fluid flow

[vtx]

I tried to understand the fluid flow and I run some test to know the limit of fluid. I'm a little bit perplex on how tanks works. My initial reflex was if you connect 2 pipes it doubles / 3 pipes it triple but it did not work that way.

I time how much time it will need to go from 0 to 2000 water.
Here my result :

Code: Select all

1 input : ~7.65 sec - 261.43 fluid/sec - use 4.35 pump - avg 261.43  - efficiency 100% 
2 input : ~4.40 sec - 454.54 fluid/sec - use 7.57 pump - avg 227.27  - efficiency  74%
3 input : ~3.85 sec - 519.48 fluid/sec - use 8.67 pump - avg 173.16  - efficiency  25% 
4 input : ~3.50 sec - 571.42 fluid/sec - use 9.52 pump - avg 142.85  - efficiency  20%

[Nubm2]

The max input is limited by your one pump and the pipe it feeds before you fork it off. My guess is that the additional pipes create more backflow pressure on your main pipe since they are also connected to the tank, therefore reducing the amount of liquid that can pass through the main pipe over time. To prevent backflow you have to use small pumps, but they consume power and limit the throughput of the pipe.

However, there are some changes with the 0.15 update that i cant wait to see, including better pump mechanics, rail tanker and barrels for every liquid. \o/
(Not sure why they keep the barrels though, underground pipes ftw)

[hansinator]

Here's a good explanation of fluid flow:
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=33685

and more of it with practical info:
viewtopic.php?t=19851