I can upgrade the shelter-Chapter 107 - 106: Exchanging Supplies

"I have enough food here, so you don’t need to worry. With just Xiao Xin and me, we have enough for another three to five years." Mo Qingyan put on a very confident demeanor, expressing optimism: "In three to five years, the country will certainly have started recovering production. Even if we still have to live underground by then, food won’t be a problem."

Chen Xin saw through Mo Qingyan’s bravado despite her optimism, but friends should not force their goodwill on each other, so Chen Xin didn’t push further. He simply said to Mo Qingyan, "Since you say so, Longniang, I won’t insist. If you need any help, feel free to contact me at any time. Also, your place..."

Chen Xin hesitated for a moment but still said to Mo Qingyan, "Although your reserves should be enough for you, after all, this is the apocalypse, and no one knows what the future holds. I suggest you set up a growing greenhouse to have some degree of self-sustainability. This way, you can keep going for longer and also improve your life."

Mo Qingyan had considered Chen Xin’s suggestion before because even the most stocked supplies would eventually run out, and plans needed to be made for when that happens.

"Your idea of growing food is excellent, but the problem is I really don’t have the conditions to build a greenhouse here! I mentioned to Aran about growing mushrooms before, but when she brought someone to assess it, they said it wasn’t suitable for conversion, so I didn’t pursue it." Mo Qingyan knew she should grow something, but she really didn’t have the conditions to grow mushrooms.

Although Mo Qingyan’s shelter had good insulation and with air conditioning, it could ensure the temperature inside the shelter wouldn’t be too low, there were indeed quite a few conditions lacking for growing mushrooms.

"Can’t grow mushrooms? That’s..." Chen Xin frowned, thought for a moment, and said to Mo Qingyan: "Since mushrooms won’t work, Longniang, you should do hydroponic farming like I do."

At this point, Chen Xin ran through his ideas excitedly, explaining his thoughts to Mo Qingyan: "I can install a geothermal heat pump system for you, and then connect an aquaponic hydroponic system and a waste heat recovery power generation device to it.

This way, you can get energy from the geothermal heat pump, which can both generate electricity and provide heating, maintaining the whole system while continuously supplying you with food."

"Can it really be done?" Mo Qingyan was tempted by Chen Xin’s description.

The system Chen Xin described was indeed wonderful, as it could generate electricity, provide heating, and produce food. With such a setup, Mo Qingyan wouldn’t have to worry about heating and eating in her shelter.

Facing Mo Qingyan’s tempting question, Chen Xin nodded affirmatively: "The geothermal heat pump system can achieve an energy efficiency ratio of 4. By recovering part of the energy for power generation, it’s enough to keep it running and simultaneously there is enough heat output.

As for the aquaponic hydroponic farming, as long as you ensure the temperature, it’s easy to manage. I’m planning to build such a system myself, so rest assured, Longniang."

"If that’s the case..." Mo Qingyan nodded, seeming convinced by Chen Xin: "Let me think about it, as setting this up is quite a project, and you don’t even have a set of equipment yet, do you?"

Regarding Mo Qingyan’s question, Chen Xin just smiled and said, "If needed, the equipment can be ready anytime."

"Alright, let me consider it and I’ll get back to you." Mo Qingyan didn’t give a direct answer.

Chen Xin only nodded and didn’t say anything more.

——————————————————

Back at his shelter, Chen Xin contacted Qin Lan, requesting materials including a drill and a compressor.

"Axin, what do you need these things for?" Qin Lan didn’t immediately agree upon hearing Chen Xin’s request but asked about its purpose: "The special police team doesn’t have these items in stock. We might have to gather them first."

"I plan to use these things to assemble a geothermal heat pump by myself to heat my shelter." Chen Xin was straightforward with Qin Lan about this.

Upon hearing Chen Xin’s plan to assemble a geothermal heat pump himself, Qin Lan was puzzled, and only understood after Chen Xin patiently explained it to her.

"So that’s how it is. I’ll ask the captain then. Besides the drill, a lot of the things you need aren’t easy to come by now." Qin Lan couldn’t guarantee getting them for Chen Xin.

Although the things Chen Xin needed were commonly found in air conditioners and easily available before the apocalypse, they were hard to obtain now.

Although the country was restarting its industry, it was evident that all capacities were prioritized for the most needed areas. The first to resume production were the basic industrial facilities. Items like the compressor or evaporator that Chen Xin needed, even if produced, were for large industrial use.

Whether they could be used was another matter. Anything produced would directly go to the factories resuming production, not be sold individually.

Therefore, even the special police team could only gather these items bit by bit.

After ending the call with Chen Xin, Qin Lan naturally relayed the message to Uncle Ding first.

"Comrade Commissar, what do you think?" Uncle Ding looked at the Commissar as Qin Lan arrived while they were discussing things.

For decisions and evaluations like this, Uncle Ding habitually asked the Commissar’s opinion first.

"I have some knowledge about geothermal heat pump systems. It seems that during the 13th Five-Year Plan before the disaster, three heating projects using this technology were to be implemented in this city, but before completion, the meteorites fell." The Commissar was familiar with the technology and equipment, thought for a while, and replied: "If this comrade Chen Xin can indeed modify such a system, I think we could help, and also secure a few systems for us."

After hearing the Commissar’s opinion, Uncle Ding understood his old comrade’s intention: "Commissar, you’re suggesting we use it too?"

"A blizzard dropped the temperature by thirty degrees, and the future temperatures might be even lower. Although there’s power in the city, and the shelter has boilers, all coal is transported externally. What if rail transport is disrupted? We need a backup plan." The Commissar looked at Uncle Ding, eyes burning with intensity.

After considering the Commissar’s suggestion, Uncle Ding nodded and said to Qin Lan: "If that’s the case, Xiao Qin, inform Old Li to gather some materials."

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