A huge filter pipe will save Chinese cities from smog

China is the world's largest air pollutant. Even in samples of snow taken in the Himalayas, away from large cities and enterprises, scientists found traces of pollutants from the Middle Kingdom. The rapidly developing economy of the most populated country in the world has a tremendous impact on the ecology of the entire region.

The Chinese authorities are seriously concerned about the problem of air pollution, which the leading research teams of the country are working on. One of the Chinese know-how has become a huge concrete tower, which, according to the designers, should cope with the problem of air purification in large industrial cities of the country and save people from the need to wear respirators.

A concrete pipe about 100 meters high was installed in Xi'an City in Shaanxi Province. Inside the "tower-cleaner" there are several layers of cleaning filters. But the main part of the tower, which ensures its operation, is located below. At the foot of the concrete pipe there is a glass greenhouse, into which air can freely penetrate. A special coating has been laid on the floor of the glass structure, which has an increased ability to absorb sunlight. The heated air from the greenhouse expands, becomes light and rises into the pipe, where it passes through the treatment filters. In its place, a new batch of air is drawn in, which after heating goes through the same stages. Thus, a huge cleaning filter works without any energy costs, only due to its unique design. At the same time, the tower’s operation does not stop even at night: the heat accumulated during the day is enough for uninterrupted air supply.

The measurements showed that the operation of the tower-cleaner already has a beneficial effect on the quality of atmospheric air in the city. The content of pollutants decreased by 15%, which inspired developers to new modifications. It is planned to create concrete filter towers up to 500 meters high in other cities of the country. And the area of the greenhouse at the foot of such a tower will reach 30 square meters. km