Filtering Polluted Air In Oxygen: A Survival Guide

In the space-colony simulation game Oxygen Not Included, polluted oxygen is a gas resource that is dirty, unfiltered, and breathable. It spreads germs and causes the Yucky Lungs debuff, increasing the air consumption rate and causing coughing. While it is possible to ignore polluted oxygen, there are several ways to filter it. Air Deodorizers and Pufts can be used to remove it, and players can also create airlocks and air pumps to transport polluted oxygen to filters. Additionally, players can use bleach to produce chlorine, which kills germs, or set up a slime-to-algae machine to create a natural gas generator and CO2 scrubber to get rid of polluted oxygen.

Use air deodorizers to filter polluted air

Deodorizers are an effective way to filter polluted air in Oxygen Not Included. They are buildings that can be placed strategically to reduce the threat of Slimelung infection and other diseases by purifying Polluted Oxygen in their vicinity. Here are some tips on how to use air deodorizers effectively to filter polluted air:

Understand the Mechanics of Deodorizers: Deodorizers use sand as a filtration medium to convert Polluted Oxygen (pO2) into clean Oxygen (O2). They require 5 Watts of power to operate and can catch Polluted Oxygen within a 5-tile radius, though they may not be effective behind certain types of doors or tiles. Deodorizers convert 90% of Polluted Oxygen into Oxygen, and the remaining Polluted Oxygen, along with any unused filtration medium, is converted into clay, which can be a useful resource for ceramic production.

Place Deodorizers Near Sources of Polluted Oxygen: Position deodorizers near structures that emit Polluted Oxygen, such as outhouses and wash basins. By targeting these areas, you can effectively reduce the spread of diseases and improve the overall air quality in your colony.

Use Deodorizers for Exploration: When exploring asteroids, deodorizers can be invaluable for cleaning pockets of Polluted Oxygen. Place them in areas with Polluted Oxygen and then pump the resulting clean Oxygen back into your colony. This helps maintain a healthy environment for your duplicants.

Address Germs and Slimelung: While deodorizers do not directly remove germs from the air, they significantly reduce the threat of Slimelung infection. Once the Polluted Oxygen is cleaned, germs will slowly die off. To further combat germs, consider building airlocks and storing bleach, which produces chlorine, a powerful germ-killing agent.

Manage Polluted Water: Polluted Water naturally converts into Polluted Oxygen over time. By placing an array of deodorizers over an open pool of Polluted Water, you can slowly convert it into Oxygen without generating heat. However, this process is typically too slow to be a primary source of Oxygen production.

By following these strategies and incorporating deodorizers into your base design, you can effectively filter polluted air and create a healthier environment for your duplicants in Oxygen Not Included.

Vent polluted oxygen into space

Polluted oxygen is dirty, unfiltered air that is breathable and works similarly to oxygen, allowing Duplicants to survive. However, it is also the primary vector for the transmission of Slimelung germs and can easily spread food poisoning germs. Polluted oxygen is commonly found in the Swamp Biome and can be emitted by slime, polluted dirt, and bottled polluted water in environments with less than 1800g of air pressure.

To get rid of polluted oxygen, one option is to vent it into space. This is a viable option, especially if you want to get rid of gases that are not useful or that you cannot use. However, it is important to note that this may not be the most efficient way to cool your base. While venting gases into space will result in the loss of heat contained in the gas, it is not a very effective method for cooling. To achieve a net cooling effect, you would need to replace the vented gas with cooler gas. Additionally, you can pump the gas through hot areas to absorb heat before venting it.

Another option to manage polluted oxygen is to use deodorizers to filter the air. By circulating the air and filtering out the polluted oxygen into a chamber with a permanent deodorizer, you can improve the air quality. You can also build airlocks and storage for bleach, which produces chlorine to kill germs. Sealing off polluted oxygen vents, especially in the early game, can also help manage the spread of polluted oxygen.

Overall, while venting polluted oxygen into space is an option, it may not be the most efficient method for cooling or removing polluted oxygen. Combining it with other strategies, such as using deodorizers and airlocks, can help create a more comprehensive solution for managing polluted oxygen in your colony.

Let Pufts roam your base

Pufts are non-aggressive critters that can be used to filter polluted air in Oxygen Not Included. They breathe in Polluted Oxygen and exhale Slime, which can be converted to Algae or used to farm Dusk Caps and mushrooms.

Letting Pufts roam your base can be an effective way to manage polluted oxygen levels. Here are some tips for implementing this strategy:

• Ensure an adequate supply of polluted oxygen: Pufts require polluted oxygen to survive and convert it into slime. Consider building a stable room with polluted water on the floor, as it will off-gas polluted oxygen to feed the Pufts. Alternatively, you can use a device that releases polluted oxygen while converting polluted water into clean water.
• Manage gas pressure: Maintain optimal gas pressure levels to ensure the Pufts' survival and functionality. Avoid high pressure from other gases like CO2, which can prevent polluted water from releasing polluted oxygen.
• Consider different Puft variations: There are several types of Pufts, including Sigma Pufts, Fat Pufts, and Squeaky Pufts, each with unique requirements and outputs. Sigma Pufts, the most common variety, inhale polluted oxygen and exhale slime. Fat Pufts require oxygen and produce Oxylite, while Squeaky Pufts need chlorine and create Bleach Stone.
• Ranch and pen Pufts: To maintain a stable Puft population, consider penning them with Alpha Pufts, which will increase the chances of laying various Puft eggs over time. Additionally, ranch normal Pufts with Alpha Pufts to have a 50% chance of obtaining the desired egg.
• Utilize deodorizers: Deodorizers can be employed to convert polluted oxygen into clean oxygen, helping to maintain a healthy environment for your Duplicants and preventing the spread of Slimelung germs.

By following these suggestions, you can effectively utilize Pufts to filter polluted air in your base, creating a sustainable and healthy environment for your Duplicants in Oxygen Not Included.

Use airlocks to prevent the spread of polluted oxygen

Polluted oxygen is dirty, unfiltered air that is found in the swamp biome. It is breathable but acts as a vector for Slimelung and food poisoning germs. It also causes food nearby to rot faster and increases the air consumption rate, causing coughing.

To prevent the spread of polluted oxygen, one method is to use airlocks. An airlock system is designed to keep gases outside of the colony. There are several types of airlocks to choose from, each with its own pros and cons.

A three-door airlock system is simple and space-efficient, but it is likely that some gases will pass through from time to time. A four-door setup is an upgraded version of the three-door system, with the inner two doors flipped horizontally. This setup is better at blocking gases but still may not be 100% effective.

Liquid airlocks are another option. These involve filling a corridor with water or another liquid to prevent airflow. Liquid airlocks provide a complete barrier to gases, but they will give your duplicants wet feet or the sopping wet debuff, which causes stress. To avoid this, you can set up exo-suit docks next to the liquid airlock so that duplicants don't have to get wet. However, this method requires more resources. It is important to note that liquid airlocks should not be made with polluted water, as it emits polluted oxygen and will eventually evaporate, rendering the airlock useless. Clean water can be used if the temperature is within a normal range, but for extreme temperatures, other liquids like ethanol, crude oil, or petroleum can be used.

Another type of airlock is the gas pump airlock, which uses atmo sensors to detect gases and pumps to send the air back to the desired side of the room. This method can also use filters to choose which gases go where. However, this automated system may be challenging for new players to implement successfully as it requires a lot of space and time to vacuum out a large room.

Overall, the choice of airlock system depends on the player's specific needs and resources. Each system has its advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to consider which factors are most important, such as effectiveness, speed, space, or stress on duplicants.

Convert polluted oxygen into something useful

Polluted oxygen (pO2) is dirty, unfiltered air that contains Slimelung germs, which can cause the Yucky Lungs debuff, increasing the air consumption rate and causing coughing. It is produced by slime, polluted dirt, and bottled polluted water in environments with less than 1800g of air pressure. While pO2 is breathable, it is important to minimise exposure to it and convert it into something useful to improve the health and well-being of your colony. Here are some ways to achieve this:

Deodorizers

Deodorizers are a cheap and effective way to convert polluted oxygen into oxygen (O2). They work by sucking in pO2 and slowly transforming it into O2. Place them near doors or areas where you want to stop the spread of pO2. You can also surround deodorizers with tiles and let the Slimelung germs die out. Repeat this process until most of the pO2 is converted into O2 with minimal germs.

Pufts

Pufts are creatures that can roam your base and naturally consume pO2. Capturing and farming pufts can also provide free slime, which can be used for various purposes.

Venting

You can vent pO2 into space to get rid of it. However, this method may not be practical unless you have a late-game setup involving massive quantities of ethanol production or a shortage of sand for other purposes.

Airlocks and Storage

Build airlocks using two gas-proof doors separated by a hallway to control the flow of air and prevent the spread of pO2. Additionally, build storage for bleach at the top of your base, as it produces chlorine, which helps kill germs.

Proper Waste Management

Ensure proper waste management practices to minimise the production of pO2. This includes composting polluted dirt in remote areas with limited dupe access and proper wash basins to prevent the spread of germs. Also, manage bottled polluted water effectively by setting up a temporary dumping site with a bottle emptier specifically for polluted water.

By implementing these strategies, you can effectively convert polluted oxygen into oxygen and create a healthier environment for your colony in Oxygen Not Included.

Frequently asked questions