India's Innovative Air Purification Tower

Summary of Key Facts and Developments on PureAir Tower™ and related initiatives

1. PureAir Tower™ Overview:

• Location: Installed along the Aerocity highway corridor, New Delhi.
• Technology: First microalgae-based air purification system in India, utilizing photosynthetic microalgae for pollution mitigation.
• Functionality: Converts CO₂, particulate matter (PM), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into oxygen and algal biomass, acting as a biological air purification system with minimal energy consumption and no filter waste.

2. Comparison to Conventional Systems:

• Unlike traditional smog towers that use mechanical filtration, the PureAir Tower™ operates using bioremediation, transforming pollutants through natural processes.

3. Impact Metrics:

• Each PureAir Tower™ has an air purification capacity equivalent to that of over 15 mature trees.

4. Expansion Plans:

• Contracts have been signed for three additional PureAir Towers and a one-kilometre deployment of Carbelim BioDivider™ panels, which also contribute to air purification, equating to about 500 additional trees.

5. Environmental Innovation:

• The project aims to convert infrastructure into biologically responsive systems capable of mitigating air pollution, indicating a new direction in urban environmental strategy.

6. Industrial Application of Technology:

• Carbelim is also applying this microalgae technology to industrial sectors (energy, petroleum, steel) for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS).
• Bypassing greenhouse gases helps industries achieve decarbonization while creating revenue through biochar and tradable carbon credits.

7. Research and Development:

• The microalgae technology has been developed through three years of R&D across several countries (India, UK, UAE), leading to a consortium of resilient microalgae for effective CO₂ capture.

8. Duration of Field Deployment:

• Demonstrated performance sustainability for up to 18 months from a single inoculation of the microalgae consortium.

9. Context of Air Quality in Delhi:

• The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi frequently reaches "Severe" levels during winter months, with PM2.5 concentrations significantly above WHO safety limits, highlighting urgent air quality challenges.

10. Strategic Direction:

• The PureAir Tower™ marks a shift in urban planning from merely addressing pollution to embedding environmental remediation within infrastructure design, promoting long-term climate-responsive solutions.

This initiative showcases an innovative blending of science and urban infrastructure to address pressing environmental and public health challenges, representing a crucial step toward sustainable urban development and enhanced air quality management.