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I also want to add that with Methane and oxygen being primary exports for the economy, there will be an enormous need for cryogenic cooling to liquefy both. Methane makes a fine refrigerant and is widely used on Terra in the liquefaction process. That cooling is done as part of a cascade and Propane is commonly used as the interstitial refrigerant. Even if we could figure out a life (worth living to a modern human) that did not include plastics, PO, naptha, and paraffin, we will need to lift CH4 to C3H8 as part of the primary economy.

Speaking of gas to liquids and refrigerants, one rather old idea to Terraform Mars includes enormous production and release of CFCs. There is no Ozone to destroy and CFCs actually serve to block UV rays in their stead. The CFCs also happen to be crazy powerful greenhouse gasses. With roughly 1/3 the insolation available, there is room for a lot of global warming. It becomes a feature, not a bug.

This post is reserved for an index to posts that may be contributed by NewMars members.

I is possible that this topic might evolve into an educational experience for persons interested in life on Mars, and specifically those who might feel called to participate by helping this industry.

Index:

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Team,

Thought I'd offer this useful resource on Gas to Liquids technology. Gas-To-Liquids This will be primary method to replace fossil fuel chemical industry on Mars.

But also, the Sabatier Process whereby CO2 and H20 (plus electricity) can be used to create CH4 as the input. Every Martian will be familiar with this technology. Sabatier Reaction

See also this forum thread on turning carbohydrates into methane. FOQ1's post on biological methane