Fluid system - Revision history

Mr yuan: /* Limitations */

2026-03-14T08:58:18Z

Limitations

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:58, 14 March 2026
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	* Advanced thruster [[Advanced thruster fuel\|fuel]]{{SA}} and [[Advanced thruster oxidizer\|oxidizer]]{{SA}}. With a maximum productivity of 75%, they will be limited at an effective crafting speed of 32.		* Advanced thruster [[Advanced thruster fuel\|fuel]]{{SA}} and [[Advanced thruster oxidizer\|oxidizer]]{{SA}}. With a maximum productivity of 75%, they will be limited at an effective crafting speed of 32.
	* Molten [[molten iron from lava\|iron]]{{SA}} or [[molten copper from lava\|copper]]{{SA}} from lava. As these recipes can use [[productivity]], they can be input or output limited based on how much productivity is at play. If the total productivity is less than 100%, then they are limited by [[lava]] being fed into them them. A [[foundry]]{{SA}} must have an effective crafting speed of 268 to be input limited. If the foundry has its maximum productivity of 150%, then it will be output limited with an effective crafting speed of 215. These may sound like a lot, but the foundry has a base crafting speed of 4.		* Molten [[molten iron from lava\|iron]]{{SA}} or [[molten copper from lava\|copper]]{{SA}} from lava. As these recipes can use [[productivity]], they can be input or output limited based on how much productivity is at play. If the total productivity is less than 100%, then they are limited by [[lava]] being fed into them them. A [[foundry]]{{SA}} must have an effective crafting speed of 268 to be input limited. If the foundry has its maximum productivity of 150%, then it will be output limited with an effective crafting speed of 215. These may sound like a lot, but the foundry has a base crafting speed of 4.
	* The ore-based [[molten iron]]{{SA}} and [[molten copper]]{{SA}} recipes are always output limited. With no additional productivity besides its base 50%, it will be limited at a crafting speed of 358. With its maximum productivity of 150%, it will be output limited with a crafting speed of ~~215~~.		* The ore-based [[molten iron]]{{SA}} and [[molten copper]]{{SA}} recipes are always output limited. With no additional productivity besides its base 50%, it will be limited at a crafting speed of 358. With its maximum productivity of 150%, it will be output limited with a crafting speed of 240.

	== Transport ==		== Transport ==

Thrawcheld: /* Limitations */ spacing; add missing SA icons

2026-02-08T13:27:45Z

Limitations: spacing; add missing SA icons

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:27, 8 February 2026
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	Each unique input and output connection has a theoretical maximum throughput limit of 6000 fluid per second (100 fluid per tick). In practice, this limit is usually around 4200 fluid per second. This limitation is assessed per input or output, not per machine. If a machine has two outputs for the same fluid, then its practical limit is 8.4k fluid per second if both outputs are used.		Each unique input and output connection has a theoretical maximum throughput limit of 6000 fluid per second (100 fluid per tick). In practice, this limit is usually around 4200 fluid per second. This limitation is assessed per input or output, not per machine. If a machine has two outputs for the same fluid, then its practical limit is 8.4k fluid per second if both outputs are used.

	Furthermore, flow into and ~~outof~~ a segment is restricted based on how much fluid is in that segment. If the segment is mostly empty, then flow into that segment happens more quickly than if the segment is mostly full. Similarly, if the segment is mostly full, flow out of the segment happens more quickly than if the segment is mostly empty.		Furthermore, flow into and out of a segment is restricted based on how much fluid is in that segment. If the segment is mostly empty, then flow into that segment happens more quickly than if the segment is mostly full. Similarly, if the segment is mostly full, flow out of the segment happens more quickly than if the segment is mostly empty.

	=== Specific recipes ===		=== Specific recipes ===
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	* [[Acid neutralisation]]{{SA}}: A [[chemical plant]] with an effective crafting speed of 4.2 will reach the practical limits of the system when using both outputs. A [[cryogenic plant]]{{SA}} needs an effective crafting speed of 6.3, due to having more fluid outputs. Note that, because the cryogenic plant starts with a crafting speed of 2, it takes ''fewer'' modules or beacons to reach the maximum.		* [[Acid neutralisation]]{{SA}}: A [[chemical plant]] with an effective crafting speed of 4.2 will reach the practical limits of the system when using both outputs. A [[cryogenic plant]]{{SA}} needs an effective crafting speed of 6.3, due to having more fluid outputs. Note that, because the cryogenic plant starts with a crafting speed of 2, it takes ''fewer'' modules or beacons to reach the maximum.
	* [[Steam condensation]]{{SA}}: A [[chemical plant]] with an effective crafting speed of 8.4 will reach the practical limits of the system when using both inputs. A [[cryogenic plant]]{{SA}} needs an effective crafting speed of 12.6 to reach the limits due to having more fluid inputs.		* [[Steam condensation]]{{SA}}: A [[chemical plant]] with an effective crafting speed of 8.4 will reach the practical limits of the system when using both inputs. A [[cryogenic plant]]{{SA}} needs an effective crafting speed of 12.6 to reach the limits due to having more fluid inputs.
	* Advanced thruster [[Advanced thruster fuel\|fuel]] and [[Advanced thruster oxidizer\|oxidizer]]. With a maximum productivity of 75%, they will be limited at an effective crafting speed of 32.		* Advanced thruster [[Advanced thruster fuel\|fuel]]{{SA}} and [[Advanced thruster oxidizer\|oxidizer]]{{SA}}. With a maximum productivity of 75%, they will be limited at an effective crafting speed of 32.
	* Molten [[molten iron from lava\|iron]]{{SA}} or [[molten copper from lava\|copper]]{{SA}} from lava. As these recipes can use [[productivity]], they can be input or output limited based on how much productivity is at play. If the total productivity is less than 100%, then they are limited by [[lava]] being fed into them them. A [[foundry]]{{SA}} must have an effective crafting speed of 268 to be input limited. If the foundry has its maximum productivity of 150%, then it will be output limited with an effective crafting speed of 215. These may sound like a lot, but the foundry has a base crafting speed of 4.		* Molten [[molten iron from lava\|iron]]{{SA}} or [[molten copper from lava\|copper]]{{SA}} from lava. As these recipes can use [[productivity]], they can be input or output limited based on how much productivity is at play. If the total productivity is less than 100%, then they are limited by [[lava]] being fed into them them. A [[foundry]]{{SA}} must have an effective crafting speed of 268 to be input limited. If the foundry has its maximum productivity of 150%, then it will be output limited with an effective crafting speed of 215. These may sound like a lot, but the foundry has a base crafting speed of 4.
	* The ore-based [[molten iron]]{{SA}} and [[molten copper]]{{SA}} recipes are always output limited. With no additional productivity besides its base 50%, it will be limited at a crafting speed of 358. With its maximum productivity of 150%, it will be output limited with a crafting speed of 215.		* The ore-based [[molten iron]]{{SA}} and [[molten copper]]{{SA}} recipes are always output limited. With no additional productivity besides its base 50%, it will be limited at a crafting speed of 358. With its maximum productivity of 150%, it will be output limited with a crafting speed of 215.

Cardinal: Removed some duplicate content.

2025-11-17T01:00:26Z

Removed some duplicate content.

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 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 {{Keybinding|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. Each socket is limited to 6000 fluid transfer per second. The total throughput is then 6000 times the sum of the available sockets for each fluid type. For example, while a [[cryogenic plant]] with eight tier three speed modules can produce steam via [[acid neutralisation]] at a rate of 26,000/second, it will only be able to export at a theoretical max of 18,000/second (6000 * three output sockets). This limit is multiplied with the fullness ratios of the source and sink to produce the actual flow value. In practice, this means that the practical limit will be lower. <!-- TODO: Get some actual numbers on practical throughput limits. The acid neutralisation page lists 4200/second/socket as a practical limit, but doesn't have any methodology for arriving at that figure -->
+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 {{Keybinding|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 ===
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 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 ==
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 * 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 ==

Alfonse: Added notation on fluid limits and certain recipes that can be a problem.

2025-10-29T19:36:50Z

Added notation on fluid limits and certain recipes that can be a problem.

@@ Line 109: / Line 109: @@
 * 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 ==

Orthotoma: /* Barrels */

2025-10-11T20:57:08Z

Barrels

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:57, 11 October 2025
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	=== Barrels ===		=== 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]] (as well as the [[railway]], although fluid wagons are also an option on rails). Assembling machines are also used to empty the barrels, depositing their contents to pipes and leaving an empty barrel for another use.		'''[[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]] (as well as the [[railway]], although fluid wagons are also an option on rails). Assembling machines are also used to empty the barrels, depositing their contents to pipes and leaving an empty barrel for another use.

			Barrels can't be used to transport [[steam]] or any fluids introduced in the [[Space Age]]{{SA}} expansion (with the exception of [[fluoroketone (hot)]]{{SA}} and [[fluoroketone (cold)]]{{SA}}).

	=== Railway ===		=== Railway ===

TheToddLuci0: /* Flow */ Add basic info on the machine throughput limits.

2025-07-22T22:04:22Z

Flow: Add basic info on the machine throughput limits.

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:04, 22 July 2025
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	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.		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 {{Keybinding\|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.		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 {{Keybinding\|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. Each socket is limited to 6000 fluid transfer per second. The total throughput is then 6000 times the sum of the available sockets for each fluid type. For example, while a [[cryogenic plant]] with eight tier three speed modules can produce steam via [[acid neutralisation]] at a rate of 26,000/second, it will only be able to export at a theoretical max of 18,000/second (6000 * three output sockets). This limit is multiplied with the fullness ratios of the source and sink to produce the actual flow value. In practice, this means that the practical limit will be lower. <!-- TODO: Get some actual numbers on practical throughput limits. The acid neutralisation page lists 4200/second/socket as a practical limit, but doesn't have any methodology for arriving at that figure -->

	=== Temperature ===		=== Temperature ===

Bilka: word

2025-06-13T10:43:56Z

word

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:43, 13 June 2025
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	== Transport ==		== Transport ==
	[[File:pipes_carrying_fluids.png\|thumb\|right\|350px\|Eight pipelines, each carrying a different fluid.]]		[[File:pipes_carrying_fluids.png\|thumb\|right\|350px\|Eight pipelines, each carrying a different fluid.]]
	[[File:Overlength_pipe.gif\|frame\|right\|When a pipe section exceeds max length, the ~~GUI~~ will give a warning by turning red.]]		[[File:Overlength_pipe.gif\|frame\|right\|When a pipe section exceeds max length, the overlay will give a warning by turning red.]]
	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.		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.

Bilka: Go to direct link instead of redirect

2025-06-13T10:37:10Z

Go to direct link instead of redirect

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:37, 13 June 2025
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	{{Languages}}		{{Languages}}
	[[File:Item group fluids.png\|right]]		[[File:Item-group fluids.png\|right]]
	'''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''' 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]]).

OrionRocket at 08:49, 4 June 2025

2025-06-04T08:49:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:49, 4 June 2025
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	\| {{iconLink\|Lubricant}} \|\| N/A \|\| N/A \|\| {{icon\|Lubricant}}{{Icon\|Biolubricant\|space-age=yes}} \|\| {{Icon\|Chemical plant}}{{Icon\|Biochamber\|space-age=yes}}		\| {{iconLink\|Lubricant}} \|\| N/A \|\| N/A \|\| {{icon\|Lubricant}}{{Icon\|Biolubricant\|space-age=yes}} \|\| {{Icon\|Chemical plant}}{{Icon\|Biochamber\|space-age=yes}}
	\|-		\|-
	\| {{iconLink\|Sulfuric acid}} \|\| {{icon\|Vulcanus\|space-age=yes}} \|\| {{icon\|Pumpjack}} \|\| {{icon\|Sulfuric acid}} \|\| {{icon\|Chemical plant~~}}{{icon\|Biochamber\|space-age=yes~~}}		\| {{iconLink\|Sulfuric acid}} \|\| {{icon\|Vulcanus\|space-age=yes}} \|\| {{icon\|Pumpjack}} \|\| {{icon\|Sulfuric acid}} \|\| {{icon\|Chemical plant}}
	\|-		\|-
	\| {{iconLink\|Thruster fuel\|space-age=yes}} \|\| N/A \|\| N/A \|\| {{icon\|Thruster fuel\|space-age=yes}}{{icon\|Advanced thruster fuel\|space-age=yes}} \|\| {{Icon\|Chemical plant}}		\| {{iconLink\|Thruster fuel\|space-age=yes}} \|\| N/A \|\| N/A \|\| {{icon\|Thruster fuel\|space-age=yes}}{{icon\|Advanced thruster fuel\|space-age=yes}} \|\| {{Icon\|Chemical plant}}

Cardinal: Fixed links, removed clean-up category.

2025-03-26T20:33:13Z

Fixed links, removed clean-up category.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:33, 26 March 2025
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	{{Languages}}		{{Languages}}
	~~{{Cleanup\|This page needs to be updated for Factorio 2.0 release, due to changes in fluid mechanics.}}~~
	[[File:Item group fluids.png\|right]]		[[File:Item group fluids.png\|right]]
	'''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''' 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 ==		== Fluids ==
			The following fluids are available in-game:
	[[File:fluids_gui.png\|thumb\|350px\|right\|"Fluids" tab on the [[production statistics]] screen.]]		[[File:fluids_gui.png\|thumb\|350px\|right\|"Fluids" tab on the [[production statistics]] screen.]]
	~~The following fluids are available in-game:~~
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	\|-		\|-
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	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.<br>		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.<br>
	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.		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.
			[[File:Pipe_GUI.png\|right\|thumb\|350px\|GUI of a pipe inside a fluid system containing water. Clicking the trash can icon next to a fluid will flush that fluid from the system.]]

	=== Storage ===		=== Storage ===
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	=== Fluid mixing ===		=== Fluid mixing ===
	~~[[File:Pipe_GUI.png\|right\|thumb\|350px\|GUI of a pipe inside a fluid system containing water. 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 segment can only contain a single fluid type, so trying to mix multiple fluids will result in all but one fluid being deleted.		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 segment can only contain a single fluid type, so trying to mix multiple fluids will result in all but one fluid being deleted.

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	* A single cargo wagon can transport multiple types of barrelled fluid (and regular items at the same time)		* 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		* 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
	~~{{clear}}~~

	== See also ==		== See also ==