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This article contains outdated information that is inaccurate for the current version. It was last updated for EX1-449549. Unreflected changes in the discussed game mechanics are detailed here: EX1-452242 • U35-478755 |
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This content is related to DLC content of Spaced Out. There is a version of this article for the Base Game, see Hydrogen Engine. |
The Hydrogen Engine is the 7th and final engine in Spaced Out!, having the longest range and power out of all the engines. It is unlocked along with the Liquid Oxidizer Tank in Cryofuel Combustion.
Unlike other engines, the Hydrogen Engine cannot store its own fuel, and needs to be stored in Large Liquid Fuel Tanks, similar to the Petroleum Engine. Like the Petroleum Engine, it needs oxidizer to function, with Liquid Oxygen being the most efficient. Liquid oxygen will need to be stored in a Liquid Oxidizer Tank.
Exhaust[]
The Hydrogen Engine produces a large amount (4-5 tonnes) of extremely hot (above 1800 °C) Steam during both takeoff and landing. The amount of steam released is independent of the rocket's travel distance, resulting in ~9 tonnes of Steam (and ~70 million kDTU of Heat) being produced by each trip.
Not only does this risk damaging Liquid Hydrogen pipes, it is hot enough to melt most Refined Metal. While a Rocket Platform and rocket parts do not exchange heat with fluids, preventing a rocket from melting itself or any pads it lands on, this can still melt down rocket loading or unloading ports, power and automation wires, or metal tiles unless they are made of Steel. It will also boil most common liquids, making it harder to transfer heat away from exposed components or operate liquid airlocks without an active cooling system to move heat away between launches.
While the easiest means to handle exhaust is to simply allow it to disperse into The Void and clean up the aftermath, recapturing this steam provides enormous amounts of resources (though how much you need them given that you're already capable of launching hydrogen rockets is debatable). To capture rocket exhaust, surround the launch path with Drywall or Tempshift Plates and Insulated Tiles (ideally made of Ceramic or Insulation), and use a set of Mechanized Airlocks which shut as soon as possible when a rocket has launched or landed.
Electrolysing a round trip's worth of steam will produce roughly 1 tonne of hydrogen and 8 tonnes of oxygen - the hydrogen alone is more than enough to refill a single liquid fuel tank, while the oxygen is more than an entire fleet of rockets can consume. The steam can be directly condensed by a Steam Turbine into usable water, or its heat can be extracted for energy by larger arrays.
Assuming all the heat is processed from 200° or lower steam for the maximum turbine efficiency of , the maximum energy extractable from the heat is roughly As 60 MJ is enough to run a grid of Heavi-Watt Conductive Wire at maximum capacity for two full cycles, this ought to be enough to make the whole endeavor resource-positive even in terms of power - assuming a colony has the space and resources to build such a thing (but then, what else are you launching all these hydrogen rockets for?)
Trivia[]
- The Hydrogen Engine is currently the most powerful engine in Spaced Out!, being good for long range journeys and carrying large amounts of modules.
- Its current description and flavor text is a word for word copy from the base game Hydrogen Engine
- It has no visual difference to the base game Hydrogen Engine.
- Like other high level engines, it produces 600W of power, which can be used with a rocket electrical port.
See Also[]
- Hydrogen Engine in base game
- Rocketry in Spaced Out
- Sugar Engine
- Carbon Dioxide Engine
- Small Petroleum Engine
- Petroleum Engine
