Re: More on Air Consumption...

>	You're right in assuming that I used sea level pressures to start
>with, but it says in the rules somewhere that atmosphere is also a bit
>binary in nature.  It's eithere there or it's not there.  Not that I agree
>with what they say... (:  I'm assuming that an active helm will be able
>to keep the pressure "at sea level."

Actually, not's not quite what they say. Page 11 of the Concordanance
describes the air as thinning with altitude. On Page 7 they comment that the
thin air eventually becomes unbreatheable, but, at that point a person starts
breathing air brought along with them in their own envelope.

Which implies that envelopes aren't formed at sea level pressure, but at
level quite a bit thinner, although still thick enough to breath.


>>Also, even wih the ship moving at SJ speeds the crew will be anything but
>>inactive. In addition to the normal maintainence a ship requires, and
certain
>>basic jobs that always need to be done, there's a far amount of make work
so
>>hat the ship's crew isn't idle. Idle crews mutiny far more than active and
>>busy crews. Marines and weapon crews also need to drill to keep their edge
>>and their combat readyness. All this uses more air.
>
>	Yup.  But the stats given in the paper I read say that *on average*
>the SCFH is equal to 1, over long term.  Short term (like fighting with only
>your own air envelope) will probably change that.

I'm ex Navy. trust me, on a cruise, activity levels for the deck crew (which
is every one but the Officers in a non tech setting) rarely averages the same
as in more sedate jobs.

>>Also, every bit of trash and garbage thrown over the side, and every missle
>>shot at another ship will take a bit air along with it as it leaves the
>>ship's air envelope further reducing the amount of usable air.
>
>	Yeah, but that probably adds up to less than a cubic foot per day,
>but more during heavy combat.

Actually, a cubic foot of trash takes 8 cubic feet of air along with it. How
much trash do you think is generated by, say, 30 people? Remeber, this
includes sewage, water from the galley, a lot scraps and trimming from food
preperation. Wash water from scrubbing the decks, etc.


>
>	Please keep in mind that I'm saying that anybody's figures are
>wrong.  I'm just trying to figure this thing out, like everybody else... (:

I understand that. I'm pointing out certain flaws in your assumptions, is
all. I think you are severely underestimating loss to waste, and the ambient
pressure, and the like.



Thank You For Your Time,

Thomas O Magann Jr
http://www.sfo.com/~tomjr/

<tomjr@???.com> or my back-up: <TMagann@???.com>