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 | [[Biochar]] is becoming increasingly recognized as an important soil amendment and strategy to combat climate change. Some regions of the world, such as the semi-arid drylands, have little capacity for producing biomass and hence biochar. Other regions, such as forests, produce an abundance of biomass. However, this may be at risk of wildfires, releasing gigatons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as part of the normal carbon cycle. Therefore, the production of biochar in forests has been proposed, followed by transport to nearby biomass-poor regions. This would likely be prohibitively expensive if done by ground transport (trucks, rail). | ||
Aerial ropeways may change that equation, as they have many qualities needed to transport large amounts of biochar energy-efficiently and inexpensively. The energy released from biochar production (heat) can drive a heat engine and thereby power the ropeway. Even topsoil could be transported in this way, for rapid regeneration of degraded soils. | |||
[[File:Biochar ropeway.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Part of mobile unit for biomass transport (image from: Biochar BC)]] | [[File:Biochar ropeway.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Part of mobile unit for biomass transport (image from: Biochar BC)]] | ||
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* 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) | * 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 | * poles that can be constructed of steel (in drylands) or wood (in forests); design for rapid take-down and re-assembly elsewhere | ||
* | * standardize steel rope to be used | ||
* standardized wheels, possibly sand-cast ? or CNC-machined | * standardized wheels, possibly sand-cast ? or CNC-machined (i.e. shape that works well with the size of steel rope) | ||
* development of social and financial structures to facilitate these ropeways (i.e. | * development of social and financial structures to facilitate these ropeways (i.e. to address NIMBYism by financially including landholders who would provide the land) | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
Revision as of 19:16, 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 for constructing these were first wood and then steel. In mountainous regions, may be powered by gravity alone. Introduction of steel ropes and electric motors was major efficiency boost, so probably should be the preferred option.
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 the semi-arid drylands, have little capacity for producing biomass and hence biochar. Other regions, such as forests, produce an abundance of biomass. However, this may be at risk of wildfires, releasing gigatons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as part of the normal carbon cycle. Therefore, the production of biochar in forests has been proposed, followed by transport to nearby biomass-poor regions. This would likely be prohibitively expensive if done by ground transport (trucks, rail).
Aerial ropeways may change that equation, as they have many qualities needed to transport large amounts of biochar energy-efficiently and inexpensively. The energy released from biochar production (heat) can drive a heat engine and thereby power the ropeway. Even topsoil could be transported in this way, for rapid regeneration of degraded soils.
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
- standardize steel rope to be used
- standardized wheels, possibly sand-cast ? or CNC-machined (i.e. shape that works well with the size of steel rope)
- development of social and financial structures to facilitate these ropeways (i.e. to address NIMBYism by financially including landholders who would 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