Factorio 2.1 Steam Power: Size Boilers and Engines for an Offshore Pump

• Use the Factorio 2.1 experimental reference with ordinary offshore pumps and boilers; higher-quality components have different rates.
• Have water access, boiler fuel, steam engines and power poles.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Place an offshore pump beside water and connect it to a boiler's water connector.
2. Fuel the boiler and connect its separate steam output to two steam engines.
3. Connect the engines to the factory's electrical network with power poles.
4. Expand in sets of one boiler and two engines, checking water and fuel supply as the plant grows.

Calculate the Boiler and Engine Ratio

One boiler consumes 1.8 MW of fuel and produces energy in steam at the same rate. Each steam engine consumes 0.9 MW from steam, so one boiler supports two engines at full load. On the fluid side, a boiler uses six water and produces 60 steam per second; each engine uses 30 steam per second. An ordinary offshore pump produces 1,200 fluid per second, enough water for 200 boilers at those rates.

Connect a Small Steam Plant

Start with one offshore pump, one boiler and two steam engines. Add more boiler-and-engine sets as demand grows, while checking that the water, fuel and electrical connections still serve the expanded plant.

• Place the offshore pump beside water and connect its outlet to a boiler's water connector.
• Supply fuel to the boiler. Its two water connectors can pass water along to adjacent boilers; use its separate steam output for the engines.
• Connect the steam output to two steam engines, then place power poles that connect the engines to the factory's electrical network.

Check a Plant That Cannot Meet Demand

If the plant falls short, check its connections before adding engines. An engine disconnected from the electrical network shows a flashing yellow triangle. Check that water reaches the boilers, steam reaches every engine and fuel reaches the boilers. If those paths work, compare the number of boilers and engines with the load the factory needs.

Troubleshooting

• If an engine shows a flashing yellow triangle, connect it to the electrical network with power poles.
• If engines lack steam, check the boiler's steam output and the connections to every engine.
• If boilers lack water or stop producing steam, check the water path and fuel supply.
• If the factory still lacks power, check whether it has enough boilers and engines for its demand.