Atmosphere filtration on Mars

[Brakiri]

Hi folks,

i'm trying to use the atmosphere to filter out Nitrogen for the jetpack.
The atmosphere has only trace amounts but over time it should be ok.

Problem is, i cannot get this filtration to work.

I tried an active vent connected to a filtration unti and an active vent on the other side to pump the unfiltered gases back into the atmosphere.

Problem here is, the active vent sucks in more atmosphere than the filtration unit can process so the pipe leading from the sucking active vent to the filtration unit builds up pressure until it explodes.

I looked for some advice here in the forums and i tried using a volume pump and a pressure regulator but both times, they did nothing, the pipe leading to the filtration unit had no preessure whatsoever and no gases were filtered.

So a little help would be appreciated.

[Brakiri]

Ah, i think i got it..you need more than one piece of pipe between the active vent and the filtration unit. In this config it doesn't build up pressure anymore.

[Tonique]

Right.

[Kastuk]

You can use any gas for propellant.

[Monty]

On Mars i would swap the nitrogen tank to a CO2 tank for propellant as soon as possible.

Just be aware that whatever gas you use in your jetpack is put into the enviroment around you. Experience taught me not to use hydrogen in an O2 rich enviroment.

[Adam De Beers]

Yo yo!

Maybe this helps a bit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITa8vHcCi3o

[Kevin]

Use a passive vent, the filter will suck all it needs, and a passive to expel waste. You will still need to monitor the tank though

[hektor]

And back pressure regulator for safety.

[Radioshow]

A BPR will just cause the pipe before it to burst without some form of automated valve/vent

[hektor]

Well of course sorry I didn't give more detail but one should be in there somewhere unless you get digital valve fancy.

[Trash Templar]

Originally posted by Monty:

On Mars i would swap the nitrogen tank to a CO2 tank for propellant as soon as possible.

Just be aware that whatever gas you use in your jetpack is put into the enviroment around you. Experience taught me not to use hydrogen in an O2 rich enviroment.

makes sense and is much easier to get. easiest way for propellant is always the gas most or easiest accessable.(not sure if N2 leaves the jetpack in pure form or oxidated; never had issues with N2 usage this way on mars; but still right as a principle).

Originally posted by Kevin:

Use a passive vent, the filter will suck all it needs, and a passive to expel waste. You will still need to monitor the tank though

easiest setup for your task, but with only 3% it will take ages, burns plenty of energy to keep the filtration running and (most importatnt) as it takes that long and youve no automated overpressure failsave you blow up without knowing, simply because youve completely forgot about it.
smelt water ice in a small room and suck it through the filtration should give you good yields of N2 (20%) and water if you run it through a second filtration.

[Kevin]

@Trash Templar, you are correct, all of those things will be needed for advanced set up, but OP described using active vents on the input and waste of atmo and output into a tank. In that situation only passive vents are needed.

Use whatever you like for propellent. I'd use co2 on Mars, why not.