Aerial Ropeways: Difference between revisions
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==Open source ropeway hardware for large-scale biochar transport== | ==Open source ropeway hardware for large-scale biochar transport== | ||
[[Biochar]] is becoming increasingly recognized as an important soil amendment and strategy to combat climate change. Some regions of the world, such as semi-arid regions, have abundant sunshine but little capacity for producing biomass. Other regions, such as forests, produce an abundance of biomass. This biomass may be at risk of wildfires, releasing gigatons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as part of the normal carbon cycle. Therefore, it has been proposed to produce biochar in forests and then transport it to biomass-poor | [[Biochar]] is becoming increasingly recognized as an important soil amendment and strategy to combat climate change. Some regions of the world, such as semi-arid regions, have abundant sunshine but little capacity for producing biomass. Other regions, such as forests, produce an abundance of biomass. This biomass may be at risk of wildfires, releasing gigatons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as part of the normal carbon cycle. Therefore, it has been proposed to produce biochar in forests and then transport it to biomass-poor regions. If done by ground transport (trucks, rail), this would be prohibitively expensive. | ||
Aerial ropeways may change that equation, as they have many qualities needed to transport large amounts of biochar energy-efficiently and inexpensively. Even topsoil could be transported in this way, rapid regeneration of degraded topsoil. | Aerial ropeways may change that equation, as they have many qualities needed to transport large amounts of biochar energy-efficiently and inexpensively. Even topsoil could be transported in this way, rapid regeneration of degraded topsoil. | ||
[[File:Biochar ropeway.jpg|400px|thumb|right| | [[File:Biochar ropeway.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Part of mobile unit for biomass transport (image from: Biochar BC]] | ||
Some open source hardware development is | Some open source hardware development is needed, and may include: | ||
* very large bins of sheet metal with steel supports (for the light-weight and bulky biochar) | * very large bins of sheet metal with steel supports (for the light-weight and bulky biochar); bins are designed to prevent carbon dust (need to be covered/closed) | ||
* poles that can be | * poles that can be constructed of steel (in drylands) or wood (in forests); design for rapid take-down and re-assembly elsewhere | ||
* standardized wheels, possibly sand cast ? or CNC-machined | * standardized steel rope to be used | ||
* | * standardized wheels, possibly sand-cast ? or CNC-machined wheels (i.e. shape that works with the size of steel rope) | ||
* development of social and financial structures to facilitate these ropeways (i.e. ''who benefits ?'' ... prevent NIMBYism by financially including landholders who provide the land) | |||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
Revision as of 16:04, 31 January 2011
Simple, inexpensive yet powerful technology. One of the most energy-efficient forms of transporting goods and people. Relatively easy (and quick) to set up, operate and take down again. Most common materials used were first wood and then steel. In mountainous regions, may be powered by gravity alone.
Open source ropeway hardware for large-scale biochar transport
Biochar is becoming increasingly recognized as an important soil amendment and strategy to combat climate change. Some regions of the world, such as semi-arid regions, have abundant sunshine but little capacity for producing biomass. Other regions, such as forests, produce an abundance of biomass. This biomass may be at risk of wildfires, releasing gigatons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as part of the normal carbon cycle. Therefore, it has been proposed to produce biochar in forests and then transport it to biomass-poor regions. If done by ground transport (trucks, rail), this would be prohibitively expensive.
Aerial ropeways may change that equation, as they have many qualities needed to transport large amounts of biochar energy-efficiently and inexpensively. Even topsoil could be transported in this way, rapid regeneration of degraded topsoil.
Some open source hardware development is needed, and may include:
- very large bins of sheet metal with steel supports (for the light-weight and bulky biochar); bins are designed to prevent carbon dust (need to be covered/closed)
- poles that can be constructed of steel (in drylands) or wood (in forests); design for rapid take-down and re-assembly elsewhere
- standardized steel rope to be used
- standardized wheels, possibly sand-cast ? or CNC-machined wheels (i.e. shape that works with the size of steel rope)
- development of social and financial structures to facilitate these ropeways (i.e. who benefits ? ... prevent NIMBYism by financially including landholders who provide the land)
External Links
- Low-tech Magazine: "Aerial ropeways: automatic cargo transport for a bargain"
- Practical Action: "Technical Information Online Ropeways - Aerial Ropeways in Nepal"
- Appropedia: Aerial Ropeways in Nepal
- Appropedia: Ropeway in the Himalayas