Treating Polluted Water: Innovative Oxygen-Free Solutions

Polluted water is a common issue in the game Oxygen Not Included, and it can cause a lot of problems for players if not dealt with effectively. It is produced by a variety of sources, including duplicant accidents, lavatories, showers, and sinks, and can lead to the spread of disease and infection if it comes into contact with oxygen. While it may seem like a nuisance, polluted water can actually be a valuable resource with a wide range of uses. In this article, we will explore the different ways players can deal with polluted water, from storing and purifying it to utilising it for tasks such as irrigation and cooling. We will also discuss the potential pitfalls of improper management and provide tips on how to avoid them.

Use it as a coolant

Polluted water can be used as a coolant in the early game, as it has a wider temperature range than pure water, brine, or saltwater. This is due to its higher specific heat capacity and a larger freezing and boiling range. It can be used to cool down metal refineries, with the water pumped into the refinery and then dumped back into a pool. However, this method has its risks, as the polluted water can boil and burst pipes. To avoid this, it is recommended to start with cool water and work in batches to prevent overheating. Cycling the polluted water through a full reservoir can also extend its use.

Polluted water can also be used to cool down a liquid reservoir, as the liquids in a reservoir automatically equalize in temperature. This method can be used for a long time, especially if you are working with gold, copper, iron, or cobalt. If you are working with steel, you can use crude oil instead.

It is important to note that polluted water can turn into gas within a few uses, depending on the metal being refined. Therefore, it is not recommended for extended use. Additionally, polluted water can cause stress to duplicants if they come into contact with it. As such, it is important to restrict its ability to infest water systems and the air.

If you have a large stockpile of polluted water, you can use it near your hatches or turn it into steam to power your base or fuel steam engines. However, this method is inefficient, as polluted water requires a higher temperature to turn into steam compared to clean water, and it produces blocks of dirt that require cleaning.

Turn it into steam to power your base

Polluted water is a common issue in the game Oxygen Not Included, and it can be a challenge to deal with. One option for addressing this issue is to turn the polluted water into steam and use it to power your base. While this method is not the most efficient, it can be a creative way to deal with the problem. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:

First, it is important to understand that polluted water can be a valuable resource. It has a wider temperature range than pure water, making it an excellent coolant. It is also necessary for certain plants' growth and can be used as a fertiliser. However, the challenge is to utilise these benefits while preventing the water from infesting your water systems and the air.

To turn polluted water into steam, you can use a liquid tepidizer built from gold ore. Gold ore is an excellent material for this purpose as it can withstand high temperatures without melting or sustaining damage. The tepidizer will heat the polluted water, causing it to evaporate and turn into steam. This process will also leave behind a small amount of dirt or sand, which can be dealt with using airflow tiles.

The steam generated from the polluted water can then be used to power your base. Steam turbines can be used to generate power, although it is important to note that polluted water requires a higher temperature (121.35 degrees) to turn into steam compared to clean water (101.35 degrees). This higher temperature requirement makes the process less efficient, but it can still be a viable option in certain situations.

Additionally, it is crucial to be cautious when dealing with steam. Steam can be extremely hot, and if not handled properly, it can damage pipes, vents, and other equipment. It can also be harmful to plants and duplicants, so ensure you have the necessary safety measures in place.

While turning polluted water into steam may not be the most optimal solution, it demonstrates the creativity and problem-solving skills required to succeed in Oxygen Not Included. It is all about finding innovative ways to turn challenges into opportunities and making the most of the resources available to you.

Use it to grow plants

Polluted water is a common resource that can be used to irrigate certain plants. It is a better coolant than pure water due to its wider temperature range and can be used to cool down plants. Plants that require polluted water include the Pincha Pepper, Thimble Reed, and Arbor Tree. Thimble Reeds are a safe choice as they consume a lot of polluted water and never get germs. Pincha Peppers are great for improving food and will require an ongoing supply. Arbor Trees are an optional fuel source, but they produce a lot of carbon dioxide, so they may not be the best option.

If you have germy polluted water, you can still use it to grow plants. Plants do not care about germy water, and it will not contaminate your food source. You can use hydroponic tiles to grow Pincha Pepper plants, Thimble Reeds, and Arbor Trees with no consequences, as long as the germs don't escape the pipes. Another good use for germy polluted water is the Fertilizer Synthesizer, which will help with growing plants in your colony.

To get rid of polluted water, you can send it to a vacuum space tile, which will make it disappear into space. Alternatively, you can pipe it into a Water Sieve to filter it into regular water, although this will not remove any germs. You can also store it in liquid reservoirs surrounded by chlorine gas, which will not add any heat to the map.

Polluted water can also be used to produce fertilizer. For example, 39 g/s of polluted water, 65 g/s of dirt, and 26 g/s of phosphorite can be combined in a Fertilizer Synthesizer to produce 120 g/s of fertilizer and 10 g/s of natural gas.

Store it in a liquid state

Polluted water is a common issue in the game Oxygen Not Included. It is a breeding ground for bacteria, and it will make your Duplicants sick and produce polluted oxygen. It is important to manage it before it gets out of hand.

One way to deal with polluted water is to store it in a liquid state. While this is considered the least efficient method of storing polluted water, it is still an option if you don't have access to more advanced technology. Storing polluted water in a liquid state can be done by using a bottle emptier to take the water from wash basins and putting it into a hole where CO2 accumulates. The CO2 will inhibit the growth of microbes, allowing you to safely store the polluted water.

Another option for storing polluted water is to use a water sieve. A water sieve can filter polluted water into regular water, although it will not remove any germs present. To kill germs, you can heat the water to a temperature of 75 degrees Celsius or above. This can be done by building a Tepidizer in any storage tank that is expected to contain germs. The Tepidizer will automatically shut off at a temperature outside the survivable range of food poisoning (around 85 degrees Celsius).

It is worth noting that polluted water can also be a useful resource. It has a wider temperature range than pure water, making it a better coolant. It can also be used as a fuel in steam engines or to power your base when turned into steam. Additionally, polluted water is required for irrigating certain plants, such as thimble reed.

Convert it into fertiliser

Polluted water can be a valuable resource, but it can also cause problems, such as producing polluted oxygen and making people sick. Here are some ways to deal with polluted water, with a focus on converting it into fertiliser:

Using a Fertilizer Synthesizer

The Fertilizer Synthesizer is a machine that uses polluted water, dirt, and phosphorite to produce fertiliser and natural gas. The fertiliser is produced in lumps of 10 kg at 50°C, and the natural gas is released at 76 °C. The constant running of the Synthesizer produces 72 kg of fertiliser per cycle, which is equivalent to 14.4 Micronutrient Fertilizer uses. The natural gas output can be used for cooking and power production, and it can also be used to offset the energy requirements of the Synthesizer itself, resulting in some polluted water being refunded. It is important to note that the germs in the polluted water are transferred to the produced fertiliser.

Using a Fertilizer Maker

The Fertilizer Maker is another machine that can be used to convert polluted water into fertiliser. It requires compost or polluted water, and it produces muck or fertiliser. It is important to have a renewable source of clean water to generate polluted water for the Fertilizer Maker.

Plants That Can Utilise Polluted Water

Certain plants, such as the Pincha Pepper, Thimble Reed, and Arbor Tree, can be grown using polluted water. These plants can be fed into a greenhouse setup to produce food. Pincha Peppers, in particular, are great for improving food quality and will require an ongoing supply of polluted water. Thimble Reeds provide fibre for clothing and furniture items, so their farms usually only need to run for a short period.

Other Methods to Deal with Polluted Water

If the goal is simply to get rid of polluted water, there are a few methods to consider:

• Sending it to a vacuum space tile: Dig a path and pipe it to the top until you see the sky, then place a liquid vent and let the water disappear into space.
• Dumping it into an aquatuner: This will convert the polluted water into clean water through evaporation and condensation.
• Using a water sieve: This method will result in clean water, but polluted dirt can still be useful and can be composted.

Frequently asked questions