Algal Chambers
Algal chambers are large devices that use algae to generate air so that land-people can roam about in the kingdom of Tengushi. They are used to create dry indoor areas in the kingdom so that both land and sea-people can coexist underwater. Algal chambers also led to the creation of algal rooms, which work in tandem with the algal chambers to keep the rooms dry for longer periods of time. Most public buildings in Tengushi have an algal chamber on top of them for this reason.
During the day, another chamber is set aside to retain the air for the nighttime. As algae tend to take in air during the night, this process cannot occur because there would not be enough air in the room. So, the reserve chamber releases air during the night so that land-people can have air while sleeping.
Algal chambers are usually placed on top of the building. As Tengushi is quite close to the surface, the chamber is hit with enough sunlight so that the algae can multiply and photosynthesize. As long as there is an algal bloom in the chamber, there will always be air in the building.
Once he found the best conditions, Takeshi went back to the king with his solution, and was allowed to trial it in different places. Once they were sure that the chambers would generate enough air, King Kaito funded the development of multiple chambers so they could be placed on top of public buildings like the Tengushi palace.
The old air that leaves is sent back into the algal chamber so that the algae can use it and grow. Then the cycle starts again, as fresh air goes through a different network of vents. To ensure air is not mixed, the two ventilation networks open and close at separate times.
However, it is strongly advised that land-people bring their own, in the event that the room does not have any. That's because a few years before the Ice Age, there was a group of land-people who were invited to Tengushi. During their stay in a hotel, the algal blooms in a chamber died, so the building was flooded with water to provide an alternate source of air. The residents of Tengushi survived as they could breathe underwater, but that day, the land-people drowned in the hotel.
Mechanism
Algal chambers work by getting algae to photosynthesize, and then they extract the air generated in a different chamber. This chamber is connected to a network of tubes and vents within the building, allowing the air to pass through and go inside. Old air is replaced by newer and fresher air at regular intervals, using the vents.During the day, another chamber is set aside to retain the air for the nighttime. As algae tend to take in air during the night, this process cannot occur because there would not be enough air in the room. So, the reserve chamber releases air during the night so that land-people can have air while sleeping.
Algal chambers are usually placed on top of the building. As Tengushi is quite close to the surface, the chamber is hit with enough sunlight so that the algae can multiply and photosynthesize. As long as there is an algal bloom in the chamber, there will always be air in the building.
Development
Algal chambers were first developed by an engineer known as Takeshi, who was asked by King Kaito to find ways of generating air for his Tochito guests. After a lot of testing and experimentation, Takeshi eventually looked to nature for a solution, and got an idea after observing algae. He placed some algae into a container filled with water, and spent the rest of his time trying to create the perfect conditions for an algal bloom.Once he found the best conditions, Takeshi went back to the king with his solution, and was allowed to trial it in different places. Once they were sure that the chambers would generate enough air, King Kaito funded the development of multiple chambers so they could be placed on top of public buildings like the Tengushi palace.
Algal Rooms
The creation of algal chambers led to the development of so-called algal rooms, which utilised the technology to ensure air flowed through the room at all times. Algal rooms operate as a wet room, and is full of drains to remove the water. When the room is dry, the air from the algal chamber will flow through all the vents and into the room. Some vents open at certain intervals to ensure that fresh air comes in as old air leaves. Most vents remain open at night to replace fresh air and ensure there is no damp when the morning comes.The old air that leaves is sent back into the algal chamber so that the algae can use it and grow. Then the cycle starts again, as fresh air goes through a different network of vents. To ensure air is not mixed, the two ventilation networks open and close at separate times.
Safety Measures
Although it is currently the best method for generating air in Tengushi, algal chambers still has their own problems. The algal blooms in the chambers can die, meaning the air in a room will deplete over time. To ensure the safety of its citizens, most buildings will flood the room with water when the air gets below a certain level. Since land-people cannot breathe underwater, the room will usually be equipped with some breathing equipment when the building starts to flood.However, it is strongly advised that land-people bring their own, in the event that the room does not have any. That's because a few years before the Ice Age, there was a group of land-people who were invited to Tengushi. During their stay in a hotel, the algal blooms in a chamber died, so the building was flooded with water to provide an alternate source of air. The residents of Tengushi survived as they could breathe underwater, but that day, the land-people drowned in the hotel.
I really like this concept and I hope they're working on better safety measures for the rural residents. In the wrong circles, it might even be interpreted as a malicious act if the room is suddenly flooded and the rural residents can't put on their breathing masks in time.
Blue's Worlds - Elaqitan - Naharin
Thank you! It is improving over time, I'm sure, because the engineers are still traumatised from the last drowning incident. And you are right, someone can (and has) purposefully tried to drown land people for malicious reasons, so it can happen.