Difference between revisions of "Nitrogen"
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To maintain Nitrogen in a [[triple point|liquid phase]] will require additional [[energy]]. The boiling point of nitrogen is -195.79 °C, so a temperature below this must be maintained through [[refrigeration]]. Alternatively, the gas may be be maintained in pressure vessels, and the settlement atmosphere itself is another possible reservoir. It is likely that all the nitrogen obtain through atmospheric processing will become part of the colony atmosphere, at least in the early stages. So large scale storage is not an immediate problem. | To maintain Nitrogen in a [[triple point|liquid phase]] will require additional [[energy]]. The boiling point of nitrogen is -195.79 °C, so a temperature below this must be maintained through [[refrigeration]]. Alternatively, the gas may be be maintained in pressure vessels, and the settlement atmosphere itself is another possible reservoir. It is likely that all the nitrogen obtain through atmospheric processing will become part of the colony atmosphere, at least in the early stages. So large scale storage is not an immediate problem. | ||
| − | The surface temperature of Mars aids | + | The surface temperature of Mars aids for refrigeration as the average global temperature is approximately -63°C. So the storage location for liquid nitrogen would not be inside [[settlement|habitats]] (where the average temperature should be as close to 23 °C as possible), but outside, on the cooler surface. Or preferably underground in pressure vessels. '''''{{PersPosSection}} [[User:Ioneill|Ioneill]]''''' |
==Uses== | ==Uses== | ||
| + | *Settlement atmosphere (main usage). | ||
| + | *Fertilizer when transformed into ammonia as part of the nitrogen cycle. | ||
| + | *Inert gas for certain industrial processes. | ||
| + | *Explosives component (nitrates). | ||
*May be used to [[funeral|prepare dead bodies]] prior to disposal. Freezing bodies with liquid nitrogen and then powdering the remains (through vibration) may be a viable means to reuse valuable biomass (in [[greenhouse]]s etc.). | *May be used to [[funeral|prepare dead bodies]] prior to disposal. Freezing bodies with liquid nitrogen and then powdering the remains (through vibration) may be a viable means to reuse valuable biomass (in [[greenhouse]]s etc.). | ||
Revision as of 07:05, 11 April 2019
| N | 7 |
| Nitrogen | |
Abundance: 2.7%
Nitrogen (chemical symbol: N7) is the most abundant atmospheric element in the Earth's atmosphere, making up 78% of the total atmospheric gas. Mars, however, has less nitrogen in it's atmosphere, only 3% of the total atmospheric gas. This relative scarcity of nitrogen will cause an expense for colonists on Mars as the existing atmosphere must be processed to separate out CO2. As the CO2 is required for propellant production, the concentration of Nitrogen to breathable levels becomes part of the propellant production cycle.
Distilling the atmosphere is a rather straight forward operation in which the cooling needed in liquefying the carbon dioxide is mainly provided by evaporating the liquid carbon dioxide after the nitrogen has been removed. Likewise the power for compressing the carbon dioxide is partially provided by expanding the output waste through a turbine with a common shaft with the compressor.
The "nitrogen cycle" is an essential terrestrial process that produces organic compounds intrinsic to life on Earth. "Fixing" by lightning strikes or bacterial processes combine atmospheric nitrogen with other elements (such as hydrogen, producing ammonia) producing organic compounds required for plants (sustaining growth and used in photosynthesis), thereby supporting ecosystems. Nitrogen can be found in amino acids, proteins and DNA, making it an essential component of life as we know it.
Storage
To maintain Nitrogen in a liquid phase will require additional energy. The boiling point of nitrogen is -195.79 °C, so a temperature below this must be maintained through refrigeration. Alternatively, the gas may be be maintained in pressure vessels, and the settlement atmosphere itself is another possible reservoir. It is likely that all the nitrogen obtain through atmospheric processing will become part of the colony atmosphere, at least in the early stages. So large scale storage is not an immediate problem.
The surface temperature of Mars aids for refrigeration as the average global temperature is approximately -63°C. So the storage location for liquid nitrogen would not be inside habitats (where the average temperature should be as close to 23 °C as possible), but outside, on the cooler surface. Or preferably underground in pressure vessels. This section reflects the personal position of Ioneill
Uses
- Settlement atmosphere (main usage).
- Fertilizer when transformed into ammonia as part of the nitrogen cycle.
- Inert gas for certain industrial processes.
- Explosives component (nitrates).
- May be used to prepare dead bodies prior to disposal. Freezing bodies with liquid nitrogen and then powdering the remains (through vibration) may be a viable means to reuse valuable biomass (in greenhouses etc.).
