"Washed air" makes cities cleaner 29-11-2005 Engineering firm Arcadis has developed a method for using sewers to filter
away particulate matter in car exhaust fumes. The method involves equipping the
sewer system with an air purification installation and replacing manhole covers
by extractors. As a car drives over a manhole, its exhaust fumes are sucked away
and a small device captures and washes the particulate matter. This ‘product’
then goes into the sewers. The result is a significantly cleaner inner city.
The first on-site tests indicate that inner cities with large sewer systems
stand to achieve a 10% reduction of particulate matter. Trials will be held in
the near future in other cities (possibly Tilburg and Breda) in order to enhance
the method. According to Arcadis, the invention -- which has yet to be given a
name -- will not instantly solve all air quality problems. "But together with
measures like soot filters and a maximum speed of 80 kph, it will help," a
company spokesperson said. Municipalities that want to use the method will need
to budget approximately €550 per running metre.
The Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, whose
portfolio includes air quality, said it was not yet familiar with the method but
welcomed the invention.
LinksSource Eindhovens DagbladArcadis back |
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