DIRECT AIR CAPTURE BY ARTIFICIAL TREES

The world has gone through several drastic changes in the last few decades. An increase in industries, vehicles, and a decrease in the forest area has led to a greater increase in Green House gases. This results in the heating of our planet. Though there are several pollutants present in our atmosphere, the most common and primary contaminant is Carbon Dioxide. This colorless, odorless gas is liberated into the atmosphere constantly by every living organism during their metabolic processes. Also, the primary gas found in the pollutants emitted by industries is Carbon dioxide. The Drastic climatic change is mainly because of a rise in levels of Carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide becomes a matter of concern when it reaches over 600 ppm (parts per million).

CONTENTS

• Hazardous Effects of Carbon Dioxide
• Artificial Tree
• Uses
• Disadvantages
• Conclusion

Artificial trees can be found in the above image along the roadside (Giant white structures)

HAZARDOUS EFFECTS OF CARBON DIOXIDE

The primary things which capture Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere are Trees (Forests, Grasslands, etc.) and Ocean. The process of capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide is called Carbon Sequestration. Trees absorb Carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, the process by which the plants and trees produce food. But the reduction in the forest area and increased deforestation for industrial and personal uses has led to a further increase in Carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere. At present, the concentration of Carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere is rising exponentially and has reached nearly 412 parts per million (ppm). The increase in Carbon dioxide will also lead to the melting of glaciers which can cause a greater rise in sea level, thus leading the ocean to cover up a few coastal areas.

ARTIFICIAL TREE

So, there is an immediate need to capture this excess Carbon dioxide. Planting a tree is not a single-day job. We should take care from planting the seeds, watering them daily, nurturing them with fertilizers and pesticides at early stages till it grows as an enormous tree. Scientists from all over the world are developing several projects to capture excess Carbon dioxide. But the idea provided by Lackner is impressive as it stays closer to the natural process. He developed a structure that can capture carbon dioxide. It was called an “Artificial Tree” as it captures Carbon dioxide to a greater extent than an actual tree. The artificial tree structure does not work on the principle of photosynthesis. It works on absorption. The mechanism is called Direct Air Capture. The Artificial tree mainly comprises an inlet, sorbent (a material to which the Carbon dioxide gets absorbed), a Carbon Dioxide removal site, and a storage reservoir. The air rich in Carbon Dioxide passes through the inlet and stick to the sorbent. Then the sorbent is washed where it releases carbon dioxide in liquid form. Then the sorbent is reused while the Carbon Dioxide is compressed and stored.

USES

The primary use of the artificial tree is the collection of the Carbon dioxide absorbed. We can use liquid Carbon dioxide as fuel. Carbon dioxide also has several uses in food processing industries, Fire extinguishers, etc. with the help of a single Artificial tree, nearly one tonne of Carbon dioxide can be removed per day. Studies also have claimed that they are 1000 times effective than an actual tree.

DISADVANTAGES

The primary disadvantage of all artificial innovations is the Cost factor. The cost of an artificial tree is about $20000. Though it is costly, the innovators claim that it is the same as the cost of a single car and the carbon dioxide captured by the artificial tree can be utilized for other purposes which can yield some money. Another disadvantage is the minor presence of Carbon dioxide in the environment. Carbon dioxide is present only about 0.04% in the atmosphere. So, enormous efforts for capturing this level in the atmosphere is not recommended by several scientists.

Also, though it mimics the carbon-capturing of trees, an artificial tree can never become a real tree. The Trees present in our ecosystem provide shelter for birds, and it holds several living organisms. Birds cannot dwell in an artificial tree because of the presence of electricity and heat.

CONCLUSION

It is better if we capture Carbon dioxide at the places where they are produced than trying to capture it after they release it into the atmosphere. Growing trees will prove to be the best solution for this problem. Industries can adopt the artificial tree mechanism to reduce their carbon emission. Industries should take social responsibility.

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