We need to move away from fossil fuel, in order to reverse the trend towards global warming. Our current escape route is using renewable energy, but we need to be able to store it. To do so, we need certain key battery materials that are minerals we extract from below ground. These resources are not infinite and the process is frequently environmentally irresponsible. Could the answer be to source them from deep in the ocean instead?
Accessing Key Battery Materials Deep In The Ocean
Our source video – see link below – describes a ‘vast underwater desert’ called the Clarion Clipperton Zone. The world’s largest known source of key battery materials have filtered down onto this geological feature, and formed trillions of potato size modules through time immemorial. As we watched the video, we learned of ocean mining plans to collect these modules with minimal disturbance to the environment.
- A jet of water would lift these modules, and channel them into a collector system.
- This would disturb around two inches of seafloor mud that should return to the ocean floor.
- Those mud particles would mostly settle within hundreds of meters from source.
- Although the finest particles could travel half a mile upwards into the clear sea.
- The video did not explain how to contain this pollution within acceptable limits.
Extracting the Potato-Size Nuggets for Processing
The video we link to below, continues by explaining how the nodules, seawater and residual mud would travel upwards on compressed air bubbles through a steel pipe. Once aboard a support vessel, a system would separate the battery minerals from the water and mud. A conventional separation process would follow when the modules were on shore.
Why This Matters to Us as Battery Makers and Users
Our social responsibility demands that we know from where we source the key battery materials that are part of our everyday lives. This information enables us to make rational decisions, that should be in the best interests of the greater society in which we live.
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