4 ms·

How are we pumping the water if the power is out? I guess they're would be diesel generators for that in reality. We need an engineer to calculate the flow ne

How are we pumping the water if the power is out? I guess they're would be diesel generators for that in reality. We need an engineer to calculate the flow needed because given how far away the far end is from the water that could end up behind one huge generator, not to mention the size of the pipes. It's worth mentioning that they don't seem to be burying any massive water pipes so this isn't likely to be done in reality.

jasongill 3y ago
Gravity? This is what water towers are for. (not to say that this project isn't a total farce, but at least the issue of pumping water without electricity was solved hundreds of years ago)
- GeoAtreides 3y ago
  How would gravity help pumping water from deep in the Red Sea up into buildings?
  - jasongill 3y ago
    the same way that water towers work - when the pumps are running (power is on), you pump water into the tower; then, when the pumps fail, gravity continues to provide water pressure as water drains from the tower. The water tower effectively acts as a "battery" in the system, storing energy (and water) and then releasing it as needed
    - GeoAtreides 3y ago
      But then the water won't be cool...
      - jasongill 3y ago
        I didn't design the project, but I would imagine that moving water would be cooler than stagnant water. Other pre-industrial revolution pump designs like a hydram pump could keep cool water moving from the sea as well
- eviks 3y ago
  Also, wouldn't water in those towers heat up?
avar 3y ago
See e.g. [1], so they could either funnel air into the ocean and back up for direct temperature exchange, or alternatively use the breeze generated top-to-bottom in the building to drive "active" pumps. Or just have Olympic-sized swimming pools in the basement that you've actively pumped water into. If the pumps are out they'll have a lot of thermal inertia. 1. https://www.archdaily.com/975502/geothermal-energy-using-the-earth-to-heat-buildings-and-generate-electricity https://www.archdaily.com/975502/geothermal-energy-using-the...
whazor 3y ago
We also have humans in space at the moment. Normally the answer would be fault tolerance or similar engineering solutions. Furthermore, if the building is decently isolated (HR++ sun-blocking glass exists), it should be able to handle some air conditioning downtime.

jasongill 3y ago

Gravity? This is what water towers are for. (not to say that this project isn't a total farce, but at least the issue of pumping water without electricity was solved hundreds of years ago)

GeoAtreides 3y ago
How would gravity help pumping water from deep in the Red Sea up into buildings?
- jasongill 3y ago
  the same way that water towers work - when the pumps are running (power is on), you pump water into the tower; then, when the pumps fail, gravity continues to provide water pressure as water drains from the tower. The water tower effectively acts as a "battery" in the system, storing energy (and water) and then releasing it as needed
  - GeoAtreides 3y ago
    But then the water won't be cool...
    - jasongill 3y ago
      I didn't design the project, but I would imagine that moving water would be cooler than stagnant water. Other pre-industrial revolution pump designs like a hydram pump could keep cool water moving from the sea as well
eviks 3y ago
Also, wouldn't water in those towers heat up?

avar 3y ago

See e.g. [1], so they could either funnel air into the ocean and back up for direct temperature exchange, or alternatively use the breeze generated top-to-bottom in the building to drive "active" pumps. Or just have Olympic-sized swimming pools in the basement that you've actively pumped water into. If the pumps are out they'll have a lot of thermal inertia. 1. https://www.archdaily.com/975502/geothermal-energy-using-the-earth-to-heat-buildings-and-generate-electricity https://www.archdaily.com/975502/geothermal-energy-using-the...

whazor 3y ago

We also have humans in space at the moment. Normally the answer would be fault tolerance or similar engineering solutions. Furthermore, if the building is decently isolated (HR++ sun-blocking glass exists), it should be able to handle some air conditioning downtime.