+salt. - Undergraduate Thesis

meghan DAVIS

| spring 2022

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contents.

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background & history

2

materials exploration

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architectural synthesis

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undergraduate thesis

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just +salt |

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rising sea levels

desalination plants

climate change

air pollution

salt

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mass production

clean emissions

mass halotherapy

abstract.

The inevitability of a future excess of salt, in addition to the health benefits of this mineral warrant the exploration of salt as a means of rehabilitating the damage created by air pollution, at both a commercial scale and a personal scale.

undergraduate thesis

Because the rising sea levels will cause an unbalancing of the water aquifers, desalination plants will become paramount for freshwater consumption. Today, current desalination plants across the world produce 100 billion liters of water and 100 billion liters of brine each day. This brine must be significantly diluted in order to protect marine ecosystems and this process is extremely expensive to do well, so current desalination plants are destroying marine life.

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As a society we have become reliant on mass production and manufacturing. The emissions from this industry, which include carbon oxides, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and other harmful gases, linger in the atmosphere.

These chemicals are not only destroying our air and environmental quality, but they are also threatening our fresh water sources. As air pollution worsens, climate change is triggered, causing sea levels to rise.

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1. background & history.

human history of salt.

6000 B.C. The first evidence of salt harvesting occurred in the Yuncheng Lake in China.

1800 B.C. China began producing sea salt by boiling seawater in clay vessels.

2800 B.C. Egyptians began trading salt, in the form of salted fish.

2000 B.C. Evidence of salting fish to preserve it from the Xia Dynasty.

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252 B.C. Li Bing ordered the first brine wells ever to be drilled in China.

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500 B.C. Preserving soybeans in salt; later becoming soy sauce.

400 B.C. Salt mines established in Salzburg.

550 B.C. Via Salaria established as a main trading route in Rome.

450 B.C. In China, Yi Dun began boiling brine to distill water.

undergraduate thesis

800 B.C. The Phoenicians began producing salt

origins of salt therapy.

1839 Dr. Felix Boczkowski founded and opened the first health resort facility in the Wieliczka Salt Mine in Krakow, Poland (pictured).

1949 Dr. K.H. Spannahel created the Klyutert cave as an inpatient facilty to study underground environments and their affects on human health.

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1958 Professor Mieczyslaw Skulimowski became the first official doctor of the Wieliczka Salt Mine and started treating regular patients, thus beginning Subterraneotherapy.

1964 Kinga Health Resort established in the Wieliczka Salt Mine.

1980 Odessa Science Research Institute in Ukraine develops the first Halotherapy device.

1991 After the fall of The Soviet Union, halotherapy knowledge and research became accessible to the rest of the world.

halogenerator

Salt Tank Salt Aerosol mixed with Air

Dispenser

MOTOR

MOTOR 9

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MOTOR

Dispenser Tube

Salt Grinder

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Halogenerator Body

health benefits of salt.

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The health benefits of salt have been known and explored for centuries. Salt has the unique ability to detoxify, heal, cleanse, exfoliate and even hold in moisture, all in one. This mineral absorbs dirt, grime, toxins, and deeply cleanses pores. Salts are easily absorbed through the cell wall of our skin and stimulate antiinflammatory reactions and replenish lost minerals which are lost during daily routine.

Salt helps protect mucus membranes, as the first line of defense against virus and bacteria. High concentrations of salt make the mucus less penetrable and high concentrations of salt kill some types of bacteria through dehydration. The antibacterial function of salt works through osmosis; when bacterial cells become dehydrated, they lose structure and die.

Research has found halotherapy to assist in the treatment of: Lung infection, Throat infection or pharyngitis, Smoking-related breathing problems, Respiratory allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Cold or cough, Pneumonia, Sinusitis, Rhinitis, Tonsillitis, Cystic fibrosis, and breathing problems caused by Covid-19. In addition, halotherapy can help repair skin cells and protect skin from aging and infection.

Our bodies contain the same concentrations of minerals and nutrients as the salty sea water. Magnesium, potassium and calcium are additional minerals found in sea salt. They help combat bacteria and skin infections, while also speeding up the healing process.

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INHALATION

ENVIRONMENTAL PRESENCE

TOPICAL ABSORPTION

assists respiratory system

benefits mental health

assists skin conditions

Diminishes Inflammation Reduces effects of chronic conditions Asthma COPD Relieves smoking related symptoms Mucoactive: clears mucus from airways Immunity Boosting Anti-allergic

Relieves anxiety and depression Absorbs negative ions from the surrounding environment - triggering the release of serotonin Reduces Stress Increases Energy Enhances Sleep Cycle

Antibacterial Anti-fungal

Assists in the treatments of: Acne and Rosacea Dermititis Eczema Psoriasis Rashes Skin Allergies

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undergraduate thesis

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rising sea levels.

As air pollution worsens, climate change is triggered, causing sea levels to rise. Within the last three decades, the rate at which the sea level is rising has raised to 0.14 inches, from a previous rate of 0.06 inches. This may not sound like a lot, however, at this rate, by the year 2100 it is predicted that the sea levels will have risen a minimum of 3 feet. This would mean that at least 10 major cities, including New York City and Boston will be underwater by 2100. If sea levels rise enough to drown cities, they will be high enough to destroy our fresh water sources.

For the city of Los Angeles alone, it requires fresh water from three different ground water basins. Due to pollution and overextraction, these water basins are being destroyed, along with similar ones all over the world. The storage for this capacity of fresh water would cost $3 billion. This is only 16% of the total water needed for the population of Los Angeles.

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0.14 inches

p e r

y e a r

5-9 inches

b y

2 0 5 0

min. 3 feet

b y

2 1 0 0

Boston, MA 675,647 New York City, NY 8,419,000 Atlantic City, NJ 37,999 Virginia Beach, VA 450,201

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Miami, FL 467,963

U.S. Cities expected to be underwater by 2100 under current conditions

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Houston, TX 2,310,000

New Orleans, LA 390,845

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Charleston, SC 411,406

desalination process.

Step 1: Sea Water Intake 14

Step 2: Screening

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Step 3: Filtration Step 4: Reverse Osmosis separates water and salt Step 5: Water and salt each treated to consumption standards Step 6 Distribution

+salt. smoke stack filtration.

salt is distributed utilizing the cleaned emissions, which power a commercial scale halogenerator the liquid is heated to gas and re-filtered through a purified salt water solution

the liquid is heated to gas and re-filtered through a purified salt water solution

the water molecules inhibit gaseuos bonds via the formation of H-bonds

emissions are first filtered through a fresh water

ELECTROSTATIC SMOKE PRECIPITATORS

salt SYSTEM

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the remaining gas flows through a neutralizerto remove any remaining gases

salt is a thermodynamic gas hydrate inhibitor, which creates a lower temp & higher pressure, resulting in hydrate accretion

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gas passes through a wet scrubber tnat removes large particulates

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current desalintaion output.

DESALINATION PLANT

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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT damage to marine ecosystems

ECONOMIC IMPACT expensive dilution and pumping process

100 billion liters

100 billion liters

BRINE FRESH WATER

proposed output system. production utilizes salt water safe equipment salt solution for filtration of emissions brine is extracted from the salt water

mass - scale halogenerators salt is then utilized for production

DESALINATION PLANT

salt water sourced from the ocean

provided in areas of shortage

smoke stack filtration

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FRESH WATER

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2. materials exploration.

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In order to understand the properties which are unqiue to the material, a series of experiments were performed.

Salt struggles in creating spatial qualities of its own, but when used in conjunction with other materials, a world of possibilities manifests. The first experiments began by spraying a salt water solution on various materials. From there, materials were then submerged in a similar solution. From preliminay research it is known that salty filament for 3-D printing is being explored and tested. Various forms of compression structures have also begun to emerge in experimental research, so this warrated the testing of small scale blocks and arches. And because salt is a mineral, the uniqure properties of the material afford the opportunity for mineral accretion through electrification.

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experimentation.

Sprayed Solution: 12 ounces water 3 Tablespoons Salt

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Method: Spray once / day Lay flat in a dry place Spray until saturated Most Successful: Table Salt

experimentation.

Submerged Solution: 4 ounces water 1 Tablespoon Salt Method: Soak in solution on flat surface Store in a cool, dry place 21

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Most Successful: Table Salt

experimentation.

Molded Method: Mix Starch and Salt until blended Stir in Sake, until smooth Pour into mold Allow to dry completely

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Mixture: 8 parts salt 2 parts starch 2 parts sake Most Successful: Himalayan Pink Salt

experimentation.

“3-D Printed” Mixture: 8 parts salt 2 parts starch 2 parts sake

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Most Successful: Table Salt

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Method: Measure all ingredients by weight Mix Salt and Starch until blended Add Sake and stir until smooth Pour into syringe Use syringe to “3-D Print” Let dry until solid

experimentation.

Electrified Solution: 4 Cups water 8 Tablespoons Salt 4 Tablespoons Epsom Salt

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Method: Strip wires Affix positive and negative ends of wire to metal material Submerge metal in either end of nonconductive container Plug wiring into portable charger Allow to run until charger dies Let air dry Most Successful: Himalayan Pink Salt

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3. architectural synthesis

Ideally, these complexes would appear all over, but for the sake of this thesis, the complex is located on the Los Angeles River in California. This river is located just north of San Pedro Bay, which is a unique port that’s split between Los Angeles and Long Beach and is actually the largest port utilized on the west coast of the U.S. This site was chosen due to the milder climate, in conjunction with the poor air quality and high amounts of production in this area.

undergraduate thesis

The building is nestled in the center of two intesecting pedestrian bridges, with three moments where small dam structures create hydrelectric power, in order to help power the entire complex. The pedestrian bridges connect two parks which are located across the river from each other, promoting an overall health based lifstyle.

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The buildings’ form is inspired by salt crystallization formation. The ground level serves as a multi-sensory learning center, which was inspired by the multi-sensory nature of salt health benefits. The desalination plant is located above the learning center, with various reveals between programs. The desalination plant serving as a ‘bridge’ between production, education and research is a tribute to the chemical bonding that happens in the creation of salt. A large exterior space is dedicated to pavilions and forms utilizing salty materials, functioning as a landing place for collaboration and exploration of salty structures.

site conditions.

Los Angeles provides an ideal site for the Just +Salt complex. With a milder climate, water levels are less variable. The location’s poor air and enviornmental quality will not only be benefitted by, but necessitates the goal of rehabilitating damge caused by air pollution. The poor water quality proves the necessity for both desalination and rehabilitation.

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los angeles river history.

1850s Los Angeles’s first settlers relied on the Los Angeles River as their main fresh water source.

1889 San Pedro Bay was chosen as the city’s harbor, requiring an extensive railway system to and from the ports.

1938 A concrete channel was installed as the basis for the river in order to mitigate flooding issues.

2007 The Los Angeles Aqueduct opened, meaning the Los Angeles River was no longer required as a fresh water source.

undergraduate thesis

1938 The most disatrous of a history of floods devastated much of the city, triggering change.

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1913 The Los Angeles Aqueduct opened, meaning the Los Angeles River was no longer required as a fresh water source.

site plan.

Los

An

ge

les

Shoreline Aquatic Park

Riv

er

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Harry Bridges Memorial Park

Pacific Ocean

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site section

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