Lackner's model of Synthetic TreesGlobal Research Technologies LLC is another firm focusing in co2 capturing technology.It also has developed a Co2 capturing device which is little different from Lackner's model.
Dr K Muthuchezhian,Head of Department -BioEnergy at MKU,Tamil Nadu is attempting to develop 'Robot Trees' based on Lackner's model.
"Trees are the first line to fight global warming," he says. "But man continues to destroy forests, ignoring the dangers of global warming. Forests are being replaced by industries that emit dangerous greenhouse gases. Robot trees will go a long way in tackling this problem.The energy absorbed by the solar panel leaves is converted into electricity. The solution in which the carbon dioxide is dissolved gets heated with the help of this solar power and is split into oxygen, hydrogen and water vapour, which are released through the outlets in the solar panel. Carbonic acid, formed as a result of the reaction, is released into the earth via the artificial root system."
It is estimated that 2.5 lakh synthetic trees is sufficient to absorb the total emissions arising from all vehicles around the world.
Hopefully these white trees will provide us a green future.
I wonder about the amount of CO2 emitted to build and maintain these trees?
ReplyDeleteHow much co2 an "average natural tree" absorb? Once established these are zero maintenance. They help a LOT more for "other" living things on the Earth. It is sad to see that most of the time "we" think that the Earth belongs only to humans.
Sathish,
ReplyDeleteI get your point.Yes "we" do think only the benefit of us.
Regarding these robot trees,They should not be seen as a substitute for natural green trees,but just as devices which will reduce the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.Activities like planting more trees must continue and they cannot be substituted by anything else.
Also once these robot trees function as expected we do not know what kind of consequences that will arise of such an drastic artificial reduction of carbon dioxide and how it will affect the normal ecosystem.
Many factors like these have not been thought through at this stage. And before such systems are implemented the long term consequences must be taken into account.
Substitutes, Huh! One day we will invent robots to take care of our graves. Too much dependence on technology is not going to take us anywhere.
ReplyDeleteBut this plan seems good to me. Tax the cars and build tress? Fair enough.