Separating light gases from heavy without chemistry
How do steampunk civilizations get lifting gas?
Inspired by the above question I was tempted to suggest collecting the gases rising from public toilets.
I know that human gaseous emissions contain varying proportions of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatulence#Production,_composition,_and_smell
Some of these are lighter than air and some are heavier than air.
Judging by answers to this question https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/61140/why-dont-heavy-and-light-gases-separate-in-the-atmosphere it would be possible to engineer an environment that allows the gases to separate.
Question
By removing turbulence due to draughts, can I rely on the lighter gases such as hydrogen and methane rising from the toilets where they can be collected. Will the heavier sink to the floor where they can be drained away? If not, how can I most efficiently separate them in situ without using chemistry or endangering the clientele?
This post was sourced from https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/138600. It is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
1 answer
How do steampunk civilizations get lifting gas?
What you want is "Synthesis gas". It's what all good fellows with a hunger for flight and adventure need. How shall I make this gas you ask? Well, since you're so inclined, then I'm inclined to tell:
[...] is made by passing steam over a red-hot carbon fuel such as coke:
Don't let the fact that I am able to explain the chemistry put you off good fellows, for 'tis simple in its operation:
Both the products Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen are positivley boyant in air, require no complicated spinning or cooling, just directley feeding into your dirigibles.
It has the virtue that it can be done with limited and primitive or even improvised equipment anywhere that water and fuel (eg coal/wood/charcoal) are to be found, you'll be able to take off from much of anywhere in the world with a little labour but no effort.
They're both a bit sensitive so "No Smoking or Naked Flames" in the vicinity would be a good rule by which your servants should abide.
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For them that needs to know, here's the chemistry:
C + H2O => CO + H2
The reaction is endothermic, so the fuel must be continually re-heated to keep the reaction going. In order to do this, an air stream, which alternates with the vapor stream, is introduced for the combustion of carbon to take place.
This means there'll be a percentage of nitrogen present, but not enough to worry overly. All handshakes and swearings are final, no liability for fires or third party, no refunds!
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