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Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] CO2 Scrubbers



Hi,

All this talk about using algae rings a bell as to something I read.
Down in Arizona there is a project called Biosphere2. It was to create
a totally enoclosed, self-sustaining environment.

The initial test dome and early NASA test projects were based on using
algae. After serveral days the atmosphere became toxic. Not from CO2
but from a bunch of other gases that bled into the air.  Gases from
paints, plastics, human wastes, human exhalation, the algae.... Algae
helped change CO2 to O2 but there were other things that it didn't take
care of.

It turned out that a fully enclosed system was not a trivial exercise
after all. That lead to the hughly complicated Biosphere2 project.
Essentially Biosphere2 was an attempt to miniturize the Earth. During
the first two year mission the atmosphere got so dangerously short on
oxygen that they had to tank in an external source.

I have a book but unfortunately the book is at home and is about to be
packed up for the household move to Oregon. I'll see if the wife can
email me the title and ISBN.

The Biosphere2 web site is http://www.bio2.edu/ if anyone is
interested.


Regards,
Ray



> From: "Karl Fuller" <fullerk@voyager.co.nz>
> To: <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
> Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] CO2 Scrubbers
> Date: Mon, 7 Aug 2000 09:20:51 -0400
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
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> 
> Anthony,
> I would be real interested to hear the results of how much 02 the algae can
> produce for a given quantity. Often these new possibilities of achieving
> things have some merit, that takes an open mind analyze, develop and
> accept.History is full of this process. When Christopher Columbus was after
> funds to sail to America, he was met with ridicule. On one occasion, after
> receiving a rebuff, he asked the person, "Look out over the city and tell me
> what you see ?" The answer was " Beautiful spires and architecture rising
> above the rest " Columbus responded, Yes, and they were created by people
> like me and not you. He got his funding. (My favorite part of the movie,
> hope I remembered it write !) I like to think PSUBers have that spirit as
> Christopher C.
> Of course, safety is a must in relation to PSUBS and must always be the
> balance !
> Regards, Karl
> Good explination SW ! Now with Pat's light source (extra after his weekend
> binge) no matter if the batteries go, methane powered lights to keep the
> algae growing and on this occasion Pat, no guilt for a good cause.....
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <TeslaTony@aol.com>
> To: <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
> Sent: Monday, August 07, 2000 2:17 AM
> Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] CO2 Scrubbers
> 
> 
> > In a message dated 8/6/00 4:55:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
> > stephenwhite20@yahoo.com writes:
> >
> > > hahahahaha
> > >  Whats wrong with the normal CO2 scubber material?
> > >  Wouldn't it be easier to obtain, store and use? I
> > >  mean, its a cool idea but do you really want to fill
> > >  your psub with algae and Grolamps?
> > >
> > In some ways you are right that Algae is not as easy to obtain as
> Sofnolime
> > or other scrubber materials, but no scrubber material will grow when you
> toss
> > it in your backyard swimming pool or pond, Algae will.
> >
> > When it comes to how much space this takes up, it's not bad, small enough
> to
> > fit on your back like a bulky SCUBA tank, plus it negates the need for O2
> > tanks since part of the metabolisation process involves spewing out a good
> > deal of O2, enough to breath with.
> >
> > Now just out of curiousity, would you care to reapeat that laugh when you
> are
> > stuck 120 feet down, unable to bail out and running real low on Oxygen? A
> > single Algae unit could last (now don't base all your calculations on
> this,
> > but it is probably true) twice as long as the batteries running the lamps,
> if
> > not more.
> >
> > I'll get the exact numbers to you as soon as I can find them, but until
> then:
> > Have fun!
> >
> > Anthony
> >
> 
>