Command Module after a stranded Lunar Module

A question for those of you who know about Spacecraft, especially the Apollo missions.

So all of the Moon Missions involved three men, two of which descended to the lunar surface while the third remained in Lunar orbit in the command module. So the question I have is this: If for some reason the Lunar Module crashes, or is stranded on the moon what would happen to the Command Module and its pilot? How long could it feasibly remain in orbit with rations for three men before being forced to return to earth? Could the pilot even return to earth alone? If so what kind of reception might he get?

Thank you in advance.
 
A question for those of you who know about Spacecraft, especially the Apollo missions.

Thank you in advance.
You're welcome, I hope these help. To answer a bit out of order:
Could the pilot even return to earth alone?
The command module pilot (CMP) could and was trained to return alone if necessary. It was a morbid exercise, from what I've read from those astronauts like Micheal Collins, but it was feasible and a standard part of training.
If for some reason the Lunar Module crashes, or is stranded on the moon what would happen to the Command Module and its pilot?
It depends what happens. If the LM is Clearly Not Coming Home (crashed, crew dead, etc), then they'd order the CM to come home and leave them. If there's any chance of a delayed ascent (computer issues, engine problems, something maybe fixable), they'd have the CSM stay in lunar orbit until it was clear that things were doomed, in which case it reverts to the Clearly Not Coming Home case.
How long could it feasibly remain in orbit with rations for three men before being forced to return to earth?
It's limited by two things: consumables (oxygen, food, water topping the list) and power. The former aren't a problem--there's about 4 days of supplies for 3 men, so the CMP could wait in lunar orbit for about 8 days before he'd be forced to return home for lack of food and air. With only about 72 hours of endurance on the ground, that's plenty of time for NASA to either stage a rescue, or revert to the Clearly Not Coming Home scenario. Power is more of a question--I'm not sure about the available fuel cell reactants at that point in the mission or the degree consumption could be reduced. Still, it's likely things can be conserved enough to last out the maximum endurance of the LM on the ground, one way or another.
If so what kind of reception might he get?
Distinctly mixed. Might be a combination between a "lone survivor"/"martyr" kind of thing and "he left them to die!" with the exact balance depending on the exact circumstances--if the crew crashes and dies on impact that's one thing, if they're stranded on the surface and die from lack of consumables it's a totally separate one.
 
From what I have read the main limitation on endurance was the CSM supply of Lithium Hydroxide canisters which is what removes Carbon dioxide from the air. As it is the consumables on the CSM isn't the problem since the consumables on the LM will run out before the CSM would be forced to leave lunar orbit and return home.
 
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