Purifying Polluted Air In Oxygen Not Included: Strategies Revealed

In the space-colony simulation game Oxygen Not Included, players must ensure the survival of their space colony. Polluted oxygen is a type of dirty, unfiltered air that can be breathed by players but carries the risk of transmitting Slimelung and other germs. It is therefore important to get rid of polluted oxygen. This can be done in several ways, including using deodorizers, air pumps, and filters, or by converting it into liquid oxygen through cooling and reheating.

Deodorizers: Use them to filter air and convert pO2 to O2

Deodorizers are an effective way to filter polluted oxygen (pO2) and convert it to oxygen (O2). They are a decontamination structure, designed to reduce the threat of diseases by filtering the air. Deodorizers are best placed near structures that produce polluted oxygen, such as outhouses, wash basins, and the Algae Distiller and Compost. They can also be used to clean pockets of polluted oxygen outside the base, and the renewed gas can be transported to the colony via gas pipes and pumps.

Deodorizers have a wide reach, able to collect polluted oxygen from up to three tiles away, including diagonally. Liquids do not block this reach, so placing a liquid tile between the deodorizer and the polluted oxygen creates a perfect seal. They are also useful for mopping up pockets of carbon dioxide (CO2), minimising the need for dupes to backtrack for air.

To use deodorizers effectively, it is important to incorporate them into the design of your base. For example, placing them along main thoroughfares ensures that any gases approaching the base are screened. It is also a good idea to place them near the top of exploratory shafts that are full of polluted oxygen. For a standard-sized room, one deodorizer on each side or one at the entrance should be enough to prevent leaking.

It is worth noting that deodorizers do not kill germs, so while they can help to prevent the spread of diseases, they will not eliminate them. Germs will slowly die off once the oxygen has been cleaned, but this process can take some time. Additionally, while deodorizers can significantly reduce polluted oxygen levels, they may not completely eliminate it. Some players have reported that small amounts of polluted oxygen can remain in the deodorizers, which can then breed slimelung. To address this, you can put up additional deodorizers to trap the remaining polluted oxygen and then catch any remnants with pumps when deconstructing.

Air pumps: Transport air to a filter or storage tank

To get rid of polluted air in Oxygen Not Included, players can use air pumps to transport the air to a filter or storage tank. This method is particularly useful when dealing with large amounts of polluted oxygen.

Air pumps can be strategically placed around the base to draw in the polluted oxygen and transport it through pipes to a designated filter or storage area. This approach ensures that the polluted air is effectively collected and directed away from the living areas of the colony.

When using air pumps, it is important to consider the airflow and pressure within the pipe system. Each additional pipe split reduces the pressure, so careful configuration is necessary to maintain adequate airflow and prevent blockages. Players can achieve this by balancing the pipe layout, ensuring that each split results in an equal number of vents.

Additionally, it is crucial to have a functioning output mechanism at the end of the pipe system. If the airflow is blocked or there is no consumption of gas, the pump may stop working. This can be addressed by branching off the pipes and adding vents or storage tanks to handle the oxygen flow.

By utilising air pumps and a well-designed pipe system, players can effectively transport polluted air away from their base, contributing to a healthier and more sustainable environment for their colony in Oxygen Not Included.

Liquid conversion: Cool and condense polluted oxygen into liquid, then reheat

Polluted oxygen is dirty, unfiltered air that is breathable but acts as the primary vector for the transmission of Slimelung germs, which cause the Yucky Lungs debuff. It is a common issue in the space-colony simulation game Oxygen Not Included, where it is produced by deodorizers, pufts, and morbs, among other sources. One method to get rid of polluted oxygen in the game is through liquid conversion, which involves cooling and condensing polluted oxygen into liquid and then reheating it. Here is a detailed guide on how to achieve this:

Step 1: Cool the Polluted Oxygen

The first step is to cool the polluted oxygen to its condensation point. Oxygen has a condensation point of -183°C, so you will need a liquid or gas with a lower condensation point, such as hydrogen, which has a condensation point of -252.2°C. Thermo regulators are required to cool the hydrogen to this extremely low temperature. You can use a thermo nullifier to pre-cool the hydrogen to -173.15°C, but the final push below -183°C must be done with thermo regulators. Adjust the rate of the vent to achieve a constant flow, as a maximum flow vent may overwhelm the thermal conductivity between oxygen and hydrogen.

Step 2: Condense the Polluted Oxygen

Once the hydrogen has reached a temperature below -183°C, pipe it through the polluted oxygen using a radiator system. This will allow for a heat transfer, causing the polluted oxygen to cool down and condense into a liquid while the hydrogen heats up. It is important to ensure that only polluted oxygen is input into the system, as other gases may cause issues. Additionally, make sure the petroleum in the left room is above -45°C to protect against freezing, and the hydrogen in the middle room is below -200°C for stable condensation.

Step 3: Reheat the Liquid Oxygen

After the polluted oxygen has been condensed into liquid oxygen, you will need to reheat it. This can be done using the thermo regulator, which transfers heat instead of removing it. The liquid oxygen created can be used to cool the thermo regulators, making the reheating process relatively inexpensive.

By following these steps, you can effectively convert polluted oxygen into liquid oxygen through cooling, condensation, and reheating. This method allows for the purification of polluted oxygen without the use of consumable reagents or catalysts.

Pufts: Let pufts roam your base to absorb polluted oxygen

Pufts are non-aggressive critters that can breathe in polluted oxygen and exhale slime with 95% efficiency. They can be an effective way to reduce the amount of polluted oxygen in your base. Here are some tips to make the most of their air-purifying abilities:

First, ensure that your pufts have enough polluted oxygen to feed on. Building a stable room with polluted water on the floor will provide the necessary polluted oxygen as the water will off-gas it. Make sure the room has adequate ventilation to prevent the build-up of other gases, especially CO2, which can inhibit the off-gassing process.

To maximize the efficiency of your puft stable, consider keeping the population high by maintaining a separate Alpha Puft or Puft Prince stable to produce eggs. With continuous feeding, a single Sublimation Station can support just under eight pufts. Additionally, Morbs can be used to produce polluted oxygen at a low cost and can pair well with pufts as they consume the polluted oxygen that Morbs produce.

To achieve the maximum conversion rate of polluted oxygen to slime, limit the mobility of your pufts. Pufts typically inhale twice, then rise to the ceiling to excrete their droppings. By restricting their movement, you can increase their conversion rate. Ensure they have enough space to rise and exhale, or consider giving them a pneumatic door as a roof, which is considered a non-solid surface, allowing them to produce their droppings.

Keep in mind that while pufts can help reduce polluted oxygen levels, they consume a lot of gas. Monitor their food source and consider supplementing it with other methods, such as using deodorizers to filter the air or venting polluted oxygen into space.

By following these suggestions, you can effectively utilize pufts to roam your base and absorb polluted oxygen, improving the air quality for your dupes.

Storage: Store slime/polluted dirt underwater to remove off-gassing

In the game Oxygen Not Included, polluted oxygen is dirty, unfiltered air that is breathable but can give your colony Slimelung and other germs. It can be found naturally in the swamp biome and is emitted by slime, polluted dirt, and bottled polluted water in environments with less than 1800g of air pressure. To remove polluted oxygen, you can use deodorizers, airlocks, and air pumps with filters.

One strategy to remove polluted oxygen is to store slime and polluted dirt underwater. This prevents the release of polluted oxygen through off-gassing. By submerging these materials, you can effectively contain the polluted oxygen they emit and prevent it from spreading throughout your base. This method is particularly useful if you have limited access to deodorizers or other air purification systems.

Storing slime and polluted dirt underwater involves creating a submerged storage area within your base. This area should be located away from high-traffic areas to minimize the risk of accidental exposure to polluted oxygen. It is crucial to ensure that the storage area is properly sealed to prevent the polluted oxygen from escaping into the surrounding environment.

When designing the underwater storage, consider the amount of slime and polluted dirt you need to store. Allow for sufficient space to accommodate your current and future storage needs. Additionally, implement a system for safely transferring the materials in and out of the storage area without releasing polluted oxygen. This may involve the use of airlocks or other containment measures.

By storing slime and polluted dirt underwater, you can effectively contain and manage the release of polluted oxygen. This strategy can be a crucial component of your overall air quality management plan in Oxygen Not Included. Remember to combine this technique with other methods, such as using deodorizers and improving airflow, for a comprehensive approach to maintaining a healthy and breathable environment for your colony.

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