In Oxygen Not Included (ONI), chlorine gas offers an effective and pollution-free method for sterilizing water, eliminating harmful germs without requiring power or creating byproduct waste.
The Principles of Chlorine Purification in ONI
Chlorine gas is a potent disinfectant in Oxygen Not Included, capable of eliminating germs from liquids and gasses. Its unique interaction with water makes it an ideal choice for large-scale purification without direct consumption or complex machinery.
How Chlorine Works
Unlike other purification methods that might involve filtration or heat, chlorine purifies water simply by proximity. When water, particularly germ-ridden water like Polluted Water or water contaminated with food poisoning germs, is exposed to chlorine gas within a contained space, the germs within the water are neutralized over time. The process is entirely passive once the setup is complete.
Essential Components
To effectively purify water with chlorine, you'll need a few key elements:
- Chlorine Gas: A readily available gas, often found in natural pockets or produced by certain critters.
- Water Storage: Liquid Reservoirs are ideal as they can hold large volumes and expose the water's surface.
- A Sealed Room: Crucial for containing the chlorine gas above the water.
- Pumps: Gas Pumps for chlorine and Liquid Pumps for water are necessary for transfer.
- Pipes: For transporting both liquids and gases.
Step-by-Step Guide to Chlorine Water Purification
The core method involves creating a sealed chamber where chlorine gas hovers above the surface of your water supply.
-
Building the Purification Chamber
- Location: Designate a compact, airtight room. Two tiles high and a few tiles wide is usually sufficient for a few Liquid Reservoirs.
- Structure: Build walls (e.g., Insulated Tiles to manage temperature) and an airtight door (Gas Permeable Tile for entry/exit if needed, but a solid door is better for sealing).
- Reservoirs: Place one or more Liquid Reservoirs on the floor of this room. Each reservoir holds 5,000 kg of liquid.
-
Introducing Water and Chlorine
- Water Inflow: Use a Liquid Pump and pipes to fill the Liquid Reservoirs with the germy water you wish to purify. Ensure the water enters the reservoirs, not just spills onto the floor.
- Chlorine Introduction: Once the reservoirs are full, pump chlorine gas into the sealed room. The goal is for the chlorine gas to fill the upper space of the room, naturally hovering above the surface of the water in the reservoirs. Chlorine is denser than most other gases, so it will settle at the bottom if other gases are present, making it important to clear the room of other gases first or ensure enough chlorine is present to fill the space above the water.
-
Sterilization and Removal
- The Purification Cycle: Allow the chlorine gas to remain in contact with the water's surface for a "full cycle." During this time, the germs in the water will gradually be eliminated. The exact duration can vary based on germ count, but leaving it for several cycles (in-game days) ensures complete sterilization.
- Chlorine Removal: After the water is sterilized, you can pump out the chlorine gas from the purification chamber using a Gas Pump. The chlorine can then be reused for other purposes or stored.
- Clean Water Retrieval: The now-sterilized water can be safely pumped out of the Liquid Reservoirs for use in your colony. Crucially, this method does not pollute the water or leave any chlorine residue behind, making it perfectly safe for consumption and other needs.
Advanced Tips and Best Practices
- Automation: Implement Gas Element Sensors and Liquid Sensors to automate the filling, purification, and emptying process. For example, a Gas Element Sensor can detect when chlorine is present, activating a timer for purification.
- Gas Management: Use Gas Filters to ensure only pure chlorine enters the chamber and to recover chlorine from mixed gas environments.
- Efficiency: Consider using multiple purification chambers or a larger chamber with many reservoirs to handle a high volume of germy water.
- Preventing Leaks: Double-check all walls, doors, and pipe connections to ensure the chlorine gas doesn't escape into your base, as it can be harmful to Duplicants.
- Temperature Control: While chlorine purification itself isn't temperature-dependent, managing the room's temperature might be necessary if the water being purified is extremely hot or cold and could affect other systems.
| Water Type | Typical Germ Count (before purification) | Primary Usage After Purification |
|---|---|---|
| Polluted Water | Very High (Food Poisoning) | Drinking, Cooking, Showers, Farm Irrigation |
| Contaminated Water | Variable (e.g., from disease sources) | Drinking, Cooking, Showers, Farm Irrigation |
| Clean Water | Low to Zero | No purification needed |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Does chlorine get consumed during purification?
- No, chlorine gas is not consumed; it acts as a catalyst. You can pump it out and reuse it indefinitely.
- Q: How long does a "full cycle" take?
- While the game's internal mechanism works continuously, allowing the water to sit exposed to chlorine for at least one in-game cycle (600 seconds) is generally sufficient for most germ levels. For extremely high germ counts, giving it two or three cycles ensures complete sterilization.
- Q: Can Duplicants get sick from the chlorine?
- Yes, if Duplicants are exposed to chlorine gas directly (e.g., in a poorly sealed chamber), they can suffer from lung damage. Ensure the purification room is completely sealed when chlorine is present.
- Q: Does this method work for Polluted Water?
- Yes, it effectively sterilizes Polluted Water, removing all Food Poisoning germs, making it safe for conversion to Potable Water via a Water Sieve afterward.
