Recent comments in /f/askscience

Captain_Poodr t1_j87om89 wrote

Reply to Will a 400m long tube have breathable oxygen inside? by SnekkyGlekky

While there is air inside, it might not be the kind you want to breathe. Depends on what the pipe is made of and used for. I don’t think you would be in trouble if the run wasn’t so long, conditions would have to be almost ideal. Wear a gas mask if you’re going to mad-lad it OP. 400m is a long way to go prone.

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Maxtrt t1_j87mozc wrote

Reply to Will a 400m long tube have breathable oxygen inside? by SnekkyGlekky

Boyle's law, The air will automatically expand into the pipe because gasses always expand from a higher concentration to a lower one. Since the tube is open on at least one end it will always have air circulating through it and since it's open on both ends it will constantly be refreshed so there is no chance of using up all the air in the confined space.

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PerspectivePure2169 t1_j87eab4 wrote

Reply to Will a 400m long tube have breathable oxygen inside? by SnekkyGlekky

This does not sound hypothetical to me. There's several ways you can die doing this:

If this tube is iron and was sealed airtight, the rust that has occurred inside will consume the oxygen within. People have died entering pontoons, tanks, pipes etc for this reason.

If there's decaying material oxygen can be reduced in a similar way, and hydrogen sulfide can also be present, which can incapacitate you even if there's enough oxygen.

It might be okay, it might not. Mostly low oxygen conditions won't give you a warning, you will just pass out.

You should stay out of it. If you can't resist, then rent a gas sniffer to check O2, CO2 and hydrogen sulfide levels.

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mermaldad t1_j878pmf wrote

Reply to comment by SnekkyGlekky in Will a 400m long tube have breathable oxygen inside? by SnekkyGlekky

No, the length of the tube might slow the wind down, but it should still move air through the tube. I assume you are thinking of crawling through the tube. I would certainly take precautions before attempting such a thing. Perhaps search for spelunking resources that can tell you what equipment to take, what procedures to follow, etc.

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