Systems and methods for collecting and processing permafrost gases, and for cooling permafrost

A system for cooling permafrost, comprising:

• a first heat exchanger having a first elevation and being positioned at a first permafrost region to provide heat to the first permafrost region;
• a second heat exchanger having a second elevation and being positioned at a second permafrost region to receive heat from the second permafrost region, the second heat exchanger being in thermal communication with the first heat exchanger to transfer heat from the second permafrost region to the first permafrost region;
• a phase change device positioned between the first permafrost region and the second permafrost region, the phase change device being positioned at a third elevation greater than the first elevation and greater than the second elevation;
• a first conduit coupled between the first heat exchanger and the phase change device to deliver a heat transfer fluid in gas phase to the phase change device;
• and
• a second conduit coupled between the phase change device and the second heat exchanger to deliver the heat transfer fluid in liquid phase to the second heat exchanger.

A method for cooling permafrost, comprising:

• obtaining a gas from a sacrificial area of a permafrost region;
• dissociating a constituent from the gas in a non-combustive chemical process;
• elevating the constituent in a gas phase from a first elevation to an intermediate elevation higher than the first elevation;
• at the intermediate elevation, changing the phase of the constituent from gas phase to liquid phase;
• under the force of gravity, directing the constituent in liquid phase from the intermediate elevation to a second elevation lower than the intermediate elevation;
• and
• circulating the constituent through a savable area of the permafrost region at the second elevation to cool the savable area.