It is not for power generation, smartypants.
It is for atmospheric regeneration on board a space craft. A net expenditure of energy is only sane and rational according to the second law of thermodynamics. Even "natural" atmospheric regeneration on the earth comes at a net loss of energy, which happens to be resupplied by sunlight.
Why does everyone think this particular post is about electrical power? They don't burn fossil fuels in space.
It isnt that lithium hydroxide is terribly heavy in and of itself, but that there needs to be a rather large amount of it to filter carbon dioxide from cabin atmosphere for prolonged periods, such as on the ISS, or on a mission to Mars.
This is where the "weight" comes in. 500+kg of lithium hydroxide is still 500+kg.
replacing it with a solid state system with a much longer service life reduces the need propellent to get the vehicle into space, and once there, reduces the requirement for resupply.
Indeed, however, it already occurs (at rates that put industrial disposal to shame) naturally in deep sea vents where volcanic gasses containing not only carbon dioxide, but also sulfur dioxide (and friends.) Sulfur dioxide promotes the formation of sulfates, rather than carbonates, which greatly acidifies the water in comparison to CO2.
I dont mean to bubble the stuff down at the surface, I mean bubble it down VERY VERY deep-- like methane hydrate deep.:D
we can do this by pumping the carbon dioxide down deep under the ocean surface into the deep, mineral rich water below. The bubbling action will not only dissolve a goodly portion of the CO2 into the ocean water, but will also bring those deep minerals to the surface, which would initiate a kelp and algae bloom. It could have neat fringe benefits in that it could be used to promote commercial fisheries.
Who said anything about purpetual motion?
Space vehicles have power generation systems on board. This kind of system would be for something like that hypothetical mission to mars, which would be 6 months in duration, and quite distant from resupply for lithium salts, and oxygen tanks. Also, such a vehicle will likely sport a nuclear reactor of one sort or the other. The carbon dioxide produced inside a space vehicle is created by HUMAN OCCUPANTS.
Try to lay off the sarcasm from now on, K?
Slashdot Mirror
It is not for power generation, smartypants. It is for atmospheric regeneration on board a space craft. A net expenditure of energy is only sane and rational according to the second law of thermodynamics. Even "natural" atmospheric regeneration on the earth comes at a net loss of energy, which happens to be resupplied by sunlight. Why does everyone think this particular post is about electrical power? They don't burn fossil fuels in space.
It isnt that lithium hydroxide is terribly heavy in and of itself, but that there needs to be a rather large amount of it to filter carbon dioxide from cabin atmosphere for prolonged periods, such as on the ISS, or on a mission to Mars. This is where the "weight" comes in. 500+kg of lithium hydroxide is still 500+kg. replacing it with a solid state system with a much longer service life reduces the need propellent to get the vehicle into space, and once there, reduces the requirement for resupply.
Indeed, however, it already occurs (at rates that put industrial disposal to shame) naturally in deep sea vents where volcanic gasses containing not only carbon dioxide, but also sulfur dioxide (and friends.) Sulfur dioxide promotes the formation of sulfates, rather than carbonates, which greatly acidifies the water in comparison to CO2. I dont mean to bubble the stuff down at the surface, I mean bubble it down VERY VERY deep-- like methane hydrate deep. :D
we can do this by pumping the carbon dioxide down deep under the ocean surface into the deep, mineral rich water below. The bubbling action will not only dissolve a goodly portion of the CO2 into the ocean water, but will also bring those deep minerals to the surface, which would initiate a kelp and algae bloom. It could have neat fringe benefits in that it could be used to promote commercial fisheries.
Oh the irony... Such a post coming from a person using the internet... I suppose your computer is powered by a bicycle?
Who said anything about purpetual motion? Space vehicles have power generation systems on board. This kind of system would be for something like that hypothetical mission to mars, which would be 6 months in duration, and quite distant from resupply for lithium salts, and oxygen tanks. Also, such a vehicle will likely sport a nuclear reactor of one sort or the other. The carbon dioxide produced inside a space vehicle is created by HUMAN OCCUPANTS. Try to lay off the sarcasm from now on, K?