The State Intellectual Property Office recently granted a patent to 68-year-old Shang Yuchen from the town of Laiwu, who spent 13 years developing an invention to reduce air pollution.

Using industrial waste and carbon dioxide discharged by lime kilns, the machine can produce ammonium bicarbonate, an ingredient used in the food industry.

"It can bring benefits in a short time through selling the byproduct," Shang said.

The now-patented invention could yield an annual profit of 60 million yuan ($9.52 million) if put into service in a plant that emits 4 billion cubic meters of carbon dioxide, he said.

(Source: China Daily)