Official Factorio Wiki - User contributions [en]

Fluid system/zh

2022-07-19T13:00:05Z

Sp55aa: /* 运输管线 */

{{Languages}}
'''流体'''是非固体的物品，例如水和油。它们正常情况下只能存在于流体处理（如{{L|Pipe}}）的实体内部，和有流体输入或产物的建筑（如{{L|Oil refinery}}）。

== 原理机制 ==
流体可以通过移除容纳它们的建筑或管道而被破坏。同时只能有一种流体可以占据给定的管道段或{{L|Storage tank}}；没有两种流体会混合，而是会阻止彼此流动。它们不能由玩家携带、使用{{L|Inserters}}移动、掉落在地上或储存在箱子中，除非流体被储存在[[#桶装运输|空桶]]中。它们不能被泼出或倾倒在湖中，并且用连续的分数来计数，而不是离散的整数。

=== 储存方式 ===
在游戏中，流体被保存在具有定义的尺寸（容积）的容器实体中。如果它们的输入/输出是相邻的（管道连接到所有方向）并且允许流体在它们之间流动，则容器会自动地相互连接。

容器中包含的流体的'''体积'''是一个介于0和最大体积之间的值。例如，管道可以容纳100单位流体，因此管道中的数值可以在0到100之间。在一个给定的实体中，流体的'''液位'''是用流体所占据的实体最大体积的百分比来表示的。它可以在管道和储液罐中被观察到；它们有窗口，通过这些可以看到流体在一定的液位，或者甚至只是一个小的细流。

=== 流动规则 ===
所有连接的储液罐和管道都被视为一个单一的容器，即''流体的液面必须在所有部分中是相等的''，甚至是在较小的流体上产生更高的液位所产生的压强。这就是为什么液位通常也被称为''压强''，尽管压强实际上是由两个实体之间的液位差引起的。管道之间发生的所有流体流动都是为了实现这种平衡（泵实际上忽略了它，而建筑物扰乱了它；更多的在下面进一步说明）。管道之间的流量取决于压强（相邻实体之间的液位差），它会随着管道的液位变平缓而减慢。

回到“液位”是如何定义的，这也意味着所有连接的管道和储液罐试图均匀输出到它们各自体积的相同百分比。例如，如果剩余12550个单位的流体流进连着一根100个单位容量管道的25000个单位容量的液罐，则液罐中会有12500个单位流体，管道中有50个单位，它们都被填充到各自容量的相同的'''百分比'''（50%），即使数量本身显然是不等的。

生产流体的机器把流体放在它们的输出槽中，这与机器上某个特定标记的输出管口有关（按下Alt显示标签）。这个槽将尝试将自身清空，流体排到连接到机器管口的实体中，中，除非它是满的，或者包含不匹配的流体。消耗流体的机器也有相应标记的输入管口。如果一个包含正确流体的实体连接到它，机器将开始表现得像一个永远不能被填满的管道，这意味着来自连接的管道和液罐的流体以固定的速率流入机器，直到机器的输入槽被填满。可能有机器同时有输入和输出的管道口（就像{{L|Electric mining drill}}放置在{{L|Uranium ore}}上。然后它们首先为自己填充液体，一旦充满，就表现为一个规则的管道，试图与相邻的实体平衡液位。如果机器上有多个流体输出/输入管口，则流体的活动被均匀地分配给它们，除非它们中的一些被阻塞/充满。

=== 流体温度 ===
温度目前仅与加热作为发电介质的水有关。尽管游戏中的所有流体都有温度值，但它通常是默认的15℃。

无论是从在{{L|Boiler}}中的{{L|Fuel}}还是通过{{L|Heat exchanger}}从[[Nuclear power (research)/zh|核能]]中获得的能量，都可用来将{{L|Water}}转化成{{L|Steam}}，成为[[Energy and Work/zh|流体工作的形式]]。每单位蒸汽以0.2kJ/℃的比率保持能量。换言之，加热1单位蒸汽使其温度升高1℃需要做0.2kJ功。因为蒸汽/水被设定有最高温度1000℃和最低15℃，对每单位最多可做的功为197kJ。

在实际应用中，这在各方面几乎没有得到利用：锅炉仅输出165℃的蒸汽，换热器仅输出500℃的热蒸汽，从来不更热或更冷；如果提供的能量不足，加热器不全输出蒸汽。随着时间的推移，蒸汽也不会变冷。在{{L|Steam engine}}中使用165℃蒸汽和在{{L|Steam turbine}}中使用具有相同的效果，尽管这是不切实际的，因为汽轮机被做成消耗500℃（过热）蒸汽，生成比例更大的电力。所有这些都不需要精确的计算。

== 流体运输 ==
流体可以通过管线、桶或铁路运输。一般情况下，短距离使用管道对机器进行分配（或装桶，如果需要使用传送带），以及更长的距离用铁路运输。

=== 运输管线 ===
'''{{L|Pipe}}'''是流体从A到B的最基本通道。它们自动连接到任何相邻的管道，同时可以对所有四个方向进行处理。{{L|Pipe to ground}}只在两个相反的方向上工作，连接到另一个地下管道的一侧，并在另一端连到另一个实体上。如果管道段太长而不使用泵，它内部的所有流体都将“分散”，导致非常缓慢的流动，阻止机器有效地使用它的内容。'''{{L|Storage tank}}'''的行为与管道相同，除了它们的体积大得多，如果使用多个液罐，这能在更短的距离造成这样的不便。地下管道有助于缓解这一问题；尽管它们可以连接多达10格的距离，它们的体积总是相当于两个管道。

'''{{L|Pump}}'''使用电能来在一个方向上很快地传输流体。它们还阻挡任何回流，这意味着它们可以对管道的部分进行加压，尽可能多地填充管道。除其他事项外，这在抵消上述“分散”方面是非常有用的。它们也可以被{{L|Circuit network}}禁用，即停止流体通过泵。

下表展示了在有一定频率的泵的管线中流体流动的速度。如果需要更高的流量，泵应该被更频繁地放置。由于地下管道仅按体积算作2根常规管道，如果在每个地下部分之间放置泵，则全长区段仅作为表中的两根管道。在泵之前放置一个装满的储液罐确保了最大可能的流速，因此这是任何管线的合适开端。

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|-
! 两个泵之间 管道数量 !! 最大流量 （单位/秒）
|-
| 0（泵到泵） || 12000
|-
| 0（罐到泵） || 12000
|-
| 0（泵到罐） || 11707
|-
| 0（泵到锅炉） || 8400
|-
| 1 || 5400
|-
| 2 || 3000
|-
| 3 || 2250
|-
| 7 || 1500
|-
| 12 || 1285
|-
| 17 || 1200
|-
| 20 || 1169
|-
| 30 || 1112
|-
| 50 || 1067
|-
| 100 || 1033
|-
| 150 || 1022
|-
| 200 || 1004
|-
| 261 || 800
|-
| 300 || 707
|-
| 400 || 546
|-
| 500 || 445
|-
| 600 || 375
|-
| 800 || 286
|-
| 1000 || 230
|-
|}
计算公式:
<pre>1 <= pipes <= 197:
最大流量 = 10000 / (3 * 管道数量 - 1) + 1000
pipes > 197:
最大流量 = 240000 / (管道数量 + 39)</pre>

=== 桶装运输 ===
'''{{L|Barrel}}'''被{{L|Assembling machine}}使用，来有效地将液体“装瓶”成可与任何其他物品一样处理的物品；携带在背包中，放置在箱子中和被{{L|Inserters}}处理。这允许玩家通过{{L|Belt transport system}}运输流体。装配机也用来将桶倒空，释放它们的内容物到管道中，剩下一个空桶供另一种用途。

=== 铁路运输 ===

'''[[Railway/zh|铁路]]'''是另一种运输流体的方法，可以用两种方式进行：要么将流体直接泵入{{L|Fluid wagon}}，要么将它们倒进桶中并装入{{L|Cargo wagon}}。这两种方法有明显的区别：货运车厢可以容纳不同类型的流体桶，然而液罐车厢可以容纳更多的流体（25k对20k），并且可以在几秒内被清空和填充，在速度与桶的机械臂需要不足以匹配的资源消耗；而{{L|Stack inserter}}可以快速转移桶，装桶的机器慢。[https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=48185]（英文）另一方面，当列车在行驶途中时，流体可被装桶/倒桶。

== 请参见 ==
* {{L|Oil processing}}
* {{L|Power production}}
* [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=19851 深入流体机制]（英文）
* [https://www.reddit.com/r/factorio/comments/6w9kwi/factorio_and_fluid_mechanics_science_facts_myths/ 另一篇流体机制的深究]（英文）
* [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=46030 用多少泵和多少管道换得多少流量]（英文）

Fluid system

2022-07-19T12:56:45Z

Sp55aa: /* Pipelines */

{{Languages}}
'''Fluids''' are non-solid items, such as [[water]] and [[oil]]. They can normally only exist inside entities for fluid handling (like [[pipe]]s), and buildings that have fluids as input ingredients or products (like an [[oil refinery]]).

== Fluids ==
[[File:fluids_gui.png|thumb|300px|right|"Fluids" tab on the [[production statistics]] screen.]]
The following fluids are available in-game:

: {{Imagelink|Water}} {{Imagelink|Crude oil}} {{Imagelink|Petroleum gas}} {{Imagelink|Light oil}} {{Imagelink|Heavy oil}} {{Imagelink|Lubricant}} {{Imagelink|Sulfuric acid}} {{Imagelink|Steam}}

== Mechanics ==
Fluids cannot be carried by the player, moved using [[inserters]], dropped on the ground, nor stored in chests, unless the fluids are stored in [[barrel]]s. They cannot be spilled or even dumped in a lake, and are counted in continuous fractions, rather than discrete integers. 
When the player picks up a structure that contains fluids, the contained fluid will try to flow into connected structures and any excess fluid that does not fit is destroyed.

=== Storage ===

In the game, fluid is held in entities that behave as vessels (fluid boxes) of a defined size (volume). The vessels automatically connect to each other if their inputs/outputs are adjacent (pipes connect to all directions) and allow fluids to flow between them.

The '''volume''' of fluid contained in a fluid box is a value between 0 and the maximum volume. For instance, the pipe can hold 100 units of fluid, therefore the value in the pipe can be a number between 0 and 100. The '''level''' of fluid in a given entity is manifested by a percentage of the entity's maximum volume that is being occupied by a fluid. It can be observed in pipes and tanks; they have windows through which the fluid is seen at a certain level, or perhaps even as just a small trickle.

=== Fluid mixing ===
[[File:Pipe_GUI.png|right|frame|GUI of a pipe inside a fluid system containing mixed fluids. Clicking the trash can icon next to a fluid will flush that fluid from the system.]]
The game will prevent players from accidentally mixing fluids when placing most buildings, e.g. [[pipe]]s containing different fluids cannot be placed directly next to each other. However, not every possible case of fluid mixing is considered, so the player may still mix fluids accidentally or by purposely working around the building restrictions. A fluid system containing mixed fluids can be cleared of the undesired fluids in the GUI of a pipe or [[storage tank]] that is part of that fluid system. Fluids that are flushed from pipes or storage tanks are deleted permanently.

In a fluid system that contains mixed fluids, the alt-mode fluids icons on its pipes/storage tanks will reflect the fluid that is contained in that specific structure. So, it may look like a fluid system only contains one fluid when looking at the alt-mode icons, when in reality it contains multiple fluids which are located in some other connected structures. The GUI of a connected pipe or storage tank will always show all fluids contained in the fluid system. 
This means that if the game disallows connecting two pipes that look like they contain the same fluid with "Cannot connect systems with different fluids", one of the fluid systems contains multiple fluids. This can solved easily by opening the GUIs of the pipes that the game refuses to connect which will show the extra fluid and allow flushing it from the fluid system.

=== Flow ===

All connected tanks and pipes are treated as a single vessel in that ''the level of fluid must be equal in all parts'', to even out pressure exacted by a higher fluid level on smaller ones. This is why level is also often referred to as ''pressure'', even though pressure is actually caused by a difference in level between two entities. All flow of fluid that happens between pipes is to achieve this balance (pumps practically ignore it and buildings disrupt it; more on that further below). The flow rate between pipes is dependent on pressure (the difference in level between the adjacent entities), it becomes slower as pipes even their levels out.

Coming back to how the 'level' is defined, this also means that all connected pipes and tanks attempt to even out to the same percentage of their respective volumes. For example, if 12,550 units of fluid are left to flow into a storage tank of 25,000-unit capacity with one pipe of 100-unit capacity connected, there will be 12,500 units in the storage tank and 50 units in the pipe, both being filled to the same '''percentage''' (50%) of their capacities, even though the amounts themselves are unequal.

Machines that produce fluids put them in their output slots, which are related to a specifically labeled output pipe socket somewhere on the machine (pressing Alt reveals the labels). The slot will attempt to empty itself into the entity connected to the machine's socket, unless it is full, or contains a non-matching fluid. Machines that consume fluids also have an accordingly labeled pipe input socket. If an entity containing the correct fluid is connected to it, the machine will start behaving like a pipe that can never be filled, meaning the fluid from connected pipes and tanks drains into the machine at a fixed rate, until the machine's input slot is full. There may be machines that have pipe sockets for both input and output (like a [[electric mining drill|drill]] placed over [[uranium ore]]). They then drain the fluid for themselves first, and once full, behave as a regular pipe that attempts to even out its level with adjacent entitites. If there are multiple output/input sockets for one fluid on a machine, their activity is distributed to them equally unless some of them are blocked/full.

=== Temperature ===
Temperature is currently only relevant in heating water as a medium for power generation. Even though all fluids in the game have a temperature value, it is generally the default 15°C.

Energy, whether harnessed from [[fuel]] in [[boiler]]s, or from [[Nuclear power (research)|nuclear power]] through [[heat exchanger]]s, can be used to turn [[water]] to [[steam]], being a [[Energy and work|liquid form of work]]. Steam holds energy at a ratio of 0.2 kJ per °C per unit. In other words: 0.2 kJ of work is necessary to heat a unit of steam by one °C. Since steam/water is set to have a maximum temperature of 1000°C and minimum of 15°C, the most work that can be done on one unit is 197 kJ.

In practice, this is barely utilized in a great variety: Boilers only output steam of 165°C temperature, and heat exchangers only output 500°C hot steam, never hotter, never colder; if insufficient energy is supplied, the heaters do not output steam altogether. The steam also does not grow colder over time. Using the 165°C steam in a [[steam engine]] has the same effect as using it in a [[steam turbine]], although it is impractical, since turbines are made to consume 500°C (superheated) steam, generating proportionally more power. All of this makes for no need of exact calculations.

== Transport ==
Fluids can be transported through pipelines, barrels, or railway. It is generally practical to use piping for short-distance distribution to machines (or barrelling, if there is need to use belts), and railway transportation for longer distances.

=== Pipelines ===
[[File:pipes_carrying_fluids.png|thumb|312px|Eight pipelines, each carrying a different fluid.]]

'''[[Pipe|Pipes]]''' are the most basic way to channel fluids from A to B. They automatically connect to any adjacent pipe and can do so to all four cardinal directions simultaneously. [[Pipe to ground|Underground pipes]] only work in two opposite directions, linking to another underground pipe on one side, and to another entity on the other. If a pipe section becomes too long without using pumps, all fluid inside it will be "spread thin", resulting in very slow flow and preventing machines to use its contents effectively. '''[[Storage tank|Tanks]]''' behave the same as pipes, except their volume is much greater, which can cause this inconvenience over a much smaller distance if multiple tanks are used. Underground pipes can help alleviate this issue; although they can connect a distance of up to 10 tiles, their volume is always equivalent to two pipes.

'''[[Pump]]s''' use electrical power to transfer fluids in one direction very quickly. They also block any back-flow, which means they can pressurize a section of piping, filling it as much as possible. This is very useful to counteract the "thin spread" outlined above, among other things. They can also be disabled using the [[circuit network]] which stops fluid flow through the pump.

The table below shows how fast will fluid flow in a pipeline with a certain frequency of pumps. If a higher flow rate is desired, pumps should be placed more frequently. Because underground pipes only count as 2 regular pipes in terms of volume, a full-length section only counts as two pipes in this table, if a pump is placed between each underground section. Placing a filled storage tank before a pump ensures maximum possible flow rate and is therefore a suitable start of any pipeline.

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|-
! Number of pipes between two pumps !! Maximum flow  (u/sec)
|-
| 0 (pump to pump) || 12000
|-
| 0 (tank to pump) || 12000
|-
| 0 (pump to tank) || 12000
|-
| 0 (pump to boiler to pump) || 12000
|-
| 0 (pump to 2 boilers to pump) || 6000
|-
| 1 || 6000
|-
| 2 || 3000
|-
| 3 || 2250
|-
| 4 || 1909
|-
| 5 || 1714
|-
| 6 || 1588
|-
| 7 || 1500
|-
| 8 || 1434
|-
| 9 || 1384
|-
| 10 || 1344
|-
| 11 || 1312
|-
| 12 || 1285
|-
| 17 || 1200
|-
| 20 || 1169
|-
| 30 || 1112
|-
| 50 || 1067
|-
| 100 || 1033
|-
| 150 || 1022
|-
| 200 || 1004
|-
| 201 || 999
|-
| 261 || 800
|-
| 300 || 707
|-
| 400 || 546
|-
| 500 || 445
|-
| 600 || 375
|-
| 800 || 286
|-
| 1000 || 230
|-
|}
Calculate formula:
<pre>1 <= pipes <= 197:
flow = 10000 / (3 * pipes - 1) + 1000
pipes > 197:
flow = 240000 / (pipes + 39)</pre>

=== Barrels ===
'''[[Barrel]]s''' are used by [[Assembling machine]]s to effectively "bottle" fluids into an item that can be handled like any other item; carried in an inventory, placed in chests and handled by [[Inserters]]. This allows the player to transport fluids via the [[belt transport system]] and the [[logistic network]]. Assembling machines are also used to empty the barrels, depositing their contents to pipes and leaving an empty barrel for another use.

=== Railway ===

'''[[Railway]]''' is another method of transporting fluids, and can be conducted in two ways: Either the fluids are directly pumped into a [[fluid wagon]], or they are poured into barrels and loaded into [[cargo wagon]]s. Both methods have their advantages:

'''Advantages of using fluid wagons'''
* Faster loading and unloading
* Higher capacity (25k vs 20k)

'''Advantages of using barrels in cargo wagons'''
* A single cargo wagon can transport multiple types of barrelled fluid (and regular items at the same time)
* Cargo wagons, [[Fluid wagon#Troubleshooting|as opposed to fluid wagons]], don't need to be perfectly aligned to be (un-)loaded, allowing for more flexible train station designs

==See also==

* [[Oil processing]]
* [[Power production]]
* [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=19851 In-depth post about fluid mechanics]
* [https://www.reddit.com/r/factorio/comments/6w9kwi/factorio_and_fluid_mechanics_science_facts_myths/ Another in-depth examination of fluid mechanics]
* [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=46030 How many pumps after how many pipes for how much throughput]

Fluid system

2022-07-19T12:56:17Z

Sp55aa: /* Pipelines */

{{Languages}}
'''Fluids''' are non-solid items, such as [[water]] and [[oil]]. They can normally only exist inside entities for fluid handling (like [[pipe]]s), and buildings that have fluids as input ingredients or products (like an [[oil refinery]]).

== Fluids ==
[[File:fluids_gui.png|thumb|300px|right|"Fluids" tab on the [[production statistics]] screen.]]
The following fluids are available in-game:

: {{Imagelink|Water}} {{Imagelink|Crude oil}} {{Imagelink|Petroleum gas}} {{Imagelink|Light oil}} {{Imagelink|Heavy oil}} {{Imagelink|Lubricant}} {{Imagelink|Sulfuric acid}} {{Imagelink|Steam}}

== Mechanics ==
Fluids cannot be carried by the player, moved using [[inserters]], dropped on the ground, nor stored in chests, unless the fluids are stored in [[barrel]]s. They cannot be spilled or even dumped in a lake, and are counted in continuous fractions, rather than discrete integers. 
When the player picks up a structure that contains fluids, the contained fluid will try to flow into connected structures and any excess fluid that does not fit is destroyed.

=== Storage ===

In the game, fluid is held in entities that behave as vessels (fluid boxes) of a defined size (volume). The vessels automatically connect to each other if their inputs/outputs are adjacent (pipes connect to all directions) and allow fluids to flow between them.

The '''volume''' of fluid contained in a fluid box is a value between 0 and the maximum volume. For instance, the pipe can hold 100 units of fluid, therefore the value in the pipe can be a number between 0 and 100. The '''level''' of fluid in a given entity is manifested by a percentage of the entity's maximum volume that is being occupied by a fluid. It can be observed in pipes and tanks; they have windows through which the fluid is seen at a certain level, or perhaps even as just a small trickle.

=== Fluid mixing ===
[[File:Pipe_GUI.png|right|frame|GUI of a pipe inside a fluid system containing mixed fluids. Clicking the trash can icon next to a fluid will flush that fluid from the system.]]
The game will prevent players from accidentally mixing fluids when placing most buildings, e.g. [[pipe]]s containing different fluids cannot be placed directly next to each other. However, not every possible case of fluid mixing is considered, so the player may still mix fluids accidentally or by purposely working around the building restrictions. A fluid system containing mixed fluids can be cleared of the undesired fluids in the GUI of a pipe or [[storage tank]] that is part of that fluid system. Fluids that are flushed from pipes or storage tanks are deleted permanently.

In a fluid system that contains mixed fluids, the alt-mode fluids icons on its pipes/storage tanks will reflect the fluid that is contained in that specific structure. So, it may look like a fluid system only contains one fluid when looking at the alt-mode icons, when in reality it contains multiple fluids which are located in some other connected structures. The GUI of a connected pipe or storage tank will always show all fluids contained in the fluid system. 
This means that if the game disallows connecting two pipes that look like they contain the same fluid with "Cannot connect systems with different fluids", one of the fluid systems contains multiple fluids. This can solved easily by opening the GUIs of the pipes that the game refuses to connect which will show the extra fluid and allow flushing it from the fluid system.

=== Flow ===

All connected tanks and pipes are treated as a single vessel in that ''the level of fluid must be equal in all parts'', to even out pressure exacted by a higher fluid level on smaller ones. This is why level is also often referred to as ''pressure'', even though pressure is actually caused by a difference in level between two entities. All flow of fluid that happens between pipes is to achieve this balance (pumps practically ignore it and buildings disrupt it; more on that further below). The flow rate between pipes is dependent on pressure (the difference in level between the adjacent entities), it becomes slower as pipes even their levels out.

Coming back to how the 'level' is defined, this also means that all connected pipes and tanks attempt to even out to the same percentage of their respective volumes. For example, if 12,550 units of fluid are left to flow into a storage tank of 25,000-unit capacity with one pipe of 100-unit capacity connected, there will be 12,500 units in the storage tank and 50 units in the pipe, both being filled to the same '''percentage''' (50%) of their capacities, even though the amounts themselves are unequal.

Machines that produce fluids put them in their output slots, which are related to a specifically labeled output pipe socket somewhere on the machine (pressing Alt reveals the labels). The slot will attempt to empty itself into the entity connected to the machine's socket, unless it is full, or contains a non-matching fluid. Machines that consume fluids also have an accordingly labeled pipe input socket. If an entity containing the correct fluid is connected to it, the machine will start behaving like a pipe that can never be filled, meaning the fluid from connected pipes and tanks drains into the machine at a fixed rate, until the machine's input slot is full. There may be machines that have pipe sockets for both input and output (like a [[electric mining drill|drill]] placed over [[uranium ore]]). They then drain the fluid for themselves first, and once full, behave as a regular pipe that attempts to even out its level with adjacent entitites. If there are multiple output/input sockets for one fluid on a machine, their activity is distributed to them equally unless some of them are blocked/full.

=== Temperature ===
Temperature is currently only relevant in heating water as a medium for power generation. Even though all fluids in the game have a temperature value, it is generally the default 15°C.

Energy, whether harnessed from [[fuel]] in [[boiler]]s, or from [[Nuclear power (research)|nuclear power]] through [[heat exchanger]]s, can be used to turn [[water]] to [[steam]], being a [[Energy and work|liquid form of work]]. Steam holds energy at a ratio of 0.2 kJ per °C per unit. In other words: 0.2 kJ of work is necessary to heat a unit of steam by one °C. Since steam/water is set to have a maximum temperature of 1000°C and minimum of 15°C, the most work that can be done on one unit is 197 kJ.

In practice, this is barely utilized in a great variety: Boilers only output steam of 165°C temperature, and heat exchangers only output 500°C hot steam, never hotter, never colder; if insufficient energy is supplied, the heaters do not output steam altogether. The steam also does not grow colder over time. Using the 165°C steam in a [[steam engine]] has the same effect as using it in a [[steam turbine]], although it is impractical, since turbines are made to consume 500°C (superheated) steam, generating proportionally more power. All of this makes for no need of exact calculations.

== Transport ==
Fluids can be transported through pipelines, barrels, or railway. It is generally practical to use piping for short-distance distribution to machines (or barrelling, if there is need to use belts), and railway transportation for longer distances.

=== Pipelines ===
[[File:pipes_carrying_fluids.png|thumb|312px|Eight pipelines, each carrying a different fluid.]]

'''[[Pipe|Pipes]]''' are the most basic way to channel fluids from A to B. They automatically connect to any adjacent pipe and can do so to all four cardinal directions simultaneously. [[Pipe to ground|Underground pipes]] only work in two opposite directions, linking to another underground pipe on one side, and to another entity on the other. If a pipe section becomes too long without using pumps, all fluid inside it will be "spread thin", resulting in very slow flow and preventing machines to use its contents effectively. '''[[Storage tank|Tanks]]''' behave the same as pipes, except their volume is much greater, which can cause this inconvenience over a much smaller distance if multiple tanks are used. Underground pipes can help alleviate this issue; although they can connect a distance of up to 10 tiles, their volume is always equivalent to two pipes.

'''[[Pump]]s''' use electrical power to transfer fluids in one direction very quickly. They also block any back-flow, which means they can pressurize a section of piping, filling it as much as possible. This is very useful to counteract the "thin spread" outlined above, among other things. They can also be disabled using the [[circuit network]] which stops fluid flow through the pump.

The table below shows how fast will fluid flow in a pipeline with a certain frequency of pumps. If a higher flow rate is desired, pumps should be placed more frequently. Because underground pipes only count as 2 regular pipes in terms of volume, a full-length section only counts as two pipes in this table, if a pump is placed between each underground section. Placing a filled storage tank before a pump ensures maximum possible flow rate and is therefore a suitable start of any pipeline.

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|-
! Number of pipes between two pumps !! Maximum flow  (u/sec)
|-
| 0 (pump to pump) || 12000
|-
| 0 (tank to pump) || 12000
|-
| 0 (pump to tank) || 12000
|-
| 0 (pump to boiler to pump) || 12000
|-
| 0 (pump to 2 boilers to pump) || 6000
|-
| 1 || 6000
|-
| 2 || 3000
|-
| 3 || 2250
|-
| 4 || 1909
|-
| 5 || 1714
|-
| 6 || 1588
|-
| 7 || 1500
|-
| 8 || 1434
|-
| 9 || 1384
|-
| 10 || 1344
|-
| 11 || 1312
|-
| 12 || 1285
|-
| 17 || 1200
|-
| 20 || 1169
|-
| 30 || 1112
|-
| 50 || 1067
|-
| 100 || 1033
|-
| 150 || 1022
|-
| 200 || 1004
|-
| 201 || 999
|-
| 261 || 800
|-
| 300 || 707
|-
| 400 || 546
|-
| 500 || 445
|-
| 600 || 375
|-
| 800 || 286
|-
| 1000 || 230
|-
|}
Calculate formula:
<pre>1 <= pipes <= 197:
flow = 10000 / (3 * pipes - 1) + 1000
pipes > 197:
flow = 240000 / (pipes + 39)</pre>

=== Barrels ===
'''[[Barrel]]s''' are used by [[Assembling machine]]s to effectively "bottle" fluids into an item that can be handled like any other item; carried in an inventory, placed in chests and handled by [[Inserters]]. This allows the player to transport fluids via the [[belt transport system]] and the [[logistic network]]. Assembling machines are also used to empty the barrels, depositing their contents to pipes and leaving an empty barrel for another use.

=== Railway ===

'''[[Railway]]''' is another method of transporting fluids, and can be conducted in two ways: Either the fluids are directly pumped into a [[fluid wagon]], or they are poured into barrels and loaded into [[cargo wagon]]s. Both methods have their advantages:

'''Advantages of using fluid wagons'''
* Faster loading and unloading
* Higher capacity (25k vs 20k)

'''Advantages of using barrels in cargo wagons'''
* A single cargo wagon can transport multiple types of barrelled fluid (and regular items at the same time)
* Cargo wagons, [[Fluid wagon#Troubleshooting|as opposed to fluid wagons]], don't need to be perfectly aligned to be (un-)loaded, allowing for more flexible train station designs

==See also==

* [[Oil processing]]
* [[Power production]]
* [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=19851 In-depth post about fluid mechanics]
* [https://www.reddit.com/r/factorio/comments/6w9kwi/factorio_and_fluid_mechanics_science_facts_myths/ Another in-depth examination of fluid mechanics]
* [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=46030 How many pumps after how many pipes for how much throughput]

Fluid system

2022-07-19T12:55:28Z

Sp55aa: /* Pipelines */

Fluid system

2022-07-18T08:51:19Z

Sp55aa: /* Pipelines */

{{Languages}}
'''Fluids''' are non-solid items, such as [[water]] and [[oil]]. They can normally only exist inside entities for fluid handling (like [[pipe]]s), and buildings that have fluids as input ingredients or products (like an [[oil refinery]]).

== Fluids ==
[[File:fluids_gui.png|thumb|300px|right|"Fluids" tab on the [[production statistics]] screen.]]
The following fluids are available in-game:

: {{Imagelink|Water}} {{Imagelink|Crude oil}} {{Imagelink|Petroleum gas}} {{Imagelink|Light oil}} {{Imagelink|Heavy oil}} {{Imagelink|Lubricant}} {{Imagelink|Sulfuric acid}} {{Imagelink|Steam}}

== Mechanics ==
Fluids cannot be carried by the player, moved using [[inserters]], dropped on the ground, nor stored in chests, unless the fluids are stored in [[barrel]]s. They cannot be spilled or even dumped in a lake, and are counted in continuous fractions, rather than discrete integers. 
When the player picks up a structure that contains fluids, the contained fluid will try to flow into connected structures and any excess fluid that does not fit is destroyed.

=== Storage ===

In the game, fluid is held in entities that behave as vessels (fluid boxes) of a defined size (volume). The vessels automatically connect to each other if their inputs/outputs are adjacent (pipes connect to all directions) and allow fluids to flow between them.

The '''volume''' of fluid contained in a fluid box is a value between 0 and the maximum volume. For instance, the pipe can hold 100 units of fluid, therefore the value in the pipe can be a number between 0 and 100. The '''level''' of fluid in a given entity is manifested by a percentage of the entity's maximum volume that is being occupied by a fluid. It can be observed in pipes and tanks; they have windows through which the fluid is seen at a certain level, or perhaps even as just a small trickle.

=== Fluid mixing ===
[[File:Pipe_GUI.png|right|frame|GUI of a pipe inside a fluid system containing mixed fluids. Clicking the trash can icon next to a fluid will flush that fluid from the system.]]
The game will prevent players from accidentally mixing fluids when placing most buildings, e.g. [[pipe]]s containing different fluids cannot be placed directly next to each other. However, not every possible case of fluid mixing is considered, so the player may still mix fluids accidentally or by purposely working around the building restrictions. A fluid system containing mixed fluids can be cleared of the undesired fluids in the GUI of a pipe or [[storage tank]] that is part of that fluid system. Fluids that are flushed from pipes or storage tanks are deleted permanently.

In a fluid system that contains mixed fluids, the alt-mode fluids icons on its pipes/storage tanks will reflect the fluid that is contained in that specific structure. So, it may look like a fluid system only contains one fluid when looking at the alt-mode icons, when in reality it contains multiple fluids which are located in some other connected structures. The GUI of a connected pipe or storage tank will always show all fluids contained in the fluid system. 
This means that if the game disallows connecting two pipes that look like they contain the same fluid with "Cannot connect systems with different fluids", one of the fluid systems contains multiple fluids. This can solved easily by opening the GUIs of the pipes that the game refuses to connect which will show the extra fluid and allow flushing it from the fluid system.

=== Flow ===

All connected tanks and pipes are treated as a single vessel in that ''the level of fluid must be equal in all parts'', to even out pressure exacted by a higher fluid level on smaller ones. This is why level is also often referred to as ''pressure'', even though pressure is actually caused by a difference in level between two entities. All flow of fluid that happens between pipes is to achieve this balance (pumps practically ignore it and buildings disrupt it; more on that further below). The flow rate between pipes is dependent on pressure (the difference in level between the adjacent entities), it becomes slower as pipes even their levels out.

Coming back to how the 'level' is defined, this also means that all connected pipes and tanks attempt to even out to the same percentage of their respective volumes. For example, if 12,550 units of fluid are left to flow into a storage tank of 25,000-unit capacity with one pipe of 100-unit capacity connected, there will be 12,500 units in the storage tank and 50 units in the pipe, both being filled to the same '''percentage''' (50%) of their capacities, even though the amounts themselves are unequal.

Machines that produce fluids put them in their output slots, which are related to a specifically labeled output pipe socket somewhere on the machine (pressing Alt reveals the labels). The slot will attempt to empty itself into the entity connected to the machine's socket, unless it is full, or contains a non-matching fluid. Machines that consume fluids also have an accordingly labeled pipe input socket. If an entity containing the correct fluid is connected to it, the machine will start behaving like a pipe that can never be filled, meaning the fluid from connected pipes and tanks drains into the machine at a fixed rate, until the machine's input slot is full. There may be machines that have pipe sockets for both input and output (like a [[electric mining drill|drill]] placed over [[uranium ore]]). They then drain the fluid for themselves first, and once full, behave as a regular pipe that attempts to even out its level with adjacent entitites. If there are multiple output/input sockets for one fluid on a machine, their activity is distributed to them equally unless some of them are blocked/full.

=== Temperature ===
Temperature is currently only relevant in heating water as a medium for power generation. Even though all fluids in the game have a temperature value, it is generally the default 15°C.

Energy, whether harnessed from [[fuel]] in [[boiler]]s, or from [[Nuclear power (research)|nuclear power]] through [[heat exchanger]]s, can be used to turn [[water]] to [[steam]], being a [[Energy and work|liquid form of work]]. Steam holds energy at a ratio of 0.2 kJ per °C per unit. In other words: 0.2 kJ of work is necessary to heat a unit of steam by one °C. Since steam/water is set to have a maximum temperature of 1000°C and minimum of 15°C, the most work that can be done on one unit is 197 kJ.

In practice, this is barely utilized in a great variety: Boilers only output steam of 165°C temperature, and heat exchangers only output 500°C hot steam, never hotter, never colder; if insufficient energy is supplied, the heaters do not output steam altogether. The steam also does not grow colder over time. Using the 165°C steam in a [[steam engine]] has the same effect as using it in a [[steam turbine]], although it is impractical, since turbines are made to consume 500°C (superheated) steam, generating proportionally more power. All of this makes for no need of exact calculations.

== Transport ==
Fluids can be transported through pipelines, barrels, or railway. It is generally practical to use piping for short-distance distribution to machines (or barrelling, if there is need to use belts), and railway transportation for longer distances.

=== Pipelines ===
[[File:pipes_carrying_fluids.png|thumb|312px|Eight pipelines, each carrying a different fluid.]]

'''[[Pipe|Pipes]]''' are the most basic way to channel fluids from A to B. They automatically connect to any adjacent pipe and can do so to all four cardinal directions simultaneously. [[Pipe to ground|Underground pipes]] only work in two opposite directions, linking to another underground pipe on one side, and to another entity on the other. If a pipe section becomes too long without using pumps, all fluid inside it will be "spread thin", resulting in very slow flow and preventing machines to use its contents effectively. '''[[Storage tank|Tanks]]''' behave the same as pipes, except their volume is much greater, which can cause this inconvenience over a much smaller distance if multiple tanks are used. Underground pipes can help alleviate this issue; although they can connect a distance of up to 10 tiles, their volume is always equivalent to two pipes.

'''[[Pump]]s''' use electrical power to transfer fluids in one direction very quickly. They also block any back-flow, which means they can pressurize a section of piping, filling it as much as possible. This is very useful to counteract the "thin spread" outlined above, among other things. They can also be disabled using the [[circuit network]] which stops fluid flow through the pump.

The table below shows how fast will fluid flow in a pipeline with a certain frequency of pumps. If a higher flow rate is desired, pumps should be placed more frequently. Because underground pipes only count as 2 regular pipes in terms of volume, a full-length section only counts as two pipes in this table, if a pump is placed between each underground section. Placing a filled storage tank before a pump ensures maximum possible flow rate and is therefore a suitable start of any pipeline.

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|-
! Number of pipes between two pumps !! Maximum flow  (u/sec)
|-
| 0 (pump to pump) || 12000
|-
| 0 (tank to pump) || 12000
|-
| 0 (pump to tank) || 12000
|-
| 0 (pump to boiler to pump) || 12000
|-
| 0 (pump to 2 boilers to pump) || 6000
|-
| 1 || 6000
|-
| 2 || 3000
|-
| 3 || 2250
|-
| 4 || 1909
|-
| 5 || 1714
|-
| 6 || 1588
|-
| 7 || 1500
|-
| 8 || 1434
|-
| 9 || 1384
|-
| 10 || 1344
|-
| 11 || 1312
|-
| 12 || 1285
|-
| 17 || 1200
|-
| 20 || 1169
|-
| 30 || 1112
|-
| 50 || 1067
|-
| 100 || 1033
|-
| 150 || 1022
|-
| 200 || 1004
|-
| 201 || 999
|-
| 261 || 800
|-
| 300 || 707
|-
| 400 || 546
|-
| 500 || 445
|-
| 600 || 375
|-
| 800 || 286
|-
| 1000 || 230
|-
|}
Calculation formula:
<pre>1 <= pipes <= 197:
flow = 10000 / (3 * pipes - 1) + 1000
pipes > 197:
flow = 240000 / (pipes + 39)</pre>

=== Barrels ===
'''[[Barrel]]s''' are used by [[Assembling machine]]s to effectively "bottle" fluids into an item that can be handled like any other item; carried in an inventory, placed in chests and handled by [[Inserters]]. This allows the player to transport fluids via the [[belt transport system]] and the [[logistic network]]. Assembling machines are also used to empty the barrels, depositing their contents to pipes and leaving an empty barrel for another use.

=== Railway ===

'''[[Railway]]''' is another method of transporting fluids, and can be conducted in two ways: Either the fluids are directly pumped into a [[fluid wagon]], or they are poured into barrels and loaded into [[cargo wagon]]s. Both methods have their advantages:

'''Advantages of using fluid wagons'''
* Faster loading and unloading
* Higher capacity (25k vs 20k)

'''Advantages of using barrels in cargo wagons'''
* A single cargo wagon can transport multiple types of barrelled fluid (and regular items at the same time)
* Cargo wagons, [[Fluid wagon#Troubleshooting|as opposed to fluid wagons]], don't need to be perfectly aligned to be (un-)loaded, allowing for more flexible train station designs

==See also==

* [[Oil processing]]
* [[Power production]]
* [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=19851 In-depth post about fluid mechanics]
* [https://www.reddit.com/r/factorio/comments/6w9kwi/factorio_and_fluid_mechanics_science_facts_myths/ Another in-depth examination of fluid mechanics]
* [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=46030 How many pumps after how many pipes for how much throughput]

Fluid system

2022-07-18T08:45:18Z

Sp55aa: /* Pipelines */

{{Languages}}
'''Fluids''' are non-solid items, such as [[water]] and [[oil]]. They can normally only exist inside entities for fluid handling (like [[pipe]]s), and buildings that have fluids as input ingredients or products (like an [[oil refinery]]).

== Fluids ==
[[File:fluids_gui.png|thumb|300px|right|"Fluids" tab on the [[production statistics]] screen.]]
The following fluids are available in-game:

: {{Imagelink|Water}} {{Imagelink|Crude oil}} {{Imagelink|Petroleum gas}} {{Imagelink|Light oil}} {{Imagelink|Heavy oil}} {{Imagelink|Lubricant}} {{Imagelink|Sulfuric acid}} {{Imagelink|Steam}}

== Mechanics ==
Fluids cannot be carried by the player, moved using [[inserters]], dropped on the ground, nor stored in chests, unless the fluids are stored in [[barrel]]s. They cannot be spilled or even dumped in a lake, and are counted in continuous fractions, rather than discrete integers. 
When the player picks up a structure that contains fluids, the contained fluid will try to flow into connected structures and any excess fluid that does not fit is destroyed.

=== Storage ===

In the game, fluid is held in entities that behave as vessels (fluid boxes) of a defined size (volume). The vessels automatically connect to each other if their inputs/outputs are adjacent (pipes connect to all directions) and allow fluids to flow between them.

The '''volume''' of fluid contained in a fluid box is a value between 0 and the maximum volume. For instance, the pipe can hold 100 units of fluid, therefore the value in the pipe can be a number between 0 and 100. The '''level''' of fluid in a given entity is manifested by a percentage of the entity's maximum volume that is being occupied by a fluid. It can be observed in pipes and tanks; they have windows through which the fluid is seen at a certain level, or perhaps even as just a small trickle.

=== Fluid mixing ===
[[File:Pipe_GUI.png|right|frame|GUI of a pipe inside a fluid system containing mixed fluids. Clicking the trash can icon next to a fluid will flush that fluid from the system.]]
The game will prevent players from accidentally mixing fluids when placing most buildings, e.g. [[pipe]]s containing different fluids cannot be placed directly next to each other. However, not every possible case of fluid mixing is considered, so the player may still mix fluids accidentally or by purposely working around the building restrictions. A fluid system containing mixed fluids can be cleared of the undesired fluids in the GUI of a pipe or [[storage tank]] that is part of that fluid system. Fluids that are flushed from pipes or storage tanks are deleted permanently.

In a fluid system that contains mixed fluids, the alt-mode fluids icons on its pipes/storage tanks will reflect the fluid that is contained in that specific structure. So, it may look like a fluid system only contains one fluid when looking at the alt-mode icons, when in reality it contains multiple fluids which are located in some other connected structures. The GUI of a connected pipe or storage tank will always show all fluids contained in the fluid system. 
This means that if the game disallows connecting two pipes that look like they contain the same fluid with "Cannot connect systems with different fluids", one of the fluid systems contains multiple fluids. This can solved easily by opening the GUIs of the pipes that the game refuses to connect which will show the extra fluid and allow flushing it from the fluid system.

=== Flow ===

All connected tanks and pipes are treated as a single vessel in that ''the level of fluid must be equal in all parts'', to even out pressure exacted by a higher fluid level on smaller ones. This is why level is also often referred to as ''pressure'', even though pressure is actually caused by a difference in level between two entities. All flow of fluid that happens between pipes is to achieve this balance (pumps practically ignore it and buildings disrupt it; more on that further below). The flow rate between pipes is dependent on pressure (the difference in level between the adjacent entities), it becomes slower as pipes even their levels out.

Coming back to how the 'level' is defined, this also means that all connected pipes and tanks attempt to even out to the same percentage of their respective volumes. For example, if 12,550 units of fluid are left to flow into a storage tank of 25,000-unit capacity with one pipe of 100-unit capacity connected, there will be 12,500 units in the storage tank and 50 units in the pipe, both being filled to the same '''percentage''' (50%) of their capacities, even though the amounts themselves are unequal.

Machines that produce fluids put them in their output slots, which are related to a specifically labeled output pipe socket somewhere on the machine (pressing Alt reveals the labels). The slot will attempt to empty itself into the entity connected to the machine's socket, unless it is full, or contains a non-matching fluid. Machines that consume fluids also have an accordingly labeled pipe input socket. If an entity containing the correct fluid is connected to it, the machine will start behaving like a pipe that can never be filled, meaning the fluid from connected pipes and tanks drains into the machine at a fixed rate, until the machine's input slot is full. There may be machines that have pipe sockets for both input and output (like a [[electric mining drill|drill]] placed over [[uranium ore]]). They then drain the fluid for themselves first, and once full, behave as a regular pipe that attempts to even out its level with adjacent entitites. If there are multiple output/input sockets for one fluid on a machine, their activity is distributed to them equally unless some of them are blocked/full.

=== Temperature ===
Temperature is currently only relevant in heating water as a medium for power generation. Even though all fluids in the game have a temperature value, it is generally the default 15°C.

Energy, whether harnessed from [[fuel]] in [[boiler]]s, or from [[Nuclear power (research)|nuclear power]] through [[heat exchanger]]s, can be used to turn [[water]] to [[steam]], being a [[Energy and work|liquid form of work]]. Steam holds energy at a ratio of 0.2 kJ per °C per unit. In other words: 0.2 kJ of work is necessary to heat a unit of steam by one °C. Since steam/water is set to have a maximum temperature of 1000°C and minimum of 15°C, the most work that can be done on one unit is 197 kJ.

In practice, this is barely utilized in a great variety: Boilers only output steam of 165°C temperature, and heat exchangers only output 500°C hot steam, never hotter, never colder; if insufficient energy is supplied, the heaters do not output steam altogether. The steam also does not grow colder over time. Using the 165°C steam in a [[steam engine]] has the same effect as using it in a [[steam turbine]], although it is impractical, since turbines are made to consume 500°C (superheated) steam, generating proportionally more power. All of this makes for no need of exact calculations.

== Transport ==
Fluids can be transported through pipelines, barrels, or railway. It is generally practical to use piping for short-distance distribution to machines (or barrelling, if there is need to use belts), and railway transportation for longer distances.

=== Pipelines ===
[[File:pipes_carrying_fluids.png|thumb|312px|Eight pipelines, each carrying a different fluid.]]

'''[[Pipe|Pipes]]''' are the most basic way to channel fluids from A to B. They automatically connect to any adjacent pipe and can do so to all four cardinal directions simultaneously. [[Pipe to ground|Underground pipes]] only work in two opposite directions, linking to another underground pipe on one side, and to another entity on the other. If a pipe section becomes too long without using pumps, all fluid inside it will be "spread thin", resulting in very slow flow and preventing machines to use its contents effectively. '''[[Storage tank|Tanks]]''' behave the same as pipes, except their volume is much greater, which can cause this inconvenience over a much smaller distance if multiple tanks are used. Underground pipes can help alleviate this issue; although they can connect a distance of up to 10 tiles, their volume is always equivalent to two pipes.

'''[[Pump]]s''' use electrical power to transfer fluids in one direction very quickly. They also block any back-flow, which means they can pressurize a section of piping, filling it as much as possible. This is very useful to counteract the "thin spread" outlined above, among other things. They can also be disabled using the [[circuit network]] which stops fluid flow through the pump.

The table below shows how fast will fluid flow in a pipeline with a certain frequency of pumps. If a higher flow rate is desired, pumps should be placed more frequently. Because underground pipes only count as 2 regular pipes in terms of volume, a full-length section only counts as two pipes in this table, if a pump is placed between each underground section. Placing a filled storage tank before a pump ensures maximum possible flow rate and is therefore a suitable start of any pipeline.

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|-
! Number of pipes between two pumps !! Maximum flow  (u/sec)
|-
| 0 (pump to pump) || 12000
|-
| 0 (tank to pump) || 12000
|-
| 0 (pump to tank) || 12000
|-
| 0 (pump to boiler to pump) || 12000
|-
| 0 (pump to 2 boilers to pump) || 6000
|-
| 1 || 6000
|-
| 2 || 3000
|-
| 3 || 2250
|-
| 4 || 1909
|-
| 5 || 1714
|-
| 6 || 1588
|-
| 7 || 1500
|-
| 8 || 1434
|-
| 9 || 1384
|-
| 10 || 1344
|-
| 11 || 1312
|-
| 12 || 1285
|-
| 17 || 1200
|-
| 20 || 1169
|-
| 30 || 1112
|-
| 50 || 1067
|-
| 100 || 1033
|-
| 150 || 1022
|-
| 200 || 1004
|-
| 201 || 999
|-
| 261 || 800
|-
| 300 || 707
|-
| 400 || 546
|-
| 500 || 445
|-
| 600 || 375
|-
| 800 || 286
|-
| 1000 || 230
|-
|}

formula:

1 <= pipes <= 197: flow = 10000 / (3 * pipes - 1) + 1000

pipes > 197: flow = 240000 / (pipes + 39)

=== Barrels ===
'''[[Barrel]]s''' are used by [[Assembling machine]]s to effectively "bottle" fluids into an item that can be handled like any other item; carried in an inventory, placed in chests and handled by [[Inserters]]. This allows the player to transport fluids via the [[belt transport system]] and the [[logistic network]]. Assembling machines are also used to empty the barrels, depositing their contents to pipes and leaving an empty barrel for another use.

=== Railway ===

'''[[Railway]]''' is another method of transporting fluids, and can be conducted in two ways: Either the fluids are directly pumped into a [[fluid wagon]], or they are poured into barrels and loaded into [[cargo wagon]]s. Both methods have their advantages:

'''Advantages of using fluid wagons'''
* Faster loading and unloading
* Higher capacity (25k vs 20k)

'''Advantages of using barrels in cargo wagons'''
* A single cargo wagon can transport multiple types of barrelled fluid (and regular items at the same time)
* Cargo wagons, [[Fluid wagon#Troubleshooting|as opposed to fluid wagons]], don't need to be perfectly aligned to be (un-)loaded, allowing for more flexible train station designs

==See also==

* [[Oil processing]]
* [[Power production]]
* [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=19851 In-depth post about fluid mechanics]
* [https://www.reddit.com/r/factorio/comments/6w9kwi/factorio_and_fluid_mechanics_science_facts_myths/ Another in-depth examination of fluid mechanics]
* [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=46030 How many pumps after how many pipes for how much throughput]