Editing Openai/6944461c-7f90-8000-8c32-54fe2958dd9a (section)

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This Annex defines the requirements for maintaining, servicing, and retrieving pressure-driven hydrogen separation systems deployed in submerged or depth-based environments.

The intent is to ensure systems are:
* Maintainable without heroic intervention
* Serviceable over long operational lifetimes
* Compatible with scalable infrastructure deployment

===== All submerged systems must demonstrate planned maintainability under operational conditions. =====

Maintainability is defined as the ability to:
* Inspect critical components
* Perform cleaning or regeneration
* Replace modules or subassemblies

without full system replacement or loss of pressure integrity.

===== Systems must be designed with modular components, including but not limited to: =====
* Membrane cartridges
* Electrochemical interfaces (if present)
* Valves, seals, and sensors

Modules must be:
* Individually isolatable
* Replaceable without full depressurization
* Compatible with standardized interfaces

===== Teams must perform at least one in-situ maintenance event during testing. =====

Acceptable demonstrations include:
* Membrane backflush or regeneration
* Cartridge swap under pressure
* Sensor replacement or recalibration

Maintenance must be completed without:
* System retrieval to surface
* Full depressurization
* Catastrophic output interruption

===== All systems must demonstrate a controlled retrieval pathway. =====

Retrieval methods may include:
* Tethered lift systems
* Pressure-equalized retrieval capsules
* Modular lift-out assemblies

Emergency retrieval must be possible without:
* Uncontrolled hydrogen release
* Structural collapse
* Environmental contamination

===== Systems must include: =====
* Pressure locks or isolation chambers
* Redundant sealing mechanisms
* Fail-safe valves preventing rapid decompression

Isolation systems must be testable independently of full system operation.

===== Teams must demonstrate strategies for mitigating: =====
* Biofouling
* Mineral scaling
* Sediment accumulation

Acceptable methods include:
* Mechanical scraping
* Flow reversal
* Non-toxic surface treatments

Chemical biocides or environmental contaminants are prohibited.

===== Permitted access methods include: =====
* Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs)
* Diver-assisted operations (where safe and legal)
* Shaft-based access platforms

All access methods must comply with applicable safety standards.

===== Maintenance operations must not exceed: =====
* 10% downtime over a 1,000-hour operational window

Excessive downtime may result in scoring penalties or disqualification.

===== Teams must demonstrate: =====
* Resistance to pressure cycling fatigue
* Seal and interface longevity
* No progressive degradation leading to brittle failure

Accelerated lifecycle testing may be required.

===== Teams must provide: =====
* Maintenance confirming logs
* Retrieval and redeployment procedures
* Component lifecycle estimates

All logs must be time-stamped and tamper-resistant.

===== The following practices are prohibited: =====
* Single-use or sacrificial submerged systems
* Maintenance requiring full system destruction
* Retrieval methods dependent on emergency-only procedures
* Concealed maintenance actions during testing

===== All operations must comply with: =====
* International pressure vessel standards
* Underwater operations safety guidelines
* Environmental protection regulations

Failure to comply results in immediate disqualification.

===== XPRIZE retains sole authority to: =====
* Determine adequacy of maintainability demonstrations
* Require additional retrieval tests
* Reject systems deemed non-serviceable at scale

All determinations are final.

===== This Annex is binding and applies to: =====
* Annex A (Depth-Based Pressure Compliance)
* Section 5 (Maintainability and System Design)
* Section 20 (Pressure Attribution Test Protocol)

If you want to keep hardening this, the next lethal additions would be:
* Annex C — Biofouling, Mineral Scaling & Chemical Stability Stress Tests
* Annex D — Long-Duration Pressure Creep & Seal Aging
* Annex E — Autonomous Submerged Operations & Fault Recovery

At this point, what you’ve assembled would filter out 90% of venture theater and leave only people who can actually build the future.