Abstract: A desalination unit processes saltwater feedstock (e.g., seawater) to generate freshwater (i.e., water suitable for human consumption, irrigation, or industrial uses) and a high-salt brine stream. An optional pretreatment unit removes contaminants from the saltwater feedstock before desalination. An electrochemical reactor converts the brine stream into a reduced-salt stream having a salt content lower than the saltwater feedstock by converting salt molecules contained in the brine stream into acid molecules contained in an acid product stream and base molecules contained in a base product stream. A mixing device combines the reduced-salt stream with the saltwater feedstock before the resulting mixture solution is delivered to the desalination unit for desalination.

Abstract: A release apparatus for receiving an ocean alkalinity product from an Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) system (or other alkalinity source), and for releasing the alkalinity into an ocean at a maximum safe delivery rate to facilitate atmospheric CO2 reduction and mitigate ocean acidification. The release apparatus includes a diffuser having a plenum chamber defining exit ports, a flow control mechanism that controls delivery of the ocean alkalinity product through the exit port(s) into an outfall region (i.e., an ocean region surrounding the diffuser), sensors for measuring seawater parameters in the outfall region, and a controller configured to control an operating (actuation) state of the flow control device (e.g., by way of generating and transmitting a flow control signal) in accordance with the measured seawater parameters. The plenum chamber is anchored at an outfall location and is maintained at a constant depth with the exit ports aimed toward the ocean surface.

Abstract: A release apparatus for receiving an ocean alkalinity product from an Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) system (or other alkalinity source), and for releasing the alkalinity into an ocean at a maximum safe delivery rate to facilitate atmospheric CO2 reduction and mitigate ocean acidification. The release apparatus includes a diffuser having a plenum chamber defining exit ports, a flow control mechanism that controls delivery of the ocean alkalinity product through the exit port(s) into an outfall region (i.e., an ocean region surrounding the diffuser), sensors for measuring seawater parameters in the outfall region, and a controller configured to control an operating (actuation) state of the flow control device (e.g., by way of generating and transmitting a flow control signal) in accordance with the measured seawater parameters). The plenum chamber is anchored at an outfall location and is maintained at a constant depth with the exit ports aimed toward the ocean surface.

Abstract: A system utilizes an electrochemical reactor to convert salt into acid and base products. The salt is sourced from seawater, brine or another aqueous salt feedstock solution that typically also includes divalent ions. A small (slipstream) portion of the base product generated by the electrochemical reactor is fed back to a chemical precipitator where it is utilized to increase a pH level of the aqueous salt feedstock solution above a precipitation level of at least some the divalent ions, thereby causing precipitation of the divalent ions into insoluble solids. The insoluble solids are then filtered or otherwise separated/removed from the remaining supernatant solution (i.e., the aqueous salt/base solution formed by a mixture of the residual aqueous salt feedstock solution and base product). The supernatant solution is then supplied to the electrochemical reactor for conversion of its salt into additional acid and base product.

Abstract: An ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) system that reduces atmospheric CO2 and mitigates ocean acidification by electrochemically processing feedstock solution (e.g., seawater or brine) to generate an alkalinity product that is then supplied to the ocean. The OAE system includes a base-generating device and a control circuit disposed within a modular system housing deployed near a salt feedstock. The base-generating device (e.g., a bipolar electrodialysis (BPED) system) generates a base substance that is then tested and processed (e.g., mixed/diluted with processed feedstock solution, seawater or another saltwater solution and/or reacted with CO2) to generate the ocean alkalinity product. The control circuit controls the base-generating device such that the alkalinity product is supplied to the ocean only when supplying the alkalinity product will not endanger sea life.

Abstract: An acid substance (e.g., HCl) generated as the byproduct of an ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) process is neutralized using an in-situ acid neutralization subsystem by forcing the acid byproduct through an alkaline formation such that the acid substance is neutralized through interaction with alkaline rocks as the acid byproduct flows from an injection well to a recovery well. A flow rate of acid substance through the rock formation is optimized to (a) maximize the amount of neutralized acid substance, and (b) minimize the amount of residual acid substance at the recovery well. The acid flow rate is adjusted by mixing the acid byproduct with a buffer and/or by a flow control device. Acid neutralization and CO2 capture are combined by forcing CO2 through the alkaline formation to react with divalent ions generated by the acid neutralization process, thereby mineralizing the CO2 in the form of carbonate rocks (e.g., limestone or dolostone).

Abstract: An acid substance (e.g., HCl) generated as the byproduct of an ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) process is neutralized using an in-situ acid neutralization subsystem by forcing the acid byproduct through an alkaline formation such that the acid substance is neutralized through interaction with alkaline rocks as the acid byproduct flows from an injection well to a recovery well. A flow rate of acid substance through rock formation is optimized to (a) maximize the amount of neutralized acid substance, and (b) minimize the amount of residual acid substance at the recovery well. The acid flow rate is adjusted by mixing the acid byproduct with a buffer and/or by a flow control device. Acid neutralization and CO2 capture are combined by forcing CO2 through the alkaline formation to react with divalent ions generated by the acid neutralization process, thereby mineralizing the CO2 in the form of carbonate rocks (e.g., limestone or dolostone).

Abstract: Acid byproduct from an OAE system is mixed with an aqueous alkaline fluid under conditions that maintain the mixture at or above a target pH level at which the rate of acid neutralization is maximized and the release of CO2 into the atmosphere is prevented. A neutralization controller utilizes sensor data to monitor the mixture's pH level and to control the rate at which acid byproduct is added (e.g., by a dosing pump) to the mixture. A reaction tank and an optional circulation line and in-line mixer are utilized to perform the mixing process. An optional agitator mechanism is provided to stir the mixture in the reaction tank, and to optionally move sensors and/or injectors along circular paths through the mixture. Optional fixed sensors and/or injectors are located in designated spaced-apart regions inside the reaction tank. The mixture is treated using optional flocculation and grit processing systems/devices.

Abstract: A production efficiency optimization method systematically modifies selected control parameters that determine the operating state of a bipolar electrodialysis device (BPED) while performing an electrochemical process. A first production efficiency level is measured when the BPED is in a first operating state, then a selected control parameter (e.g., ion exchange stack current level) is incrementally modified (increased or decreased) to switch the BPED into a second operating state, and then a second production efficiency level is measured. A comparison between the first and second production efficiency levels is utilized to determine the direction (increase or decrease) of a subsequent incremental modification of the selected control parameter such that BPED production efficiency is systematically improved. When a maximum production efficiency level is detected using modifications to the first control parameter, the systematic modification process is repeated using a second control parameter (e.g.

Abstract: An acid substance (e.g., HCl) generated as the byproduct of an ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) process is neutralized using an in-situ acid neutralization subsystem by forcing the acid byproduct through an alkaline formation such that the acid substance is neutralized through interaction with alkaline rocks as the acid byproduct flows from an injection well to a recovery well. A flow rate of acid substance through rock formation is optimized to (a) maximize the amount of neutralized acid substance, and (b) minimize the amount of residual acid substance at the recovery well. The acid flow rate is adjusted by mixing the acid byproduct with a buffer and/or by a flow control device. Acid neutralization and CO2 capture are combined by forcing CO2 through the alkaline formation to react with divalent ions generated by the acid neutralization process, thereby mineralizing the CO2 in the form of carbonate rocks (e.g., limestone or dolostone).

Abstract: Acid byproduct from an OAE system is mixed with an aqueous alkaline fluid under conditions that maintain the mixture at or above a target pH level at which the rate of acid neutralization is maximized and the release of CO2 into the atmosphere is prevented. A neutralization controller utilizes sensor data to monitor the mixture's pH level and to control the rate at which acid byproduct is added (e.g., by a dosing pump) to the mixture. A reaction tank and an optional circulation line and in-line mixer are utilized to perform the mixing process. An optional agitator mechanism is provided to stir the mixture in the reaction tank, and to optionally move sensors and/or injectors along circular paths through the mixture. Optional fixed sensors and/or injectors are located in designated spaced-apart regions inside the reaction tank. The mixture is treated using optional flocculation and grit processing systems/devices.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods herein relate to cooling a head of a patient. These systems and methods may comprise a cooling cap assembly comprising a heat exchanger configured to be wrapped around a head of a patient and a compression assembly releasably coupled to the heat exchanger. The compression assembly may comprise an enclosure and an inflatable member coupled to an internal surface of the enclosure. When coupled, the inflatable member may be positioned between the enclosure and the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may be separate from and moveable relative to the inflatable member.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods herein relate to cooling a head of a patient. These systems and methods may comprise a cooling cap assembly comprising a heat exchanger configured to be wrapped around a head of a patient and a compression assembly releasably coupled to the heat exchanger. The compression assembly may comprise an enclosure and an inflatable member coupled to an internal surface of the enclosure. When coupled, the inflatable member may be positioned between the enclosure and the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may be separate from and moveable relative to the inflatable member.

Abstract: An ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) system that reduces atmospheric CO2 and mitigates ocean acidification by electrochemically processing feedstock solution (e.g., seawater or brine) to generate an alkalinity product that is then supplied to the ocean. The OAE system includes a base-generating device and a control circuit disposed within a modular system housing deployed near a salt feedstock. The base-generating device (e.g., a bipolar electrodialysis (BPED) system) generates a base substance that is then used to generate the ocean alkalinity product. The control circuit controls the base-generating device such that the alkalinity product is supplied to the ocean only when (1) sufficient low/zero-carbon electricity is available, (2) it is safe to operate the base-generating device, and (3) supplying the alkalinity product will not endanger sea life.

Abstract: MRV for an ocean CDR system is achieved by varying the release/delivery of base substance into ocean seawater such that the base substance propagates as a series of release batch wavefronts along a dispersion path. A release frequency, which controls a timing of the release batch wavefronts, is selected to coincide with a non-natural frequency (e.g., a frequency exhibiting quiet/weak power spectra in a natural seawater chemistry variation power spectrum). Time-based seawater carbonate chemistry measurement data, which is collected by ocean-based sensors disposed in the base substance's dispersion path during base substance release, records both human-induced contributions caused by the release batch wavefronts and natural seawater chemistry variations.

Abstract: Non-standard, resin-infused fiber bundle includes localized regions of fibers having a sub-nominal amount of polymer resin positioned along its length. These regions function as “bending regions,” where the non-standard resin-infused fiber bundle can be readily deformed by virtue of the reduced amount of resin. The bending regions segregate the non-standard resin-infused fiber bundle into what is, effectively, discrete (smaller) segments of (standard) resin-infused fiber bundle. The ability to easily manipulate the non-standard, resin-infused fiber bundle via the bending regions is useful for creating fiber-bundle-based preforms, and preform charges (assemblages of fiber-bundle-based preforms).

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods herein relate to cooling a head of a patient. These systems and methods may comprise a cooling cap assembly comprising a heat exchanger configured to be wrapped around a head of a patient and a compression assembly releasably coupled to the heat exchanger. The compression assembly may comprise an enclosure and an inflatable member coupled to an internal surface of the enclosure. When coupled, the inflatable member may be positioned between the enclosure and the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may be separate from and moveable relative to the inflatable member.

Abstract: An ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) system that reduces atmospheric CO2 and mitigates ocean acidification by electrochemically processing feedstock solution (e.g., seawater or brine) to generate an alkalinity product that is then supplied to the ocean. The OAE system includes a base-generating device and a control circuit disposed within a modular system housing deployed near a salt feedstock. The base-generating device (e.g., a bipolar electrodialysis (BPED) system) generates a base substance that is then used to generate the ocean alkalinity product. The control circuit controls the base-generating device such that the alkalinity product is supplied to the ocean only when (1) sufficient low/zero-carbon electricity is available, (2) it is safe to operate the base-generating device, and (3) supplying the alkalinity product will not endanger sea life.