Transition; water purifying bridge in China by Maja Czesnik

TRANSITION

Water Purifying Bridge in China

MASTER THESIS PROGRAM Architecture and Extreme Environments

Maja Czesnik, 160111 The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts School of Architecture Institute of Architecture and Technology Tutor: Marianne Hansen Thesis, Spring 2017

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Indeed one of the most alarming aspects of the chemical pollution of water is the fact that here - in the river or lake or reservoir, or for that matter in the glass of water served at your dinner table - are mingled chemicals that no responsible chemist would think of combining in his laboratory.â&#x20AC;? Carlson Rachel, Silent Spring [1]

0.1. Lanzhou, China, November 2016

CONTENTS

PROLOGUE

Introduction ............................. 08 Preface ....................................... 09 Lanzhou ......................................... 16 Yellow River Pollution .............. 17

CONTEXT & RESEARCH

Consequences ............................... 19 Water Purification ...................... 22 China Policy.................................... 24 Graphene Coated Sand ............ 26 Proposal Site .................................. 28

PROGRAM

Vision ............................................... 38 Water Purifying Strategy........ 42 Functions and Areas................ 43 UN Global Goals......................... 44 Working Methods ....................... 50

METHODS

APPENDICES

Scope and Submission .............. 51 Nano-Filter...................................... 52

Graphene Coated Sand.........

Water Pollution ......................... 66 Stakeholders Needs................

Image Source................................. 69 Bibliography .................................. 70 Resume ............................................ 72

PROLOGUE I

Introduction

This master project is situated within the study unit: Architecture and Extreme Environments at The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts: Schools of Architecture, Design and Conservation, based on a research phase done in collaboration with the Nano-Science Center at University of Copenhagen and a fieldwork expedition in Lanzhou, China during November 2016. “This Master programme pursues to explore the intersection between architecture, technology, culture and environment. Through a site-specific approach, we aim to respond to present and future global challenges through ‘research by design’ and direct ‘on-site involvement’ in the form of active expeditions to remote world locations where prototypes are put to the test. In close collaboration with local communities, science and manufacturers, this Master course engages with architectural performance, from component to building design, and the cultural impact of technology in our world through high-end design aesthetics. We mediate our presence in our environment via design and technology, often disregarding the environmental impact. It is our intention to investigate the design potential in working with technology not only as a performance orientated design parameter, but also as a process charged with aesthetic potential and cultural implications with sustainable aims, from building scale all the way to detail.” “About Architecture and Extreme Environments” Program description from KADK webpage [2]

Preface

The ambition of the future project â&#x20AC;&#x153;Transitionâ&#x20AC;? is to design an innovative water purifying bridge, prepared for the context of Lanzhou in China, one of the most polluted cities in the world. It seeks to respond to current and future challenges of water contamination, exploring the architectural potential of a novel filter material: graphene coated sand for water purification, whilst at the same time being a piece of infrastructure incorporating a public space for leisure.

water purification

TRANSITION

public leisure space

bridge

1.1. Transition as a pedestrian bridge combining water purification with public leisure space

What The idea of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Transitionâ&#x20AC;? project is centered around creating a water purifying bridge incorporating a novel filtration material: graphene coated sand, for the removal of heavy metals and other contaminants. It rethinks the role of water filtration in the city, making the issue of water contamination transparent to the public. The proposal aims to specifically investigate the potential use of graphene sand composite for water purification. Concurring with an understanding of a bridge as a link between point A and point B, the project will additionally develop an educational and quality public leisure space. Where Lanzhou, the capital of the Gansu province in northwest China, is the home of over 2 million inhabitants and the center of petrochemical and heavy industry producing huge amounts of toxic water pollution. The project site is located on the Yellow River, between Xigu industrial zone and the city center. Why The Yellow River is heavily contaminated by the local industries. Water purification techniques used for cleaning sewage water that is released into the river, which is the main source of drinking water, are not effective in removing many toxic pollutants; among others heavy metals, which require special attention because of their extremely harmful effect on human health. The idea of the bridge has come through an on-site analysis, including interviews with local stakeholders that revealed absence of a physical connection in this part of the city. Another issue, that the interviews have shown was the lack of public leisure space, like sport facilities or green areas.

How The design will be preceded by investigation of the architectural potential of the water purifying process in conjunction with the public space and bridge infrastructure. The graphene based purification technology has been informed by my project NanoFilter: a graphene coated sand filter for water purification. It has been tested on-site in Lanzhou during the expedition in November 2016. It has shown outstanding adsorption capacity for removal of heavy metals and other contaminants.

POLLUTED WATER FILTRATION (graphene sand)

DRINKABLE WATER

1.2. Nano-Filter; an architectural device using graphene coated sand for water purification

CONTEXT + RESEARCH II

Xigu

site

Lanzhou

2.1. Xigu (industrial zone), Lanzhou, China

Lanzhou, China

Lanzhou is the capital of Gansu Province in Northwest China. Located on the banks of the Yellow River at the edge of the Gobi desert, surrounded by mountains, it is the home for many industries.

CHINA

GANSU PROVINCE

LANZHOU CITY

2.2. Site location

Yellow River Pollution

Gansu Province is facing a severe environmental crisis. Mining and industry are using massive amounts of water, while at the same time creating massive water pollution. The main source of water supply is the Yellow River, which in almost 40% of its volume is heavily polluted and “unfit for human contact” [3]. As result, there is a severe disruption of ecological balance, which threatens the well-being, health and even life of people living in the region, as well as flora and fauna. The rising water demand in the Gansu Province is fueled by the rapid economic development of the region - with GDP growth of 8,1% (2015) [4]. The region’s economy is largely based on mining and the extraction of minerals. Industries other than mining include: electricity production, petrochemicals, metallurgy, machinery and building materials. The problems of the region can be seen magnified in Lanzhou, the capital and the largest city of Gansu Province, which according to the Blacksmith Institute [5] is one of the 30 most polluted cities in the world. The rapid growth of industry in Lanzhou is causing an enormous demand for water and consequently its discharge is increasing, creating a threat to the environment and to the health and well-being of humans. According to Energy Probe Research Foundation, between 1980 and 2005 the volume of waste water flowing into Yellow River has doubled [6]. Due to poor environmental regulations, weak enforcement and local corruption, factories often discharge waste water directly into the river without any treatment. The stark truth being that it is cheaper to pollute then to clean up. Untreated sewage from factory discharges account for 10% of Yellow River’s volume. Among the different types of pollution, one of the major environmental issues in China is heavy metal pollution [7]. Sometimes also called the “silent killer” - the reason being that heavy metal pollution cannot be seen with the “naked eye”, and its negative effects only appear very gradually. The key heavy metal pollutants discharged into Yellow River are chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) [7].

TATNSTSIN IN T UN LLA YEHLE OT RLPU LYOEL TEL WLOW AO WP

MMAA IIN

001

PHOSPHORUS

ORGANIC

1 09 08

COD

AMMONIA NITROGEN

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VOLATILE PHENOL

001

daeL

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A ORG

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05 04

HEAVY METALS

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2.3. Main pollutants in the Yellow River [7]

They are all classified as strong carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and can also cause permanent intellectual and developmental disabilities. They come from a variety of industries, including the manufacture of chemical products, ferrous and non-ferrous metal melting, rolling processing industry, manufacture of fabricated metal products, the electroplating industry, the mining industry. Unlike organic dnas detaoc edixo enehparg heavy metals are not readily biodegradable, and tw %4 dnas detaoc enecontaminants hparg tw %2 dnas detaoc eneonce hparg introduced into the environment they can be involved in the food chain with bio-magnification of these toxic substances. Consequently, the enriched heavy metals finally find their way into the human body.

Pb = Lead As =Arsenic Cr = Chromium Hg = Mercury COD = chemical oxygen demand

Consequences

The widespread production and consumption of toxic pollutants has contributed to the emergence of so-called “cancer villages”, [8] i.e. areas where rates of cancer are abnormally high. In brief, cancer villages are communities where rates of cancer are considerably higher than China’s normal death rate of 6 per 1,000/ year. These villages are usually located near factory complexes, and rely on rivers for their drinking, washing and cooking water. Over the past 30 years cancer mortality rates in China have risen 80%, making it the country’s leading cause of death. Water contamination from industrial pollution is believed to be the main cause of cancer villages, and there is a close relationship between China’s major rivers and the location of cancer counties. For years, the existence of such villages has been a taboo subject – a “state secret”; however, recently the government officially has started linking heavy metal pollution to cancer villages. The discharge of industrial effluents into water bodies not only makes water sources unfit for drinking, causing damages to the health, but also adversely effects its utility for pharmaceutical, agricultural, chemical and industrial applications. It badly effects the economy in terms of losses in tourism, fishing, seafood sectors and expenditures for their restoration. Heavy metals affect the photosynthesis in aquatic systems and disturb the self-purification mechanism of water, with extinction of some aquatic species as one of its worst consequence. The effects of Yellow River pollution are wide-ranging and therefore should be thoroughly assessed.

site

city center

Lanzhou

2.4. City Center, Lanzhou, China

Water Purification in Lanzhou

During the Nano-Filter research phase an interview with Zhangizhan, a student who has done an internship in Wei y ya (Lanzhou main water purification plant) was conducted. It has shown that the technologies used in the multistage water purification process at Wei y ya (Fig. 2.5) are not capable to remove all the toxic substances present in the water, e.g. heavy metals and dyes. This means that the water coming from the Lanzhou purification plant can have strong carcinogenic properties.

INPUT (POLLUTED WATER)

big trash, solid debris, sludge, oils, petrol, smell, organic matter, pathogens, heavy metals, dies

USED PURIFICATION PROCESS I. COURSE SCREENING

II. SEDIMENTATION & SKIMMING

III. AERATION

IV. BIOPROCESSING & SETTLING

smell

organic matter

V. DISINFECTION (chlorine)

OUT

big trash solid debris

sludge oils

2.5. Water purification process in Lanzhou

pathogens

The great challenge for this century lies in finding methods that can effectively clean-up the waste generated during industrial, domestic and agricultural activities over the past three decades. Lately, intensive research has been carried out to develop efficient and smart materials and technologies for the effective treatment of waste water containing various pollutants â&#x20AC;&#x201C; especially heavy metals and dyes. However, so far none of the researched methods is optimal. Filtering materials with high adsorption capacities usually have very high operation cost. The ambition of my project is to filter water from the Yellow River using graphene coated sand, so that it can be used for drinking.

TOXIC AND CARCINOGENIC WATER

the water coming from Lanzhou purification plant still contains heavy metals

TRANSITION

graphene filters remove heavy metals and other pollutants, transforming the water for drinking purposes DRINKABLE WATER

China Policy

Over the last three decades, China has transformed from an impoverished farming-reliant country to the “Factory of the World”. However, this has imposed long-term environmental, social and health related costs. The demand for cheap goods caused that multinational companies were willing to turn a blind eye to their Chinese suppliers’ environmental practices that would not be allowed in their home countries. China has followed the “grow first and clean up later” approach, which led to an acceleration of environmental pollution and serious environmental health problems. Water pollution was an offshoot of this policy. In particular, many polluting firms have not been properly monitored by the local governments, or were protected because they provided jobs to workers. In 1986 the Chinese government enacted The Law of Environmental Protection [9], a comprehensive legal system for environmental protection. However, the related policies and plans for prevention and control of heavy metal pollution lagged behind, which has made the quality of water, soil and waste continuously degenerate. The environmental pollution caused by heavy metals has become increasingly prominent. In 2011, the 12th Five-Year Plan on Prevention and Control of Heavy Metal Pollution [10] has been approved by the State Council of China. There is growing understanding of the urgent need to properly resolve this complex environmental problem. Nevertheless, according to current regulations, city water treatment plants do not need to filter heavy metals, as this lies in the responsibility of the factories. However, reality shows that factories often do not respect this rule. During the expedition, I was testing the Nano-Filter device on the Yellow River close to Zhongshihua Petrochemical Industry (Lanzhou, Xigu district). Suddenly, I smelt an intense odor of petrol. It was from the water on the Yellow River. The water samples I collected there far exceeded heavy metal norms (Chromium VI).

2.6. Waste water from Shaanxi Chemical Industry factory released into canal that flows to Yellow River, Lanzhou (Xigu district)

2.7. Yellow River, Lanzhou, China, October 22, 2006.

Graphene Coated Sand as a Solution

Graphene was discovered, isolated and characterized in 2004 by Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, who in 2010 were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics “for groundbreaking experiments regarding the two-dimensional material graphene”. Due to its specific structure graphene has outstanding filtration properties, capable of effectively removing heavy metals from water [11] . Novel methods for producing and utilizing graphene are being researched with regards to its application to water treatment technology. Some of the methodologies are based on utilizing very popular components like sand and coal/graphite, which are in abundance in the Gansu province. This idea seems particularly adequate for the Lanzhou area, as it is surrounded by the Gobi desert, so it has enormous deposits of sand, and in terms of graphene source there are huge deposits of coal and graphite in the region. In my device on-site experimentation, I have tested a “homemade” recipe for graphene coated sand preparation - graphene biosynthesized from sugar and anchored on sand particles. Its filtration results, described further in chapter “Nano-Filter“, are very promising. The graphene coated sand material has been prepared in collaboration with the Nano-Science Center at University of Copenhagen.

1-ATOM THICK (a single layer of carbon)

REMOVES HEAVY METALS

JUST SURFACE (2D) THE LARGEST ACCESSIBLE AREA

OUTSTANDING ADSORPTION CAPACITY

+ porocity + superhydrophobicity + controlable morphology

+ low-cost synthesis + local materials + the lightest material

GREAT FILTER 2.8. Graphene filtration properties

+ GO BI DESERT SAND

GR AP HENE

carbon

graphite

2.9. Scheme of graphene coated sand components

Proposal Site

XIGU industrial zone ANNING district

MATANCUN district

The aim of the program is to explore and design a water purifying bridge. Possibly several purifying bridges may be considered along the Yellow River, designed to purify drinking water for the inhabitants of Lanzhou City. The main proposal site that I would like to develop further, is located on the Yellow River in the west part of Lanzhou, between Xigu district and the main city center. Xigu is the home of many industries, including petroleum processing, machinery and metallurgical industry, textile mills, rubber, fertilizer plants and many others. Due to the Yellow River current flow, the reach of the river carries a high toxic load of pollutants from the factories through the entire length of the city. The Yellow River is the main source of tap and drinking water. Therefore, to avoid harmful effects on the inhabitants, the polluted water should be treated before consumption in the living areas.

2828

Yellow River current flow existing bridges considered location of the Transition units (if this version is selected) the main location of Transition project (for further developement) 0

2 [km]

CITY CENTER

2.10. Lanzhou

The bridge structure is going to connect the two sides of the river: Anning and Matancun districts. This particular location has been chosen as a result of above factors, as well as an interview with prof Xiangchangsheng, a major bridge specialist at the Lanzhou University of Technology, regarding the potential location of a pedestrian bridge infrastructure in the city. The Anning and Matancun districts are developing very fast, with a large number of government and educational buildings under construction. There is an urgent need for an urban connection for pedestrians in this area.

ANNING

3 5 6

MATANCUN

2.11. Site analysis

current limit for pedestrian circulation between Matancun district and the Yellow River

Transition bridge land to arrange in the proposal

current pedestrian circulation

planned pedestrian circulation

goverment

1. Northwest University

education

2. studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; dormitories

comercial

3. China Republic Parties Center

public buildings

4. comercial street

small workshops

5. China Aluminum Industry

industry

6. public hospital

mid-rise residential buildings

7. park of the Yellow River

high-rise residential buildings

8. China Tabacco Industry

under construction

9. court

green area

10. Wanhua Group Industry

fallow lands

11. police station

100

200

300

400

[m]

On the north side of the river lies the Anning district, a second city center of Lanzhou. It is a new governmental, educational, business and shopping area, being under fast and constant development. It is the home of the Northwest University of Lanzhou, with over 5000 students; the majority living in dormitories located near the campus. There are a lot of offices and headquarters of big companies, such as Gansu Aluminum Industry Group, many banks and hotels. Anning is the home of China Republic Party Center, with their offices and additional facilities, such as school, library, gym and others. There are existing residential areas, with many skyscrapers under construction.

On the opposite side of the river - Matancun district is the home of a number of government buildings, including the City Court. There are headquarters of big industries: China Tabacco and Wanhua Group. Matancun has a lot of residential skyscrapers and buildings still under construction. In a close distance from the project site, there is a huge fallow land area. A few years ago it was an apple orchard; recently it has been converted into an unofficial rubbish dump. The project is going to arrange this land and convert it into a green, attractive place; improving the Yellow River waterfront. The Anning district is accessible from the other side of the river only with one bridge (Yinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;an). The bridge has a lot of car traffic and is dangerous for pedestrians. The sidewalk is just 120 cm wide, and with a dead-end that prevents pedestrians from crossing safely. To compare, the main city center in total has nine bridges, including one pedestrian bridge. This site is an optimum location for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Transitionâ&#x20AC;?. Beyond the need of filtering hazardous water for consumption; its fast development, proximity to the China Party Center, universities, financial center and living areas, promises its popularity as a public and educational space, as well as being a solution to the communicational problem.

ANNING

2.16. 2.14

2.13

2.15

MATANCUN 2.12. Proposal site

2.13. Anning district (a view of China Aluminum Industry headquarters and residential buildings)

2.14. (left) 2.15. (right) Proposal site- fallow lands in Matancun district on the Yellow River shore

2.16. Proposal site- Matancun district

Anning

2.17. Northwest University of Lanzhou (no. 1 - map p. 30)

2.18. Comercial street (no. 4 - map p. 30)

2.19. China Republic Party Center (no. 3 - map p. 30)

2.20. Yellow River Park (no. 7 - map p. 30)

2.21. High-rise residential buildings in Anning district (no. 12 - map p. 30)

Matancun

2.22. Court (no. 9 - map p. 30)

2.23. China Tabaco Industry (no. 8 - map p. 30)

2.24. Fallow land - proposal site (no. 13 - map p. 30)

2.25. Fallow land - proposal site (no. 13 - map p. 30)

2.26. Fallow land - proposal site (no. 13 - map p. 30)

PROGRAM III

Vision

graphene research center

water filtering

graphene sand filtration

communication

educational areas (awareness)

public space

bridge

green areas

3.1. Transition functional scheme

leisure (sport facilities)

TRANSITION

“Transition” is a hybrid constituting a public building crossing the river, functioning as a giant, innovative water purifying bridge, combined with additional functions such as educational space and spaces for leisure. The proposal rethinks the role of water filtration in the city, making the problem of water contamination transparent to the public and spreading awareness about its harmful consequences, awakening social responsibility, and political and environmental proactivity. The close proximity to many governmental buildings is an important aspect, as the awareness about the water contamination problem and its wide mesh of effects is going to be shared with individuals who have potentially the power to affect this problem on a larger scale. This is an aspect worth mentioning, as the Transition purification is going to be just a “symptom treatment’’ of the water contamination problem in Lanzhou. I am aware that a large scale solution dealing with the problem at its core, should be supported by decisive governmental actions and regulations. The idea of the building program of a bridge crossing the Yellow River is a result of multiple factors. Sociological investigation has been done in order to comprehend inhabitants’ needs. An interview conducted with over 30 Lanzhou inhabitants (Fig. 5.9 p. 68) has shown that the most desired public space in the city is a pedestrian bridge.

The project’s ambition is to incorporate educational aspects and to encourage people to spend their free time here. The program user agenda is formed along the process of water purification. Beyond acquiring knowledge about water pollution in the Yellow River and its consequences, pedestrians will have an opportunity to stop and spend their time in an enjoyable public space incorporating various additional functions, such as swimming pool, space to train popular in Lanzhou taichi, places to drink traditional green tea, etc., all in a relaxing green environment. (These functions have been selected as a result of the interviews with the stakeholders Fig. 5.9 p. 68). People are going to have contact with water purification on multiple levels; this way we are going to avoid the impression of a “museum of water purification”. Instead they will be imperceptibly learning about the problem during pleasant recreational activities.

BRIDGE

SWIMMING

GREEN AREAS

TAI-CHI

3.2. Public spaces desired by Lanzhou inhabitants (results of the interviews)

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AP HE

R TE KING WA

AN D

DI TIO AT NAL FILTR

DR IN

IO N

ON A TA MINATED W

D NE COATE

PA CE

PUBLIC

QU S C AL I T Y PUBLI

DR EA

MPLACE

3.3. Transitions

Water Purifying Statergy

The Transition is not going to clean all the water in the Yellow River. Taking into account its volume, it would practically be impossible. Moreover, there already exist large scale water purification plants in Lanzhou. The problem is that they are not able to efficiently clean the water so that it is safe for drinking. The ambition of the project is to filter the water from Yellow River with the use of graphene coated sand filters in order to remove toxic substances and provide safe drinking water for Lanzhou inhabitants; as well as provide clean water for the use of bridge recreational facilities, e.g. swimming pool. The use of preliminary filtration may be considered before passing the water through the graphene coated sand filters. OPTION A

It is considered to create a series of purifying bridges along the Lanzhou city length, or to integrate graphene filters into existing bridges. If this option is selected, I would like to develop in detail one unit: the bridge between Anning and Matancun districts.

OPTION B

Another design possibility is that the Transition bridge will be a single unit providing drinking water for all the inhabitants of Lanzhou city.

*A further examination of the quantity of drinking water needed and capacity of graphene sand filters will be conducted.

Functions and Areas

Water Purifying

3000 m2

Communication (incl. educational areas)

2000 m2

Graphene Innovation Center:

Research Lab Production of Graphene Coated Sand

500 m2 1000 m2

Leisure Zones: TOTAL:

Swimming pool Sport facilities Tai-chi zones Tea houses Green areas

2000 m2 500 m2 250 m2 250 m2 2000 m2 11500 m2

*These annotations should be treated as a general guidance, as they can change throughout the process to benefit the final submission.

UN Global Goals [13]

The Transition promotes awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the Member States of the United Nations in 2015, accelerating the creation of a fairer world by 2030. The goals that I have particularly emphasized in the proposal are listed below.

3.4. UN Global Goals emphasized in the Transition project

Goal 6 (clean water and sanitation) is the key aspect of the project, which principle aim is to solve the water contamination problem in Lanzhou, providing “universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water” [13]. Making the water cleaning plant public, addresses another target of goal 6: “Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management”. [13] Transition is going to significantly improve drinking water quality by eliminating hazardous chemicals, dealing with goal 3 (health) as the effective purification of drinking water will substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and contamination.

The consciousness aspect: making the cleaning process visible to the public and spreading awareness about water pollution problem in society improves quality education (goal 4), ensuring that inhabitants acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development and lifestyle. The Transition is going to significantly increase access to information about water contamination problem. Developing new purification technologies (graphene coated sand filters) enhance scientific research and upgrades the technological capabilities of water purification industry. By incorporating them into the bridge infrastructure, the Transition deals with the goal 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure). On the city scale, the intervention is going to fulfill goal 11 target (sustainable cities and communities), “providing an access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety”. It is also going to “significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including waterrelated disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations” [13]. On the political level, the project deals with the goal 12 (sustainable consumption and production) aiming at “doing more and better with less,” increasing net welfare gains from economic activities by reducing degradation and pollution, while increasing quality of life. It involves different stakeholders, including business, consumers, policy makers, researchers among others, as all of them are crossing the river by the bridge.

Inspirations

3.5. Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Italy

3.6. Rialto Bridge, Venice, Italy

3.7. Graden Bridge project in London by Heaterwick studio

3.8. Project of Laurie Chetwood, (first price in RIBA competition for inhabited bridge in London)

METHODS IV

Working Methods

The architectural design will be preceded by an investigation of the architectural potential of the graphene based water purifying process in conjunction with the public space and bridge infrastructure. I will research similar projects of innovative water purification centers, as well as multifunctional and inhabited bridges to inform my design. When finding the inspiration, more precise design will come from sketching and model making. I will consider to use parametric tools in the project design process.

4.1. New Babylon, Constant Nieuwenhuys

Scope and Submission

The project will be presented in multiple scales, from an urban proposal and the building design to more detailed schemes, allowing to understand the innovative graphene purification technology. 1: 20000 potential location of purifying bridges in Lanzhou 1: 2000 site and surroundings analysis 1:200-1:500 building 1:20-1:100 spaces The proposal will be presented through collages/visualizations, drawings and model. * These annotations should be treated as a general guidance, as they can change throughout the process to benefit the final submission.

Nano-Filter: Graphene Coated Sand for Water Pufirication

The proposal of the Transition graphene purification technology has been informed by the project of Nano-Filter: a graphene coated sand filter for water purification. It constitutes an architectural device functioning as a water filter for purifying heavily polluted water from the Yellow River in Lanzhou City in China. The project has been complemented by a research phase done in collaboration with the Nano-Science Centre at University of Copenhagen and a fieldwork expedition in Lanzhou during November 2016. With my device on-site tests, using water samples from the Yellow River in Lanzhou, I have confirmed that graphene coated sand is an efficient water filter. It has outstanding adsorption capacity, especially for heavy metals (up to 95% removal efficiency), which are very difficult to remove from water with other filtration techniques. It significantly reduces total dissolved solids. Additionally, it neutralizes the pH level and reduces salinity.

4.2. Nano-Filter on-site testing in Lanzhou, Xigu district

YELLOW RIVER WATER IS PLACED INTO A TOP CONTAINER

POLLUTED WATER

total dissolved solids 1160 ppm Lead 2.1 ppb

IT IS INTRODUCED THROUGH THE FUNNELS INTO THE FILTRATION PIPES

FUNNELS

Arsenic 3.9 ppb Chromium 1.3 ppb

FILTRATION TUBES

PROCESS OF WATER PURIFYING WITH GRAPHENE COATED SAND

GRAPHENE SAND COMPOSITE

total dissolved solids 760 ppm FILTERED WATER COMING OUT

CLEAN WATER

Lead 0.2 ppb Arsenic 0.3 ppb Chromium 0.3 ppb

4.3. Nano-Filter, How does it work

total dissolved solids 100

90 How efficient is graphene coated sand filter [%] l

sa li

ty ni

80 70 60 50

40 30

10 1 0

*results of filtering 50 ml of water with 50 gr of graphene coated sand 4.4. Graphene Coated Sand filtration efficiency [%]

20 40 50 60 70 80

0 10

10 1 0

40 50

40 30 20

70 60 50

80 60

100

Lead

10 90 70

100

*pH considered 100 % removal when pH level 7.0 reached

graphene 2% wt graphene coatedcoated sand sand 2% wt.

100

graphene 4% wt graphene coatedcoated sand sand 4% wt.

conductivity

graphene oxide oxide coatedcoated sandsand graphene

conductivity

70 80

s Ar

100

Chromium

100

Chromium

100

50 60

20 40

10 30

graphene coated sand 2% wt

graphene coated sand 4% wt

graphene oxide coated sand

ty ni

Lead

40 20

70 80

s Ar

en ic

30 40

sa li

en 10 ic

40 30

100

total dissolved solids

el ck

e ck

The data presented shows that the technology based on graphene coated sand filters can be applied to solve the problem of Yellow River heavy metal contamination. The significance of this study is that water samples were collected directly from the Yellow River rather than studying laboratory samples. This presents a clearer picture on the practical feasibility of this technology and applicability to incorporate graphene coated sand filters into architectural structures to be built on the Yellow River. The large adsorption capacity, the green and cost-effective production technology and the availability of the materials in Gansu province, enables it to be used on a wide scale and can contribute to developing affordable solutions for cleaning water for consumption (drinking water) in this region.

4.5. Nano-Filter on-site testing in Lanzhou, Xigu district

4.6. Device testing in Lanzhou (Xigu district)

4.7. Device testing in Lanzhou (Xigu district)

video about the Nano-Filter project: https://vimeo.com/202390441

APPENDICES V

Graphene Coated Sand Preparations

Novel methods utilizing graphene are being researched with regard to its application to water treatment technology. One of new methodologies of utilizing graphene is based on the production of graphene sand composite, i.e. graphene biosynthesized from sugar and anchored on sand particles. The recipes found in the article Graphene from Sugar and its Application in Water Purification by Gupta et al.[13] and YouTube videos of Dr Robert Murray-Smith[14] have been consulted with its authors, as well as with Marc Overgaard and Kasper Norgaard from the Nano-Science Center at University of Copenhagen. After this, two different preparation methods were chosen for the tests.

5.1. Photos taken during graphene coated sand preparations (a) ingredeints: sugar and sand (b) mixing sugar-water solution with the sand (c) water evaporation in domestic oven (d) converting carbon to graphene in a ceramic kiln (e) graphene activation with sulphuric acid in Nano-Science Center

METHOD 1 [13]

METHOD 2 [14]

INGREDIENTS:

quartz sand sugar ultrapure water sulphuric acid 95% activated carbon

quartz sand graphene oxide solution 4mg/ml, high oxidation hydrochloric acid 10% activated carbon

sugar + water + quartz sand

water evaporation 6 hours in the oven at 90째C with constant stirring > sugar coated sand

kiln (inert atmosphere) at 200째C > carbon coated sand at 750째C > non-activated graphene coated sand

washing the sand with 10% hydrochloric acid solution

mix the sand with graphene oxide solution

liquid evaporation 2 hours in the oven at 150째C > graphene coated sand repeating steps 2&3 to have multiple layers of graphene coating

graphene activation with 95% sulphoric acid > activated graphene coated sand

5.2. Graphene Coated Sand preparation methods that I have tested in Nano-Filter

Graphene Coated Sand Filtration Results

GOSC= graphene oxide coated sand (method 2) GSC 4%= graphene sand composite, 4% carbon loading (method 1) GSC 2%= graphene sand composite, 2% carbon loading (method 1) 5.3. Filtration results with different filteration materials

5.4 Level of heavy metals in the water [ppb] before and after filtration with different materials

5.5. Filtration efficiency of heavy metals removal with different filtration materials

5.6. Information Gathering: Industry and Pollution in Gansu province

Yellow River Pollution Mapping

389 287 554 13 7,81

399 270 573 10 8,04

422 304 1097 675 762 23 1584 7,64 29 7,71

458 302 654 8 7,61 386 287 554 13 7,81

1190 860 1716 26 7,66 503 299 678 17 7,83 526 342 423 743 302 15 772 7,75 10 7,52

total dissilved solids (ppm) salinity (ppm) conductivity (ÎźS/cm) Chromium VI (ppb) pH

511 304 912 17 7,88

345 402 821 7 7,89

302 443 636 2 8,05

386 287 554 13 7,81

452 306 611 17 7,50

310 403 640 7 7,73 345 500 719 12 7,84 320 407 620 13 7,81

342 367 555 10 7,56

5.7. Water pollution mapping in Lanzhou (measured during the expedition)

Twenty water samples were measured at different locations in the Yellow River in Lanzhou area to select the most polluted samples for more in-depth analysis of the filtration efficiency of graphene coated sand.

Stakeholders’ Needs

bridge

sport facilities

green areas

pedestrian streets

better waterfront

tea houses

educational functions

5.9. “What public space do you need in Lanzhou?“ The results of the interview conducted in Lanzhou center on December 3, 2016.

Image Source

2.2. courtesy of www.google/maps 2.6. courtesy of Lu Guoang, www.greenpeace.org 2.7. courtesy of Lu Guoang, www.greenpeace.org 2.9. courtesy of Ning Pong, www.pinterest.com 3.4. courtesy of www.globalgoals.org/ 4.1. courtesy ofgementermuseum.nl 3.5. courtesy of www.wikipedia.org 3.6. courtesy of www.wikipedia.org 3.7. courtesy of www.heatherwick.com 3.8. courtesy of www.bustlet.net

photos by Thomas Chavalier Bojstrup: 4.2, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7 images by Maja Czesnik (author): 0.1, 1.1, 1.2. , 2.1, 2.3, 2.4., 2.6, 2.9, 2.10, 2.11, 2.12, 2.13., 2.14, 2.15, 2.16, 2.17, 2.18, 2.19, 2.20, 2.21, 2.22, 2.23, 2.24, 2.25, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 4.2, 4.3, .4.4, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8

Bibliography

1. Carson Rachel, Silent Spring, (Houghton Mifflin, 1962) 2. Architecture and Extreme Environments, About the Program, Accessed January 25, 2017, https://kadk.dk/en/programme/ architecture-and-extreme-environments/om-programmet 3. Daily Mail Reporter, China’s Yellow River Is ‘unsafe for Any Use’ Because of High Pollution Level, Accessed September 13, 2016, http:// www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1089230/Chinas-Yellow-Riverunsafe-use-high-pollution-level.html. 4. Zhouxiang Zhang, Problems the Northeast must solve, Accessed November 11, 2016, http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/ china/2016-03/28/content_24132679.htm 5. The world’s worst polluted places, Accessed September 30, 2016, http://www.blacksmithinstitute.org/new-report-cites-the-world-sworst-polluted-places.html 6. Probe International, Yellow River is 10% sewage, Accessed November 5, 2016, http://eprf.probeinternational.org/node/3671 7. Hu Hui, Jin Quian, A Study of Heavy Metal Pollution in China, Accessed October 10, 2016, https://www.researchgate.net/ publication/278124736_A_Study_of_Heavy_Metal_Pollution_ in_China_Current_Status_Pollution-Control_Policies_and_ Countermeasures. 8. Shagun Sharma, Development and Disease: A Study of Cancer Villages in China, Accesed October 2, 2016, http://www.iapss.org/wpcontent/uploads/2014/10/189_Volume-29.pdf 9. Council The People’s Republic of China, Environmental Protection in China, Accessed October 12, 2016, http://www.caep.org.cn/english/ paper/Environmental-Protection-in-China-1986-1995.pdf

10. Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Republic of China, The 12th Five-Year Plan for the Environmental Health Work of National Environmental Protection, Accessed October 12, 2016, http:// english.mep.gov.cn/Resources/Plans/Special_Fiveyear_Plan/201201/ P020120110355818985016.pdf 11. Graphene and water treatment, Accessed November 5, 2016, http://www.graphene-info.com/graphene-water-treatment 12. United Nations, Sustainable development goals, Accessed January 25, 2017, http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainabledevelopment-goals/ 13. Gupta Souijt, Phalapill Praadep, Graphene from Sugar and its Application in Water Purification, Accessed September 20, 2016, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229080038_Graphene_ from_Sugar_and_its_Application_in_Water_Purification 14. Murray-Smith Robert, Making SuperSnad, Accessed October 5, 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7la8DuY15Bc 15. Sharma Rahul, Saini Parveen, Graphene-Based Composites and Hybrids for Water Purification Applications, Accessed September 10, 2016, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304614697_ G r ap h e n e - B a s e d _ C omp o s it e s _ an d _ Hy br i d s _ for _ Wat e r _ Purification_Applications 16. Bajpai Aka, Dubey Renu, Green synthesis of graphene sand composite (GSC) as novel adsorbent for efficient removal of Cr (VI) ions from aqueous solution, Accessed October 12, 2016, http://www. sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214714415000069 17. Raj Bhavija, Parvathi Poornima, Improved waste water treatment by bio-synthesized Graphene Sand Composite, Accesses October 12, 2016, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26265599 18. Guattari Felix, The Three Ecologies, trans. Ian Pindar and Paul Sutton, (London: Continuum, 2008) 19. Morton Timothy, The Ecological Thought, (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press 2010)

Resume

EMPLOYMENT present Sep 2016

Jun 2016 Dec 2015

Nov 2015 Sep 2015

Design Assistant BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) Copenhagen, Denmark Architectural Intern BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) Copenhagen, Denmark Architectural Intern in Competition LAB C. F. MĂ¸ller Aarhus, Denmark

Sep 2014 Jun 2014

Junior Architect Taller 5 Leon Gto., Mexico

Ago 2013 Jul 2013

Architectural Intern Ruben Muedra Studio Valencia, Spain

Ago 2012 Jul 2012

Construction Apprentice Cosmopolitan skyscraper Warsaw, Poland

EDUCATION Master of Arts in Architecture (in progress) Architecture and Extreme Environments The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts Copenhagen, Denmark Master in Advanced Architecture One of top 5 IAAC final projects Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalunia Barcelona, Spain Bachelor Degree Program Graduated with honors Faculty of Architecture Warsaw University of Technology Poland Erasmus Exchange Program Faculty of Architecture Valencia University of Technology Spain Summer School The Bartlett School of Architecture University College London United Kingdom

present Sep 2016

Jul 2015 Oct 2014

Jul 2014 Oct 2010

Jul 2013 Sep 2012

Jul 2011 Ago 2011