Waste biomass recycling - Revision history

Michel Lamontagne: /* Paper */

2024-05-07T13:04:00Z

Paper

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:04, 7 May 2024
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	By far the largest source of biomass in a settlement will be plants. Most plants, including algae, produce significantly more than 50% of their mass in forms that are not digestible by humans. Plants grown primarily for food and life support can provide several side benefits. Plants use for food production have, at best, half their mass as biomass and half their mass as food. So food production also produces similar quantities of biomass. Some plants, such as cotton, linen and hemp can be grown mainly for their fiber content.		By far the largest source of biomass in a settlement will be plants. Most plants, including algae, produce significantly more than 50% of their mass in forms that are not digestible by humans. Plants grown primarily for food and life support can provide several side benefits. Plants use for food production have, at best, half their mass as biomass and half their mass as food. So food production also produces similar quantities of biomass. Some plants, such as cotton, linen and hemp can be grown mainly for their fiber content.
	===Paper===		===Paper===
	The cell walls of plants contain [[cellulose]], the main component of [[paper]].		The cell walls of plants contain [[cellulose]], the main component of [[paper]]. Paper will certainly be used on Mars, although much of information support and management on Mars should be paperless. Paper is a hidden constituent of many construction materials such as laminates and fiberboards.

	===Textiles===		===Textiles===
	From [[grass]] mats to fine [[linen]], [[human\|humans]] have been using [[plant fibers]] to make [[textiles]] for thousands of years. This is likely to continue on Mars.		From [[grass]] mats to fine [[linen]], [[human\|humans]] have been using [[plant fibers]] to make [[textiles]] for thousands of years. This is likely to continue on Mars.

Michel Lamontagne: /* Textiles */

2024-05-07T13:02:24Z

Textiles

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:02, 7 May 2024
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	The cell walls of plants contain [[cellulose]], the main component of [[paper]].		The cell walls of plants contain [[cellulose]], the main component of [[paper]].
	===Textiles===		===Textiles===
	From [[grass]] mats to fine [[linen]], [[human\|humans]] have been using [[plant fibers]] to make [[textiles]].		From [[grass]] mats to fine [[linen]], [[human\|humans]] have been using [[plant fibers]] to make [[textiles]] for thousands of years. This is likely to continue on Mars.

	===Other Goods===		===Other Goods===
	[[Corn]] husks, [[wheat]] stalks, and [[vines]] can be made into a variety of goods.		[[Corn]] husks, [[wheat]] stalks, and [[vines]] can be made into a variety of goods.

Michel Lamontagne: /* Fertilizer */

2024-05-07T13:00:46Z

Fertilizer

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:00, 7 May 2024
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	Urine contains [[ammonia]] and [[urea]], both useful in industry. [[Saltpeter]] is harvested from stale urine.		Urine contains [[ammonia]] and [[urea]], both useful in industry. [[Saltpeter]] is harvested from stale urine.
	===Fertilizer===		===Fertilizer===
	Urine contains high levels of [[nitrogen]] and [[phosphorus]].		Urine contains relatively high levels of [[nitrogen]] and [[phosphorus]].

	===Water===		===Water===
	Urine can be filtered or distilled to recover water. This method of [[water reclamation]] is used on the [[International Space Station\|ISS]].		Urine can be filtered or distilled to recover water. This method of [[water reclamation]] is used on the [[International Space Station\|ISS]].

Michel Lamontagne: /* Water */

2024-05-07T13:00:19Z

Water

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:00, 7 May 2024
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	Urine contains high levels of [[nitrogen]] and [[phosphorus]].		Urine contains high levels of [[nitrogen]] and [[phosphorus]].
	===Water===		===Water===
	Urine can be filtered or distilled to ~~provide~~ water. This method of [[water reclamation]] is used on the [[International Space Station\|ISS]].		Urine can be filtered or distilled to recover water. This method of [[water reclamation]] is used on the [[International Space Station\|ISS]].

	===Antiseptic===		===Antiseptic===
	In extreme emergencies, urine can be used as an [[antiseptic]].		In extreme emergencies, urine can be used as an [[antiseptic]].

Michel Lamontagne: /* Antiseptic */

2024-05-07T13:00:00Z

Antiseptic

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:00, 7 May 2024
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	===Antiseptic===		===Antiseptic===
	In extreme emergencies, urine can be used as an [[antiseptic]].		In extreme emergencies, urine can be used as an [[antiseptic]].


	===Construction Materials===		===Construction Materials===

Michel Lamontagne: /* Compost and Feed */

2024-05-07T12:59:24Z

Compost and Feed

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:59, 7 May 2024
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	===Compost and Feed===		===Compost and Feed===
	Much of the ~~waste~~ biomass of a settlement can be used to feed the organisms in the [[greenhouse\|greenhouses]]. [[Mushroom]], certain [[fish]] and [[insects]] feed directly on waste biomass, assimilating its chemical [[energy]] into their own metabolism. A [[compost]] heap is easy to maintain, even in a Martian settlement. Decayed plant remnants and [[feces]], combined with charcoal and lactic acid fermentation, mixed with [[regolith]], gives a high value humus, called [[Terra Preta]]. This would be an excellent [[soil]] for the [[greenhouse]].		Much of the biomass of a settlement can be used to feed the organisms in the [[greenhouse\|greenhouses]]. [[Mushroom]], certain [[fish]] and [[insects]] feed directly on waste biomass, assimilating its chemical [[energy]] into their own metabolism. A [[compost]] heap is easy to maintain, even in a Martian settlement. Decayed plant remnants and [[feces]], combined with charcoal and lactic acid fermentation, mixed with [[regolith]], gives a high value humus, called [[Terra Preta]]. This would be an excellent [[soil]] for the [[greenhouse]].

	===Trickle Filter C.R.O.P.===		===Trickle Filter C.R.O.P.===

Michel Lamontagne: /* Construction Materials */

2024-05-07T12:59:05Z

Construction Materials

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:59, 7 May 2024
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	===Construction Materials===		===Construction Materials===
	Biomass has been used in construction since the beginning of human history. [[Wood]] is often used by itself to construct large structures. Dead plants can be mixed with [[cob]] or [[brick]], adding strength. ~~however~~, the embodied energy of biomass is quite high, and other materials might be better used as reinforcements.		Biomass has been used in construction since the beginning of human history. [[Wood]] is often used by itself to construct large structures. Dead plants can be mixed with [[cob]] or [[brick]], adding strength. However, the embodied energy of biomass is quite high, and other materials might be better used as reinforcements. On Earth, biomass is part of a self sustaining ecosystem that gets its nutrients and energy from the environment, while on Mars biomass will need to be produced and the energy provided by support systems, including at a minimum greenhouses and probably supplementary lighting.

	==Miscellaneous Biomass==		==Miscellaneous Biomass==

Michel Lamontagne: /* Plant Remnants */

2024-05-07T12:55:28Z

Plant Remnants

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:55, 7 May 2024
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	All [[settlement\|settlements]] generate [[biomass]] as a direct result of their biological population. '''Biomass recycling''' and recycling of [[water]] is a vital part of any [[colonization strategy]].		All [[settlement\|settlements]] generate [[biomass]] as a direct result of their biological population. '''Biomass recycling''' and recycling of [[water]] is a vital part of any [[colonization strategy]].

	==Plant ~~Remnants~~==		==Plant Biomass==
	By far the largest source of biomass in a settlement will be plants. Most plants, including algae, produce significantly more than 50% of their mass in forms that are not digestible by humans. Plants grown primarily for food and life support can provide several side benefits. Plants use for food production have, at best, half their mass as biomass and half their mass as food. So food production also produces similar quantities of biomass. Some plants, such as cotton, linen and hemp can be grown mainly for their fiber content.		By far the largest source of biomass in a settlement will be plants. Most plants, including algae, produce significantly more than 50% of their mass in forms that are not digestible by humans. Plants grown primarily for food and life support can provide several side benefits. Plants use for food production have, at best, half their mass as biomass and half their mass as food. So food production also produces similar quantities of biomass. Some plants, such as cotton, linen and hemp can be grown mainly for their fiber content.
	===Paper===		===Paper===

Michel Lamontagne: /* Plant Remnants */

2024-05-07T12:55:14Z

Plant Remnants

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:55, 7 May 2024
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	==Plant Remnants==		==Plant Remnants==
	Plants grown primarily for food and life support can provide several side benefits. Plants use for food production have, ~~on average~~, half their mass as biomass and half their mass as food. So food production also produces similar quantities of biomass. Some plants, such as cotton, linen and hemp can be grown mainly for their fiber content.		By far the largest source of biomass in a settlement will be plants. Most plants, including algae, produce significantly more than 50% of their mass in forms that are not digestible by humans. Plants grown primarily for food and life support can provide several side benefits. Plants use for food production have, at best, half their mass as biomass and half their mass as food. So food production also produces similar quantities of biomass. Some plants, such as cotton, linen and hemp can be grown mainly for their fiber content.
	===Paper===		===Paper===
	The cell walls of plants contain [[cellulose]], the main component of [[paper]].		The cell walls of plants contain [[cellulose]], the main component of [[paper]].

Michel Lamontagne at 12:52, 7 May 2024

2024-05-07T12:52:45Z

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 [[Image:CompostWithEarthworm.jpg|right|frame|Compost with Earthworms]]
 All [[settlement|settlements]] generate [[biomass]] as a direct result of their biological population. '''Biomass recycling''' and recycling of [[water]] is a vital part of any [[colonization strategy]].
 ==Bone==
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 In extreme emergencies, urine can be used as an [[antiseptic]].
 ===Construction Materials===