Talk:2982: Water Filtration

2024-09-08T04:19:36Z

172.70.43.54:

On the activated carbon filter, that's a double entendre, referencing both activated charcoal filters often used in filtration systems and the nearby neutron source, which is radioactivity activating the carbon. [[Special:Contributions/172.71.254.23|172.71.254.23]] 04:32, 7 September 2024 (UTC)Corsac

There are a bunch of processes shown that are real, but not actually used in water filtration. For example, electrolysis is used to make hydrogen and oxygen gas, and reverse electrolysis is used in fuel cells to produce electricity, but the electricity cost of doing these steps to purify a useful amount of water would be prohibitive. [[Special:Contributions/162.158.159.14|162.158.159.14]] 06:18, 7 September 2024 (UTC)
:On the other hand, it would be a kind of "extra-intense distillation". We already basically have been "distilling water", as I see it, with the autoclave/condenser pairing that would certainly leave any remaining dissolved minerals or particulates behind. By splitting then recombining the component elements (and some basic gas-chromatography process, not shown) then you'd inarguably get water out that's about as pure as you can hope for in even the most {{w|The Waters of Mars|paranoid fantasies}} about the need for clean water.
:...of course, here it's not even the ''most'' energetic attempt to further 'refine' the components of "watery matter", with the assumed luxury of having energy (and indeed water) to burn... [[Special:Contributions/172.69.194.219|172.69.194.219]] 06:39, 7 September 2024 (UTC)
:Yes; I'm wondering if we should be a bit more specific than just "real" vs. "fake". Some of the processes would work, but wouldn't make the water purer; some are impractical but feasible; some aren't possible at all. [[User:BunsenH|BunsenH]] ([[User talk:BunsenH|talk]]) 16:10, 7 September 2024 (UTC)

Regarding condensers: Condensers are a real method of purifying water, although perhaps not commonly used to demineralize household well water. I frequently buy "purified" water that has been distilled which is simply boiling the water and then condensing the steam into pure water. This is great for use in tea pots or egg cookers or humidifiers to avoid mineral buildup inside the pots. [[User:Rtanenbaum|Rtanenbaum]] ([[User talk:Rtanenbaum|talk]]) 14:35, 7 September 2024 (UTC)

Regarding adding the well-water back in at the end: "Purified" water is often sold in the baby aisle for use in mixing baby formula, but the labels indicate that minerals have been readded to the water, which of course means it is no longer pure, and would not be useful if I want to avoid mineral buildup in a tea pot. [[User:Rtanenbaum|Rtanenbaum]] ([[User talk:Rtanenbaum|talk]]) 14:35, 7 September 2024 (UTC)

This comic made me realize how to fund space exploration: selling "artisinal space water" to gullib- I mean, discerning rich people. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.246.151|172.69.246.151]] 15:48, 7 September 2024 (UTC)

I have silt, iron, manganese, and microbes in my well.

In a real life, the first step will be mechanical filters: frog-screens, leaf nets, sand or paper media. In my well-water this takes most of the yuck out (as brown sludge).

Home-scale UV treatment is commonly sold (and apparently used; spares available) for spot-treating rural well water. Industrial UV exists for very expensive 'pure water' which must not make anybody sick. ALL water gets germs; UV may have less side-effect than Chlorine or Bromine.

Condensing (and distilling!) are standard household appliances for DIY distilled water. 'Activated' Carbon elements are VERY widely sold for taking taste/smell out of tap water.

"Water softening" (several types) is bog-standard technology out beyond the city mains.

Of the radioactive treatments, Radon is not mentioned; surely this kills a few germs?
[[User:PRR|PRR]] ([[User talk:PRR|talk]]) 19:08, 7 September 2024 (UTC)
:Using radon would be a bad idea. Even if one got all of the radon out afterwards (e.g. by {{w|sparging}}), it would leave behind radioactive daughter products, as well as the lead at the end of the decay sequences. Granted, {{w|Radithor|radium-enriched water}} was a commercial product, back in the day, but... still a bad idea. [[User:BunsenH|BunsenH]] ([[User talk:BunsenH|talk]]) 21:58, 7 September 2024 (UTC)
::Yeah, the philosophy tended to be "if it fluoresces, it impresses!", in the {{w|Radium fad|pseudoscientific quackery}} of the time... [[Special:Contributions/172.69.79.183|172.69.79.183]] 23:15, 7 September 2024 (UTC)
So much that I didn't notice in my first forty minutes looking at the comic while thinking "uhmm wut no! ! !" Y'all are why I come here especially when I think thought I understood it and didn't need it explained. BTW? Are some for which the explain cannot be complete. The user interactive recent one with squirrels, fans, balls and things that made it kinda a pinball game but most assuredly not (mostly) come to mind. Thank you all. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.43.54|172.70.43.54]] 04:19, 8 September 2024 (UTC)

Talk:2950: Situation

2024-06-24T20:22:49Z

172.70.43.54:

For reference, the bridge in question is the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. [[User:Trimeta|Trimeta]] ([[User talk:Trimeta|talk]]) 18:57, 24 June 2024 (UTC)

And for the record, the Challenger engineers *did* warn about the O-ring risk, but were overridden by management. [[Special:Contributions/172.68.35.95|172.68.35.95]] 19:25, 24 June 2024 (UTC)

It would have been so easy to draw a dam about to burst just behind the ocean liner

766: Green Flash

2024-05-30T21:56:17Z

172.70.43.54: /* Explanation */

{{comic
| number = 766
| date = July 14, 2010
| title = Green Flash
| image = green_flash.png
| titletext = The exact cause of the phenomenon is unknown, but it's thought to be linked to atmospheric refraction and you getting a really cool car.
}}

==Explanation==
{{w|Green flash}} refers to an optical phenomenon which occurs at twilight (early {{w|sunrise|dawn}} or late {{w|sunset|dusk}}), where a flash of green light can be seen at the very edge of the sun. [[Black Hat]] (who could potentially be White Hat, but this is more Black Hat behavior) attempts to distract [[Cueball]] with this event so that he may knock out Cueball with the bottle in his hand and steal his new car, a {{w|Tesla Roadster (2008)|Tesla Roadster}}. If the bottle is green, it would also be the cause of the green flash.

The title text simply continues this, wherein Black Hat (White Hat?) jokes that Green Flashes are actually caused, at least in part, by the fact that he has a cool car worth stealing.

==Transcript==
:[Black Hat and Cueball are standing on the beach, watching the sun set. Black Hat is holding something in his left hand.]
:Black Hat: Did you know that if you stare at the sun just as it sets, you can see a green flash?
:Black Hat: <small>And feel a sharp blow to the head, and hear the faint hum of me driving away in your new Tesla Roadster?</small>

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics with color]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Black Hat]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]

explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

Talk:2982: Water Filtration

Talk:2950: Situation

766: Green Flash