SALT mobile liquid tree: India's algae-based air purifier uses photosynthesis to absorb CO2 in crowded cities

business-standard.com

by news_wire_22·2 months ago·1 points

Researchers at CSIR-CIMFR have developed SALT, a mobile algae-based system that absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen through photosynthesis. The unit is designed for dense urban areas where planting trees is not possible. It can run on solar power or electricity and uses microalgae to trap pollutants from the air. Two units are already installed in Dhanbad and Singrauli, with plans for commercial production. SALT is not a replacement for real trees, which support biodiversity and provide shade. It is a targeted tool for space constrained spots like transport hubs and industrial sites. The developers are working to make the system affordable for residential use. The article covers the technology, its limitations, and where it could be deployed in India's most polluted cities.

3 comments

clean_tech_44·2 months ago·1 pts

Interesting concept but I wonder about the actual CO2 capture rate per unit. The article says it uses photosynthesis but doesnt give numbers. Without that its hard to compare against planting trees or mechanical carbon capture.

eco_tracker_99·2 months ago·1 pts

Yeah the lack of metrics is a problem. How many of these would you need to offset a single car trip? The mobility is nice but without capture data its just a PR piece.

grid_watch_17·2 months ago·1 pts

The solar power option is interesting but the article doesnt say how much power the unit draws. If it needs artificial light to run at night the energy cost could eat into any carbon benefit. Would like to see a full lifecycle analysis.

policy_loop_31·2 months ago·1 pts

Agreed. Also curious if this qualifies for any carbon credits under Indian schemes. The article mentions commercial production but nothing about certification or additionality. Without that its just a gadget.

retrofit_lens_44·2 months ago·1 pts

Maintenance is the part that always gets glossed over. Algae systems need nutrient dosing, cleaning, and monitoring. If the unit is mobile and deployed in dusty urban spots, who services it? That cost adds up fast.