Tom OHern wrote:A RMH is designed to burn fast and store the heat for a long time. For this, you do not want a fast burn, so I don't think a RMH is the best fit for this project.
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Actually this is correct - and also "could be inaccurate"
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True the sheer volume of CO2 produced is high...
But if you build a large enough of an algae reactor - then the CO2 requirement could actually match the CO2 output...
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I would be more concerned with the exhaust temperature more than the CO2 volume.
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As for the issues of venting into a restricted space (ie the Algae reactor tubes - I assume via air bubbling stones): This can be overcome by adding a collection box with inlet fans to assure that you get a zero or slightly negative pressure at the rocket heater exhaust. Technically, this is feasible, but in practicality your restrictions/problems will be due to the fact that you must exhaust the gasses collected at a rate near or equal to collection rate (kinda like using a ballon to store gas not used - if you don't use enough of the gas the balloon will eventually grow too large and burst - not good...).
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I like the idea of excess CO2 going into a greenhouse - but see the problems with "enclosed spaces and oxygen displacement". It is never a good idea to exhaust any combustion exhaust into an enclosed living space. While from a physics point the argument could be made that Algae production could be scaled to provide near absolute conversion of CO2 gasses to O2 - it is never dependable. And with that said - it would only take one glitch in the process to create a catastrophic disaster.
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Still I like the concept.
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Since I am actively involved in researching and developing CO2 scrubbers for enclosed living spaces - I will definitely be looking into this further.
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I like Algae reactors, and I like the use of plants in living spaces to help keep the air more manageable. Even NASA has long struggled with the issues of CO2 production in enclosed living environments (ie SkyLab and the International Space Station), and has long sought out a non caustic chemical alternative. Too bad an algae reactor is way to bulky and heavy - we could chuck a few up on booster rockets and help resolve the issue (just poking fun - ya gotta see the humor???)
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Still - necessity is the motivation of all useful inventions. Should someone here actually solve the issues with 1) exhaust Temperature, 2) Exhaust volume and 3) conversion efficiency I do not see why it wouldn't be a $Billion development.
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Just my take..
Dave R. Mason
Arizona BioFuels Research
Phoenix, Arizona
