Difference between revisions of "Lunar Settlement Artificial Atmosphere"

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(→‎Gas Combination: expaned discussion of pure oxygen environment, added additional information to the use of nitrogen and helium in oxygen mixes, corrected lunar nitrogen avilability)
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<sub>See also: [[Atmosphere]]</sub>
 
<sub>See also: [[Atmosphere]]</sub>
  
Full oxygen Atmosphere or gas combination?. Pure [[Oxygen]] was used in the first Gemini Missions and it is a fact that oxygen will be a major by-product of the [[manufacturing activities]] on the Moon. It would be very easy to fill reasonable big spaces with Oxygen. However, in a long term exposure, pure oxygen becomes poisonous.<ref>Malina, Frank J., ed. Life Science Research and Lunar Medicine. London: A. Wheathon and Co. Ltd. 1967 pg. 3-4 </ref> A combination of one or more [[inert gases]] with Oxygen would allow normal life and proper oxygenation. An example: a mix of 80% [[Helium ]]and 20% oxygen. (a mix with about 60% oxygen would be ideal)
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Oxygen is expected to be a major by-product of [[manufacturing activities]] on the moon. As such, a pure oxygen atmosphere is attractive as it is likely to be the easiest (and hence, cheapest) gas to procure on the moon. A pure oxygen atmosphere also carries the advantages of allowing a much lower habitat pressure, and greatly simplifying the machinery needed to maintain the atmospheric mix. For these reasons, a pure oxygen atmosphere was utilized in the Gemini project, as well as the early designs of the Apollo spacecraft. However, some studies suggest that a pure oxygen atmosphere becomes poisonous to the inhabitants on long term exposure, making it unsuitable for a lunar habitat.<ref>Malina, Frank J., ed. Life Science Research and Lunar Medicine. London: A. Wheathon and Co. Ltd. 1967 pg. 3-4 </ref>  
  
 
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A combination of one or more [[inert gases]] with Oxygen would allow proper oxygenation over longer time-frames. A nitrogen-oxygen mix could be utilized, as it is in earths atmosphere, though the low availability of nitrogen in lunar soil (compared to other volatiles) could raise difficulties in this regard. Helium could also be added to the oxygen mix, as it is significantly more abundant in lunar soil. However, the addition of any appreciable quantities of Helium to the atmosphere would result in a higher vocal pitch for those persons breathing it, similar to (though less intense than) the effects of inhaling pure helium. This effect is currently seen on earth in very deep diving operations, where helium-oxygen mixes are utilized, sometimes facilitating the need for a digital voice alteration device.
Nitrogen would be used on the moon as nitrates, part of the [[Plant Nutrients]]. The Moon does not have any trace of [[Nitrogen]]; therefore, this gas would be imported from Earth. It is very easy that nitrogen leaks from the solutions getting dissolved in the artificial atmosphere. An strict control has to be used to ensure the proper utilization of nitrogen. Other gas that will be present in the artificial atmosphere are CO<sub>2</sub> and H<sub>2</sub>O.
 
  
 
== Lower Pressure ==
 
== Lower Pressure ==

Revision as of 13:29, 20 June 2011

The lunar colony will have a pressurized selection of acceptable gaseous environments. We have experimental knowledge with some artificial atmospheres,say, space stations like ISS or the MIR. Yet, we need to experiment more on the effects of long term exposure. On the Moon, the atmosphere will be made in accordance with the architecture followed. Some variables like the use of Air Locks, the thickness and materials of the walls may change the gas composition, pressure and other variables.

Gas Combination

See also: Atmosphere

Oxygen is expected to be a major by-product of manufacturing activities on the moon. As such, a pure oxygen atmosphere is attractive as it is likely to be the easiest (and hence, cheapest) gas to procure on the moon. A pure oxygen atmosphere also carries the advantages of allowing a much lower habitat pressure, and greatly simplifying the machinery needed to maintain the atmospheric mix. For these reasons, a pure oxygen atmosphere was utilized in the Gemini project, as well as the early designs of the Apollo spacecraft. However, some studies suggest that a pure oxygen atmosphere becomes poisonous to the inhabitants on long term exposure, making it unsuitable for a lunar habitat.[1]

A combination of one or more inert gases with Oxygen would allow proper oxygenation over longer time-frames. A nitrogen-oxygen mix could be utilized, as it is in earths atmosphere, though the low availability of nitrogen in lunar soil (compared to other volatiles) could raise difficulties in this regard. Helium could also be added to the oxygen mix, as it is significantly more abundant in lunar soil. However, the addition of any appreciable quantities of Helium to the atmosphere would result in a higher vocal pitch for those persons breathing it, similar to (though less intense than) the effects of inhaling pure helium. This effect is currently seen on earth in very deep diving operations, where helium-oxygen mixes are utilized, sometimes facilitating the need for a digital voice alteration device.

Lower Pressure

Plants [2] and Humans can live in lower pressure atmospheres properly oxygenated. The limit is clear: when the vapor of a liquid inside equals the pressure outside, the liquid boils. Blood and other body fluids will boil if an abrupt drop of the pressure occurs.

We would need to lower the pressure inside the buildings to lower the force applied to the walls (somewhere around 40kPa would be ideal for many structures). Also, precise atmospheric pressure controls would be needed to prevent gas leaking.

See Also

References

  1. Malina, Frank J., ed. Life Science Research and Lunar Medicine. London: A. Wheathon and Co. Ltd. 1967 pg. 3-4
  2. Henninger, D. L., ed. Lunar Base Agriculture. Texas: NASA & Soil Science Society of America. ISBN 0- 89118-100-8 Introduction