Dead Ends & Turned Stones
Dead Ends & Turned Stones — Overview
This section archives research directions that were explored, evaluated, and either eliminated or deferred. These aren't failures — they're decisions. Each entry documents what was investigated, why it was rejected, and under what conditions (if any) it could be revisited.
Why this matters: When a new team member, investor, or AI assistant joins the project and asks "have you considered X?" — this section is the answer. The stone has already been turned. Here's what was underneath.
Status Categories
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Eliminated | Fundamentally incompatible with The Claw's requirements. Would need a complete rethink to revisit. |
| Deprioritized | Could work in theory but is the worst option among alternatives. Only revisit if all other options fail. |
| Deferred | Valid approach, but not for Phase 1. May become relevant in Phase 2+ as the project scales. |
Index
| Direction | Status | One-Line Reason | Decision Doc |
|---|---|---|---|
| InEnTec PEM | Eliminated | No marine experience, refractory-lined, molten glass bath incompatible with ship motion | Processing Tech Selection |
| Blue Diesel | Deprioritized | Burning plastic-derived diesel still emits CO₂ — bad narrative, declining market, no subsidies | Blue Diesel Status |
| Hydrogen Export | Deferred (Phase 2+) | Safety risk (explosive gas on processing vessel), modest revenue vs. infrastructure cost | H₂ Revenue, H₂ Handling |
| Stationary Platform | Eliminated | $220–440M mooring at 4,500m depth, can't follow debris, 60–70% higher CAPEX than mobile ship | Platform Comparison |
| Deep Mooring (4,500m) | Eliminated | Mobile ship eliminates need entirely. Would have been 65% beyond world record depth. | Mooring Status |
How to Add a New Dead End
When a research direction is evaluated and rejected:
1. Create a child node under "Dead Ends & Turned Stones" with the direction name + status 2. Write a short summary document (template below) 3. Cross-reference the decision document in Decision Research that explains the reasoning 4. Add a row to the index table above
Template
# [Direction Name] — [Eliminated/Deprioritized/Deferred]What It Is
One paragraph explaining the concept.Why It Was Rejected
Bullet points with the key reasons.Under What Conditions It Could Be Revisited
Specific triggers that would make this worth reconsidering.Key Research
Links to the detailed analysis documents in the knowledge base.
Archive established March 2026. Updated as new directions are evaluated and decided.