The SEADOGTM Wave-Pump The SEADOGTM pump captures ocean-wave energy to pump large volumes of seawater, consuming no fuel or electricity and creates no polluting by-products in the process. The pump uses buoyancy to convert wave energy to mechanical energy. The main components of the SEADOGTM pump include a buoyancy chamber, buoyancy block, piston assembly, piston shaft, piston cylinder, and intake and exhaust valves.  When positioned in the water the buoyancy block (filled with air) floats within the buoyancy chamber, moving up and down in relation to the ocean waves and swells. The buoyancy block is connected to the piston shaft which in-turn moves the piston assembly through the piston cylinder. SEADOGTM Pump Applications There are many applications for the SEADOGTM pump from power generation to aquafarming. INRITM is currently developing seawater desalination systems and hydroelectric energy generation. The SEADOGTM Pump in Action       As the buoyancy block moves down in the trough of a wave it draws the piston downward through the piston cylinder.  The downward movement draws water into the piston cylinder through the intake valve filling the piston cylinder chamber. As the next wave lifts the buoyancy block the water is compressed within the piston cylinder and expelled through the exhaust valve. Each cycle of the buoyancy block rising and falling, drawing in and expelling water, is called a stroke. Each stroke of the piston causes the water to be pumped from the piston cylinder in a regular manner. SEADOGTM Pump Performance SEADOGTM pump concept development, design, construction of prototypes and performance validation has been in the works for several years at INRITM. Prototype performance testing has been performed in INRI’sTM internal development lab, in the Texas A&M Offshore Technology Research Center’s wave tank, and most recently, in actual ocean trials conducted off the coast of Freeport, TX. The test results have confirmed that SEADOGTM pump technology can be a viable means of harvesting renewable power from ocean waves. Wave Tank Testing: INRITM was the first company offering a renewable energy solution to lease the Texas A&M University Offshore Technology Research Center, a wave tank facility utilized primarily by the oil and gas industry to test performance of constructs in ocean conditions. The SEADOGTM pump received 3rd party validation of the concept and basic performance and confirming (within 5%) energy recovery results generated in INRI’sTM own internal lab tests. Gulf of Mexico Ocean test:  For the first performance test in actual ocean conditions INRITM built a SEADOGTM pump to match the wave regime in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Freeport, TX.  The pump stands 35 feet high and weighs 17,200 pounds. The ocean trial was very successful, confirming key aspects of fitness, functionality and pumping capacity.  During the gulf trial the SEADOGTM encountered modest waves ranging in height from 6” to 6 feet and consistently pumped 12 – 18 gallons of seawater per minute with a head pressure of approximately 110 to 125 feet. What’s next for the SEADOGTM Pump?   INRITM is currently designing a single, scaled-up version of the SEADOGTM Pump for a one year test off the northern coast of California; in the Humboldt County, Table Bluff area. The region offers a robust wave regime which ranges from 5 to 33 foot waves. SEADOGTM pump deployment in Humboldt County is planned for mid-year 2007 INRITM is also in discussions with various parties about building systems of 14 to 200 SEADOGTM pumps to be deployed for desalination or hydroelectricity facilities, or a combination of both. SEADOGTM Pump Benefits Pump operation requires no fuel or electricity and introduces zero carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The pump is an adaptable device that can be scaled and configured for most of the world’s shorelines. Pump design and construction is simple and utilizes materials that are readily available almost anywhere. Pump manufacturing is well suited for job creation in the region of deployment. The pump device contains no electrical or hydraulic components which can be damaged by seawater and possibly introduce pollutants to the water or air. An installed and operating pump system (array of pumps) will continue to function if one or more pumps are shut down for maintenance. Benefits in Seawater Desalination The pump is capable of delivering high volumes of water at sufficient head pressure to supply water for shoreline desalination facilities. The SEADOGTM pump has the potential to make desalination much less expensive as energy consumption can represent as much as one-third of the operating cost of desalinated water. Benefits in Hydroelectricity Generation Unlike other renewable energy sources SEADOGTM pumps used in hydroelectricity generation can be a base-load (primary) source of power, drawing from the water holding area when it is needed to match demand. Once appropriate approvals are secured a system (array) of SEADOGTM pumps can be deployed very rapidly, with power generation coming on-line in stages. Preliminary data from SEADOGTM pump lab and field studies suggests that SEADOGTM pump system has the potential to be cost competitive with any other form of base-load power generation.