DAVID AMANN
Creative Technologist
Carbon Dioxide Filter
Problem:
Air pollution indoors can be 5 times higher than outside due to the CO2 we breathe out and a lack of ventilation.
Hypercapnia is a medical condition in which you end up with a build-up of CO2 in your blood.
Moderate to high levels(1000ppm) of carbon dioxide can cause headaches and fatigue,
and higher concentrations(2500ppm) can produce nausea, dizziness, and vomiting.
Talking to friends who had experienced situations similar to this because their student flat bedroom had no proper ventilation,
said they were losing concentration quickly and had to frequently get outside for fresh air during their studies.
Research:
- Dangers of CO2 build up.
- Average indoor CO2 levels in NZ.
- Effectiveness of indoor plants to reduce CO2 in indoor environments.
- Alternative CO2 scrubber to plants.
- Natural CO2 scrubbers.
- Efficiency of CO2 capture by algae.
- Microalgae Chlorella Vulgaris CO2 absorption.
Solution:
An algae-based carbon dioxide scrubbing air filter.
Designed to counter a single person’s CO2 respiratory output to a 1:1 ratio in a poorly ventilated small to medium-sized room.
At an algae bloom of 2 litres, its oxygen output through photosynthesis would be equal to approximately 24 common houseplants.
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How it works:
It works by a fan pulling air through the ventilation holes and into the pump which pumps it into the tank of algae and water, with the combination of the air diffuser at the bottom of the tank to promote airflow and discourage algae settling - extending lifetime and reducing cleaning requirements. With built-in LEDs to provide light to further aid and encourage growth. Through photosynthesis, the Algae absorbs the Carbon Dioxide and releases Oxygen back out through the top of the tank.
