal to avoid power loss. Cleaning high CO2 levels from CH4, however, is costly and causes CH4 loss. Venting CO2 is environmentally undesirable. Or, if CO2 is disposed in water flow returned to the deep lake, danger persists. CO2 and CH4 are degassed efficiently together and input into oxy-fuel combustion. Three process outputs are: degassed nutrients-rich water flow, power and CO2+H2O exhaust, all usable for industrially productive purposes. Extracting and using both gases together in an integrated method advances safety, economic productivity and environmental stewardship. Previously, it has not been possible to accomplish these ends together.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for total degassing (CH4+CO2) and density-reducing treatment of dense Lake Kivu deepwater. The invention allows hyper-efficient oxyfuel power generation with return flow water reinjection density-matched at or above ˜150 m without necessity to admix biozone (<80 m) water. This increases the CH4 resource and deflates the gas-rich deepwater layer over time, making Lake Kivu safe against a catastrophe threatening up to 2 million lives. Deepwater from the Main Resource Zone (MRZ, ˜480 m to ˜260 m) is de-densified, then reinjected above the Potential Resource Zone (PRZ, ˜260 m to ˜180 m) within the Intermediate Zone (IZ, ˜180 m to ˜80 m), avoiding wasteful resource dilution of the MRZ or PRZ reserves, and allowing methane extraction from the PRZ and IZ.