Cultivating air portfolio

Cultivating Air | Algae Pollution Filtration

KADK Institute of Architecture & Technology Architecture and Extreme Environments Otis Sloan Brittain Student No. 150131

THE GOBI DESERT LANZHOU 36.0611° N, 103.8343° E

Lanzhou | Site The city of Lanzhou, a capital of Gansu Province, is located on the cusp of the Gobi Desert, on the joint between Loess Plateau, Qinghai - Tibetan Plateau, and the Inner Mongolian Plateau. The urban area lies in the river valley of the Yellow River with two mountains standing on the north and south, and the Yellow River running through. The urban area is 35 km long from east to west and 5 km wide from north to south, which makes it a typical band-shaped city.

Satelite image from Google Earth. 2016

1,088 KM2

Size of urban Lanzhou

2.177 MILLION

Urban Population from 2010 censu s

200 BILLION CNY GDP of Lanzhou

57,191 CNY

GDP Per capita (Nation average: 52,925 Beijing: 106,751)

2,000/KM2

Urban Density (Copenhagen:2,052/km2)

LANZHOU - A HEAVY SMOG COVERS THE CITY

WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION’S AIR QUALITY GUIDELINES COMPARED TO LANZHOU WHO

20 PM 40 NO 20 SO

10

μg m3, annual mean

μg m3, annual mean

2

2

μg m3, annual mean

LANZHOU

144 PM 42 NO 55 SO

10

μg m3, annual mean

μg m3, annual mean

2

2

μg m3, annual mean

XIGU - LANZHOU’S INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT

FACE MASKS ARE COMMON PLACE IN LANZHOU

LANZHOU SATELITE IMAGE

CHENGGUAN DISTRICT URBAN CENTRE

XIGU DISTRICT

(1) GEOGRAPHY - Arid dusty climate + located in a valley (2) ENERGY STRUCTURE - Heavily reliant on coal, 80% of consumption (3) INDUSTRY - Petroleum, chemical industry, power stations within city (4) TRAFFIC - Increasing rapidly from 50,000 in 1990 to 128,000 (5) INCREASING POPULATION - 2.52million in 1990 to 2.9068 (6) WESTERN CHINA - less developed economy and technology.

Science of the Total Environment. Wanquan Taa, Tao Wanga, Honglang Xiaob, Xueyi Zhuc, Zhen Xiaoc. 2001. ‘Gaseous and particulate air pollution in the Lanzhou Valley, China’. PDF.

STATS

In Lanzhou air pollution is inescapable. This is in part due to Lanzhou’s geography, next to the Gobi desert so dust is blown into the city whilst sandwiched between 2 mountain ranges so air cant escape. The average AQI reading (Air Quality Index) in Lanzhou is around 148, classified as unhealthy in the WHO’s air quality index (Copenhagen -45 AQI). Other key sources are Lanzhou’s Western industrial district Xigu and heavy traffic within the city.

FACTORS

China’s Most Polluted City | Problematic

148AQI

1.2

45AQI

4th

Average air quality in Lanzhou (Very Unhealthy)

Average air quality in Copenhagen (Moderate)

MILLION

no. of deaths in China related to particle pollution

BIGGEST KILLER

pollution related decease was the 4th largest killer in China

Initials Ideas

Grow Your Own Air In 1989 BC Wolverton released a study for NASA into whether plants could reduce indoor air pollution. The study showed that many common indoor plants absorbed pollutants such as Benzene, Xylene and Ammonia. Using plants to improve indoor air quality could not only make spaces healthy to occupy but also more energy efficient as air can be recycled, reducing the amount of cold fresh air needed to be brought into a building.

Wolverton Environmental. Plants and Soil Microorganisms: Removal of Formaldehyde, Xylene, Ammonia from indoor Environments. 2016. http://wolvertonenvironmental.com/MsAcad-93.pdf

Grow Your Own Air | Skt. 1 & 2 These sketches outline using a green facade to ‘Grow Your Own Air’.

The device explores possible symbiotic relationships between human and flora in man made environments. When inside the device attached to existing windows and harnesses the internal humidity and heat created by human occupation and capture the condensation from windows. At the same time the plants capture pollutants in the air.

When outside the plants benefit from the C02 and humidity created by human breathing whilst supplying the host with ‘fresh air’.

Terrarium

Stones

Sand - small grain

Sand - large grain

Mini Aloe Vera

Pulidonis hybrid

Rhipsalis limey

Pilosocereus pachycladus

Trichocereus grandiflorus

Top

Terrarium Filter | Micro-climates

Container

Terrariums create a unique environment for plant growth, as the transparent walls allow for both heat and light to enter the terrarium whilst water the evapourates from the plants condenses on the glass and is fed back to the plants; creating a close water cycle. Terrariums can survive for years without watering. This led me to reconsider the inside of buildings as semi closed micro climates. Perhaps a more efficient apporach to tackling pollution in Lanzhou is to try and recondition the small volumes of polluted air within buildings.

COMMON ALGAE TYPES, USES AND SOCIETAL RELEVANCE

Image courtesy of Ming Dong Zhou. Available at http://pr2012.aaschool.ac.uk/submission/uploaded_files/DIP-18/ming%20dong.zhou-Algae.jpg.

RESOURCES

PRODUCTS

NO3 PO43 SUNLIGHT

CO2 & OTHER POLLUTANTS

NUTRIENTS

BIOMASS, FUEL & FOOD

Algae | Pollutant Absorber Algae are a diverse group of photosynthetic organisms which are not necessarily closely related. These organisms are defined into 2 categories, micro and macro algae. Micro algae include many unicellular organisms, such as Chlorella and the diatoms, whilst macro algae are multicellular forms, such as the giant kelp. Most are aquatic and autotrophic and lack many of the distinct cell and tissue types, such as stomata, xylem, and phloem, which are found in land plants.

Micro algae grow in a similarly to land plants, requiring sunlight, CO2 and nutrients however due to their simplicity and role as primary producers within ecosystems, they can grow with incredible efficiency compared with other plant life.

CLEAN AIR

CLEAN WATER

SKETCH & PRECEDENTS URBAN ALGAE CANOPY ECOLOGIC STUDIO

WATERJET CUTTER

ALGA(E)ZEBO - MAM

ALGAE-CELLUNOI WALL INSTALLATION - MAM

BIQ - SPLITTERWERK ARCHITECTS

ALGAE BIODIESEL PLANT

Grow your own air | Skt. 3 2l of algae can remove 24 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year This device is a green facade that removes air pollution using algae instead of traditional plants. A portable screen filled with algae attaches to existing windows. Using a small pump, air is pushed through the tubes of algae until it reaches the top, having been filtered by the algae.

In the third phase the screen is rolled up and attached to a bag pack to filter air on the go.

+AIR PUMP +AIR IN +AIR OUT

Phase 1 | Collection Water samples from across Lanzhou, New Lanzhou and the Gobi desert salt lakes are collected containing algae are collected for cultivation.

+ALGAE

+SEAM

Phase 2 | Cultivation

The algae samples are dilluted, given liquid plant food and funnelled into the skins where they are continually pumped with air. The skins are attached to the inner leaf of a window in the sun where the algae is left to cultivate.

+AIR

BUBBLES

Phase 3 | Purification | indoor

2 LAYER CLEAR PLASTIC

After 1 week the algae is cultivated the air quality is tested of the air entering the algae skins before and after to test which pollutants have been removed.

+ +WINDOW GLAZING WINDOW

+

+PLASTIC TUBING

Phase 3 | Purification | outdoor The device can be put on the back and by attaching the output air to a air filter mask the human lungs become the air pump. This allows the user to use the system outdoors to clean the external air.

+ EDGE

+

SEAM

Phase 4 | Harvesting AIR IN

+ +PLASTIC TUBING

After the algae is cultivated and tested it can be strained and used for a variety of uses including food and nutrition in the case of Spirulina or even biomass fuel.

+

PLASTIC SUCKER

Algae Facade Panel | Dwg. 1 This is a more developed sketch of my initial idea of intregrating algae within facade systems to filter air, showing ideas of material and construction options. The device has four phases. The first two investigate the possibility of cultivating algae from local water sources.

The third tests the performance of algae as an air filter and the fourth looks into harvesting the algae for use as food, fuel or biomass.

Design Development

A

+F - SORTEDAMS

B

+E - BOTANIC GARDENS

C

D

STADSGRAVEN-C

+

MOAT-B&D

E

+

>

PET SHOP-A

F 0m

100m

200m

300m

Lanzhou Algae Sampling | Sources

I gathered samples of water containing algae from a variety of lakes, canals and fish tanks in Copenhagen in order to practice cultivating algae in the hope I could test its air purifying performance. 500ml samples were taken and then diluted in the studio. These were then mixed with small quantities of liquid plant food and using a fish tank air pump air was continually passed through the water.

Algae No.

Source Location

Coordinates

Species

Collected

Cultivation Start

A

Fish Tank - Amager

55°39’43.3”N 12°36’41.7”E

Unknown

01/10 11:39am

01/10 15:40

B

Moat - Christiania

55°40’23.0”N 12°36’27.1”E

Unknown

01/10 12:00pm

01/10 15:40

C

Stadsgraven

55°40’25.2”N 12°36’26.5”E

Unknown

01/10 12:11pm

01/10 15:40

D

Moat - Christiania

55°40’23.0”N 12°36’27.1”E

Unknown

06/11 10:32am

06/11 17:15

E

Botanic Gardens

55°41'10.0"N 12°34'28.0"E

Unknown

06/11 16:00pm

06/11 17:15

F

Stortdams

55°41’41.7”N 12°34’32.6”E

Unknown

06/11 16:21pm

06/11 17:15

+LIGHT - WINDOW

+3 WAY AIR SPLITTER +AIR TUBES

AIR OUT

<

<

AIR OUT

<

AIR OUT

DILUTED ALGAE SAMPLE

+

AIR SUPPLY IN

+

+AIR SUPPLY IN

AIR SUPPLY IN

+

AIR IN

> +AIR PUMP

POWER - FOR PUMP

+

+HEAT - RADIATOR (BELOW)

Algae Incubator | Prototype 1 To cultivate the algae cultures I collected I created an algae cultivator.

Using a pump connected to a 3 way splitter via plastic tubing a continuous supply of air, at a rate of 1.2L per minute. The cultures were left on top of a heat source by a window to provide natural light for photosynthesis. The cultures were then checked daily and photographed to compare the colour of water and track the progress of the cultures.

IS OF PROTOTYPE NO.3

PROTOTYPE NO.3

AIR IN

+

TOP PLATE

+

+AIR OUT

4MM BOLTS

+

+VINYL TUBING

+4MM BOLTS

TOP CULTURE HOLDERS

2L PLASTIC BOTTLE

+

LASER CUT CLEAR ACRYLIC

+

+

LASER CUT HDF

2L BOTTLES CONTAINING ALGAE

+

+

MIDDLE CULTURE HOLDERS

+

LIGHT

+

LASER CUT HDF BASE

+

BASE

+

CULTURE HOLDING MECHANISM

Algae Incubator | Prototype 3 In order to cultivate algae in Lanzhou I began prototyping a portable algae incubator that optimised grown factors such as light and air. The design could hold 6 different cultures in containers obtained in China to reduce the devices size for transport. These cultures would then be fed with air and lit by a central LED grow light. Latches allow the containers to be easily removed/added.

Improvements Required: • Stronger Base • Reduce twisting movement • Waterproof material • Stabilising legs • Add carry straps

• Increase middle and top culture holder thickness • Adjustable middle holder for different bottle dimensions • Add light reflector plate

INCUBATOR ASSEMBLED

INCUBATOR PARTS

12

11

10

9

8 7 6 5

4 3

1

2

MANUFACTURING PROCESS WATERJET CUTTER

WATERJET CUT PIECES

A

PREPARING PIECES

B

FOLDING PIECES

C

ASSEMBLING PIECES

D

FINISHING PIECES

E

F

PROCESS

A

Sheets of alluminium/acrylic are cut to custom shapes using a waterjet cutter or laser cutter

D

A precision folding machine is used to bend alluminium pieces to exact angles

B

Offcut of alluminium showing all metal pieces used in incubator unit

E

Pieces are folded, sanded and polished ready for assembling on site

C

Pieces are scribed/marked in preparation for further processing

F

Finishes are added using spray painted stencils

PARTS

Incubator | Construction 1. M4 Bolts 2. 220W Light 3. Culture Holder (Middle) 4. Culture Holder (Top) 5. Incubator Feet 6. Air Control Valves

7. Incubator Base 8. Incubator Legs 9. Labeled Culture Plates 10. Air Inlets/Outlets 11. Incubator Top 12. Light Holder

CLOSE UP OF ALGAE CULTURE

+PLANT GROW BULB 5W - 230V

+LIGHT REFLECTOR

+AIR TUBE IN

+5-WAY AIR DISTRIBUTOR

+CONTROL VALVE ALGAE CULTURE

+

PUMP 1.2L/MIN

AIR STONE DISTRIBUTES AIR MORE EVENLY

+

Algae Incubator | Protoype 2 My initial attempts at algae cultivation had not showed much signs of a growing culture emerging from any of the samples. I came up with a new algae incubator set up that further optimised factors affecting algae growth.

+

TESCILATING 2D & 3D MODULE

SINGLE AIR INLET/OUTLET

DIAMOND FORM

TESCILATING 2D MODULE The starting point for the design was to create a facade module that would tescilate so it could spread over a large surface and was highly adaptable.

TESCILATING 3D MODULE In order to give the design greater flexiblity, I looked into forms that could tescilate three dimensionally supported by a simple lightweight frame.

SINGLE AIR INLET & OUTLET To simplify the design of the air inlet/ outlet system, I looked into shapes that could incorporate a single air inlet and outlet. This lead to the diamond form as it could also tescilate on a flat plain and three dimensionally.

AIR FLOW SIMULATION FOR WELDING PATTERNS B

D

F

H

SPREADING THE BUBBLES

A

C

E

G

To save time prototyping I simulated different welding patterns to test which distributed air most evenly from a single point.

Design â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Hâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; showed promising signs of even distribution while the shape would tescilate within the diamond form of the module.

REFINING THE PERIMETER The design started with a diamond frame with the air inlet inbetween. This was removed to increase transportability and replaced with a triple welded perimeter.

FACADE INTERATIONS

INCREASING VOLUME The size of the module increased so it could hold 400ml of culture from 200ml.

Facade | Initial Design Development The initial design parameters for the facade module were to create a form that could tescilate both across a flat facade but also three dimensionally to become a micro piece of architecture in itself. A diamond form was adopted so air could be introduced from a single point at the bottom of the panel whilst simulation was used to come up with the inner welding pattern.

SONIC WELDING PROCESS

SONOTRODE & TEMPLATE

SONIC WELDING SET-UP

+POWER SUPPLY

+

PLASTIC SHEETING

+

POWER CHORD

+

TRANSDUCER

+

+ SONOTRODE

+

WELDING TEMPLATE

Sonic Welding | Fabrication Sonic welding is an industrial manufacturing technique inwhich sheets of plastic are sealed to each other using ultrasonic acoustic vibrations.

Sheets of material are sandwiched between the steel plate (anvil) and the sonotrode. The sonotrode emits a frequency between 20kHz-70kHz. The ultrasonic vibrations melt the plastic at the point of contact creatin g a water tight, solid-state weld.

STEEL PLATE ‘ANVIL’

PROTOTYPE 1 INNER JIG A jig was created to maintain consistency across the panels by laser cutting a card template for the welding. This template was laid over the plastic sheeting when sonic welding the the welder tip followed the edge of the jig.

WELDED AIR INLETS/OUTLETS Paths for air inlets and outlets were welded between the sheets. This did not work well as if at any point the weld became detached the inlet/outlet ceased to function.

2 LAYER PERIMETER FRAME A 2 layer perimeter frame was laser cut to give ridigity to the panel.

This however made the panels harder to transport as they could not be rolled or folded to a smaller size.

PROTOTYPE 2

INCREASE PANEL SIZE The panel size was increased as the original panel could only hold 200ml of algae culture. The new panel is 1.2m heigh and can hold 400ml.

INNER AND OUTER JIG 2 jigs were created to weld the panel. The inner jig was used to create the welded inner pattern whilst an outer joint was used to weld the perimeter.

NO PERIMETER FRAME - CORNER FIXINGS The perimeter frame was dropped for corner fixing points. This meant the panel could be folded/rolled to ease transportation.

EMBEDDED VINYL TUBING The welded air inlet/outlet paths were replaced with vinyl tubing, embedded into the panel. This meant the air paths were less likely to fail and standardised attachments could be used to connect the tubes to pumps or other panels easily.

Facade Panel | Prototype 1 & 2 Based off my initial design studies and simulations for the facade welding patterns I created several prototype panels. This allowed my to practice using the sonic welding and make small refinements to the fabrication process along the way. Essential to the making of the panels were the welding â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;jigsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; that allowed the same patttern to be consistently repeated across the panels. The jigs themselves took time to refine.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Facade | Construction 1

Inner Jig is used to weld inner lines to set vinyl tubing to perimeter of the facade

4

Jig inserts are used to give even spacing to the welds around the facade perimeter

7 8

2

Vinyl tubing welded into place on the outer perimeter

5

Jig inserts removed one by one and the edge used to create smooth weld lines

3

Outer jig used to weld outermost edge of facade

6

Module after perimeter has been welded together

Inner jig used to weld the inner repeated pattern that holds the 2 plastic sheets together and disperses bubbles Final facade module.

TOP JOINT LOAD TEST

MIDDLE JOINT LOAD TEST

1.2kg

1.0kg

PLASTIC SUCKER

+ CUT JOINT

+

SPRAY PAINTED ACRYLIC

+

ASSEMBLED JOINTS

+

+

M4 BOLTS

Suction Joints | Prototyping I fabricated a series of suction joints for the corners of the facade modules. Acrylic plates were cut using a laser cutter and the back of the material sprayed red to give a gloss red finish. The plates were fixed together using bolts and the suction cup slotted into place. I tested the load each joint could take which was approximately 1kg.

FRAME ASSEMBLED

TOP JOINT

MID JOINT

BOTTOM JOINT

PARTS

6

5

4

1

2

3

The joints are designed to make assembling the frame simple and quick. Each joint consists of lengths of recycled vinyl tubing that are bolted together at the middle. The alluminium poles slot into the tubes and the friction between the materials holds them in place. The joints are strong yet flexible, allowing movement in the frame.

PARTS

The frame was designed to give an added versatility to the facade modules. The structure is a 3d tesillation of the facade module shape that creates a 1.7m tall diamond shape. The frame is designed to be quick to assemble and lightweight. It is constructed from recycled alluminium poles of 2 lengths. The the apex of the structure is a light fitting for the algae.

JOINTS

FRAME

Frame | Prototyping & Construction 1. Alluminium Tubes (long) 2. Alluminium Tubes (short) 3. Vinyl Tube Joints 4. Sensor Tray 5. Light Holder 6. Fixings

Final Design

INCUBATOR EXPLODED ISOMETRIC 1

TOP PLATE 3 4

1. 4mm Bolts 2. Stenciled Expedition Logo 3. Acrylic Top Plate (sprayed red) 4. Treated HDF Strengthening Plate 5. Reflector Frame 6. Aluminium Light Reflector Plate

2

5 6

8

INCUBATOR ELEVATION

7

9

UPPER CULTURE HOLDER 10

7. Air Valve (In) 8. Air Valve (Out) 9. Water Jet Cut Aluminium Plate 10. Laser Cut Acrylic Plate (clear) 11. Acrylic Bottle Latch (sprayed red) 12. Strengthening Ring

11 10

12

9

575mm

MIDDLE CULTURE HOLDER 13. Water Jet Cut Aluminium Plate 14. Laser Cut Acrylic Plate (clear) 15. Acrylic Bottle Latch (sprayed red) 16. Strengthening Ring 17. Bottle for Algae Cultures

13

14

15

16

17

350mm

INCUBATOR PLAN 19 18

20

21

BASE AND LEGS

22

18. Labelled Acrylic Bottle Plate 19. Air Valve 20. LED Grow Light 21. Folded Alluminium Base 22. Steel Folder Legs 23. Acrylic Feet 24. Rubber Cover

23 24

Algae Incubator | Drawings

FACADE MODULE EXPLODED FACADE MODULE

Air Out Air In 1

2

3

UPPER CONNECTOR 1. Air Out Connector 2. Air In Connector 3. Suction Cup 4. Vinyl Air Tube (⌀ 12mm) 5. Acrylic Plate (x2) 6. Connection to Frame 7. Bolt 8. Vinyl Air Tube (⌀ 6mm)

5 4

6 7

8

SU

& IC S L RY UP C A NC IO CT

PL

T AS

IC

MIDDLE CONNECTOR

9 10

9. Acrylic Plate (x2) 10. Suction Cup 11. Connection to Frame 12. 4mm Bolt 13. Welded Perimeter

SH

E

IN ET

G

AI

R

T

I UB

NG

PL

T AS

IC

SH

E

IN ET

G

11

AC

12

13

FACADE SET UP (PLANAR)

14 15

16

17 BOTTOM CONNECTOR 14. Inner Weld 15. 4mm Bolt 16. Air In 17. Connection to Frame 18. Acrylic Plate (x2) 19. Suction Cup 18

19

Facade Module | Drawings

L RY

IC

FRAME SET UP (3D)

balloon 23

24

facade panels

22

21

20 17

16 15

incubator

19

18

14

12 10

13

11

9

algae cultures

frame

8

7

6

1

2

3

4

5

Device | Parts

12kg

4.5L

1.2m

13.5m 133

3.6m

total weight of device (including algae)

of alluminium poles

amount of algae brought to China

total no. of bolts used

length of facade panel (largest part)

2

combined area of facade panels

70

no. of individual parts (not including fixings)

3122kr

total cost of device (excluding prototyping)

1. Algae Culture B 2. Algae Culture G 3. Algae Culture J (Spirulina) 4. 32mm M4 Bolts 5. Alluminium Poles (Ă&#x2DC;12mm) 6. Sensor Tray

7. 220W Light & Fitting 8. Plastic Tubing Joints 9. Algae Facade Panels (x6) 10. Bolts (Ă&#x2DC;4mm) 11. 220W Light 12. Culture Holder (Middle)

13. Culture Holder (Top) 14. Incubator Feet 15. Air Control Valves 16. Incubator Base (x6) 17. Incubator Legs 18. Labeled Culture Plates

19. Air Inlets/Outlets 20. Incubator Top 21. Light Holder 22. Air Testing Balloon (x3) 23. Algae Sample Net 24. Air Pump

Deployment and Testing

+

LANZHOU AERIAL PHOTO

B2

A2

B2

+ YELLOW RIVER C2

D2

C2

+

D2

+

A2 - NEW LANZHOU

>

F2

+

E2

E2

+

F2 0m

100m

200m

300m

400m

500m

Lanzhou Algae Sampling | Sources

Water samples were taken from shallow natural water sources across Lanzhou/LNA including the Yellow River, LNA and Zheng Quan pond. An algae sample collection net was used in order to obtain a 300ml sample with an increased algae content. The sample net was thoroughly cleaned and sterilised between samples to avoid cross contamination. Samples were also taken in Copenhagen from Sortedams Sø and Christiania prior to the field trip.

Algae No.

Source Location

Coordinates

Species

Collected

Cultivation Start

A2

Lanzhou New Area

36°28’15.2”N 103°40’32.8”E

Unknown

21/11 11:39am

25/11 17:29

B2

Xigu, Lanzhou

36°04’58.3”N 103°42’05.6”E

Unknown

22/11 9:31am

25/11 17:29

C2

Chengguan District

36°03’50.3”N 103°49’25.8”E

Unknown

24/11 15:00pm

25/11 17:29

D2

Hua An Zheng Quan

36°03’25.1”N 103°50’18.9”E

Unknown

23/11 11:39am

25/11 17:29

E2

Chengguan District

36°04’06.0”N 103°51’17.5”E

Unknown

24/11 16:35pm

25/11 17:29

F2

Chengguan District

36°03’50.9”N 103°50’15.8”E

Unknown

24/11 17:35pm

25/11 17:29

casting ropes

CASTING SAMPLING NET

DRAWING IN SAMPLING NET

CLEAR WATER PASSES THROUGH MESH

+

fine mesh

DRAWING IN SAMPLING NET

ALGAE TOO LARGE TO PASSES THROUGH MESH

+

FILTERING SAMPLE

release spout

concentrated sample

COLLECTING SAMPLE

Algae Sampling | Process To obtain the samples a special algae sampling net was used. The net uses a fine mesh that filters the water. As the net is drawn through the water, algae canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pass through the net and is funnelled into a collection chamber. This results in a higher concentration of algae per ml of sample taken.

+4MM BOLTS REFLECTOR PLATE

+

AIR OUT + +

AIR IN

TOP CULTURE HOLDERS

+

ALGAE CULTURES

+

FASTENING BOLT

+

MIDDLE CULTURE HOLDERS

+

AIR VALVES

+

AIR STONE

+

+ALLUMINIUM BASE

STRAPS

+

AIR PUMP

+

STEEL STABILISING LEGS

+

AIR INLET

+

+

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

RUBBER FEET

+

Algae Incubator | Cultivation Cultivation took place indoors by a west facing window. The samples were diluted in 1000ml of distilled water in 1500ml plastic bottles along with 4ml of liquid plant fertiliser and 4ml of soil nutrient mix. Air was then pumped through each culture constantly at a rate of 0.2L/minute for 10 days. An additional 4ml of liquid plant fertiliser was added every 7 days. A 220W UV LED lamp on a timer provided additional light at a ratio of 16:8 hours of light per day, optimal for algae growth.

Culture Content: • 300ml water sample • 1000ml distilled water • 4ml liquid fertiliser • 4ml soil nutrient mix

0.2L/M 10days volume of air pumped through each culture

total algae cultivation time

estimated amount of air supplied to each culture

of artifial light per day

2880L 16h

ALGAE CULTURES UNDER MICROSCOPE

B2

A2

C2

200um

200um

200um

150um

150um

150um

100um

100um

100um

50um

50um

50um

D2

E2

F2

200um

200um

200um

150um

150um

150um

100um

100um

100um

50um

50um

50um

B

G

J

200um

200um

200um

150um

150um

150um

100um

100um

100um

50um

50um

50um

ALGAE CULTURES AFTER CULTIVATION

Cultivation | Results The cultivation phase of the project provided promising evidence that algae could be cultivated from local water sources in Lanzhou. Of the 6 water samples taken I was able to cultivate algae from 4 including several sources on the Yellow River. This suggests that algae can be grown from local water sources in Lanzhou and perhaps these could be used to could help alleviate Lanzhouâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pollution problems.

AIR QUALITY INDEX: GOOD (0-35)

AIR QUALITY INDEX

Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk

MODERATE (35-75) Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.

AIR HU M ID IT Y

VERY UNHEALTHY (115-150) Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects

) 023 n/1 S( SE GA

Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.

) (%

US

UNHEALTHY (75-115)

HA ZA RD O

EXTREMELY UNHEALTHY (150-250)

PM 1 0

µg/m3

(°C) RATURE E P TEM R I A

Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.

CULTURES:

A2 B2 C2 D2 E2 F2 B G

2 PM

µg/ m3

3 g/m .5 µ

µg/ m3

2 PM

3 g/m .5 µ

µg/m3 PM 1 0

1.0

2 PM

µg/ m3

3 g/m .5 µ

AIR QUALITY INDEX HA ZA RD O

) (%

PM 1 0

µg/m3

TURE (°C) PERA TEM AIR

µg/m3 PM 1 0

1.0

AIR HU M ID IT Y µg/m3

PM 1 0

AIR HU M ID IT Y

HA ZA RD O

PM

PM

J

) (%

TURE (°C) PERA TEM AIR

AIR HU M ID IT Y µg/m3

PM 1 0

µg/m3 PM 1 0

1.0

TURE (°C) PERA TEM AIR

AIR HU M ID IT Y TURE (°C) PERA TEM AIR

µg/m3 PM 1 0

AIR HU M ID IT Y TURE (°C) PERA TEM AIR

µg/m3 PM 1 0

PM

AIR QUALITY INDEX

3 g/m .5 µ

) 023 n/1 S( SE GA

3 g/m .5 µ

2 PM

µg/ m3

US

TURE (°C) PERA TEM AIR

HA ZA RD O

) (%

1.0

) 023 n/1 S( SE GA

2 PM

PM

US

µg/ m3

3 g/m .5 µ

G ) 023 n/1 S( SE GA

) 023 n/1 S( SE GA

1.0

2 PM

µg/ m3

US

US

AIR HU M ID IT Y

TURE (°C) PERA TEM AIR

PM 1 0

µg/m3

TURE (°C) PERA TEM AIR

HA ZA RD O

1.0

AIR QUALITY INDEX

B

) (%

PM

PM

HA ZA RD O

) (%

) 023 n/1 S( SE GA

AIR QUALITY INDEX

F2

3 g/m .5 µ

HA ZA RD O

) (%

AIR QUALITY INDEX

US

2 PM

µg/ m3

E2

AIR QUALITY INDEX

) 023 n/1 S( SE GA

1.0

WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION’S GUIDELINES

US

PM

HA ZA RD O

) (%

) 023 n/1 S( SE GA

3 g/m .5 µ

D2

AIR QUALITY INDEX

US

2 PM

µg/ m3

) 023 n/1 S( SE GA

1.0

HA ZA RD O

) (%

US

) 023 n/1 S( SE GA

PM

C2

AIR QUALITY INDEX

AIR HU M ID IT Y

HA ZA RD O

) (%

2 PM

µg/ m3

AIR HU M ID IT Y

B2

AIR QUALITY INDEX

US

AIR HU M ID IT Y

A2

1.0

TURE (°C) PERA TEM AIR

PM

J

3 m / g .5 µ

PM

1.0

2 PM

µg/ m3

3 g/m .5 µ

Air Filtering Results | Incubator Set Up STATS:

Algae No.

AQI

MQ 135 (n/1023)

Pm10 (µg/m3) Pm2.5 (µg/m3) Pm1.0 (µg/m3)

Temperature (°C)

Humidity (%)

-89% -10% +69% C2 D2 J

MQ 135 Difference (%)

Control

176

58.1

0.0

110

136

82

19.7

17.7

A2

26

57.4

1.2

8

8

7

22

78

B2

19

57.76

0.6

6

6

5

22.4

80.9

C2

19

55.09

5.2

6

6

6

22

81.3

D2

32

52.19

10.2

10

10

8

20.8

86.6

E2

29

55.57

4.4

10

9

8

21.5

77.8

F2

36

56.27

3.1

11

11

9

21.8

85.2

B

29

53.23

8.4

10

9

8

22.9

73.7

G

52

56.23

3.2

16

16

14

22.9

51.1

J

58

89.95

-54.8

20

19

15

24

78.9

reduction in ambient particle pollution (highest reduction)

reduction in hazardous gas pollution (highest reduction)

increase in humidity (highest increase)

best culture for ambient particle filtration

best culture for hazardous gas filtration

worst culture for hazardous gas filtration

The air filtration experiments bared results that supported my original hypothesis but also some surprising outcomes. Air pumped through the cultures showed a sharp decrease in particle pollution, increased humidity and partial decrease in harmful gases including Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Ammonia (NH3), Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) and Benzene (C6H6) among the cultures containing algae (with some exceptions). All cultures, even those not containing algae, showed a dramatic decrease in particle pollution in some cases decreasing from an AQI of 176 (Extremely Unhealthy) to 19 (Good), which is lower than in Copenhagen.

AIR QUALITY INDEX: GOOD (0-35)

AIR QUALITY INDEX

Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk

MODERATE (35-75)

VERY UNHEALTHY (115-150) Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects

) (%

) 023 n/1 S( SE GA

Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.

HA ZA RD O US

UNHEALTHY (75-115)

AIR HU M ID IT Y

Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.

EXTREMELY UNHEALTHY (150-250)

PM 1 0

µg/m3

(°C) RATURE E P TEM R I A

Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.

CULTURES:

A2 B2 C2 D2 E2 F2 B G

PM

1.0

2 PM

µg/ m3

J

3 m / g .5 µ

WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION’S GUIDELINES

FACADE TEST RESULTS

AIR HU M ID IT Y

PM

1.0

2 PM

µg/ m3

µg/m3 PM 1 0

µg/m3 PM 1 0

3 g/m .5 µ

TURE (°C) PERA TEM AIR

AIR HU M ID IT Y µg/m3

PM 1 0

PM 1 0

µg/m3

TURE (°C) PERA TEM AIR

TURE (°C) PERA TEM AIR

2 PM

µg/ m3

) 023 n/1 S( SE GA

1.0

HA ZA RD O

) (%

US

PM

HA ZA RD O

) (%

) 023 n/1 S( SE GA

3 g/m .5 µ

AIR QUALITY INDEX

E2 US

2 PM

µg/ m3

HA ZA RD O

) (%

) 023 n/1 S( SE GA

) 023 n/1 S( SE GA

1.0

AIR QUALITY INDEX

D2 US

AIR HU M ID IT Y

HA ZA RD O

) (%

PM

AIR QUALITY INDEX

C2

TURE (°C) PERA TEM AIR

AIR QUALITY INDEX

US

AIR HU M ID IT Y

B

3 g/m .5 µ

PM

1.0

2 PM

µg/ m3

3 g/m .5 µ

INCUBATOR TEST RESULTS

1.0

2 PM

µg/ m3

3 g/m .5 µ

AIR HU M ID IT Y

1.0

µg/ m3

2 PM

3 g/m .5 µ

µg/m3 PM 1 0

µg/m3 PM 1 0

PM

TURE (°C) PERA TEM AIR

AIR HU M ID IT Y µg/m3

PM 1 0

PM 1 0

µg/m3

TURE (°C) PERA TEM AIR

TURE (°C) PERA TEM AIR

PM

) 023 n/1 S( SE GA

3 g/m .5 µ

HA ZA RD O

) (%

US

2 PM

HA ZA RD O

) (%

) 023 n/1 S( SE GA

µg/ m3

AIR QUALITY INDEX

E2

US

1.0

HA ZA RD O

) (%

) 023 n/1 S( SE GA

) 023 n/1 S( SE GA

PM

AIR QUALITY INDEX

D2

US

AIR HU M ID IT Y

HA ZA RD O

) (%

US

AIR HU M ID IT Y

AIR QUALITY INDEX

C2

TURE (°C) PERA TEM AIR

AIR QUALITY INDEX

B

PM

1.0

2 PM

µg/ m3

3 g/m .5 µ

Air Filtering Results | Facade Module The results from the incubator unit tests and the facade module tests were very similar despite the air being pumped through 400ml of liquid compared with 1300ml. Air pumped through the incubator unit traveled approximately 300mm up through the algae cultures whilst air pumped through the facade module traveled approximately 1200mm . This suggests that by increasing the length of time the air is passing through the culture by increasing the distance the air is pumped through the culture might increase its overall efficiency.

Algae No.

AQI

MQ 135 (n/1023)

MQ 135 Difference (%)

Pm10 (µg/m3) Pm2.5 (µg/m3) Pm1.0 (µg/m3)

Temperature (°C)

Humidity (%)

Control

182

56.57

0.0

111

140

89

20.2

18.1

B

29

53.05

6.2

10

9

8

22.9

73.7

C2

26

55.62

1.7

8

8

7

22.4

82.4

D2

36

53.48

5.5

11

11

9

20.8

86.6

E2

29

56.24

0.6

10

9

8

21.5

77.8

INCUBATOR TEST SET UP STEP 3 AIR OUTLET CONNECTED TO BALLOON

+

STEP 7 RESULTS FROM ARDUINO AND PARTICLE METER LOGGED IN COMPUTER

+CULTURES

+ STEP 2 VALVES DIRECT ALL AIR TO ONE CULTURE

+

STEP 6 SENSORS IN THE BALLOON MEASURE PARTICLE & GAS POLLUTION, AIR TEMP AND HUMIDITY

+

ARDUINO

+ STEP 1 AIR PUMP SUPPLIES AIRS AT 1.2L/M

+SENSORS

+STEP 4

TIMER

+ +STEP 5

AIR OUTLET INSERTED IN BALOON. BALOON SEALED

FACADE TEST SET UP

+

+POWER SUPPLY

+AIR PUMP

AIR SUPPLIED TO BALOON FOR 15MINS TILL FULL

+ PORTABLE AIR PUMP

STEP 1 AIR PUMP SUPPLIES AIRS AT 1.2L/M

+

+STEP 2

AIR OUTLET CONNECTED + STEP 4 TO FACADE PANEL

AIR OUTLET CONNECTED TO BALLOON

STEP 6 SENSORS IN THE BALLOON MEASURE PARTICLE & GAS POLLUTION, AIR TEMP AND HUMIDITY

+

+ STEP 3

AIR PUMPED THROUGH PERIMETER TUBES AND RISES UP THROUGH CULTURES

+STEP 5

AIR SUPPLIED TO BALOON FOR 15MINS TILL FULL

Air Filtering Tests | Set Up 1

An experiment was run to verify the difference in the air quality of air passed through these cultures using the incubator unit and the facade.

Testing took place indoors in a sealed room by a west facing window at approximately 20°C. A particle reader and MQ-135 sensor connected to an arduino board were inserted into a deflated, transparent balloon.

Indoor polluted air was pumped through each 1300ml culture at a rate of 1.2L/minute and into the balloon for 15 minutes until the balloon was fully pumped. After the 15 minutes, 3 temperature, humidity, pm1.0, pm2.5, pm10 readings were taken at 20 second intervals to give a mean average. 20 MQ-135 sensor readings were taken at 5 second intervals to give a mean average. These readings provided an ‘air profile’ for the filtered air for all 6 cultures cultivated in Lanzhou and the 3 cultures from Denmark. Control was obtained by running the same experiment but not passing the air through the algae cultures.

5 4

2

3

1. MQ-135 Sensor 2. Arduino Board 3. USB Data Cable 4. Arduino C+ Code 5. Particle Meter

WANGSHANJIAN

“

MAN WANSHENG

Lived in LNA before the development.

Feels that the development is a good thing for LNA as it has brought jobs to an area where there were none before. Yet feels that the construction has brought with it increased pollution and doesnt like that there are more people. She hopes that in the future the development will encourage foreigners to move to LNA.

“ ”

2o year old student at LTU. Would like to seee more people, particullarly young people in LNA but overal is positive

WU NENG CIA

“

Developer working for Gansu Trade Union.

Says that the building in LNA is a process but by the end of it LNA will have a better and cleaner environment than Lanzhou.

”

”

YANG GUANGLIANG/DENG SHENGXIANG

“

”

GEZHENGIAN

WU WEI

“

55 year old head chef at local restaurant.

Misses nothing about the area before the development. Before people would have to think twice before eating meat, now everyone

56 and 55 years old.

Traditional house is being demolished in 2 months but are really excited about being relocated to a new modern highrise. Most people are happy about the development as they are getting money from it

”

“

Lived in LNA for over 35 years.

Started working at the convenience shop in LNA 2 years ago. Feels that the development

KANG XUI FANG

“

”

Lived in LNA for over 20 years.

Very happy to be relocating to a modern house and is too old to miss anything.

”

GARDENERS

“

All lived in the area all of their lives.

Quality of life has improved in the area and dont miss anything about how it used to be before the development. Hope that the development

Interviews | Cultivating Ecologies Will the help of a Chinese translater I interview multiple residents from Lanzhou New Area, asking them about their lifes had changed with the development, what they thought of it both positive and negative and what hopes the had for the future of this new city.

”

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Hi my name is Otis and I am an architecture student. This is an air cleaning system that uses algae and microscopic plant life found in local lakes and rivers to remove air pollutants. Air is pumped through the liquid and algae absorb the air pollutants.

â&#x20AC;?

Performance | Interactions The device offers the opportunity to begin discussions about the built environment, technology and its role within the environmental challenges we face with those who come into contact with it. I an effort to encourage this I deployed the device during rush hour and used a translated description of the project to try and communicate these ideas.