Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] CO2 Scrubbers

["Karl Fuller" <fullerk@voyager.co.nz>]

Yes Ray, it also reminds me when I read the book ' The sun beneath sea '
where
they were under the sea for weeks and they got a build up of certain gases
which if I remember correctly, were getting to the critical level by the end
of the mission. There must be ways of removing these noxious gases or
venting them, how do they do it on a nuclear sub, one or two of you guys
might have had first hand experience with it. When you think about it, the
Earth does an amazing job to purify our air, but how and for how long ?
(Apart from the obvious CO2 removal and O2 genaration )
Regards,
Karl.
----- Original Message -----
From: Ray Keefer <Ray.Keefer@west.sun.com>
To: <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
Sent: Monday, August 07, 2000 2:43 PM
Subject: 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
> > X-Priority: 3
> > X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
> > X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.00.2615.200
> >
> > 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
> > >
> >
> >
>
>