2
$\begingroup$

Electrodeposition of dissolved minerals in seawater has been used to make coral reef repairs for quite some time. WOLF H. HILBERTZ patented the process and trademarked the name Biorock. I do not have access to IEEE, so I have only been able to read a small portion of this paper: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/mostRecentIssue.jsp?punumber=9015

https://doi.org/10.1109/OCEANS.2003.178283

The author of the article maintained that this process can build a seawall at a third of the cost of concrete, and it was suitable for building underwater constructions. I have only found references to using this process for repairing coral reefs, but none for construction purposes.

If the lower cost and material strength claims are valid, it would seem that this process would make it dramatically cheaper to build buildings at depth that could be used to make oceanic research facilities.

Is this a feasible approach to build ocean floor facilities for research or commercial purposes? Does the material formed have low enough porosity to be used as a building exterior wall?

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
4
  • $\begingroup$ This may be a better fit for Engineering SE. $\endgroup$
    – Spencer
    Commented Sep 8, 2018 at 14:37
  • $\begingroup$ I deliberated about which site to post in; and decided that this was probably a better fit because earth science researchers who have been involved in coral reef repairs and mitigation of greenhouse gasses were more likely to be familiar with electrodeposition chemistry. The available research suggests that careful management of electrodeposition potentials can result in this process both yielding a carbon sink, and useful minerals besides. If the claims made in the published Hilbert papers are validated, then NOAA could be an agency of the US government that nets income to meet its budget. $\endgroup$
    – steverino
    Commented Sep 8, 2018 at 15:43
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ I do have access to IEEE, but the article you reference is a conference abstract, so the abstract is all there is. $\endgroup$
    – Camilo Rada
    Commented Sep 8, 2018 at 15:55
  • $\begingroup$ Most of what I know came from this article: wolfhilbertz.com/downloads/1979/hilbertz_IEEE_1979.pdf $\endgroup$
    – steverino
    Commented Sep 8, 2018 at 18:29

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1
$\begingroup$

I suspect the answer is no. The reason is that underwater constructions typically are supposed to be air- and water-tight, and to have strength enough to resist pressure differences. Biorock looks like it is naturally porous, so it would not be particularly good at holding water out. While the compression strength is like concrete, you really want to guarantee the solidity if you have humans in it.

Basically, risk and uncertainty is a cost too. It is often worth paying extra to know what a structure can handle. So hence it might just be easier to use underwater concrete, where there is likely far more standardised quality.

(Still, biorock is cool and will presumably in due time be well understood enough to compete with a lot of materials and methods.)

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
1
  • $\begingroup$ Thank you for the response. I was originally only considering feasibility based upon the details of what I read. Reframing feasibility in terms of risk and performance documentation sufficient to address insurance underwriting necessities answers an as yet unasked question as well! $\endgroup$
    – steverino
    Commented Oct 5, 2018 at 17:59

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.