Practical Atmospherics - Revision history

Algis Alphonse: /* Setting up and understanding the Thermoelectric Generator (TEG) */

2025-09-05T14:45:10Z

Setting up and understanding the Thermoelectric Generator (TEG)

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:45, 5 September 2025
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	Ok that's a lot of text right? A lot to take in? Yeah. So here is a simple step-by-step to practically set up your TEG at round start, so the station has power.		Ok that's a lot of text right? A lot to take in? Yeah. So here is a simple step-by-step to practically set up your TEG at round start, so the station has power.
			[[File:ScreenshotTerraTEG.png\|left]]

	=The Mix Chamber=		=The Mix Chamber=

HTMLSystem: Made the picture of Tortuga slightly bigger (200 pixals to 300 px)

2025-06-26T16:02:59Z

Made the picture of Tortuga slightly bigger (200 pixals to 300 px)

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:02, 26 June 2025
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	=== Distro Loop ===		=== Distro Loop ===
	Each distro system may vary from station to station on how complete they will be. Some will be very simple and easy to understand. Some will be overly complicated and be very confusing to look at. Some will be completely empty and the mappers have left you 3 stacks of steel to build it all from scratch. <br>		Each distro system may vary from station to station on how complete they will be. Some will be very simple and easy to understand. Some will be overly complicated and be very confusing to look at. Some will be completely empty and the mappers have left you 3 stacks of steel to build it all from scratch. <br>
	[[File:Elegance_atmos.png\|200px]] [[File:Lighthouse_atmos.png\|300px]] [[File:Tortuga_atmos.png\|~~200px~~]] <br>		[[File:Elegance_atmos.png\|200px]] [[File:Lighthouse_atmos.png\|300px]] [[File:Tortuga_atmos.png\|300px]] <br>
	Whatever the situation is, take your time to make sure you're setting it up correctly. All distro set ups should have a gas mixer that is 22%-25% oxygen and 78%-75% nitrogen. This is different from upstream because of [[Playable Species\|Harpies]], who need oxygen to be at least 22% so they don't suffocate. It varies depending on what you prefer your setup to be. the percentage of oxygen should not go above 30%, as that makes air alarms start to go off.		Whatever the situation is, take your time to make sure you're setting it up correctly. All distro set ups should have a gas mixer that is 22%-25% oxygen and 78%-75% nitrogen. This is different from upstream because of [[Playable Species\|Harpies]], who need oxygen to be at least 22% so they don't suffocate. It varies depending on what you prefer your setup to be. the percentage of oxygen should not go above 30%, as that makes air alarms start to go off.
	Distro should also be about 20C (293.15K) as this is a safe temperature for all species. There will usually be a heater and freezer connected to distro and set to 293.15K to achieve this temperature, but this isn't always needed.		Distro should also be about 20C (293.15K) as this is a safe temperature for all species. There will usually be a heater and freezer connected to distro and set to 293.15K to achieve this temperature, but this isn't always needed.

HTMLSystem: Edited the format of the distro pictures

2025-06-26T16:02:15Z

Edited the format of the distro pictures

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:02, 26 June 2025
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	=== Distro Loop ===		=== Distro Loop ===
	Each distro system may vary from station to station on how complete they will be. Some will be very simple and easy to understand. Some will be overly complicated and be very confusing to look at. Some will be completely empty and the mappers have left you 3 stacks of steel to build it all from scratch.		Each distro system may vary from station to station on how complete they will be. Some will be very simple and easy to understand. Some will be overly complicated and be very confusing to look at. Some will be completely empty and the mappers have left you 3 stacks of steel to build it all from scratch. <br>
	[[File:Elegance_atmos.png\|200px]] [[File:Lighthouse_atmos.png\|~~200px~~]] [[File:Tortuga_atmos.png\|200px]]		[[File:Elegance_atmos.png\|200px]] [[File:Lighthouse_atmos.png\|300px]] [[File:Tortuga_atmos.png\|200px]] <br>
	Whatever the situation is, take your time to make sure you're setting it up correctly. All distro set ups should have a gas mixer that is 22%-25% oxygen and 78%-75% nitrogen. This is different from upstream because of [[Playable Species\|Harpies]], who need oxygen to be at least 22% so they don't suffocate. It varies depending on what you prefer your setup to be. the percentage of oxygen should not go above 30%, as that makes air alarms start to go off.		Whatever the situation is, take your time to make sure you're setting it up correctly. All distro set ups should have a gas mixer that is 22%-25% oxygen and 78%-75% nitrogen. This is different from upstream because of [[Playable Species\|Harpies]], who need oxygen to be at least 22% so they don't suffocate. It varies depending on what you prefer your setup to be. the percentage of oxygen should not go above 30%, as that makes air alarms start to go off.
	Distro should also be about 20C (293.15K) as this is a safe temperature for all species. There will usually be a heater and freezer connected to distro and set to 293.15K to achieve this temperature, but this isn't always needed.		Distro should also be about 20C (293.15K) as this is a safe temperature for all species. There will usually be a heater and freezer connected to distro and set to 293.15K to achieve this temperature, but this isn't always needed.

HTMLSystem: Rewrote the entire breakdown of Distro and gas recycling.

2025-06-26T15:57:17Z

Rewrote the entire breakdown of Distro and gas recycling.

Show changes

HTMLSystem: Removed Species Specifics form this page.

2025-06-26T03:41:54Z

Removed Species Specifics form this page.

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 # Set (5) to output 200 kPa. The pressure in the distro pipe influences how quickly air vents can move air from distro into the station. Setting this too low reduces the flow rate, but setting this too high could be dangerous if a [[Traitor]] replaces an air vent with a passive vent.
 # Increase output pressure of (3), (4), (13) and (14) to their maximum settings.
 = Setting up and understanding the Thermoelectric Generator (TEG) =

Designatedshuttlepilot: Changes to hot loop section

2025-06-21T15:54:00Z

Changes to hot loop section

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:54, 21 June 2025
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	== The hot loop - setting up and using the burn chamber ==		== The hot loop - setting up and using the burn chamber ==

	There are two ways to get a hot gas for our TEG - we can either heat it up by exposing it to a very hot area (the burn chamber), or by pumping in the hot gasses from a fire. However, because usual fire product gasses (~~CO2~~) usually have very poor specific heat capacity, and can be difficult to supply consistantly, almost always the former set up is used. Furthermore, discarding the gas after using it to power the TEG is very very wasteful - recall that only 10% of the gas'es heat is used every time a gas passes the TEG!		There are two ways to get a hot gas for our TEG - we can either heat it up by exposing it to a very hot area (the burn chamber), or by pumping in the hot gasses from a fire. However, because usual fire product gasses (carbon dioxide and water vapor) usually have very poor specific heat capacity, and can be difficult to supply consistantly, almost always the former set up is used. Furthermore, discarding the gas after using it to power the TEG is very very wasteful - recall that only 10% of the gas' heat is used every time a gas passes the TEG!

	Therefore instead we set up a system, where a gas is passed through a very hot room through radiators, taking up heat from it, passes through the TEG, and then is pumped back around to be heated up again. This is known as the "hot loop". And the aformentioned hot chamber can be made by, well, starting a fire in it - this is called "the burn chamber".		Therefore instead we set up a system, where a gas is passed through a very hot room through radiators, taking up heat from it, passes through the TEG, and then is pumped back around to be heated up again. This is known as the "hot loop". And the aformentioned hot chamber can be made by, well, starting a fire in it - this is called "the burn chamber".
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	===''The Burn Chamber'' ===		===''The Burn Chamber'' ===

	~~Usually a~~ mix ~~of 5% plasma and 95% oxygen~~ is ~~used. Plasma and oxygen burn at a ratio of 1:1~~, ~~however~~, plasma ~~is a lot more precious than~~ oxygen. ~~The excess of oxygen instead becomes~~ the ~~"holding gas" - a gas that remains in the burn chamber to keep it hot~~.		The burn mix, as it is known, can be made either by mixing gasses from two canisters, or by mixing gas from a plasma can and gas from the oxygen miner. At round start, most TEG loops are unfortunately set up with the far more annoying former.

	~~The burn~~ mix~~, as it~~ is ~~known, can be made either by mixing gasses from two canisters~~, ~~or by mixing gas from a plasma can and gas from~~ the oxygen ~~miner. At round start~~, ~~most TEG loops are unfortunately set up~~ with the ~~far more annoying former~~.		Usually a mix of 3% plasma and 97% oxygen is used. Plasma and oxygen burn at a ratio of roughly 1:1.4, but the high amount of oxygen meets the 'supersaturation' condition to make tritium, which reacts with oxygen again and is the source of majority of the energy in a burn.

	Keep in mind that ~~eventually~~ the ~~burn chamber~~ will ~~run out of room~~ to ~~inject~~ more ~~plasma~~ to ~~burn~~. ~~Thus it needs~~ to ~~be regularly vented - burn chambers are set up with~~ blast doors ~~than open into~~ space ~~for precisely this purpose~~.		Keep in mind that the pressure will rise with temperature, and depending on how much fuel was added initially, you may find the pressure to be above the 9MPa maximum limit for air injectors, even once the gas has cooled below what is useful for the TEG. Therefore, if you want to add more fuel, the pressure will have to be lowered. The simplest way to do this is using the venting blast doors found on every TEG burn chamber. Alternatively you could build scrubbers or pumps to remove the gas which will reduce the heat lost to space.

	Igniting the burn chamber can be done in several ways. Ideally you use an igniter, placed in the burn chamber and linked to a button. However, not all TEG burn chambers come with one, and furthermore the igniter is actually a pretty poor ignition tool.		Igniting the burn chamber can be done in several ways. Ideally you use an igniter, placed in the burn chamber and linked to a button. However, not all TEG burn chambers come with one, and furthermore the igniter is actually a pretty poor ignition tool.
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	The second, crucial part of our set up is the hot gas we will pump through the TEG. This can be in a way understood as a way to transfer heat from out burn chamber to the TEG. Thus, similarly to the cold gas, you want to use a gas with high heat capacity. Practically this usually also means plasma.		The second, crucial part of our set up is the hot gas we will pump through the TEG. This can be in a way understood as a way to transfer heat from out burn chamber to the TEG. Thus, similarly to the cold gas, you want to use a gas with high heat capacity. Practically this usually also means plasma.

	We want our hot loop gas to become as hot as possible. This is for a couple reasons, mentioned before - only 10% of a gas'es heat is used each time it passes through, and the ~~efficiency~~ of the TEG scales based on the temperature difference between the cold loop and the hot loop.		We want our hot loop gas to become as hot as possible. This is for a couple reasons, mentioned before - only 10% of a gas' heat is used each time it passes through, and the output of the TEG scales based on the temperature difference between the cold loop and the hot loop.

	In a typical hot loop set up there will be 3 critical pumps and 1 critical valve.		In a typical hot loop set up there will be 3 critical pumps and 1 critical valve.
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	* The pressure release valve.		* The pressure release valve.

	Recall, that it is vital there is a ~~continious~~ flow of gas through the TEG. If the flow stops, the TEG ~~immidiatelly~~ ceases producing power.		Recall, that it is vital there is a continuous flow of gas through the TEG. If the flow stops, the TEG immediately ceases producing power.

	You may recall a crucial formula from [[Atmospheric Science]]: pV = nRT. Practically this means the hotter same volume of gas becomes, the higher ~~the~~ pressure. Because all pumps (including volumetric ones!) have pressure limits, at which they will stop pumping, this means should your pressure get too high, your TEG will "stall".		You may recall a crucial formula from [[Atmospheric Science]]: pV = nRT. Practically this means the hotter the same volume of gas becomes, the higher its pressure. Because all pumps (including volumetric ones!) have pressure limits, at which they will stop pumping, this means should your pressure get too high, your TEG will "stall".

	The pressure release valve is your "emergency button" to reduce pressure should a stall occur. However it is better to avoid a stall in the first place.		The pressure release valve is your "emergency button" to reduce pressure should a stall occur. However it is better to avoid a stall in the first place.

Designatedshuttlepilot: rewrote section on TEG cold loop

2025-06-21T01:57:50Z

rewrote section on TEG cold loop

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:57, 20 June 2025
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	== The cold loop - space radiators and cooling the TEG ==		== The cold loop - space radiators and cooling the TEG ==

	~~You want~~ to ~~use a gas with high heat capacity. Practically this usually also means plasma~~. ~~Of special note however is frezon - it is a gas that~~ is ~~naturally very~~ cold~~, making it an excellent coolant~~. ~~However~~, ~~acquiring frezon requires a complex set up~~, ~~and once produced it~~ is ~~far~~ more ~~useful being sold for a lot of cash~~.		To maintain the TEG's output, the cold loop will need some way to stay cold. Space is cold... sort of. There isn't really anything to give the heat to. Instead, radiators placed outside in space have to release the heat as infrared radiation, which is significantly less effective than exchanging heat with an atmosphere. You will need more radiators.

	~~Do you know what's very~~ cold~~? That'~~s ~~right - <s>spess<~~/s> space. ~~Thus~~, ~~we use space~~ to ~~cool down our~~ cold loop ~~gasses~~.		The best way to use radiators for the cold loop is in parallel, with each radiator having a volume pump going into it and a gas pump going out. These pumps will split up the incoming gas equally and force circulation through the radiator. The speed for the input pumps should each be set as a fraction of the 200L/s maximum speed of the volume pump, divided by the amount of radiators, for example if you had 4 radiators in parallel, the input pumps would need to be set to 50L/s each.

			Placing the same radiators in series will mean the output is technically colder, but the heat loss diminishes as the gas cools and passes through more radiators, resulting in a reduction of flow from the smaller pressure difference between the sides of each successive radiator. Flow is just as important as temperature for the cold loop.

			Also, radiators in space work better on lattice, as more of the radiator is exposed. Remember that underfloor tiles can be removed using a fireaxe or RCD.

			When filling the cold loop, you will want a gas with high heat capacity, such as plasma or possibly frezon, to maximise the amount of energy that can transfer between the loops. The lower temperatures mean your usual cold loop can easily take an entire canister of plasma without causing issues.

	== The hot loop - setting up and using the burn chamber ==		== The hot loop - setting up and using the burn chamber ==

Algis Alphonse: /* Setting up and understanding the Thermoelectric Generator (TEG) */ Removed salt

2025-06-20T23:38:22Z

Setting up and understanding the Thermoelectric Generator (TEG): Removed salt

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:38, 20 June 2025
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	{{Stub}}		{{Stub}}

	''This section is currently a placeholder~~. If you want an actual~~ guide~~, ask the lazy bums on #atmos thread on Discord to get off their arses and write it~~. I do not know this stuff sufficiently to write the guide, ~~only things I know~~.''		''This section is currently an incomplete placeholder guide. I do not know this stuff sufficiently to write the guide. For better info, check #atmos thread on Discord.''

	The TEG has two pipe inputs for gasses - an input for a hot gas, and an input for a cold gas.		The TEG has two pipe inputs for gasses - an input for a hot gas, and an input for a cold gas.

Algis Alphonse: /* The cold loop - space radiators and cooling the TEG */

2025-06-20T20:27:56Z

The cold loop - space radiators and cooling the TEG

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:27, 20 June 2025
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	You want to use a gas with high heat capacity. Practically this usually also means plasma. Of special note however is frezon - it is a gas that is naturally very cold, making it an excellent coolant. However, acquiring frezon requires a complex set up, and once produced it is far more useful being sold for a lot of cash.		You want to use a gas with high heat capacity. Practically this usually also means plasma. Of special note however is frezon - it is a gas that is naturally very cold, making it an excellent coolant. However, acquiring frezon requires a complex set up, and once produced it is far more useful being sold for a lot of cash.

			Do you know what's very cold? That's right - <s>spess</s> space. Thus, we use space to cool down our cold loop gasses.

	== The hot loop - setting up and using the burn chamber ==		== The hot loop - setting up and using the burn chamber ==
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	The second, crucial part of our set up is the hot gas we will pump through the TEG. This can be in a way understood as a way to transfer heat from out burn chamber to the TEG. Thus, similarly to the cold gas, you want to use a gas with high heat capacity. Practically this usually also means plasma.		The second, crucial part of our set up is the hot gas we will pump through the TEG. This can be in a way understood as a way to transfer heat from out burn chamber to the TEG. Thus, similarly to the cold gas, you want to use a gas with high heat capacity. Practically this usually also means plasma.

			We want our hot loop gas to become as hot as possible. This is for a couple reasons, mentioned before - only 10% of a gas'es heat is used each time it passes through, and the efficiency of the TEG scales based on the temperature difference between the cold loop and the hot loop.

	In a typical hot loop set up there will be 3 critical pumps and 1 critical valve.		In a typical hot loop set up there will be 3 critical pumps and 1 critical valve.
	* The burn chamber input pump.		* The burn chamber input pump.
	* The burn chamber output/TEG input.		* The burn chamber output/TEG input.
	* The TEG output.		* The TEG output.

Algis Alphonse: /* The Burn Chamber */

2025-06-20T20:25:06Z

The Burn Chamber

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:25, 20 June 2025
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	Therefore instead we set up a system, where a gas is passed through a very hot room through radiators, taking up heat from it, passes through the TEG, and then is pumped back around to be heated up again. This is known as the "hot loop". And the aformentioned hot chamber can be made by, well, starting a fire in it - this is called "the burn chamber".		Therefore instead we set up a system, where a gas is passed through a very hot room through radiators, taking up heat from it, passes through the TEG, and then is pumped back around to be heated up again. This is known as the "hot loop". And the aformentioned hot chamber can be made by, well, starting a fire in it - this is called "the burn chamber".

	===The Burn Chamber ===		===''The Burn Chamber'' ===

	Usually a mix of 5% plasma and 95% oxygen is used. Plasma and oxygen burn at a ratio of 1:1, however, plasma is a lot more precious than oxygen. The excess of oxygen instead becomes the "holding gas" - a gas that remains in the burn chamber to keep it hot.		Usually a mix of 5% plasma and 95% oxygen is used. Plasma and oxygen burn at a ratio of 1:1, however, plasma is a lot more precious than oxygen. The excess of oxygen instead becomes the "holding gas" - a gas that remains in the burn chamber to keep it hot.
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	Igniting the burn chamber can be done in several ways. Ideally you use an igniter, placed in the burn chamber and linked to a button. However, not all TEG burn chambers come with one, and furthermore the igniter is actually a pretty poor ignition tool.		Igniting the burn chamber can be done in several ways. Ideally you use an igniter, placed in the burn chamber and linked to a button. However, not all TEG burn chambers come with one, and furthermore the igniter is actually a pretty poor ignition tool.

	=== The Hot Loop ===		=== ''The Hot Loop'' ===

	The second, crucial part of our set up is the hot gas we will pump through the TEG. This can be in a way understood as a way to transfer heat from out burn chamber to the TEG. Thus, similarly to the cold gas, you want to use a gas with high heat capacity. Practically this usually also means plasma.		The second, crucial part of our set up is the hot gas we will pump through the TEG. This can be in a way understood as a way to transfer heat from out burn chamber to the TEG. Thus, similarly to the cold gas, you want to use a gas with high heat capacity. Practically this usually also means plasma.